PHYS 182-P1

12:00-03:00 PM TUESDAY

Latest (2018-2019) Discoveries/Inventions/Findings in Science/Technology/Medicine

Submitted by:

Jenice M. Villacorta

Submitted to:

Engr. Juanita Z. Sayson

 Even though we’ve been living on this planet for thousands of years, we’re still a
long way from discovering everything about it. We have found some things that have
been buried for a couple of years ago and these taught us somehow of the events that
had happened in the past. However, lot of things are still unknown to us which scientists
are continuously seeking for it. In addition to, lot of inventions are made over time and
science & technology keeps on amending for our benefits and to our future generation.
Here are some truly incredible discoveries and inventions of 2018.

1. In March, scientists at NASA revealed new findings about how living in

space can mess with your eyes and immune system.

Scott Kelly, a NASA astronaut spent a year in space and left his identical twin brother,
Mark on earth. Scientists seized the opportunity to know more about how could a
person possibly change away from our planet.

Since Scott came back on earth, researchers found that 7% of Scott’s gene expression
hasn’t returned to its Earthly “normal” state. Those changes were seen to be part of the
body’s response to the stress of living in space and it could lead to lasting consequences
for Scott’s immune system and retinas.

2. Vitrakvi (larotrectinib) : An effective drug that targets cancers based

on DNA instead of tumor location.

This drug was developed by pharmaceutical company Loxo Oncology and was approved by
the FDA in November. Vitrakvi has already been tested on patients with lung, colon,
breast, and thyroid cancers.

The drug targets cancers based on genetically similar features (biomarkers) rather than
going after certain types of cancer. FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a release.
"Its approval reflects advances in the use of biomarkers to guide drug development and
the more targeted delivery of medicine."

Moreover, 81% of patients who tried the drug saw their tumors shrink, while 17% of
patients had their tumors disappear entirely according to the data released in October.
 3. Chinese Scientists cloned monkeys; thereby breaking the "technical
barrier" for cloning humans.

Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua, two cloned macaque monkeys at the Chinese Academy of
Sciences in Shanghai.

In January, the scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of

Neuroscience cloned the monkeys using the same technique that produced Dolly the
sheep two decades ago. But it's still very difficult to clone primates: It took 127 eggs to
produce two live macaques. Scientists say populations of monkeys that are genetically
identical will be useful for research into human diseases.

The researchers said they do not intend to clone people anytime soon. Instead, they only
want to use the scientific breakthrough to better study diseases and new drugs.
Moreover, Qiang Sun of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Neuroscience said
the cloned monkeys will be useful as a model for studying diseases with a genetic basis,
including some cancers, metabolic and immune disorders.

4. A 228 Million-Year-Old Fossil Confirmed Turtles Lived Without Shells

In The Past

As turtle’s shells help them live underwater longer and store salient minerals like
potassium and magnesium, scientists have been eager to discover how turtle’s shells
evolved.
In August 2018, scientists found a nearly complete fossil of a massive turtle that
confirmed turtles didn't always have shells. The fossil, which was unearthed in the
Guizhou providence of China, is bigger than a double bed, and scientists dated the
material back 228 million years. The structure of the turtle's back show it existed
without shells. Researchers named it Eorhynchochelys sinensis, which means
"Dawn turtle with a beak from China”. In addition to, this fossil shows a bit of the
transition from non-shell to shelled turtles.

5. Scientists Restored The Sight Of Two Blind Patients - Which Could

Mean An Eventual Cure For Blindness.

Two patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the most common
cause of blindness, received an experimental stem cell therapy and the treatment was
proven successful. Both patients had been gradually losing their sight for awhile, to the
point they could no longer read. Scientists implanted a patch of stem cells over the
damaged portions of the eyes, restoring vision. The patients regained their ability to
read and see faces after treatment.

Further studies and research are still necessary to validate that it has no adverse affects
of the procedure. However, researchers are optimistic. If trials continue to run
successfully, the procedure could someday be as common and affordable as cataract
surgery.

References:

Brigs, H. 2018. First monkey clones created in Chinese laboratory.

Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-42809445

Brueck, H. 2018. The most mind-blowing, life-altering scientific discoveries of 2018.

Retrieved from: https://www.businessinsider.com/biggest-scientific-
discoveries-of-2018-2018-12

Ranker Science, 2018. The Greatest Scientific Breakthroughs of 2018. Retrieved from:
https://www.ranker.com/list/scientific-breakthroughs-of-2018/ranker-
science