More Scientific discoveries in 2021 - Newsletter #5

Welcome to the fifth newsletter to be issued on the website.

This letter aims to glance through even more major scientific breakthroughs, theories and discoveries that were published in 2021.

Scientific breakthroughs refer to discoveries that have a major impact on science, technology, and society. The publication of these findings allows us to develop new technologies, solve practical problems, and make informed decisions, both individually and collectively.

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Development of the human brain

Researchers reintroduced the archaic gene variant NOVA1 ( present in Neanderthals and Denisovans) into brain organoids created via stem cells. This was achieved by using CRISPR-Cas9

On February 12th, the researchers reported that their experiment shows that the NOVA1 variant has a major impact on neurodevelopment and that such genetic mutations during the evolution of the human brain underlie traits that separate modern humans from extinct Homo species.

Life on Venus?

A research published in September of 2020 indicated the detection of phosphine (PH3) in Venus's atmosphere by ALMA telescope that was not linked to any known abiotic method of production present or possible under Venusian conditions. PH3 is associated with anaerobic ecosystems on Earth, and may indicate life on anoxic planets.

This research was heavily criticised for being misleading and unscientific, and the authors were accused of unethical behaviour.

However, on the 20th of July, researchers concluded that the research could be plausible.

Saturn's moon

Enceladus is the sixth-largest moon of Saturn. It is about 500 kilometers in diameter. It is mostly covered by fresh clean ice, making it one of the most reflective bodies of the Solar System.

On June 7th of this year, astronomers reported detecting a substantial amount of methane, which can indicate the possibility of microbial life on the planet.

In addition to the presence of methane, there were many carbon-bearing molecules, which indicates that hydrothermal activity (an energy source) may be at work in Enceladus's subsurface ocean. Therefore, several robotic missions have been proposed to further explore Enceladus and assess its habitability.

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This marks the end of the fifth letter, I hope that you learned something new, and that you found the information interesting.

-Written by: Aws Kamoona 12A2

Note that I will revisit these topics in further details in the near future. I aim to release a new letter once a week after the first few letters.

Kindly note that this article and website are best experienced via computer.

Reference:

-Brain organoids

-Detection of phosphine - Venus

-ALMA telescope - visit newsletter #3

-Enceladus - Saturn's moon