JWST, Deepmind and nuclear fusion: The top news stories of 2022 I New Scientist Weekly podcast 154

TL;DR

Panelists reflect on standout science stories of 2022, from AI predicting protein structures to quantum computing advancements, and share hopes for 2023.

Transcript

hello and welcome to the best of new scientists 2022 we thought for this week's show we'd gather some panelists and have them reflect on the year their standout news stories of the Year their funniest stories and what they're looking forward to in science for 2023 we recorded this show as a live online event and we've got audience questions in the ... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ DeepMind's AI AlphaFold revolutionizes protein structure prediction, impacting drug development and biological understanding.
• 👶 Advancements in quantum computing include progress in error correction, utilizing new superconductors, and harnessing quasi-particles for improved fault tolerance.
• ❓ Gene replacement therapies show promise in treating rare genetic disorders, with PTC seeking FDA approval for AADC deficiency treatment.
• 👾 Space travel advancements in 2023 include SpaceX's Starship missions to the Moon and deep space tourism trips, highlighting the future of space exploration.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the standout science story of 2022 involving AI?

The standout story was about DeepMind using AI AlphaFold to predict the structures of known proteins, revolutionizing biological understanding and potential drug development.

Q: How has quantum computing progressed in 2022?

Quantum computing has seen advancements in error correction, utilizing new superconductors and quasi-particles to make quantum computers more fault-tolerant and robust.

Q: What are the potential benefits of gene replacement therapies?

Gene replacement therapies offer hope for rare genetic disorders like AADC deficiency, improving motor and cognitive functions in affected children and showcasing promising outcomes.

Q: What are the future developments in space travel for 2023?

SpaceX's Starship is set to orbit the Moon with people on board, marking a significant advancement in space travel with plans for tourist trips into deep space and planned missions to the Moon.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Panelists reflect on AI predicting protein structures, James Webb Space Telescope images, and successful nuclear fusion experiments.

• They discuss advancements in organ transplants, use of robots in healthcare, and improved quality of science reporting.

• Future hopes include developments in COVID-19 research, quantum computing, sustainable food production, gene replacement therapies, and space travel.