Discoveries and facts from science. Comprehensive analysis of the woolly mammoth genome completed for the first time

For centuries, scientists have made great amount discoveries that improved the quality of our lives and helped us understand the world around us. It is very difficult (if not impossible) to assess the significance of these discoveries, but one thing is for sure - some of them have literally changed our lives. From penicillin and the screw pump, to x-rays and electricity, the site has collected 12 of the greatest scientific discoveries in the history of mankind!

Scientific Discovery #1. Penicillin

If Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist, had not discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928, we would probably still be dying from diseases such as stomach ulcers, dental abscesses, strep throat and scarlet fever, staph infections, Lyme disease, leptospirosis and others.

No. 2. Mechanical watches

There is some controversy as to what the first mechanical clock was, but it is believed that it was created by the Chinese monk and mathematician Ya Xing in 723 CE. e. This is one of the greatest scientific discoveries in the history of mankind, which allowed us to determine the time.

Number 3. Circulation

One of the greatest scientific discoveries in medicine is the discovery of the circulation of the blood, which is attributed to English doctor William Harvey. He was the first person to fully describe the systemic circulation and the properties of the blood pumped by the heart to the brain and body in 1628.

No. 4. Screw Pump

Considered one of the greatest scientists Ancient Greece Archimedes developed one of the first water pumps, a spinning corkscrew that pushed water up to a tube. This changed the irrigation process and is still used today in many wastewater treatment plants.

Discovery #5. Pasteurization

Pasteurization, discovered by the French scientist Louis Pasteur in the 1860s, is a heat treatment process that destroys pathogenic microorganisms in certain foods and drinks such as wine, beer and milk. This great scientific discovery in the history of mankind a huge impact to public health.

No. 6. Electricity

The life-changing discovery of electricity is attributed to the English scientist Michael Faraday. His main discoveries include the principles underlying electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis. Faraday's experiments also created the first generator, the forerunner of the huge generators that produce our electricity.

No. 7. Anesthesia

Crude forms of anesthesia such as opium, mandrake and alcohol were used as early as 70 AD, but it was not until 1847 that the American surgeon Henry Bigelow used ether and chloroform as the first general anesthetics, making painful operations more bearable.

No. 8. X-rays

German physicist Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895 while studying the phenomena that accompany the passage of electric current through gas extremely low pressure. For this great scientific discovery in the history of mankind, Roentgen was awarded the first ever Nobel Prize in physics in 1901.

No. 9. Periodic table

In 1869 Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev noticed that with the growth atomic mass Chemical properties elements change not monotonously, but periodically. With this knowledge, he was able to create the first periodic table, one of the greatest scientific discoveries in chemistry.

No. 10. Paper

Although modern predecessors, such as papyrus and amate, which existed in the Mediterranean world and in pre-Columbian America, respectively, these materials are not defined as real paper. The first paper-making process was recorded in China, during the Eastern Han period (25-220 AD).

No. 11. Liquid Crystals

If the Austrian botanical physiologist Friedrich Reinitzer had not discovered liquid crystals when studying physical and chemical properties various derivatives of cholesterol back in 1888, LCD TVs would simply not exist today.

No. 12. Polio vaccine

On March 26, 1953, American medical researcher Jonas Salk announced that he had successfully tested a vaccine against polio, the virus that causes the chronic disease polio. In 1952, the epidemic year for polio, there were 58,000 new cases in the US and more than 3,000 deaths due to the disease.

The almost gone 2017 turned out to be a year of high-profile discoveries - space agencies began to use reusable rockets, patients can now fight cancer cells with their own blood cells, and a group of scientists found in southern hemisphere lost continent called Zealand.

These and other mind-blowing discoveries and incredible scientific achievements 2017.

Zealand

An international group of 32 scientists discovered in the southern part Pacific Ocean lost continent - Zeeland. It is located under Pacific waters, on seabed between New Zealand and New Caledonia. Zealand has not always been under water, as scientists have been able to find fossilized remains of plants and land animals.

New life form

Scientists have been able to create laboratory conditions something closest to new form life. The fact is that the DNA of all living beings consists of natural pairs of amino acids: adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine. From these nitrogenous bases and built most of DNA. However, the scientists were able to create an unnatural base pair that coexisted quite comfortably with the natural base pairs in E. coli DNA.

This discovery may affect further development medicine and may contribute to a longer retention medicines in the body.

All the gold in the universe

Scientists have learned exactly how all the gold in the universe (as well as platinum and silver) is formed. In the process of collision of two very small, but very heavy stars, located at a distance of 130 million light years from Earth, one hundred octillion dollars worth of gold was formed.

For the first time in the history of stellar observation, astronomers have witnessed the collision of two neutron stars. two massive space bodies were heading towards each other at a speed equal to a third of the speed of light, and their collision led to the creation of gravitational waves that are palpable on Earth.

