Yes, this is a New Year’s post. And yes, I’m a bit late. But I’ve read several great articles over the past couple of days that have either provided a nice summary of the past year’s accomplishments within the sphere of science or predicted what new marvels 2013 will bring us. So here’s some links for you to enjoy!
What Happened in 2012
NPR’s take on one of the biggest science stories of the year: The Year of the Higgs, and Other Tiny Advances in Science. Did it change the face of physics? No. But “the way we make discoveries is oftentimes based on the accumulation of a lot of smaller insights and smaller ideas and discoveries.”
Another NPR story detailing 2012′s unusual hurricane season. Experts had many difficulties predicting the erratic weather!
Wired Science magazine gives us its best science images (spiders and dragons and feathered dinosaurs, oh my!) and top science image galleries (tiny things under microscopes and our huge earth as seen from space) of the year.
A ladybug leg, at 10x magnification
From Nature, the most prestigious scientific journal, here’s 10 people who played a key role in shaping science this year. Includes profiles of an engineer who held a $2.5 billion mission in his hands, a microbiologist who uncovered unconscious sexism in her peers, and an Italian government official convicted of manslaughter after scientists failed to predict an earthquake.
And finally, probably my favorite, is the best scientific figures of 2012 – that is, images that have been published in scientific journal articles. I’m impressed with researchers’ abilities to fit all the chemicals that shape the taste of many different tomato species into one graph. And here’s another fun image below:
Scientists measured the trajectories through space of – you’ll never guess it – sperm.
What’s to Come in 2013
Turbotodd has a really great article about how computers will soon make use of the five senses. I’d sure be excited to feel texture on my phone, and I would totally watch “Top Tasting Computer Chefs.”
Where we’ll be going in space. More countries are developing space programs, and I’m excited to see what SpaceX has up their sleeve.
Private companies (as opposed to governments) are jumping in the fray.
To top it all off, we go back to Nature for their summary of what 2013 may bring us. Stem cell injections to treat blindness? A comet glowing brighter than the moon? New species discovered deep within Antarctic lakes? This is why science is cool.
Have a wonderful new year :)
