The last decade has been one of incredible advancements in science, technology, and exploration. From the exploration of distant planets to breakthroughs in medicine and artificial intelligence, the discoveries made in the 2010s have not only expanded our understanding of the universe but have also paved the way for future innovations. Some discoveries have been so surprising that they have left scientists and the public alike in awe. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most surprising and significant discoveries from the past ten years.
1. The First Image of a Black Hole
One of the most jaw-dropping scientific breakthroughs of the decade was the first-ever image of a black hole. In April 2019, scientists from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration unveiled the image of a black hole located at the center of the galaxy M87, about 55 million light-years from Earth. The black hole is surrounded by a glowing ring of gas, and this image was made possible by linking eight radio telescopes around the world, effectively creating a planet-sized observatory.
Why It Was Surprising
Black holes have long been a theoretical concept, first predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity. But capturing an image of one was thought to be an impossible feat, as black holes themselves do not emit light. The fact that scientists were able to capture the “shadow” of a black hole and confirm the existence of these cosmic giants was a monumental moment in physics and astronomy.
2. The Discovery of Water on Exoplanets
In 2017, astronomers made a groundbreaking discovery when they detected signs of water vapor in the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time. This discovery was made about the exoplanet K2-18 b, which orbits a star 124 light-years away from Earth. Scientists were able to confirm that water vapor existed in its atmosphere, a key ingredient for life as we know it. The discovery sparked speculation about the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Why It Was Surprising
For years, astronomers have believed that water is essential for life, and the discovery of water vapor on an exoplanet raised exciting possibilities. Until this discovery, scientists had only detected water in distant gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. Finding water on a planet that might resemble Earth opens up new avenues for studying planets that could potentially host life. This discovery was a huge leap in our search for habitable planets in the universe.
3. CRISPR Gene Editing Revolution
One of the most remarkable and controversial discoveries of the decade has been the rise of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. First discovered in 2012, this technology has since undergone rapid development, enabling scientists to edit genes with unprecedented precision. In 2018, Chinese scientist He Jiankui shocked the world by announcing that he had edited the genes of embryos to make them resistant to HIV, sparking a global debate about the ethics of gene editing.
Why It Was Surprising
CRISPR allows scientists to cut, insert, or modify DNA with remarkable accuracy. This has led to incredible potential for curing genetic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. However, the discovery of CRISPR and its practical application also raised concerns about the potential for misuse, especially when it comes to editing human embryos. As a result, the technology has become one of the most debated and revolutionary breakthroughs of the decade.
4. The Discovery of a Hidden “Fifth” Force of Nature
In 2019, a team of physicists reported evidence suggesting the possible existence of a new fundamental force of nature. The discovery came from experiments with muons, a type of subatomic particle, at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois. According to the research, the behavior of these muons did not fully align with the predictions made by the Standard Model of particle physics, hinting at the existence of a fifth force beyond gravity, electromagnetism, the weak force, and the strong force.
Why It Was Surprising
The Standard Model of particle physics has been the cornerstone of our understanding of the universe for over 50 years. The discovery of a potential fifth force challenges this model and opens the door to new possibilities in the field of fundamental physics. If confirmed, this new force could reshape our understanding of the universe at its most basic level, leading to a deeper understanding of dark matter, dark energy, and the structure of the cosmos.
5. Artificial Intelligence Becomes Human-Like
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been steadily advancing throughout the 21st century, but the last decade has seen AI take huge strides in becoming more human-like. In 2015, Google’s DeepMind created an AI that could beat human champions in the ancient game of Go, a game that requires intuition, strategy, and complex thinking. More recently, AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-3 have demonstrated the ability to generate human-like text, write essays, and even hold conversations.
Why It Was Surprising
The ability for machines to perform complex tasks once thought to require human intelligence was both surprising and a bit unsettling. AI that can write like humans, hold conversations, and even generate creative works is challenging our perception of what machines are capable of. With AI becoming more integrated into everyday life, it is raising questions about ethics, job displacement, and the future of human-machine interaction.
6. The Detection of Gravitational Waves
In 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) made a groundbreaking discovery: the detection of gravitational waves. These waves, first predicted by Einstein over a century ago, are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by violent events such as the collision of black holes. The detection of gravitational waves was a monumental achievement in physics, confirming one of Einstein’s last untested predictions.
Why It Was Surprising
Gravitational waves are incredibly difficult to detect because their effect on space is incredibly tiny. However, the breakthrough discovery by LIGO showed that we can now observe and measure these waves, opening up a new way of studying the universe. This has opened up new possibilities for understanding cosmic events, such as the merging of black holes and neutron stars, and has even provided insights into the early universe.
7. The Rise of Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is one of the most exciting areas of research in the 21st century, and in 2019, Google claimed to have achieved “quantum supremacy” with its 53-qubit processor, Sycamore. Quantum computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations that are impossible for classical computers. While it’s still early days for quantum computing, this achievement marks the beginning of a new era in computing.
Why It Was Surprising
Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems that are beyond the reach of traditional computers, such as simulating complex molecules for drug discovery, optimizing supply chains, or cracking encryption codes. The achievement of quantum supremacy was a significant milestone, and it could lead to new technological advancements in fields such as medicine, cryptography, and artificial intelligence.
8. New Species of Humans Found: Homo Naledi
In 2015, a team of scientists made an incredible discovery in a cave in South Africa: the remains of a previously unknown species of early humans, named Homo naledi. These early humans lived between 236,000 and 335,000 years ago, and their bones were found in a remote part of the cave, suggesting that they may have intentionally placed their dead there.
Why It Was Surprising
The discovery of Homo naledi was remarkable not only because it was a new species of human but also because of the strange behavior suggested by their burial practices. At the time, scientists believed that only Homo sapiens and Neanderthals exhibited complex behaviors like ritualistic burials. Homo naledi’s discovery challenged this idea and opened up new questions about the evolution of human behavior and intelligence.
9. The Potential Cure for Malaria
Malaria has been one of the deadliest diseases in human history, but in the last decade, there have been major strides toward a potential cure. In 2019, scientists successfully developed a malaria vaccine that showed significant promise in clinical trials. The vaccine, known as RTS,S, has been hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against this disease, which kills over 400,000 people each year, most of them children under five.
Why It Was Surprising
Malaria has been around for centuries, and attempts to develop a vaccine have been challenging. The development of a vaccine that could reduce malaria cases significantly could have a profound impact on public health, particularly in regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where malaria remains endemic. This discovery could save millions of lives and is one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the decade.
10. The Human Microbiome: A New Frontier in Health
The human microbiome—the collection of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in and on our bodies—has been the subject of intense study in recent years. In the 2010s, researchers discovered that the microbiome plays a crucial role in our health, influencing everything from digestion to the immune system and even our mental health. Scientists have uncovered that our microbiome has a profound impact on diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and even depression.
Why It Was Surprising
The realization that our gut bacteria are so integral to our health was a surprising revelation, given that most of us didn’t consider these microbes to be anything more than a nuisance. However, new studies have shown that these microbes influence everything from our metabolism to our mood, changing how we approach the treatment of diseases and health in general. The growing understanding of the microbiome could lead to more personalized medicine and new ways of treating chronic diseases.
Conclusion
The discoveries of the past decade have been nothing short of astonishing. From the first image of a black hole to the potential cure for malaria, scientists have uncovered new aspects of the universe, human health, and technology that were once thought impossible. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of the world but also offer new opportunities for innovation, improving the quality of life for generations to come. As we move into the next decade, we can only imagine what surprising discoveries the future holds. The possibilities are endless, and human curiosity continues to drive us toward new horizons.