7 Basic science discoveries that changed the world
6 months ago
- #discovery
- #innovation
- #scientific-research
- US government cuts to scientific research under President Trump threaten both applied and basic research, impacting future discoveries.
- Basic research, though often mocked for seeming impractical, is a major driver of economic growth with high societal returns.
- Example 1: Thermus aquaticus, discovered in Yellowstone hot springs, led to the development of PCR, revolutionizing DNA analysis in medicine and forensics.
- Example 2: MRI technology emerged from 1930s research on atomic nuclei spin, now a cornerstone of non-invasive medical imaging.
- Example 3: Liquid crystals, initially observed in cholesterol esters from carrots, paved the way for flat-screen TVs and other technologies.
- Example 4: CRISPR gene editing originated from studying microbial immune systems, now a revolutionary tool in genetics.
- Example 5: GLP-1 research inspired by Gila monsters led to weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, transforming diabetes and obesity treatment.