We’ve all dived into the New Year, as 2023 just ended a few days ago. However, it’s time for a little summary of what the previous year brought to the world when it comes to scientific discoveries. Without science and the human love for knowledge that has manifested throughout history, we would have absolutely nothing today, not even electricity or a roof above our heads, not to mention all the fancy ‘toys’ such as laptops and smartphones.
We can all consider ourselves lucky to live during a time when science is at its peak, despite the failure of some scientists to convince the masses of some of their achievements. We can’t ignore the fact that science is not always reliable for the average person, at least to some degree (because, once again, we all use science in one way or another, and surely everybody is aware of that).
AI advancements
Whether you are a fan of AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or not, the truth is that the AI scene has been through some impressive advancements in 2023. The software of ChatGPT got better and obtained more impressive results in tests, and we can say the same about other AI tools.
For instance, some sources claim that an AI tool has successfully identified people who have the highest risk of pancreatic cancer.
Creating synthetic human embryos from stem cells
In 2023, the creation of synthetic human embryos using stem cells was possible due to scientists from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology. The achievement neglects the need for eggs or sperm.
However, it needs to be said that the scientific advancement in question raises serious ethical and legal issues. That’s due to the fact that lab-grown entities are not included in the current legislation in most countries.
James Webb detects crucial carbon molecule
The next-gen James Webb Space Telescope of NASA detected methyl cation (CH3+) in space for the first time, locating it in a star system called d203-506. This molecule helps in the formation of more complex molecules based on carbon, and it was detected by Webb’s advanced gear more than 1,300 light-years away from Earth.
The successful transplant of cryopreserved kidneys in rats
Scientists at the University of Minnesota proved for the first time that it is possible to cryogenically store rat kidneys for a maximum of 100 days and transplant them into rodents to restore full kidney function.
More exoplanets
Not long ago, humanity only knew of roughly 4,000 exoplanets. But in 2023, that number went to more than 5,500 exoplanets discovered due to the unveiling of the celestial bodies known as TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, and MWC 758 c. Astronomers never seem to take a break from exploring the heavens, which is always great news!
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is currently the world’s most powerful telescope, and we can certainly expect more amazing discoveries from it in 2024!
These are just a few of the most important scientific discoveries made in 2023, as plenty of others could have been mentioned. Feel free to tell us which is the scientific discovery of 2023 that impressed you the most!
