Science news 2018

Here are some of the most significant science news stories from 2018:

Astronomy and Space Exploration

  1. Water on Mars: NASA's Mars 2020 rover discovered evidence of seasonal water on Mars, which could potentially support life.
  2. First Image of a Black Hole: Astronomers captured the first-ever image of a black hole, located at the center of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87).
  3. Exoplanet Discovery: Scientists discovered thousands of new exoplanets, including some that are potentially habitable.

Biology and Medicine

  1. CRISPR Gene Editing: Scientists made significant advancements in CRISPR gene editing, including the first human trial to treat a genetic disease.
  2. Cancer Immunotherapy: Researchers developed new cancer immunotherapies that harness the power of the immune system to fight cancer.
  3. Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease: Scientists developed a gene therapy that cured sickle cell disease in patients.

Physics and Chemistry

  1. Gravitational Waves: Scientists detected gravitational waves from the merger of two neutron stars, providing new insights into the universe.
  2. Quantum Computing: Researchers made significant progress in developing quantum computers, which could solve complex problems that are currently unsolvable.
  3. New Elements: Scientists discovered four new elements, bringing the total number of known elements to 118.

Environmental Science

  1. Climate Change: Scientists reported that the world's oceans have absorbed 60% more carbon dioxide than previously thought, accelerating climate change.
  2. Plastic Pollution: Researchers discovered that microplastics are present in 83% of tap water samples around the world.
  3. Extinction Crisis: Scientists warned that up to 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to human activities.

Other Notable Science News

  1. Artificial Intelligence: Researchers developed AI systems that can learn and adapt like humans, with potential applications in healthcare, finance, and more.
  2. Robotics: Scientists developed robots that can perform complex tasks, such as surgery and search and rescue operations.
  3. Synthetic Biology: Researchers created synthetic biological systems that can produce biofuels, medicines, and other valuable products.

These are just a few of the many significant science news stories from 2018. It was a year marked by major breakthroughs in various fields, from astronomy and biology to physics and environmental science.