Top Ten Scientific Breakthroughs of 2010

Modern age is often referred to as the science age because of the changes, both qualitative and quantitative, brought about by science. In fact in today's world, we cannot think of anything without having a scientific approach to it. Science consists in experimentation, and finding out the mysterious aspects of nature. Every year hundreds of new discoveries are made, but all of them are not included in the list of breakthroughs. Breakthroughs are those discoveries which seem to have qualities that may impact the patterns of thoughts regarding some particular things or principles. Seen from this viewpoint, the top ten breakthroughs of the year 2010 are:
1. The Quantum Machine
Until March 2010, all man-made objects had moved according to the laws of classical mechanics. Back in March, however, a group of researchers designed a gadget that moves in ways that can only be described by quantum mechanics as the rules that govern the behaviour of tiny things like molecules atoms and subatomic particles. In recognition of the conceptual ground their experiment breaks, the ingenuity behind it and its many potential applications, Science has called this discovery the most significant scientific advance of 2010.
The quantum machine proves that the principles of quantum mechanics can apply to the motion of macroscopic objects, as well as atomic and subatomic particles. It provides the first key step towards gaining complete control over an object's vibrations at the quantum level. Such control over an engineered device should allow scientists to manipulate those miniscule movements, much to control the quantum states of light, ultra-sensitive force detectors, and ultimately, investigations into the bounds of quantum mechanics and our sense of reality.
2. Synthetic Biology
In a defining moment for biology and biotechnology, researchers built a synthetic genome and used it to transform the identity of a bacterium. The genome replaced the bacterium's DNA so that it produced a new set of proteins-an achievement that prompted a Congressional hearing on synthetic biology. In the future, researchers envision synthetic genomes that are custom built to generate biofuels, pharmaceuticals and other useful chemicals.
3. Neanderthal Genome
Researchers sequenced the Neanderthal genome from the bones of three female Neanderthals who lived in Croatia sometime between 38,000 and 44,000 years ago. New methods of sequencing degraded fragments of DNA allowed scientists to make the first direct comparisons between the modern human genome  and that of our Neanderthal ancestors.
4. HIV Prophylaxis
Two HIV prevention trials of different, novel strategies reported unequivocal success: A vaginal gel, that contains the anti-HIV drug tenofovir, reduced HIV infection in women by 39 percent and an oral pre-exposure prophylaxis led to 43.8 fewer HIV infections in a group of men and transgender women who have sex with men.
5. Exome Sequencing/Rare Disease Genes
By sequencing just the exons of a genome, or the tiny portion that actually codes for proteins, researchers, who study rare inherited diseases caused by a single flawed gene, were able to identify specific mutations underlying at least a dozen diseases.
6. Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Simulating the gyrations, that proteins make as they fold, has been a combinatorial nightmare. Now, researchers have harnessed the power of one of the world's most powerful computers to track the motions of atoms in a small, folding protein for a length of 100 times longer than any previous efforts.
7. Next-Generation Genomics
Faster and cheaper sequencing technologies are enabling very large-scale studies of both ancient and modern DNA. The 1,000 Genomes project, for example, has already indentified much of the genome variation that makes us uniquely human and other projects in the works are set to reveal much more of the genome's functions.
8. RNA Reprogramming
Reprogramming cells turning back their developmental clocks to make them behave like unspecialized "stem cells" in an embryo has become a standard lab technique for studying diseases and development.
In 2010, researchers found a way to do it, using synthetic RNA.
9. Quantum Simulator
To describe what they see in the lab, physicists cook up theories based on equations. Those equations can be fiendishly hard to solve. In 2010, researchers found a short-cut by making quantum simulators artificial crystals in which spots of laser light play the role of ions and atoms trapped in the light stand in for electrons. The devices provide quick answers to theoretical problems in condensed matter physics and they might eventually help solve mysteries such as superconductivity.
10. The Return of the Rat
Mice rule the world of laboratory animals, but for many purposes, researchers would rather use rats. Rats are easier to work with and anatomically more similar to human beings. A flurry of research in 2010, however promises to bring "knockout rats" to labs in a big way.
All the scientific breakthroughs help scientific minds to carry on the uphill task of discovering unknown aspects of nature as well as inventing new mechanisms to unravel the mysteries that have been lying partially revealed in nature for ages, creating a lot of confusion. Human civilization never looks back and always tries to step forward in quest of better understanding of the universe, and science becomes a tool in its hands. In other words scientific breakthroughs become part and parcel of our life in course of time and we look forward to others that are to follow.
Source: Competition Success Review October 2011 Issue