Posted on 07/02/2005 3:23:31 PM PDT by Asphalt
SCIENCE has come a long way since Thomas Edison founded the leading research journal of that name in 1880. But many of the greatest scientific mysteries, from the nature of the cosmos to the secrets of the human genetic code, still baffle us.
To mark the 125th anniversary of Science, its editors have compiled 125 “big questions” that show the extent to which humanity still struggles to understand our Universe. Although the list is not meant to be exhaustive, it offers an insight into the fields that will be illuminated over the next 125 years.
All are subjects already under investigation, and at least some are likely to produce compelling answers in the foreseeable future.
Science examines 25 of the questions in particular detail in today’s edition. There is no league table, but pride of place goes to the issue of what the Universe is made. Current thinking is that the visible matter so far detected makes up just 5 per cent of the Universe’s mass, with the remainder composed of mysterious “dark matter” and even more elusive “dark energy”.
Other prominent posers include the biological basis of consciousness, a question that troubled the philosopher René Descartes in the 17th century, and for which scientists are little closer to supplying a definitive solution. Many of the questions involve genetics: how genes affect a person’s susceptibility to disease, and how so few human genes can account for such intricate biology.
It was originally thought that human beings have about 100,000 genes, but the mapping of the human genome has shown this estimate to be four times too high. Our 25,000 genes are fewer than both the puffer fish and a tiny plant called Arabidopsis thaliana.
The journal wants to know whether the two greatest theories in physics — quantum mechanics and relativity — can ever be unified. The former makes supremely accurate predictions at the smallest of scales, and the latter at the largest, but they appear to be incompatible under current knowledge.
Other questions include whether it is possible to prolong human life routinely beyond 100, and whether there is an upper limit; which genetic changes made people human; how altruism evolved; and how memories are formed and stored.
Issues with immediate political relevance include how hot the world will get under the influence of global warming, and whether an effective HIV vaccine will be developed.
Perhaps most intriguing of all are the matters of how life on Earth began, and whether we are alone in the Universe. There are plenty of theories, but no firm answers.
Donald Kennedy, editor-in-chief of Science, said: “Today, science’s most profound questions address some of the largest phenomena in the cosmos and some of the smallest. We may never fully answer some of these questions, but we will advance our knowledge and society in the process of trying.”
Science is the world’s best-selling research journal and is considered, with its British-based rival Nature, to be the most prestigious. Its first issue, on July 3, 1880, featured articles on the potential of electric trains and advice to science teachers on studying animal brains.
TOP 25 QUESTIONS
What is the Universe made of?
What is the biological basis of consciousness?
Why do humans have so few genes?
To what extent are genetic variation and personal health linked?
Can the laws of physics be unified?
How much can human life span be extended?
What controls organ regeneration?
How can a skin cell become a nerve cell?
How does a single somatic cell become a whole plant?
How does Earth’s interior work?
Are we alone in the Universe?
How and where did life on Earth arise?
What determines species diversity?
What genetic changes made us uniquely human?
How are memories stored and retrieved?
How did co-operative behaviour evolve?
How will big pictures emerge from a sea of biological data?
How far can we push chemical self-assembly?
What are the limits of conventional computing?
Can we selectively shut off immune responses?
Do deeper principles underlie quantum uncertainty and non-locality?
Is an effective HIV vaccine feasible?
How hot will the greenhouse world be?
What can replace cheap oil — and when?
Will Malthus continue to be wrong?
To remind us who does!
>>Why do humans have so few genes?<<
Because we don't need more. Right?
What about: Why do socks tend to go missing by themselves?
I'm reminded that half the people on this planet have nipples, AND I DON'T CARE.
What do the other half have, and why aren't you more particular about what you may have occasion to fondle?
Just had to elevate HIV
Read all I need to on this thread.
Nuthin'.
Can't quite figure out why they're even there. Scientists won't tell me.
They might be a couple of dots of sunburn protection, but I'm not sure of that yet.
If they are, evolutionary selection would probably turn me into one giant nipple.
My son would probably assert that evolution already has.
Sounds to me like Malthus was right, not wrong:
Malthus was a political economist who was concerned about, what he saw as, the decline of living conditions in nineteenth century England. He blamed this decline on three elements: The overproduction of young; the inability of resources to keep up with the rising human population; and the irresponsibility of the lower classes. To combat this, Malthus suggested the family size of the lower class ought to be regulated such that poor families do not produce more children than they can support.
Talk about political correctness! Malthus was right on target.
Yes, it's called abstanance.
LOL..we humans are pompous when we think we even have a clue as to what the top 25 greatest unanswered questions are. We are but a speck of sand in this universe, and God still holds many things that we can't even begin to understand.
This might be better stated as: What is dark energy, and what are its implications for the fate of the Universe?
Another question which should have made the list: Can artificial intelligence become self-aware?
There are ways to ask questions so an answer is possible and ways to entertain and occupy even Demosthenes with dyslogistic predicates.
#26: Is there intelligent life on Earth?
#1 - They're behind the couch
http://quotes.prolix.nu/Humor/Steven_Wright/
(Ctrl+F) - socks
This is a very interesting question but I can think of so many questions that I consider more important such as will there be a cure for cancer?
How hot will the greenhouse world be?
This is even less important that the HIV vaccine question. Now I'm wondering about the remainder of the list.
Since I'm having a Steven Wright flashback tonight, "If I melt dry ice, can I go swimming without getting wet?"
Only if it is allowed to become illogical.
And monogamy
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.