The US "Science" magazine announced on the 20th this year's top 10 scientific breakthroughs. The achievements of scientists in the elusive Higgs boson subatomic particle research field were rated as the most important scientific discoveries in 2012. More than 40 years ago, scientists assumed the existence of the Higgs boson, which is the key to explaining how other elementary particles (such as electrons and quarks) obtain their mass. 1. the Higgs boson On July 4, scientists announced that they found evidence of the existence of the Higgs boson, thus completing the standard model of particle physics. The model explains how particles interact through electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force to form matter in the universe. However, until this year, scientists could not explain how these elementary particles gained their mass. Adrian, a science reporter, said that physicists assume that the space is filled with "Higgs fields" similar to electric fields. The particles interact with the "Higgs field" to obtain energy and mass. The "Higgs field" is composed of Higgs bosons distributed in a vacuum, and physicists now bomb them out of the vacuum and enter a short-lived state of existence. However, the observation that the Higgs boson is hard-won or expensive. In the particle physics laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland, thousands of researchers accompanied by an atomic accelerator with a cost of up to $ 5.5 billion discovered two long-awaited bosons with the help of two giant particle detectors (ATLAS and CMS). In addition to the discovery of the Higgs boson, the other nine groundbreaking scientific achievements this year confirmed by Science magazine and its issuing agency, the American Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology, are as follows: 2. Denisovan genome A new technology that binds specific molecules to a single strand of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) helps researchers complete the complete genome sequencing of the Denisovans using only a small fragment of an ancient finger bone. The genome sequence allows researchers to compare the Denisovans, which are ancient humans closely related to Neanderthals, with modern humans. Studies have shown that the phalanx belongs to a girl with brown eyes, hair and skin living between 74,000 and 82,000 years. She died in Siberia. 3. Let stem cells form eggs Japanese researchers have confirmed that mouse embryonic stem cells can be induced into fertile egg cells. In the study, they let the fertilized cells in the laboratory develop in the surrogate mother and gave birth to mouse pups. This method requires the developing egg to remain in the female mouse for a period of time. Although this does not achieve the ultimate goal of scientists to get eggs in the laboratory completely, it provides a powerful tool for studying genes and other factors that affect fertility and egg development. 4. Landing system of Curiosity Although it was not possible to test all of its probe's landing systems under Martian conditions, the engineers who undertook the mission to explore Mars at NASA ’s Jet Power Laboratory in Pasadena, California, safely and accurately arrived at the Mars surface . The 3.3-ton aircraft was too heavy to land in the traditional way. To this end, the team took inspiration from cranes and helicopters to create the "air crane" landing system, which hung the curiosity on wheels at 3. Let the end of the cable fall. This flawless landing gave the designer confidence again. NASA hopes to let the second probe vehicle land near the existing probe vehicle in the future, and collect the samples obtained by the first probe vehicle back to earth. 5. X-ray laser unravels protein structure The researchers used an X-ray laser that is 1 billion times brighter than traditional synchrotron radiation sources to confirm the hooking of an enzyme required by Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite that causes sleeping sickness in Africa. New research advances have demonstrated the potential of X-ray lasers to decipher proteins, which is not possible with traditional X-ray sources. 6. Precision engineering of genome Generally, one cannot determine the final result of the modification and deletion of the DNA of advanced organisms. However, in 2012, a tool called "transcription activator-like effector nucleases" (TALENs) gave researchers the ability to change or shut down specific genes in the cells of zebrafish, toads, livestock and other animals, and even patients. This technology and other emerging technologies are as cheap and effective as existing gene targeting technologies. At the same time, it allows researchers to confirm the specific role of genes and mutations in healthy people and patients. 7. Majorana fermions There has been more than 70 years of debate about the existence of Majorana fermions, and the particles will act as their own antimatter and annihilate themselves. This year, a research team composed of Dutch physicists and chemists presented for the first time reliable evidence that Majorana fermions exist in the form of quasiparticles, which are groups of electrons acting as each other and behave like single particles. The discovery has prompted efforts to incorporate Mayorana fermions into quantum computing because scientists believe that "qubits" composed of these mysterious particles can be stored more efficiently than bits currently possessed by digital computers And process data. 8. ENCODE project This year, a 10-year study reported in more than 30 articles shows that the human genome is more "functional" than researchers once thought. Although only 2% of the genome encodes the actual protein, the "Encyclopedia of DNA Elements" (ENCODE) research project shows that about 80% of the genome is active and can help turn genes on or off. These new details are expected to help researchers understand how genes are controlled and clarify the genetic risk factors for certain diseases. 9. Brain / machine interface The same research team that used brain nerves to record cursors on mobile computer screens showed to people in 2012 that paralyzed patients can use their thoughts to move a mechanical arm and engage in complex three-dimensional movements. Although the technology is still in the experimental stage and extremely expensive, scientists hope that more advanced calculation procedures can improve this neuroprosthesis to help patients who are paralyzed by stroke, spinal cord injury and other diseases. 10. Neutrino mixing angle Hundreds of researchers working in the neutrino experiment at the Daya Bay reactor in China reported the final unknown parameters of a model that described the elusive particle called neutrino as it traveled near the speed of light, How to transform from one type or "feature" to another. These results show that neutrinos and antineutrinos may change their characteristics in different ways, and suggest that neutrino physics may one day help researchers explain why the universe contains so much material and so little antimatter. If physicists cannot discover new particles beyond the Higgs boson, then neutrino physics may represent the future of particle physics. (Reporter Mao Li in the US)
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"Science" Magazine Announces 2012 Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs