Here Are Seven Of The Most Under-Rated Yet Ground-breaking Achievements Of Science In Recent Times

Everything quantifiable that we know about the world today is because of achievements in science.

As invincible as human beings might think they are, we¡¯re quite a vulnerable species. To understand more about our past, where we come from, how we got here, our bodies, their function, how to live longer, are all ways for scientists and researchers to help humans lead a better, safer and longer life.

Here are seven remarkable achievements in science that have taken human beings one step closer well-being:

1. Scientists understand genes in marijuana

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Ah the Marijuana leaf that so many adore, but few know about its intricacies. Scientists in Canada have found the genes responsible for its lemony and earthy flavours. The aim of scientists working on this project is to develop well-defined and highly reproducible cannabis varieties as Canada might legalise the recreational drug by 2018.

2. Period in a box

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Scientists have recreated the often mysterious female menstruation cycle in a box-like device that can fit in the palm of your hands. They¡¯ve developed an organ on a chip that mimics the reproductive system of females. It¡¯s a 3D device that includes ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, liver, cervix and vagina and is even suppled with blood to simulate a 28-day period cycle. Studying this will help scientists achieve breakthroughs on different kinds of cancer that mainly affect women.

3. Man moves hand with thoughts

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For the first time, a brain implant has allowed a fully paralysed man to control his hand using just his thoughts. The technique used is called neuroprosthesis, which allows tetraplegic people to reach and grab things through electric implants inserted in their brain. This man who lost his motor skills eight years ago can now eat and drink independently.

4. Scientists create millions of cells in days

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UK-based scientists have developed a process to produce human brain and muscle cells in just a few days, as opposed to months, which is the how long it normally takes. This will allow them to a variety of new cells to understand different diseases better.

5. Scientists in Germany creates largest artificial sun

Guardian

German scientists switched on the world¡¯s largest artificial sun, constructed from 149 souped-up projector spotlights. The hope is that this intense light will be able to generate fuel that is friendly to the environment. The Synlight experiment took place in J¨¹lich, which produced light that was almost 10 times the intensity of sunlight on Earth.

6. Functioning heart from a spinach leaf

Cnet

Who knew that there are structural similarities between plant and human tissues? Apparently, there are and scientists have exploited this knowledge for the advancement of human beings and created a functioning human heart tissue from a spinach leaf. This is a groundbreaking achievement that could help heart attack patients.

7. Scientists make fluid which can move itself

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A few scientists in the US are trying to create the liquid that can flow without applying any force. What they did manage to do is use the malleable ability of microtubules in the cells of a fluid to create a ¡°coherent flow¡±. This could help push oil in pipelines without the support of pumps.