Scientific results of the year: Science version
Science called the breakthrough of the year HIV drugsAnna Vlasova, Infox.ru
The experts of the journal Science have compiled a list of the 10 most significant scientific discoveries of 2011.
But they called the "breakthrough of the year" from this list the discovery that antiretroviral drugs prevent HIV transmission.
Clinical trials have fully proved that antiretroviral drugs not only help AIDS patients, but also restrain the spread of the virus. Nearly 1,800 heterosexual couples from 9 countries participated in the trials. Specially selected couples where only one partner is HIV-infected. Initially, it was planned that the tests would last until 2015.
"Then scientists had to compare couples taking antiretroviral drugs with those who do not take them. But this year the test showed that the drugs clearly prevent HIV infection. After that, the scientists decided for ethical reasons to give all participants access to antiretroviral drugs," the article says. Of the 28 people who contracted HIV during the trials, only one belonged to a group where one of the sexual partners took antiretroviral drugs. In this group, serious HIV-related health problems were 41% less pronounced than in the control group.
The discovery is that taking antiretroviral drugs at an early stage of the disease (earlier than they are usually prescribed) can reduce the likelihood of HIV infection in heterosexual relationships by 96%. The research was led by Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina at Chappell Hill.
Here are other discoveries and achievements noted by Science experts:
1. The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa for the first time delivered to Earth samples of the asteroid soil.
2. A comparison of the DNA of modern and ancient people revealed that many people carry traces of ancient DNA in the genome, including the genes of the "Denisov man".
3. An aging "retarder" has been invented: if aged cells are removed from the body of mice, the symptoms of aging appear later. Although the lifespan of mice is not prolonged, they do not develop senile diseases, such as cataracts or muscular dystrophy.
4. The structure of the protein responsible for photosynthesis in plants has been studied ("this is the way to sources of environmentally friendly energy," the publication explains).
5. Astronomers have discovered unusual planetary systems, completely unlike ours, for example, a planet with two suns.
6. The Keck telescope in Hawaii discovered two clouds of hydrogen in space, the chemical composition of which apparently did not change 2 billion years after the "Big Bang".
7. Chemists have synthesized several new zeolites – porous minerals that are used as catalysts.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru
26.12.2011