Top 9 Scientific Breakthroughs Predicted for 2011: Discovering the 'God Particle'

According to the American Live Science Network, from the discovery of the "God particle", confirming the existence of earth-like planets outside the solar system, and understanding more mysteries of the human brain and defining the fourth domain of life, these are all major scientific discoveries that people expect in 2011.

The following are nine major scientific breakthroughs that may occur in 2011:

1. Discovery of the "God Particle"

The Higgs boson is a mysterious and quite important particle in the field of scientific research. It is called the "God Particle" by scientists. Currently, scientists believe that 2011 will hopefully obtain definitive evidence of its existence. In 1964, scientists believed that the Higgs boson was a natural fundamental particle that could give mass to all particles. Although there were relevant formation theories at the time, it has never been detected. Christoph Rembser, a particle physicist at CERN, said: "If God favors us, we will discover the Higgs boson in 2011!" Currently, scientists plan to confirm its existence through experiments with the Large Hadron Collider.

2. Breakthrough in Brain Neuron Technology

A $10 million prize will be awarded to scientists who successfully develop new brain neuron technology, and this grand prize is expected to be announced in 2011. The latest brain neuron technology developed by scientists can help understand the brain more deeply, ultimately promoting the brain development and intellectual development of students, or the newly developed brain neuron technology can assist spinal patients in their physical recovery. In the future, it will effectively be used for real telepathy and mind transmission, allowing people to easily establish an interactive platform between the brain and the computer.

3. Purchasing Satellites for Free Internet Services

Kosta Grammatis does not want to see the internet as a luxury among human rights, and even in the 21st century, many people cannot experience this powerful tool. Currently, he plans to purchase a satellite and move it to a new space orbit to provide free internet services to developing countries. The non-profit organization he founded is called "Human Rights," and they are currently seeking a $150,000 donation to realize the free internet plan. If his preliminary preparation goes as planned, the free internet plan will be realized in 2011.

4. Announcement of the Discovery of Fourth Domain Life

In October 2010, researchers announced the discovery of the world's second giant virus - "CroV." This virus can infect marine unicellular organisms, and scientists call it a giant virus because its genome contains about 730,000 base pairs, which is twice the number of genetic "building blocks" compared to ordinary viruses. To date, the largest known giant virus is "Mimivirus," which has 1.2 million base pairs.

Matthias Fischer, who provided a detailed description of the giant virus "CroV" in his doctoral thesis at the University of British Columbia, said that more giant viruses might be discovered in the future. There is little association between the two giant viruses discovered so far. Viruses rely on infected cells for replication mechanisms, so they are not considered "alive" and are not included in the three domains of life: eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes, and archaea. However, the large number of base pairs contained in giant viruses is very similar to cells, giving them an active role in replicating themselves. On December 2nd, researchers published a study in the journal "PLoS ONE" suggesting that the evolutionary relationship between the three-domain life and viruses should be restructured, and viruses have the qualifications to become the fourth domain of life. Viruses share genomes with other organisms during the DNA evolution process.

5. Expected Discovery of the First Earth-like Planet in Early May 2011

An Earth-like exoplanet is defined as a rocky planet with the size of Earth located in the habitable zone of a star. Astronomer Steven Vogt from the University of California, Santa Cruz, said: "The decisive and affirmative identification of true Earth-like planets outside the solar system will depend on definitive and affirmative judgment. We believe that the GJ 581g planet meets the characteristics of an exoplanet." According to reports, Steven led the research team that discovered the GJ 581g planet.

Steven said that the Kepler probe, launched in 2009, is tasked with searching for Earth-like bodies but has not yet found enough Earth-like planets. Astrophysicist Sara Seager from MIT pointed out that she expects the Kepler probe to discover astonishing exoplanets in 2011, although they may not be entirely similar to Earth. To find the twin planet of Earth, we need to discover the twin star of the Sun, which may require more funding for the "Terrestrial Planet Finder," a direct imaging space telescope. I hope the Terrestrial Planet Finder will make significant breakthroughs in 2011. Scientists predict that the announcement of the first Earth-like exoplanet will be made in the first half of 2011, likely around early May 2011.

6. Exploring Human Personality Traits Through Genes

Recently, scientists have found a close link between genes and human behavior. Genes can determine people's impulsiveness, attitudes towards sex, and even whether they are liberalists. Of course, a single gene cannot make someone inclined towards violence, nor can it make them inclined to vote for Obama. These "behavioral genes" variations and existence will determine a person's personality.

Researchers said that it is crucial to deeply understand the complex interactions between human genes and the environment. Geneticist David Goldman from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, who studies gene impulsiveness, said: "We have entered a new era of gene research! We will study the relationship between genes and proteins, especially discovering those genes that are prone to cause depression and low spirits, thereby uncovering the connections between schizophrenia and autism patients and genes. From a certain perspective, I think revolutionary gene research will emerge!"

7. FDA Approval for Genetically Modified Salmon Consumption

Genetically modified salmon only requires half the growth time of regular salmon to reach adulthood. It has now become the first genetically modified animal approved for consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although the research team assembled by the FDA did not find any threats to human health from genetically modified salmon, AquaBounty Technologies still faces criticism from experts and litigation threats from consumer groups. 2011 will be a controversial year for genetically modified foods. The FDA has approved salmon as the first edible genetically modified animal, but when the approved genetically modified food enters restaurants, the corresponding controversies and doubts cannot be ignored.

8. Studying the "Culture" of Other Earth Organisms

Scientists will continue to deeply study the behavioral characteristics of animal groups in nature to better understand how animals learn their group-specific "culture" like humans do. In 2011, Diana Reiss from Hunter College and her research colleagues plan to take a boat to study how dolphins learn new whistles. This whistle is a form of communication that plays an important role within their group.

9. Discovering Epidemics Among Animals

In recent years, the number of bees living in North America and Europe has sharply declined. At the same time, chytrid fungus has significantly reduced the population of amphibian frogs on several continents. Recently, scientists discovered that hibernating bats in New York caves suffer from white-nose syndrome, which can lead to death. Currently, scientists will intensify their research on epidemics among animal populations to further understand how factors such as chytrid fungus cause animal deaths, and grasp how to effectively control the spread of epidemics in the future.