Secrets of the Great Pyramid

Scientists take a fresh look at great pyramid Giza and discovered a secret hall there. Using new technology scanning based on high-speed particles, scientists have found in the depths of the pyramid secret room that no one had even suspected before. So far, scientists can only speculate why this room was built.

A new way to fight cancer

Scientists can now use the human immune system to fight some cancer cells. For example, to fight childhood leukemia, doctors extract a child's blood cells, modify them, and inject them back into the body. So far, this process is extremely expensive, but the technology is developing and has great potential.

New indicators from the poles

Not all discoveries in 2017 were positive. For example, in July, a huge piece of ice broke off the Antarctic ice sheet, becoming the third largest iceberg on record.

In addition, scientists argue that the Arctic may never regain the title of the eternally icy pole.

New planets

NASA scientists have discovered seven more exoplanets that could theoretically support life as we know it on Earth.

In the neighboring star system TRAPPIST-1, as many as seven planets were observed, at least six of them are solid, like the Earth. All these planets are in a zone favorable for the formation of water and life. What is most remarkable about this discovery is the proximity of the star system and the possibility of further detailed study of the planets.

Farewell to Cassini

In 2017 automatic space station Cassini, which studied Saturn and its many moons for 13 years, burned up in the planet's atmosphere. This was the planned end of the mission, which scientists deliberately went to in an attempt to avoid Cassini colliding with possibly habitable moons of Saturn.

Just before its death, Cassini circled Titan and flew through the icy rings of Saturn, sending unique images back to Earth.

MRI for babies

The tiniest babies being treated or examined in the hospital now have their own MRI, safe to use in the same room as the babies.

Reusable rocket booster

SpaceX has invented a new rocket booster that doesn't fall back to Earth after a rocket launch and can be used multiple times.

Boosters are one of the most expensive parts of launching a rocket into space, and usually they all end up on the ocean floor immediately after launch. A very expensive disposable device, without which it is impossible to reach orbit.

However, SpaceX's new heavy boosters can be retrofitted relatively easily and cheaply, saving $18 million per launch. In 2017, Elon Musk's company has already carried out about 20 launches, followed by a booster landing.

New advances in genetics

Scientists have become one step closer to being able to edit human DNA, saving him from birth defects, diseases and genetic abnormalities even before birth. Oregon geneticists have successfully edited the DNA of a living human embryo for the first time.

In addition, eGenesis announced that it will soon be possible to transplant large life important organs from pig donors. The company has succeeded in creating a genetic virus blocker that does not transmit animal viruses to humans.

Breakthrough in quantum teleportation

The possibility of quantum information teleportation has long been studied by scientists. Previously, it was possible to teleport data over a distance of several tens of kilometers.

For the first time in the history of quantum teleportation, a Chinese scientist managed to transfer information about photons (light particles) from Earth into space using mirrors and lasers.

This discovery could dramatically change how we transmit information around the world and transport energy. quantum teleportation can lead to a completely new kind of quantum computers and information transfer. The Internet of the near future could be faster, more secure, and virtually unhackable.

The history of mankind is the history of scientific discoveries that made this world more technological and perfect, improved the quality of life, helped to understand the world. In this review, 15 scientific discoveries, which had a key focus on the development of civilization and which people still use. .

1. Penicillin

As you know, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin (the first antibiotic) in 1928. If this did not happen, then people would probably still die from such things as stomach ulcers, tooth abscess, tonsillitis and scarlet fever, staph infection, leptospirosis, etc.

2. Mechanical watch

It is worth noting that there is still a lot of controversy regarding what can be considered the first mechanical watch. However, as a rule, the Chinese monk and mathematician Yi-Sing (723 AD) is considered to be their inventor. This groundbreaking discovery allowed humans to measure time.

3. Screw pump

One of the most important ancient Greek scientists, Archimedes is believed to have developed one of the first water pumps that pushed water up a tube. It completely transformed irrigation.

4. Gravity

This is good famous history- famous English mathematician and physicist Isaac Newton discovered gravity after an apple fell on his head in 1664. His discovery explains why things fall to earth and why the planets revolve around the sun.

5. Pasteurization

Discovered by the French scientist Louis Pasteur in the 1860s, pasteurization is a heat treatment process that destroys pathogens in certain foods and drinks, such as wine, beer, and milk. This discovery had a huge impact on public health.

It is common knowledge that modern civilization grew thanks to the industrial revolution, the main cause of which was the steam engine. In fact, this engine was not invented overnight, but rather it was gradually developed over a period of about a hundred years thanks to 3 British inventors: Thomas Savery, Thomas Newcomen and (most famously) James Watt.

7. Electricity

Fateful discovery electricity belongs to the English scientist Michael Faraday. He also discovered the basic principles of electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis. During his experiments, Faraday also created the first generator to produce electricity.

