Important scientific discoveries of 2016
Last reviewed: 30.05.2018
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In 2016, scientists made many discoveries, conducted more than a thousand research works, among which one can distinguish the following:
In the field of ecology, scientists have found out that the size of the ozone hole through which the pernicious ultraviolet penetrates is reduced by 4 million km 2. According to experts, the size of the giant hole in the ozone layer began to decrease due to a decrease in the amount of harmful emissions to the atmosphere, in addition, this could be affected by the changing weather conditions on the planet.
Also scientists have deleted such animals as pandas, Louisian black bear and monarch butterflies from the list of disappearing, they were transferred to the line "vulnerable position".
In the field of medicine, a number of discoveries were also made and scientists repeatedly struck not only the public, but also colleagues with the results of their work. For example, the milk of the Tasmanian devil contains substances from which it is possible to create an antibiotic that can become a powerful weapon against bacteria, which is especially important now that bacteria are showing greater resistance.
But the main breakthrough in medicine is the creation of a vaccine against Dengue fever, which mosquitoes suffer. The disease is characterized by severe headaches, vomiting, high fever, and a fatal outcome is possible. This year, WHO recommended starting the vaccine in regions where there is a high likelihood of spreading the disease, and vaccinations have already been made in the Philippines and Brazil from Dengue fever.
Another interesting discovery in medicine was the development of a modified herpes virus, which can become a unique cure for cancer. Scientists have created a viral drug IMLYGIC, which, according to studies, helps to destroy a cancerous tumor. The new drug has received approval and will be used in the near future for the treatment of melanoma.
In the field of technology, it is possible to single out the creation of gravitational waves, which will help scientists to better study the cosmos. The discovery was made in a laser interferometric gravitational-wave observatory, where specialists caught the ripples of space-time from black holes that collided in the distant past. It is worth noting that this opening became the leader in the list of scientific discoveries this year.
An equally important discovery in this area is the discovery of the ninth planet in our solar system. If the information is confirmed, and recently scientists manage to get all the new evidence for the existence of this planet, then our solar system will be recognized as nine-planet.
An interesting discovery can be called a planet that revolves around the closest to the sun star, in size it is approximately the size of the earth and perhaps in the future, mankind will go on a journey to this extra-solar planet.
Pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg flew around the world on an airplane using only the energy of the sun. The aircraft covered a distance of 42,000 km and aviators hope that aircraft designers, inspired by the world tour, will develop environmentally safe aircraft. It is worth noting that this flight has become a real breakthrough in the field of technical solutions.