A new “Science” magazine covers, T-shirts is a map the human genome, the human genome difference of the top ranks of scientific progress.
The authority of the United States “Science” magazine has selected this year’s top 10 scientific developments in the human genome difference of the top ranks. This research component of gene targeting, than in recent years often hear of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, that is, genes) further studies, be of immense help to understand the disease, in addition to four the list of scientific progress and Gene or medical related. According to Hong Kong “Wen Wei Po”, “Science” magazine Outlook for next year’s scientific development, and many are related to genetic engineering, is expected to more human longevity.
Differences in the human genome research is DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) form the basic unit single-nucleotide differences between the bases. This analysis method to determine gene which will have slight differences in disease risk. Responsible for judging the “Science” magazine editor-Mainz on the study of the heavy like to say: “Over the years, people talk about how we have been similar, or even how similar people and apes. Forefront of a number of 2007 gave us the first study one that exists between people of DNA differences are also high. ”
10 scientific progress this year in the first two ranks, stem cells are used to imitate the GM technology. US-Japan Study Group on the two reports, respectively, to make use of this technology will transform human skin cells into “pluripotent stem cells” that can change on stem cell research moral issues.
“Science” magazine also predicted the 2008 popular areas of scientific research, small molecule ribonucleic acid (RNA) research is one of them. RNA studies will help the medical profession to understand how the disease is the human feel sick, can promote the development of pathology.
“Science” magazine also expects the mysteries of the human body will be solved one by one. The most complex human organ brain, neurons in its internal operation process will be colored with the neural network research and floating on the surface, the pace of mental disintegration of mankind into the first step.
American magazine “Science,” on the 20th decide the 2007 top ten scientific advances, but also the practice decide the most disappointing year of scientific events: the Bush Administration in dealing with the issue of climate change is still to take intransigent attitude.
The editorial said that it was disappointing that, in addressing the issue of climate change, the Bush administration is still holding stubbornly resist attitude, for a long time, the Bush administration failed to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States is the only major developed countries have not signed the “Kyoto Protocol” country.
Ten scientific breakthroughs in 2007:
1. Study of human genetic variation
Human gene map published almost seven years since the genome of many achievements, scientists discovered that human genes in a human pattern between race and ethnicity and even the difference between places 15 million. As at the end of this year, scientists have identified one of 3 million. Chanyu this year, scientists have confirmed 50 kinds of genes and their variants and several dozens of diseases related. Differences in the human genome research is DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) formed the basic units of single-nucleotide differences between the so-called single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
2. Stem cells and skin cells
Scientists in the United States and Japan announced in June of mouse skin cell gene, will be transformed into embryonic stem cells as a function of pluripotent stem cells, research progress very quickly thereafter, the United States and Japan two teams in November, reported the use of cells made from human skin “pluripotent stem cell” research, or previous address on stem cell research moral issues.
3. Tracking cosmic ray source
The researchers found that the Earth’s atmosphere regular presence of cosmic rays, are likely to come from active galactic nuclei. Active Galactic Nuclei is at the centre of galaxies close, which are usually large black holes, the eruption will be huge plasma jet to the space between the galaxies.
4. Operation of the mystery of human senses
Human five senses known, but the actual operation of sensory science has been no answer. This year, researchers identified the human beta 2 - adrenergic receptor structure, and solved puzzles. Beta 2 - adrenergic receptor is an important G protein-coupled receptors, through transfer of hormone in the body, serotonin, as well as other elements of information to the management of human internal systems.
5. Transition metal oxides
Research on transition metal oxides may预示progress on the material under a revolution. 2007, and materials physics research team to two metal oxide growth together to create a series of useful properties of the electromagnetic potential interface structure.
6. Molecular control
Chemists developed a series of highly efficient, low-cost manufacturing of drugs and compounds of the new electronic technology.
7. Quantum rotation, “Hall Effect”
Quantum physicists realized rotation, “Hall Effect” forecast, Hall effect electronic flow through some materials, in the applied electric field under the peculiar phenomenon. If the room temperature environment to generate the Hall effect, it may be hastening the production of new low-power “spin electronics” computing equipment.
8. Immune cell division
The researchers found that the human body against viruses and tumor T cells “immediate protection” and “long-term protection of the” division of labour. Research staff to just catch differentiation of T cells, T cells found in the polarization generated by the two different types of protein, a class of a “fighter” molecular markers, and the other showed that the “memory cells” characteristics, can lie dormant for many years to prepare for the next invasion.
9. Study memory and fantasy
And mice for scientists to study, the results showed that memory and imagination from the brain’s hippocampus, the area is a key memory center. So scientists speculated that the brain’s memory may rearrange through past experience, as Greek mythology general, to generate future scenarios.
10. Crack Western checkers
Canadian researchers completely solve Western checkers and found that as long as “not bad at the game,” each will have a game regardless of the outcome. Scientists to design artificial intelligence procedures “Chinook” and any human player chessboard, it would not be defeated. Western sophistication to human checkers player, not step in the wrong circumstances, and only “Chinook” labeled as leader.