Tom Whipple, science editor of The Times, and Penny Sarchet, commissioning editor at New Scientist, unveil the intriguing scientific landscape of 2025. They delve into advancements like the European Spallation Source's materials research and SpaceX’s plans for space exploration. The conversation takes a quirky turn with the challenges of creating new elements and the baffling behaviors of orca communities. Expect a mix of serious insight and light-hearted fun, complete with humorous moments, including a guest in a banana costume!
Significant advancements in organ transplantation are anticipated in 2025, particularly through research on pig organs and stem cells.
The development of the Future Circular Collider at CERN holds promise for groundbreaking discoveries in particle physics and the universe's origins.
Deep dives
Predictions for Organ Transplants
There is hope for significant advancements in organ transplantation in the coming year, particularly involving research around pig organs and stem cells. A notable development discussed involves the ongoing work to make organ transplants from pigs more viable for human patients, which could potentially address longstanding waiting lists for transplants. Additionally, there is exciting progress in stem cell research, including the possibility of growing human organs, such as lymph nodes and livers, which could revolutionize medical treatments. As these technologies continue to evolve, there is optimism about improving outcomes for patients in need of organ transplants.
The Future of Particle Physics
Groundbreaking advancements in particle physics are on the horizon with the potential development of a new facility called the Future Circular Collider at CERN. This project seeks to delve deeper into understanding the origins of the universe beyond what the Large Hadron Collider has accomplished. Although the current feasibility study's outcomes are yet to be determined, if greenlit, this new collider could start operations around 2040 and offer unprecedented insights into fundamental scientific questions. The anticipation surrounding this initiative reflects the ongoing quest to push the boundaries of our understanding of particle physics.
Anticipating Progress in Autonomous Vehicles
The evolution of autonomous vehicles is gaining traction, suggesting that they may finally become a more prevalent facet of daily life in 2025. While the concept has often been just out of reach, recent developments in various regions indicate significant strides are being made toward operational self-driving cars and trucks. Many projects are successfully testing autonomous systems, with some being implemented for specific routes and environments. As technology advances, there is a growing recognition that this innovation will reshape transportation, making it a hot topic for potential breakthroughs this year.
Marnie Chesterton is joined by a panel of science watchers to discuss what we can expect from the year ahead. We'll talk big science, small science - and the plain cool. What will science do for us in the coming year?
On the Inside Science panel, we have:
- Tom Whipple, science editor of The Times
- Shaoni Bhattacharya, former acting science editor of The Observer & freelance editor at Research Professional News
- Penny Sarchet, commissioning editor at New Scientist
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.
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