Scientific studies and technological discoveries that left their mark on 2023

The final breakthrough of the year on the Science list was the introduction of computers known as exascale computing, which have the power to perform 1 quintillion (10 to the power of 18) operations per second.

New Orleans teenagers Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson presented a new mathematical proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry at the American Mathematical Society meeting in March.

While this year revealed more 'unknowns' in space, it was learned that things previously thought to be scientifically impossible could indeed be possible. We had never witnessed artificial intelligence develop to this extent before. 

From weight-loss drugs to the clearer effects of global warming, and the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer's, dozens of developments managed to leave their mark on this year. 

SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL INVENTIONS THAT LEFT THEIR MARK ON 2023

India reached the dark side of the Moon

As the year came to an end, The Guardian's The Observer publication listed the year's pioneering scientific developments and science news. Here, the first item we encounter is India's spacecraft reaching the dark side of the Moon. According to some circles, India is 'not being entirely truthful' about this discovery, but in the end, it managed to become one of the most talked-about science news stories of the year. 

Artificial intelligence breakthrough turned into a revolution

In second place is artificial intelligence and its focus, ChatGPT, which appeared on all 2023 lists. We saw that artificial intelligence began to be used in almost every field. OpenAI's ChatGPT revolution contributed to the much faster progress of developments in the field of generative artificial intelligence. Global giant companies such as Samsung, Microsoft, Google, and Apple began to invest more in the AI sector.

Mathematical breakthrough from young girls with waffle cone proof

New Orleans teenagers Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson managed to make this list by presenting a new mathematical proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry at the American Mathematical Society meeting in March. The waffle cone proof revealed that the belief that a trigonometric proof for a^2 + b^2 = c^2 was impossible was incorrect.

Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interacted much earlier

New DNA findings show that interaction between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals occurred earlier than estimated. As revealed in a study conducted by Sarah Tishkoff from the University of Pennsylvania, Neanderthal DNA entered the Homo sapiens lineage as far back as 250 thousand years ago.

In addition to this, the hottest year on record, the Crispr treatment for sickle cell disease and Mediterranean anemia, the potential benefits of weight-loss drugs in losing weight and reducing cardiovascular risks, the discovery of room-temperature superconductors, bird populations, and stem cell-based embryo models were the scientific discoveries of the year according to The Observer. 

Breakthrough discoveries in 2023 according to Science magazine

On the other hand, according to Science magazine, some other scientific developments are added to these. 

Scientists this year managed to detect shock waves from the orbits of supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies as they began to merge. Furthermore, according to the magazine, the most important progress of the year was the largest academic strikes in US history. 

For the scientific journal, the breakthrough discovery of the year is weight-loss drugs. Science draws attention to the disappointing history of drug treatments for obesity, which it defines as both a "public health crisis" and a thorny "personal struggle." The new drugs mimic a gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This drug was initially developed to be a solution for diabetes, but it also causes weight loss with mild side effects. 

These GLP-1 drugs also drew significant attention this year with clinical trials showing they reduce symptoms of heart failure, heart attacks, and stroke risks. 

In Science, artificial intelligence performing weather forecasting is also considered noteworthy for offering the best performance seen to date.

In the United States, it was announced that the drug "Donanemab," which completed its phase three trials, slowed the progression of Alzheimer's disease by 35 percent. This also stands as one of the important scientific studies of the year. 

The final breakthrough of the year on the Science list is the introduction of computers known as exascale computing, which have the power to perform 1 quintillion (10 to the power of 18) operations per second.

When we look at the events whose mysteries were solved in 2023, compiled by Independent Türkçe, we see that they include scientific developments. 

According to a study proving the existence of matriarchal societies in the Copper Age, findings related to a possible matriarchal society in ancient Europe were detected. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Seville and the University of Vienna, showed that women held leadership positions in Europe's Copper Age society between 2900 and 2650 BC.

A new study was also published regarding the iceman Ötzi. Accordingly, the iceman Ötzi, found decades ago on the Austria-Italy border, actually looked different. While previous studies depicted him with hair and a beard, DNA findings in the latest study revealed that Ötzi was dark-skinned and bald.

On the other hand, scientists discovered which substances and mixtures ancient Egyptians used to mummify the dead. Accordingly, resins obtained from pistachio trees, animal fats, and beeswax, as well as oils from plants such as juniper, cypress, and cedar, were used for mummification. 

The European Space Agency (ESA) shared the clearest photos ever taken by the Euclid Space Telescope of galaxies thousands of light-years away.

ONE OF THE LONGEST SURVIVAL TIMES IN XENOTRANSPLANTATION REACHED

In a joint study by Harvard Medical School and the US biotechnology firm eGenesis, scientists reached one of the longest survival times in xenotransplantation, as 21 macaque monkeys lived for more than 2 years after receiving genetically modified kidneys from Yucatan miniature pigs. 

COULD TEETH REGROWTH BE POSSIBLE?

According to a study published in August of this year, a drug has been developed that could help teeth grow and even emerge. The drug, called USAG-1, developed in research conducted by Kyoto University in Japan, focuses on solving problems experienced by people who have congenital tooth structure issues, whose some teeth do not emerge, or whose teeth are shorter than normal.

Even though problems related to dental health mostly come with advancing age, issues such as the complete absence of teeth or teeth remaining short are seen in 1 percent of the population worldwide. Dr. Katsu Takahashi, head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at the research institute, announced that he has been working on this drug for 30 years.

In his statements to the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi, he said:

''Treatments such as teeth growing or missing teeth re-emerging are every dentist's dream. We have no doubt that we can realize this dream with the drug we are working on.''

This developed drug is expected to be a source of hope for those who lost their teeth later due to decay or other diseases, as well as those with congenital dental problems. Clinical trials of the drug are aimed to begin in 2024 and it is targeted to be released to the market by 2030.