Science announces ten scientific breakthroughs in 2021
2021-12-20
Artificial intelligence predicts how the two proteins form complexes involved in yeast DNA repair. A researcher recorded the location of sediment samples in the chichivit cave in Mexico. In order to produce the fusion reaction of the national ignition device in the United States, 192 laser beams converge around a small fuel pellet. Moneravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death in high-risk groups who were not vaccinated with the new crown vaccine by 30%. Researchers used MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Artist's monoclonal antibody (red and blue) attacks the concept map of COVID-19 (purple). Seismic waves show that Mars has a thin crust, a shallow mantle and an unusually large liquid core. The American muon anomalous magnetic moment experiment has been obtaining data at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory since 2018. The guide RNA (blue) from CRISPR injection guides the DNA cleavage enzyme (white) to its target (Orange). A mouse embryo grows in a rotating jar. This can help researchers understand the early stages of human development. On the 17th Beijing time, the website of science announced the results of the selection of scientific breakthroughs in 2021. Let's take a look at what major discoveries the scientific community has made this year. 1. Artificial intelligence predicts protein structure In July this year, deep thinking, a world-renowned artificial intelligence team, announced that it used the AI intelligent software program alpha folding to predict the structure of almost all proteins expressed by humans and almost complete proteomes of 20 other organisms. AI prediction of protein structure will bring a wide range of applications, provide insights into basic biology and reveal potential drug targets. In November, researchers in Germany and the United States used alpha folding 2 and cryoelectron microscopy to map the structure of the nuclear pore complex. In August, Chinese researchers used alpha folding 2 to map the structure of nearly 200 proteins bound to DNA. Now, scientists are using alpha folding 2 to simulate the effect of Omicron variant spike protein mutation. By inserting larger amino acids into the protein, the mutation changes its shape, which may be enough to prevent the antibody from binding to it and neutralize the virus. 2. Unlock the ancient soil DNA treasure house Recently, scientists have unlocked a larger treasure house of ancient DNA from the soil on the cave floor. Researchers used this "earth DNA" to reconstruct the identity of cavemen around the world. In the estatuas cave in Spain, nuclear DNA revealed the genetic characteristics and gender of humans living there 80000 to 113000 years ago, and showed that one lineage of Neanderthals replaced several others after the glacial period that ended 100000 years ago. In the 25000 year old soil of satsurblia cave, Georgia, scientists found the female human genome from the previously unknown Neanderthal line, as well as the genetic traces of bison and extinct wolf. By comparing the DNA of black bears 12000 years ago in chichewitt cave in Mexico with that of modern bears, scientists found that after the last ice age, the offspring of black bears in the cave migrated north to Alaska. 3. Achieve a historic breakthrough in nuclear fusion In August, National ignition device (NIF) produces a fusion reaction that produces more energy than the laser energy required to ignite it. NIF uses pulses from the world's highest energy laser to compress pepper sized hydrogen isotope deuterium and tritium capsules. This method produces 170 kJ of fusion energy per launch, which is much lower than the 1.9 mJ laser input, but the record on August 8 shows that this energy Soared to 1.35 MJ. The researchers believe that this is the result of burning plasma, which means that the fusion reaction produces enough heat to spread through compressed fuel like a flame. 4. Emergence of anti neocrown powerful drugs Data show that the antiviral drug moneravir of Merck can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death of high-risk groups without vaccination by 30%. Pfizer's antiviral drug pf-07321332 will reduce the hospitalization rate by 89% if it is taken within 3 days of symptoms. Scientists stress that antiviral drugs cannot replace vaccination, but they are still crucial. If new Omicron variants lead to a surge in breakthrough infections, their importance will become more prominent. 5. Ecstasy reduces the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial found that, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as "Ecstasy", significantly reduced the symptoms of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 76 subjects, some received MDMA treatment for 3 times and some received placebo-guided treatment courses. After 2 months, 67% of patients treated with MDMA no longer had PTSD symptoms, compared with 32% in the placebo group. 6. Treatment of infectious diseases with monoclonal antibodies This year, monoclonal antibodies (mAb) began to fight against COVID-19 and other life-threatening pathogens. Including respiratory syncytial virus By the end of this year, FDA has awarded 3 kinds of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19. The scientists are also developing monoclonal antibodies against influenza, chaca virus and cytomegalovirus. Two of the two candidates for preventing all respiratory syncytial viruses in infants have been given high hopes. Monoclonal antibodies or RSV are highly anticipated. It will become the "standard configuration" in the arsenal for the treatment of infectious diseases. 7. Insight revealed the internal structure of Mars for the first time Since taking root on Mars, NASA's insight Mars probe has measured about 733 earthquakes at its landing site. Based on the data of 35 earthquakes, scientists revealed the internal structure of Mars and estimated the size of the Martian core, the structure of the mantle and the thickness of the crust. This is also the first time that scientists have used seismic data to explore the interior of planets outside the earth, which is an important step in understanding the formation and thermal evolution of Mars. 8. "Cracks" appear in the standard model of particle physics On April 7, the muon anomalous magnetic moment experiment conducted by Fermilab in the United States showed that the muon behavior was inconsistent with the theoretical prediction of the standard model. The report says that the giant, unstable electron like particle, the muon, is more magnetic than originally predicted. In addition, the proton accelerator in Fermilab can also produce a large number of muons. Researchers are now carefully examining this year's calculation results. If they are true, and the differences between theoretical and experimental results persist, it may mark the failure of the prediction of the 50 year old standard model of particle physics, or open the door to physics reform. 9. CRISPR gene editing therapy is proved to be effective in humans for the first time CRISPR, a gene editing tool, first showed or could cure sickle cell disease and β— Mediterranean anaemia. This year, scientists went further and directly deployed crispr-cas9 in the human body. In small studies, the strategy reduced a toxic liver protein and moderately improved vision in patients with hereditary blindness. On June 26, scientists from intellia pharmaceutical and regenerant tested their treatment on six patients with a rare disease called transthyroxine amyloidosis. The results showed that the abnormal protein levels of all participants decreased, and the protein levels of two people who received high-dose injection decreased by an average of 87%. 10. In vitro embryo culture opens a new window for early development research Generally, mouse embryos grow in vitro for 3 to 4 days. But in March, a team reported a plan to extend this period to 11 days. This research progress is expected to pave the way for extrauterine inoculation of human beings. In addition, scientists have designed alternatives to the key embryonic stage known as the "blastocyst". A research team copied blastocysts from human embryonic stem cells, And induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS). Another study found that skin cells transformed into induced pluripotent cells will produce blastocyst like structures. These artificial blastocysts are not real embryos, but some of them can be used as a guiding and less controversial alternative. In May, the international stem cell society announced the relaxation of the "14 day rule" for human embryo culture , which further boosted the research in this field. (Xinhua News Agency)
Edit：Li Ling Responsible editor：Chen Jie
Source：Science and Technology Daily
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email：lwxsd@liaowanghn.com
Sci-Tech
Recommended Reading Change it 
Home
