Is progress speeding up? We have ventured into new parts of space, tested the limits of AI and cured the incurable. What comes next?
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Review of the year: health and science
Is progress speeding up? We have ventured into new parts of space, tested the limits of AI and cured the incurable. What comes next?
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Here are four key pieces of science news from 2024:
1. Miracle shot. AIDSAcute Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It interferes with the immune system, leaving sufferers more vulnerable to common diseases. Around the world, almost 40 million people are believed to be living with the disease. kills 630,000 people every year. Now a new injection can protect patients from getting HIVA virus that damages your immune system., which causes AIDS, for six months at a time.
2. Quantum multiverse. Google has unveiled a new microchipA very small piece of material containing electric circuits that hold lots of information. which it says can solve problems that would take the world's current fastest supercomputers 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (ten septillion) years... in five minutes.
3. Smart sample. There are over 55 million people living with dementiaA syndrome associated with memory loss and other declining brain functions. worldwide, with Alzheimer's diseaseA progressive disease that causes brain damage over time. It is a common cause of dementia. the most common form. This year, scientists in Sweden have found that a blood test that can find Alzheimer's disease before people have symptomsCovid-19 causes coughing, a high-temperature, and shortness of breath..
4. Baby planet. This year, scientists found one of the youngest planets ever discovered. The giant planet is believed to be about three million years old - or around two weeks old in human years.
Is progress speeding up?
Yes! Look how far we have come just in the last 100 years. And we continue to find out new things every day.
No! In fact, the number of years people can expect to live is actually falling. What is the use of studying space and technology if it does not help us to live longer, better lives?
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Keywords
AIDS - Acute Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It interferes with the immune system, leaving sufferers more vulnerable to common diseases. Around the world, almost 40 million people are believed to be living with the disease.
HIV - A virus that damages your immune system.
Microchip - A very small piece of material containing electric circuits that hold lots of information.
Dementia - A syndrome associated with memory loss and other declining brain functions.
Alzheimer's disease - A progressive disease that causes brain damage over time. It is a common cause of dementia.
Symptoms - Covid-19 causes coughing, a high-temperature, and shortness of breath.
Review of the year: health and science
Keys to a better world?: This year scientists found a new anti-HIV tool, a baby planet, a test for Alzheimer's and made the fastest chip ever. But will they stand the test of time? Glossary
AIDS - Acute Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It interferes with the immune system, leaving sufferers more vulnerable to common diseases. Around the world, almost 40 million people are believed to be living with the disease.
HIV - A virus that damages your immune system.
Microchip - A very small piece of material containing electric circuits that hold lots of information.
Dementia - A syndrome associated with memory loss and other declining brain functions.
Alzheimer's disease - A progressive disease that causes brain damage over time. It is a common cause of dementia.
Symptoms - Covid-19 causes coughing, a high-temperature, and shortness of breath.