2022: A Year in Science

Here are ten of the most notable science stories of 2022

1- NASA Releases Stunning Images from the James Webb Telescope

NASA launched the successor to the Hubble telescope, the James Webb telescope, on December 25th 2021. The Webb telescope is now orbiting 1.5 million kilometers away from the earth and has delivered breathtaking images of our universe.

The new telescope observes primarily infrared light, which allows it to look through dust clouds that would normally obscure our view of the universe. As a result, the telescope captures our universe in extraordinary detail. Here are some of the year’s best images.

2- Pigs Become Organ Donors

The past two years have marked huge breakthroughs in the field of xenotransplantation, where non-human cells, tissue, or organs are used in humans. In 2021, surgeons successfully transplanted pig kidneys into a deceased human patient. 

In January of 2022, an even bigger breakthrough was achieved. A 57-year old man from Maryland named David Bennet became the first living human to receive a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig. Mr. Bennet was already on life support and was ineligible for a heart transplant, so he had no other options. After the experimental transplant, the pig’s heart extended his life for two months. This procedure marked the beginning of a new era for transplant research, and raised many questions such as “can pigs solve the organ shortage crisis?” 

3- Lab-Grown Brain Cells Learned How to Play Pong

In October, researchers taught brain cells how to play pong in an effort to understand how the brain learns. The system is called DishBrain, and consists of brain cells grown on a high-density multi-electrode array, or “chip.” The chip was linked to a computer which was preloaded with the 1970s arcade game Pong. The computer sent signals to the chip to indicate the position of the ball in the game, and the cells responded by sending electrical signals back to the computer. At first, the brain cells did not know what was happening, and did not play the game. After a few minutes, however, the cells caught on and researchers captured a video of the brain cells playing pong:

Although the cells were never very good at the game, scientists hope this technology can continue to be used to understand how quickly the brain can learn new things and to help computers become more intelligent.

4- Roe v. Wade was Overturned

The Supreme Court overturned their decision on Roe v. Wade this June. Almost immediately after, 13 states responded by restricting access to abortion. Now, women across the country are facing the consequences:

• The average distance to an abortion clinic doubled just two weeks after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Now those seeking care have to travel, on average, 50 miles to the nearest clinic
• Abortions decreased in Texas, but online requests for abortion pills doubled 
• Demand for birth control surged. At Planned Parenthood alone, there was a 21% increase in birth control appointments and a 41% increase for IUD appointments specifically.
• Demand for emergency contraceptives increased 300%
• Physicians are seeing increased requests for sterilization amongst both men and women
• Online birth control services have increased in popularity. Here is a list of websites that prescribe birth control online and deliver it to your home.

5- A Third Person Was Cured From AIDs

In February, a woman was cured from AIDs after receiving stem cell transplants. She initially received the treatment for her acute myeloid leukemia, but was declared free of HIV 14 months later – even after stopping her HIV antiretroviral drug treatment. 

Stem cell transplants have previously cured two patients from AIDs, however, this treatment is risky and only available for a small number of patients who have both HIV and cancer. This is another success story that makes doctors hopeful that a widespread cure for HIV/AIDs is within our future.

6- The World Population Reached 8 Billion

According to estimates from the United Nations, the world population was projected to reach 8 billion people by November 15th. The population is predicted to continue growing to 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050. Following these projections, the population is expected to reach its peak in the year 2080 with 10.4 billion people on earth.

7- A New Alzheimer’s Drug Emerged

Lecanemab is a monoclonal antibody that shows promise for treating patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. The drug is currently in Phase III clinical trials and has resulted in less cognitive decline. It also showed clearance of amyloid beta plaques, the proposed cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, among the trial’s participants. However, the drug has some serious side effects such as brain swelling and bleeding which have made the drug’s usage a topic of debate among the scientific community. Read the PharmSci Comm Society’s post about lecanemab here.

8- Scientists Discovered the Largest Bacterium Ever

Thiomargarita magnifica was discovered in a swamp in Guadalupe. The bacterium measures over one centimeter long and is visible to the naked eye. It is 5,000 times larger than the average microbe and 10 times bigger than the previous largest bacterium. This microorganism also appears to be much more complex than other bacterium. Rather than having its DNA freely floating within its body, like most prokaryotic bacteria, T. magnifica stores its DNA in membrane-bound compartments. Researchers think this compartmentalization may represent a new type of bacterial organelle, a “pepin”. This finding was published in the journal Science this June.

9- A New Outbreak Emerged

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new outbreak emerged. Mpox, (formerly called Monkeypox) infected people worldwide and caused fever, lymph node swelling, and the infamous pus-filled blisters that the disease is known for. Fortunately, a vaccine is available for eligible adults in the US.

10- Nuclear Fusion Opens Doors for Clean Energy

After years of attempts, scientists finally proved that nuclear fusion could be the future of clean energy. The technique uses the same method as the Sun to produce energy: by combining two atomic nuclei to form a new one. This reaction reduces the mass of the original two nuclei and releases the excess mass as energy. 

In the laboratory, this is achieved by using lasers to vaporize a tiny diamond capsule containing hydrogen isotopes, which causes the hydrogen to fuse. For years, past experiments have not been successful because the energy consumed by the lasers usually exceeded the amount of energy produced by the nuclear fusion. This time was different because scientists finally produced more energy than what was consumed. The reaction used 2.05 megajoules of energy and produced 3.15 megajoules of energy, making nuclear fusion a success. Although this breakthrough is exciting, scientists predict it may take another 40 years before nuclear fusion becomes a major source of power production.

Additional Sources

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