◎ Science and Technology Daily intern reporter Zhang Jiaxin
On the 17th Beijing time, the website of Science announced the results of the top ten scientific breakthroughs in 2021. Let's take a look at what the scientific community has achieved this year.
1
Artificial intelligence predicts protein structure
In July, the world-renowned ai-powered ai team DeepThink announced that it had used an AI intelligence software program, alpha folding, to predict the structure of almost all proteins expressed by humans, as well as the almost complete proteome of 20 other organisms. AI predicting protein structure will enable a wide range of applications, providing insights into basic biology and revealing potential drug targets.
In August, Chinese researchers used Alpha Fold 2 to map the structure of nearly 200 proteins that bind to DNA. In November, researchers in Germany and the United States used Alpha Fold 2 and cryo-EM to map the structure of the nuclear pore complex. Now, scientists are using Alpha Fold 2 to simulate the effects of mutations in the Omicron variant Spike Protein. By inserting larger amino acids into the protein, the mutation changes its shape — perhaps enough to prevent the antibody from binding to it and neutralizing the virus.
Artificial intelligence predicted how the two proteins formed complexes involved in yeast DNA repair.
2
Unlock the ancient dirt DNA treasure trove
Recently, scientists unlocked a larger treasure trove of ancient DNA from the soil on the cave floor. Researchers use this "dirt DNA" to reconstruct the identity of cavemen around the world.
In Spain's Estatuas Cave, nuclear DNA reveals the genetic characteristics and sex of humans who lived there between 80,000 and 113,000 years ago, and suggests that one lineage of Neanderthals replaced several other lineages after the ice age that ended 100,000 years ago. In the 25,000-year-old soil of Satsurblia Cave in Georgia, scientists have found female human genomes from previously unknown Neanderthal lineages, as well as genetic traces of bison and now-extinct wolves. By comparing 12,000-year-old black bear DNA from Mexico's Chikivit Cave with modern bear DNA, the scientists found that after the last ice age, the descendants of the black bears in the cave migrated north to Alaska.
A researcher recorded the location of sediment samples in a chikivit cave in Mexico.
3
Achieve a historic breakthrough in nuclear fusion
In August, the U.S. National Ignition Device (NIF) produced a fusion reaction that produced more energy than the laser energy needed to ignite it. NIF uses pulses from the world's highest-energy lasers to compress pepper grain-sized capsules of hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium. This method produces a fusion energy of 170 kilojoules per emission — well below the laser input of 1.9 megajoules. But on Aug. 8, records showed that the energy spiked to 1.35 MJ. The researchers believe this is the result of burning the plasma, meaning that the fusion reaction produces enough heat to propagate through compressed fuel like a flame.
To generate a fusion reaction from the U.S. National Ignition Device (NIF), 192 laser beams converge around a tiny fuel core.
4
Anti-COVID-19 potent drugs appear
Monetravir of Merck Pharmaceuticals in the United States reduced the risk of hospitalization or death from illness in high-risk groups who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 by 30%.
5
"Ecstasy" can treat post-traumatic stress disorder
A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial found that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the main component of what we often call "ecstasy," significantly reduced symptoms in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Of the 76 participants, some received 3 MDMA sessions and some placebo-guided treatment sessions. After 2 months, 67% of patients treated with MDMA no longer had symptoms of PTSD, compared with only 32% of the placebo group.
The researchers used MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
6
Monoclonal antibodies treat infectious diseases
This year, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) began to show results in the fight against the coronavirus and other life-threatening pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), HIV and malaria parasites. By the end of this year, three monoclonal antibodies used to treat the new crown virus had been authorized by the FDA for emergency use. Scientists are also developing monoclonal antibodies against influenza, Zika virus and cytomegalovirus. Two drug candidates aimed at preventing respiratory syncretum virus (RSV) in all infants are high hopes. Monoclonal antibodies may become "standard" in infectious disease arsenals.
The artist depicts a conceptual diagram of monoclonal antibodies (red and blue) attacking the coronavirus (purple).
7
Insight reveals for the first time the internal structure of Mars
Since "rooting" mars, NASA's InSight Mars rover has measured about 733 earthquakes at its landing site. Based on data from 35 of these earthquakes, scientists revealed the internal structure of Mars, estimating the size of the Core, the structure of the Mantle and the thickness of the crust. It is also the first time scientists have used seismic data to probe the interior of a planet other than Earth, an important step in understanding Mars formation and thermal evolution.
Seismic waves show that Mars has a thin crust, a shallow mantle, and an unusually large liquid core.
8
"Cracks" appear in the Standard Model of particle physics
On April 7, the Muzi Anomaly Magnetic Moment Experiment conducted by the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States showed that the behavior of the Muzi did not match the predictions of the Standard Model theory. The study reported that the huge, unstable electron-like particle, the Muzi, was more magnetic than initially predicted. In addition, the proton accelerators in Fermilab can also make muse in large quantities. Researchers are now scrutinizing this year's calculations, and if true, and the persistence of discrepancies between theoretical and experimental results could mark the failure of predictions from the 50-year-old Standard Model of particle physics, or open the door to change in physics.
Inside this ring at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States, the muse rotates like a compass in a magnetic field with an accuracy of thirty parts per billion.
9
Efficacy of CRISPR gene editing therapy in humans
First proof
The gene-editing tool CRISPR first demonstrated in 2020 the function of patients with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. This year, scientists went a step further and deployed CRISPR-Cas9 directly in the human body. In small studies, the strategy reduced a toxic liver protein and moderately improved the vision of patients with hereditary blindness. On June 26, scientists at Intellia Pharmaceuticals and Regeneration Corp. tested their treatment on six patients with a rare disease called transthyroxine amyloidosis. The results showed that the level of malformed proteins decreased for all participants, with two of them receiving high-dose injections dropping protein levels by an average of 87 percent.
Guidance from CRISPR injections. RNA (blue) directs the DNA cleavage (white) to its target (orange).
10
In vitro embryo culture is an early developmental study
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Typically, mouse embryos are grown outside the mother mouse for 3 to 4 days. But in March, a team reported a plan to extend that period to 11 days. The research advance is expected to pave the way for the birth of humans in the womb. In addition, there are scientists who have devised alternatives to key embryonic stages known as "blastocysts." A team of researchers copied blastocysts from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS). Another study found that skin cells that transform into induced pluripotent cells produce blastocyst-like structures. These artificial blastocysts are not real embryos, but some of them can be used as an alternative to some studies to reduce ethical controversy. In May, the International Society of Stem Cells announced the relaxation of the "14-day rule" for human embryo culture, further boosting research in the field.
A mouse embryo grows in a spinning jar. Such embryos could help researchers better understand the early stages of human development.
Source: Science and Technology Daily The pictures in the article are from the "Science" website
Editor: Zhang Shuang
Review: Yue Liang
Final Judge: Liu Haiying