Science announced the top ten scientific breakthroughs in 2021, accounting for 7 in the fields of biology and medicine

On December 17, Science announced the results of the top ten scientific breakthroughs in 2021, with seven in the fields of biology and medicine

1.

Artificial intelligence predicting protein structure will bring about tremendous changes in structural biology.

2.

However, scientists say that antiviral drugs cannot replace vaccination.

3.

A study published in Nature Medicine in May of this year found that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the main component of commonly known as "ecstasy", can significantly reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patient’s symptoms

4.

With advances in cloning, animal models, and X-ray crystallography, researchers can make and screen more monoclonal antibodies than ever before

In addition, scientists are currently developing monoclonal antibodies against influenza, Zika virus and cytomegalovirus, and two drug candidates aimed at preventing all infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have high hopes

5.

In June of this year, Intellia and Regeneron announced that their development of the in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing therapy NTLA-2001 for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis in a phase I clinical study showed that on day 28, the dose of 0.
1 mg/kg The serum transthyretin level in the group was reduced by an average of 52% compared with the baseline, and the 0.
3 mg/kg dose group was reduced by 87%
.
This is the first clinical trial data to support the safety and effectiveness of CRISPR gene editing in humans
.

6.
In vitro embryo culture opens new windows for early development research

In-depth study of the process of human early embryonic development can help scientists understand miscarriage and birth defects, and help improve in vitro fertilization programs
.
However, many aspects of law, practice, and ethics restrict the research on human embryos
.

This year, scientists have found a potential alternative.
Not only did the time for mouse embryos to develop in the artificial uterus "glass bottle" break from 3-4 days to 11 days, they also realized the reprogramming of human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells into similar The structure of the blastocyst
.
Although this artificial blastocyst is not a real embryo, it can provide a guiding and less controversial alternative for scientific research and provide ideas for gestating humans outside the uterus
.

7.
For the first time, ancient human DNA was extracted from soil

This year, scientists have extracted ancient human DNA from cave soil for the first time
.
In the Estatuas cave in Spain, the nuclear DNA extracted reveals the genetic characteristics and gender of the humans who lived there 80 to 113,000 years ago, and shows that after the glacial period that ended 100,000 years ago, a Neanderthal The pedigree replaced several other pedigrees; and in the 25,000-year-old soil of the Satsurblia Cave in Georgia, the scientists discovered the female human genome from the previously unknown Neanderthal line, as well as the bison and the existing Genetic traces of extinct wolves
.

This technology for extracting and sequencing nuclear DNA from ancient soils is still improving, helping scientists answer more questions about the rise and fall of ancient species
.

8.
"Insight" reveals the internal structure of Mars for the first time

Since "rooting" Mars in November 2018, NASA's "Insight" Mars rover has measured approximately 733 earthquakes at its landing site
.
Based on the data of 35 earthquakes, scientists revealed the internal structure of Mars, including: a sandwich cake-like crust structure, a thinner mantle than expected, a liquid core containing more light elements.
.
.
In time, as more measurement data appears, scientists will improve the model of this red planet and further uncover the mystery of Mars
.

This is the first time that scientists have used seismic data to probe the interior of planets other than Earth.
This is an important step in understanding the formation and thermal evolution of Mars
.

9.
"Cracks" appeared in the standard model of particle physics

On April 7 this year, Miaozi’s anomalous magnetic moment experiment conducted at Fermilab in the United States showed that Miaozi’s behavior did not match the predictions of the Standard Model theory
.
The report claims that the huge, unstable electron-like particle, the Muzi, is more magnetic than originally predicted
.
Although the difference is only 0.
1% from the prediction, it means that unknown particles in nature have given Muzi extra thrust-and this discovery means that the prediction of the 50-year-old Standard Model of particle physics has failed, and a new world of physics The gate may open
.

10.
A historic breakthrough in nuclear fusion

Nuclear fusion becomes the sun and other stars to provide energy, and has long been regarded as a solution to the earth's energy problems
.
But it is very difficult to reach the required pressure and temperature (equivalent to 10 times the temperature of the core of the sun)
.

In August of this year, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) produced a fusion reaction that produced more energy than the laser energy required to ignite it
.
Researchers believe this is the result of burning plasma, which means that the fusion reaction generates enough heat to spread through compressed fuel like a flame
.
Professor Steven Rose, co-director of the research center in this field at Imperial College London, said: "This is the most significant development of inertial fusion since it began in 1972.

" This research is making sustainable nuclear fusion reactors a reality
.