Short Wave The Decade In Science
Dec 30, 2019
The hosts take a nostalgic look back at 2009's cultural moments. They highlight groundbreaking scientific progress over the past decade, including the monumental detection of gravitational waves from colliding black holes. The discussion dives into CRISPR gene editing and the ethical questions it raises. Key moments like the Ebola outbreak, discoveries related to Mars water, and interstellar objects are also explored, illustrating how science has shaped our understanding of the universe and our planet's challenges.
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Gravitational Waves Detected
- The first detection of gravitational waves confirmed Einstein's century-old prediction.
- This discovery opened a new field of astronomy, using gravitational waves to detect events like black hole collisions.
CRISPR Revolutionizes Gene Editing
- CRISPR technology, derived from bacterial defense mechanisms, revolutionized gene editing.
- Its ease of use has broad implications, from basic biology to treating genetic diseases like sickle cell.
Climate Change Impacts
- Climate change is no longer just a story, but a lived experience for many, shifting public perception.
- Increasingly frequent extreme weather events are driving a shift from debating its existence to discussing solutions.