Every year new scientific discoveries are made. Some small, some big, and some that make us question theories that have been around for centuries. So BIOZONE has compiled a list of the six best scientific discoveries of 2022:
1. New species of Sloth found
Most new species discovered are plants, insects, and fish. However, this year scientists have found that there are two distinct types of maned sloth instead of one maned sloth. This year a taxonomic review concluded that the Southern Maned Sloth (B. crinitus) was in fact a newly discovered species, different from the previously discovered Northern Maned Sloth (B. torquantus). Find out more here.
2. Brain cells have learned to play Pong
Researchers in Melbourne, Australia have grown brain cells in their lab and have found that the cells can be taught to play the vintage video game, Pong. The brain cells could improve their performance within five minutes of playing the game! Find the full article here.
3. The James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is one of the most important scientific advancements in space discovery. Currently, the JWST is around 1 million miles away from Earth and is sending back images of stars and galaxies that we have never seen at this degree before. Early this year the JWST detected previously undiscovered early galaxies existing close to the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago. Find more information here.
4. Bringing organs back to life
Researchers have been able to restore circulation and revive organs in pigs up to an hour after the pig died of cardiac arrest. By using a special machine that pumps blood and other fluids around the pig’s system, the researchers discovered that the cells began restoring and the heart started beating again. It is a long way off for use on humans but gives us hope that previously “dead” organs may be used for organ transplants in the future. Find out more here.
5. Ice Volcanoes on Pluto
Scientists have discovered two cryovolcanoes on Pluto. Cryovolcanoes are volcanoes that have been formed out of frozen ice and once erupted molten Ice from inside Pluto. This discovery points toward the idea that Pluto may, or may have had an internal heat source that drove the melting of interior reservoirs of nitrogen and methane. Read more here.
6. Discovery of a baby mammoth
The discovery of a 30,000-year-old baby mammoth found in Canada has excited the scientific community. It is the first discovery of its kind as the baby mammoth was so well preserved it still had hair on it. Scientists believe the calf was a baby girl and most likely died in the permafrost during the ice age. Read the full article here.
We can’t wait to see what 2023 brings in the way of amazing scientific discoveries!
