Lately, I have noticed that many social media platforms have been polluted with posts that proclaimed that 2016 was atrocious. As a result, I decided to look at the year with a positive "scope" and a scientific "lens." Here are 10 amazing scientific breakthroughs that occurred in 2016!
1) Measles has been completely eradicated from the Americas.
In September of this year, the World Health Organization has declared that the measles has left the Americas thanks to the vaccination effort (Please vaccinate your children!).
2) Gravitational waves' existence has been successfully confirmed.
Physicists were able to successfully confirm the existence of gravitational waves. This study not only proves the existence of gravitational waves, but it also is the "strongest confirmation yet" that black holes exist.
3) Largest marine reserve to be established near Antarctica.
Dubbed as the ocean's "Garden of Eden," 24 countries in the European Union have agreed to set aside approximately 600,000 square miles of ocean in the Ross Sea for a marine reserve, which will actually be created in December 2017. This means that oil drillers, fishermen (and women, it's almost 2017), whale hunters and so on will no longer be able to exploit the natural resources of this magnificent ecosystem.
4) ‘Undead’ genes come alive days after life ends
This study goes back to the age old question: Does life seize to exist after death? According to this study, life continues. Researchers discovered that, in animals, thousands of genes continued to work, and in fish, they found that some genes remained active for 4 days after death! The genes that remained active were often stress relieving ones that reduced inflammation; however, some of the genes were developmental ones!
5) 7 new species of peacock spiders have been discovered.
I'm not a big fan of spiders, but these are really cute. They're less than 0.2 inches long.
6) Paralyzed man can move a surgically wired robotic arm with his brain.
He is the first person "to have a 'natural' sense of touch restored, using a mind-controlled robotic arm."
7) "Superwheat" has been created.
So, what makes this wheat greater than regular wheat? "Superwheat" is a genetically modified wheat that performs photosynthesis way more efficiently than regular wheat. As a result, it will yield up to 40% more crop. This may help solve the upcoming overpopulation issue.
8) Stem cell transplants have safely and successfully healed stroke patients.
Neuroscientists have injected stem cells into stroke-damaged areas of the brain, restoring motor functions in patients.
9) Carbon dioxide has been turned into stone when injected into the ground.
Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, has been successfully turned into stone when injected underground. According to Science, "injecting [carbon dioxide] into volcanic rocks triggers a reaction that rapidly forms new carbonate minerals—potentially locking up the gas forever."
10) World tiger count rises for the first time in 100 years.
These were just several of the thousands of scientific breakthroughs that occurred in this year. So, was 2016 actually that bad?