8. DNA

Many people believe that American biologist James Watson and English physicist Francis Crick discovered DNA in the 1950s, but in fact, deoxyribonucleic acid was first identified in the late 1860s by the Swiss chemist Friedrich Miescher. Then, in the decades after Miescher's discovery, other scientists conducted many scientific research, which helped to understand how organisms pass on their genes and how they control how cells work.

9. Pain relief

Rough forms of anesthesia such as opium, mandrake, and alcohol were in use as early as 70 AD. But it wasn't until 1847 that the American surgeon Henry Bigelow determined that ether and chloroform could be anesthetics, thereby making painful surgery far more bearable.

10. Theory of relativity

Two related theories of Albert Einstein - special theory relativity and general theory Relativity - were published in 1905. They transformed theoretical physics and astronomy in the 20th century, replacing the 200-year-old theory of mechanics created by Newton. This theory became the basis for much of modern science.

11. X-rays

German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays in 1895, when he studied the phenomena that accompany the passage of an electric current through an extremely low pressure gas. For this groundbreaking discovery, Roentgen was awarded the first ever Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.

12. Periodic table

In 1869, the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, while studying the atomic weights of the elements, noticed that chemical elements can be formed into groups with similar properties. As a result, he managed to create the first periodic table, which became one of the most important discoveries in the field of chemistry.

Infrared radiation was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1800 when he studied the heating effect of different colors of light using a prism and thermometers. AT modern days infrared light is used in many areas, including tracking systems, heating, meteorology, astronomy, etc.

Today it is used as a very accurate and efficient diagnostic tool in medicine. And for the first time, nuclear magnetic resonance was described and measured by the American physicist I. Rabi in 1938. For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1944.

15. Paper

While precursors to modern paper such as papyrus and amate existed in the Mediterranean and pre-Columbian Americas, respectively, these materials were not true paper. The paper-making process was first documented in China during the Eastern Han period (25-220 AD).

Today, man makes discoveries not only on earth, but also in space. That's just . They are really impressive!

Newborns usually have about 270 bones, most of which are very small. This makes the skeleton more flexible and helps the baby move through the birth canal and grow quickly. As we grow older, many of these bones fuse together. The skeleton of an adult consists of an average of 200-213 bones.

2. The Eiffel Tower grows 15 centimeters in summer

The huge structure is built with temperature expansion joints, thanks to which the steel can expand and contract without any damage.

When steel is heated, it begins to expand and takes up more volume. This is called thermal expansion. Conversely, a decrease in temperature leads to a decrease in volume. For this reason, large structures such as bridges are built with expansion joints that allow them to change in size without being damaged.

3. 20% of oxygen comes from the Amazon rainforest

Flickr.com/thiagomarra

The Amazon rainforest covers 5.5 million square kilometers. The Amazonian jungle produces a significant portion of the oxygen on Earth by absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide, which is why they are often called the lungs of the planet.

4. Some metals are so reactive that they explode even on contact with water.

Some metals and compounds - potassium, sodium, lithium, rubidium and cesium - exhibit increased chemical activity, therefore they can ignite with lightning speed upon contact with air, and if they are lowered into water, they can even explode.

5. A teaspoon of a neutron star would weigh 6 billion tons.

Neutron stars are remnants massive stars, consisting mainly of a neutron core covered with a relatively thin (about 1 km) crust of matter in the form of heavy atomic nuclei and electrons. The cores of stars that died during a supernova explosion were compressed under the influence of gravity. This is how superdense neutron stars were formed. Astronomers have found that the mass neutron stars can be comparable to the mass of the Sun, despite the fact that their radius does not exceed 10–20 kilometers.

6. Each year, Hawaii moves closer to Alaska by 7.5 cm.

The earth's crust consists of several huge parts - tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving along with the upper layer of the mantle. Hawaii is located in the middle part of the Pacific Plate, which is slowly drifting in a northwesterly direction towards the North American Plate, on which Alaska is located. tectonic plates move at the same speed as human nails grow.

7. In 2.3 billion years, Earth will be too hot for life to exist.

Our planet will eventually become a vast desert, similar to today's Mars. For hundreds of millions of years, the Sun has been heating up, getting brighter and hotter, and will continue to do so. In about two billion years or more, temperatures will become so hot that the oceans that make Earth habitable will evaporate. The whole planet will turn into an endless desert. As scientists predict, in the next few billion years, the Sun will turn into a red giant and completely swallow the Earth - the planet will definitely come to an end.

Flickr.com/andy999

Thermal imagers are able to identify an object by the heat it radiates. And polar bears are experts at keeping warm. Thanks to a thick layer of subcutaneous fat and a warm coat, bears are able to endure even the coldest days in the Arctic.

