Top science stories of 2009 (so far)

July 27, 3:30 PMScience News ExaminerMeg Marquardt

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One of the octopus fossils from story #8. Courtesy Dirk Fuchs

Right before the school year starts, science stops. Professors flee away on vacations to recoup those last shreds of sanity, and grad students use the time as mental prep before the onslaught of new classes. So what is a science writer to do during such a lull? Make a top ten list, of course.

The beginning of 2009 has produced some pretty impressive science. From ancient octopus fossils to leaps forward in organ transplant biology, the future of science and technology have never looked brighter. Click on each item on the list to link to full coverage of the story.

1. First clinical use of embryonic stem cells approved: Undoubtedly one of the most important stories in the world of medicine. Approved use of embryonic stem cells will hopefully speed researchers’ ability to conquer diseases. However, just because the government has given the go-ahead does not mean all people are on board.

2. Successful treatment of peanut allergy: A peanut aversion is one of the most devastating allergies a person can have. But new studies in the UK have found a way to treat the problem, completely eliminating an allergic reaction in children.

3. New discovery may end transplant rejection: The most trying aspect of transplants is forcing—or ticking—the body into accepting foreign tissues. Those who receive transplants spend the rest of their lives taking potentially harmful immune system suppressors in order to stop the body from attacking itself. However, a study in mice may have a solution to the problem.

4. Potential cure found for honey bee colony collapse: For years, there has been worry about the rapidly disappearing honey bees population and the impact on agriculture. But scientists in Spain may have found the cure.

5. Evidence shows some large dinosaurs survived mass extinction: Did some of the big dinosaurs escape the great extinction? Some scientists seem to think so. And before you point out that birds survived, check out this story that cast some doubt on the dino-bird link.

6. Girl with two hearts makes complete recovery: A truly inspiring piece of medical science, this is the story of a girl born with cardiomyopathy who began to reject her donated heart over ten years after it was grafted. Removal of the transplant revealed that her own heart had recovered enough to begin beating on its own.

7. Scientist suggests that plant is self-aware: Possessing one of my favorite reader comments on any article, this Twilight Zone-esque article suggests that plants are fully aware of what makes them them.

8. Against the odds ancient octopus fossils discovered: Because they are such fleshy beasts, most octopi leave behind no trace. But an amazing find in Lebenon uncovered a 95-million-year-old specimen. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the discovery is that the ancient animal is nearly identical to its modern decedent.

9. Life may have originated billions of years earlier: The never-ending battle of when life started on Earth has a new date in the mix: 4.5 billion years ago, over 500 million years earlier than the current estimate of 3.9 billion years.

10. China’s urbanization escalating strain on global grain supply: This was a largely overlooked story that broke in late January. Scientists are worried that China’s move towards urbanization means the country will become less self-sufficient. Because of its large population, even a slight decrease in Chinese-grown supplies could entirely sap the world’s excess grain supply.