Science Quickly Science’s Greatest 180s
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Aug 25, 2025 Science takes unexpected turns! Discover how our understanding of nerve regeneration has evolved, breaking past misconceptions. Dive into the history of sustainable materials like celluloid, originally created to replace ivory. Explore humanity's roller coaster ride of hope and disappointment regarding life on Mars, shifting from dreams of advanced civilizations to the search for microbes. Celebrate scientific progress and the journey of discovery, reminding us that even the best minds don't always get it right the first time.
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Nerves Can Regenerate
- Scientists long assumed nerve damage was permanent, but research over centuries shows nerves can regenerate in many cases.
- Even central nervous system neurons can regrow under the right conditions, shifting treatment possibilities.
Adult Brains Grow New Neurons
- Researchers debated adult neurogenesis for decades, but accumulating evidence now supports it.
- Accepting adult neurogenesis reshapes our understanding of brain plasticity and potential therapies.
Birth Of Modern Plastics
- John Wesley Hyatt invented celluloid after a 19th-century contest sought an ivory alternative for billiard balls.
- He patented celluloid instead of taking the prize, creating plastics' founding object.