9. It takes light 8 minutes 19 seconds to travel from the sun to the earth.

It is known that the speed of light is 300,000 kilometers per second. But even with such dizzying speed, it will take time to overcome the distance between the Sun and the Earth. And 8 minutes is not so much in cosmic scale. To reach Pluto sunlight it will take 5.5 hours.

10. If you remove all the interatomic space, humanity will fit in a sugar cube

In fact, more than 99.9999% of an atom is empty space. An atom consists of a tiny, dense nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons that proportionally occupy more space. This is because electrons move in waves. They can only exist where the crests and troughs of the waves add up in a certain way. The electrons do not stay at one point, their location can be anywhere within the orbit. That is why they take up a lot of space.

11. Gastric Juice Can Dissolve Razor Blades

The stomach digests food thanks to the caustic hydrochloric acid with a high pH (hydrogen index) - from two to three. But at the same time, the acid also affects the gastric mucosa, which, however, is able to quickly recover. The lining of your stomach is completely renewed every four days.

Scientists have many versions of why this happens. Most likely due to huge asteroids, which influenced its course in the past, or due to strong circulation air currents in the upper layers of the atmosphere.

13. A flea can accelerate faster than a space shuttle.

Flea jumps reach breathtaking heights - 8 centimeters per millisecond. Each jump gives the flea an acceleration that is 50 times the acceleration of the spaceship.

And what Interesting Facts do you know?

Message about scientific discovery will tell you what new scientific discoveries have been made in recent times and what awaits us in the future.

Scientific discovery message

Scientific discoveries always excite the world with new news and perspectives. They are an indicator of the progress of society and specific person. Let's start our selection with what important scientific discoveries were made in the 20th century:

• Opening x-ray radiation . This scientific discovery still affects human life today, because it is difficult to imagine modern medicine without x-rays.
• Discovery of penicillin. Based on it, they began to produce antibiotics that saved many lives.
• De Broglie waves. Their discovery contributed to the development of the concept of quantum mechanics.
• Discovery of the new DNA helix in 1953 by Francis Crick and James Watson.
• Discovery of transistors. Thanks to this discovery, the technique began to decrease in size.
• Creation of a radiotelegraph Alexander Popov.
• Discovery of artificial radioactivity.
• Method of in vitro fertilization ( ECO). Scientists were able to extract an intact egg from a woman and create optimal conditions in vitro for her life and growth. They also figured out how to fertilize the egg and return it to the mother's body.
• First flight into space in 1961. Did this
• Cloning. Scientists in 1996 obtained the first clone of Dolly the sheep. This is how it started new era in the development of society.
• Approaching Creation artificial intelligence.
• The invention of holography by Dennis Gabor in 1947. With the help of a laser, three-dimensional images of objects close to real ones were restored.
• Discovery of insulin Frederick Banting in 1922. Since this year, diabetes can be treated.
• Discovery of stem cells, progenitors of all cells in the human body that have the ability to self-renew.

Scientists almost every day make interesting scientific discoveries. different levels difficulty: someone explores gravitational waves, someone ways of brewing coffee. We have prepared for you the TOP-5 of the most interesting and exciting scientific sensations that humanity expects. So, the great scientific discoveries of the future, or rather 2018:

• Artificial intelligence against Alzheimer's

This year, the author of the first scientific discovery will be… artificial intelligence latest generation. The author of the project is the British company DeepMind, or rather its division of Google. The developed Zero artificial intelligence program is designed to deal with global issues humanity. His priority task is to unravel the mechanism of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Also, Zero must rid the aging humanity of dementia.

• Alien hunt

Massachusetts Specialists Institute of Technology developed the TESS space telescope, which is designed to search our stellar environment for terrestrial planets. Even exoplanets at a distance of 200 light years fall into his field of vision. Scientists suggest that 20,000 planets will be discovered with this apparatus.

• Head transplant

Today the world is on the threshold of a new discovery. Even last year, neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero wanted to undertake such a project. However, don't take it literally. The Italian has received funding from China and is working on the development of digital diagnostics, the creation of a brain-computer interface, stem cells and gene therapy.

• Introduction to the "Earth Killer"

The interplanetary station OSIRIS-Rex in August 2018 will reach the asteroid Bennu - the most dangerous space object for the earth. The purpose of the station: to take soil samples to study the nature of the asteroid. The second goal is to work out methods for intercepting an asteroid if there is a threat of a collision with our planet.

• Personalized medicine

In 2018, the era of personalized medicine will come. The 100,000 Genomes Project was created to analyze genetic code several thousand people in order to find out which section of DNA is associated with a particular disease.

We hope that this message about scientific discoveries helped you to learn a lot of new things. And perhaps this list will inspire you to become the author of the following important discoveries that will lead human society on the new level development.