10 people who changed the world in 2018
A Life / / December 19, 2019
Nature magazine each year publishes a list of 10 people who have greatly influenced the world. The list is interesting because it includes not rich people and celebrities that everyone's lips, and young scientists, social activists, lawyers, politics begin. The stories of these people argue that to do something great and everyone can.
Valerie Masson-Delmott - guardian of the Earth
The first step to prevent disaster - is the realization that it is coming. In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned the world about the dangers: from 2030 to 2052 the average temperature in the world can grow at least 1,5 ° C compared to pre-industrial level, leading to a change ecosystems.
We would not have learned this news, if not for Valerie Masson-Delmott, French scientists from the Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences. She was co-chair of the working group, brought together the authors of the report, coordinated their work and has ensured that the report approved by the government of different countries.
The document is alarming. To keep the level of warming for at least 1,5 ° C, you need to already strongly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And even if we do this, many of the plants, insects and animals will disappear, and the coral reefs will be lost.
This will lead to dangerous consequences for humanity. For example, the annual catch of sea fish will be reduced by half a million tonnes.
Fortunately, the report not only contains descriptions of the horrors of the disaster, but also ways to prevent them.
Masson-Delmott saw to it that in the preparation of the document was attended by all its employees, regardless of age, gender, and nationality, so it made a lot not only for the environment, but also to eliminate discrimination in the scientific environment.
Scientists say that working almost at full capacity. Own research she has to deal with nights, Weekend and travel, and with her husband and children, she is seen not so much as we would like. "It's frustrating, - she says. - But at the same time it is very stimulating. " Ahead of the Masson-Delmott and her colleagues a few reports. The following year, the work will go on the state of terrestrial and marine biomes. Perhaps, their work will help us to prevent a terrible disaster.
Anthony Brown - Star cartographer
April 25, 2018, astronomers around the world have access to 500 GB of dataCollected space telescope Gaia. But the telescope is only collected information and its processing for many days involved a team of 400 researchers led by Anthony Brown.
Anthony did not do something brilliant. He just did his job, which was the administrator activities and meetings with the scientific groups. But it was his responsibility and perseverance ensured the success of the entire enterprise.
Astronomer and member of the working group Amina Helmi told that Brown is able to motivate colleagues to work for the common good: they are even willing for a time to break away from their own research.
Brown's work is not finished. By 2021, it will be necessary to process the new data set, and then another and another. But the scientist does not mind. He is working on the program for 20 years and considers it an important part of his life. Anthony Brown - a perfect example of how experience and perseverance sometimes bring no less fruit than genius.
Robert-Jan Smits - fighter for the available knowledge
Research in many scientific journals are funded by various organizations-funders. Unfortunately, these studies are often published in a closed domain, and they can be read only after the purchase of an expensive subscription. Grantors do not like it. They pay money to introduce the study of as many people as possible, and not to enrich the publishers of scientific journals.
Wishing to rectify the situation, the adviser of the European Commission on Open Access Robert-Jan Smits proposed "Plan S». According to it, in 2020 the results of research conducted on grants should immediately publish in the public domain. Who supports the initiative of 16 countries. And it is very likely that by 2020 they will be even more.
Smits the idea can be described as very ambitious. Publishers fear that the "Plan S» of their ruin, the researchers - that can not be published in prestigious journals. But knowledge definitely become more accessible. So, the initiative is working for the benefit of public education.
He Tszyankuy - editor of the genome
Reaching this Chinese scientist grandiose in terms of science, but the controversial side of morality. In November 2018 Hae Tszyankuy He statedThat created the first genetically modified children. He edited the embryos so that the children were resistant to after birth HIV infection.
This caused a scandal. Ho colleague criticized for irresponsibility, South Science and Technology University, where he worked as a researcher, He said that is not related to the experiment, and the Chinese government has banned altogether scientists continue work. He soon disappeared and the public will no longer appear.
It is interesting that in the specialty He is not a geneticist, a physicist, but in 2010 he published a study bacterial DNA, and founded Direct Genomics, which produces equipment for genome sequencing.
Some argue that in fact He did not edit anything, since there is no evidence of the experiment conducted. All that we can do - is to follow the news from the life born twins Lulu and Nana. But Tszyankuy He certainly left his mark in genetics. And, perhaps, open the way to more daring experiments on the genome.
Bi Yin Yo - on ecology guard politician
The history of the Malaysian women rather long and complicated. His early career, she worked in the oilfield services company Schlumberger. There Jo realized that people have ever abandon fossil fuels, and decided to learn a new profession, which would have brought the planet favor. She gave up her job at Schlumberger, he went to Oxford and received there the diploma of chemical engineer.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Jo took up not only in science but also in politics. She won a place in the Legislative Assembly, and in 2018 became minister of energy, science, technology and climate change.
The first thing Yo decided to deal with plastic. It has banned the import of plastic waste and amounted to eliminate disposable plastic products plan.
She wants only biodegradable materials are used and produced in the country. In addition, by 2030, Jo plans to increase the use of renewable energy in Malaysia (water, light, wind) to 20% and to use electricity more efficiently.
Of course, the problem is not decided immediately. Even biodegradable plastic decomposes slowly, and renewable energy sources is not as effective as non-renewable. But Yoh believes that you just need to try to invest in research and scientists do not give up. And then everything will turn out.
