Science compiled a list of the 10 most significant scientific discoveries of 2011
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Experts from the journal Science compiled a list of the 10 most significant scientific discoveries of 2011. But the "breakthrough of the year" from this list, they called the discovery that antiretroviral drugs hinder the transmission of HIV.
Clinical trials have fully proved that antiretroviral drugs not only help AIDS patients, but also inhibit the spread of the virus. In the trials, there were almost 1800 heterosexual couples from 9 countries. Specially selected couples, where only one partner is HIV-infected. Initially, it was planned that the tests will last until 2015.
"Then scientists had to compare couples taking antiretroviral drugs with those who do not take them. But this year, testing showed that drugs clearly prevent HIV infection. After that, scientists decided for ethical reasons to give all participants access to antiretroviral drugs, "the article says. Of the 28 people who contracted HIV during the tests, only one belonged to a group where one of the sexual partners was taking antiretroviral drugs. In this group, serious health problems related to HIV were 41% less pronounced than in the control group.
The discovery is that taking antiretroviral drugs at an early stage of the illness (before they are usually prescribed) can reduce the chance of HIV infection in heterosexual relationships by 96%. The research was led by Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina at Chappel Hill.
Here are the other discoveries and achievements noted by Science experts:
- The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa delivered for the first time to the earth samples of the asteroid.
- A comparison of the DNA of modern and ancient people revealed that many people carry in the genome traces of ancient DNA, including genes of "Denisov's man".
- Invented "retarder" of aging: if from the body of mice to remove aged cells, the symptoms of aging appear later. Although the life span of mice is not prolonged, senile diseases, such as cataracts or muscular dystrophy, do not occur in the lower part.
- The structure of the protein responsible for photosynthesis in plants has been studied ("this is the way to sources of clean energy," the publication explains).
- Astronomers have discovered unusual planetary systems, quite unlike ours, for example, a planet with two suns.
- The Keck telescope in Hawaii discovered two clouds of hydrogen in space, the chemical composition of which apparently did not change 2 billion years after the "Big Bang".
- Chemists have synthesized several new zeolites - porous minerals, which are used as catalysts.
- The first clinical trials of a malaria vaccine, involving more than 15,000 children, gave hope that a malaria vaccine is possible.
- Investigation of bacteria living in the human gastrointestinal tract, indicated the relationship of nutrition with the nature of the intestinal microflora.
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