It is hoped that the enthusiasm Yo will be an example for other countries. And we all can live on a clean planet.
Makoto Yoshikawa - hunter asteroids
The Japanese have a long time to solve their earthly problems, and only recently engaged in major space programs. But astronomer Makoto Yoshikawa has already achieved certain heights. In 2018 the scientist led mission "Hayabusa-2", during which the spacecraft approached the asteroid Ryugu, took photos and had a research soil.
That does not sound too cool, but in fact modern astronomers virtually explore asteroids. But the past can tell us a lot about the origin of the universe.
The slightest error in calculation or a small accident when asteroids study reduces all efforts to nothing, so now even NASA does not risk to do it. And Makoto Yoshikawa and his team just takes and does. And this despite the fact that last mission "Hayabusa" completely failed.
Yoshikawa personality worthy of a separate story. On space exploration was inspired by the book "The Little Prince", the protagonist of which lives just a small asteroid. Japanese colleagues call "the most good scientists" and admired his ability to manage a variety of laboratories with little fanfare and noise. Yoshikawa just doing his job and gives us the secrets of the cosmos.
Vivian Elephant - an expert on human ancestors
Paleogenetics Vivian Elephant studied the bones of ancient people in a Siberian cave. Thousands of years ago there lived denisovtsy, ancient relatives the Neanderthals. In one fragment of a bone, scientists have found traces of genes and those and others. It seemed impossible, but Vivian carefully rechecked everything. In the end it turned out that the bones found belong to Neanderthal and daughter denisovtsa.
This discovery proves that different subtypes of people in ancient times could form a pair, and we may bear the genes not only by the Cro-Magnon ancestors, but also other extinct great apes.
Nakhodka daughter Neanderthal and denisovtsa not the only achievement of the Elephant. Earlier, along with a group of scientists, she has developed a new method of searching for genetic material in soil sediments. With it, you can find traces of people, even where there are no remains of them. This is very important, because the bones are not so often. In general, for paleogenetics opening Vivian - a breakthrough that will help to learn more about our ancestors.
Cao Yuan - the master of graphene
The young Chinese scientist to 18 years in a BA University of Science and Technology of China, and then entered the Masters in the USA. In 2014, he and a group of scientists began to study the properties of graphene and found that if you move it two layers relative to each other, the material of the conductor insulator in turn, and if shift slightly differently - in superconductor. Cao worked very hard and experimenting, and eventually achieved a stable reproducing this effect. In the scientific community called him master of graphene. Sounds like the name of a superhero.
Cao Yuan created a new superconductor - a material with great potential for use in modern devices. But especially cool that he did it in 21 years, to protect the master's thesis. Let's wait for him even more interesting discoveries.
Jess Wade - defender of the scientific diversity
By statistics90% of Wikipedia editors - men, and among all the biographical articles share of publications about women is only 18%. And in some places the situation is particularly bad. For example, in Tajik Vicki female biographies 1%.
Jess Wade found out about it and decided that women scientists, which in the modern world quite a lot, have to get their share of recognition. She began to write under a day, and in 2019 wrote about 400 materials.
Wade itself - a specialist in polymer physics at Imperial College London. At first she worked alone, but then began to conduct "vikitony" - events where people write and complementary articles about women and ethnic minorities. Wade says that it is not only discrimination. She believes that these studies, the authors of which - women and minorities, a truly valuable for science and information about them can make the academic community stronger, viable and creative.
Barbara Rey Venter - DNA Detective
Barbara Rey Venter - 70-year-old retired lawyer. But it is unusual lawyer. Prior to studying law, Barbara defended her master's thesis in biology, and after graduating from law engaged in patent biotech companies. Her ex-husband - a famous geneticist Craig Venter. So that all of life, Barbara has been associated with biology and genes.
In 1990, Barbara became interested in family history, but a simple genealogical method was not enough. Soon she moved on genetic testing of all close relatives. One day in 2012 on the site Family Tree DNA Rey Venter met a distant relative, who grew up with a foster father. She wanted to help him find his own father and online DNAAdoption.org found on combining genealogy and DNA course.
In 2015, Rey Venter using genetic genealogy helped to find relatives Lisa Jenson. She learned that the man who called himself her father, Jenson kidnapped as a child. And with the help Rey Venter Liza finally reunited with this family.
In 2017 this event learned Detective Paul Houlz. He decided to draw Rey Venter to investigate the murder to catch the famous "Present Night Hunter", which in the 70s 45 raped and killed more than 10 people. For 40 years his identity has not established, but the police were traces of his DNA.
Rey Venter by genetic genealogists have found the murderer of relatives and finally determined the culprit - a former policeman James Deandzhelo. The coincidence of DNA samples confirmed his guilt, and the crime was solved.
After such a sensational case genetic genealogy just could not stay in the shadows. With the help of this method have already arrested 16 people in investigations is now actively used DNA database. Perhaps criminals search engine will soon change radically.
It seems that she Rey Venter has done nothing significant. After all, it is not even the author of this method. However, during her studies, and archival materials pages in social networksIt raises clippings and analyzes a huge amount of information. Typically, experts versed in either DNA or genealogy, but Rey Venter will combine these skills and show the world how it can be useful.
see also🧐
- 8 books for those who want to change the world
- Why change the world is easier than to convince others of what you have done
- Why you need to act here and now, rather than wait for the right moment