A Farewell to 2024, and What We’re Following in the New Year
Dec 23, 2024
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Andrea Thompson, an Earth and Environment News Editor at Scientific American, and Ben Guarino, the Associate Technology Editor, share insights on the year's climate catastrophes, including record-breaking hurricanes and heat waves. They discuss significant health advancements like non-addictive pain meds and uterus transplants. The conversation also dives into generative AI's impact on society and challenges facing artists. Thompson and Guarino reflect on the science themes of 2024 and what to watch for in 2025, wrapping up with holiday cheer.
Extreme weather events driven by climate change, including record-breaking hurricanes and heat waves, marked the tumultuous year of 2023.
Significant advancements in health, such as a new pain medication and uterine transplants, showcased transformative breakthroughs in medical science.
Deep dives
Record Climate Events of 2023
2023 witnessed an array of extreme weather events, significantly influenced by climate change. In the U.S., hurricanes were particularly devastating, with Hurricane Barrow setting records as the earliest Category 5 storm, while Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding in North Carolina. Similar storms affected the Philippines, which experienced multiple typhoons in a short period, leading to increased fatalities and destruction. The year also saw unprecedented heat waves in the Southwest U.S., especially in Phoenix, which recorded 113 consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, contributing to hundreds of deaths.
Advancements in Health Science
Several major health advancements emerged in 2023, reshaping our understanding of human biology and disease management. A groundbreaking pain medication that blocks nerve channels before pain reaches the brain was discovered, offering a non-addictive alternative to opioids. Research also found that the previously assumed widespread deficiency of vitamin D may not be as significant a health concern as thought, with most individuals having adequate levels. Additionally, scientific progress included the successful transplantation of uteruses, allowing individuals born without this organ the opportunity to conceive and give birth.
The Rise of Generative AI
Generative AI made substantial strides in 2023, particularly in enhancing audio and video capabilities, leading to widespread applications. The release of OpenAI's video maker, Sora, highlighted the trend towards generating more complex multimedia content, although it faced backlash when popular brands utilized AI to transform their advertisements. Research showed a shift in public sentiment, with increasing concerns regarding AI's implications on art and employment outweighing excitement. Moreover, AI’s integration into search engines like Google, which reported over a billion users engaging with its AI model Gemini, marked a significant transformation in how information is accessed and interpreted online.
2024 brought heat waves and hurricanes, bird flu and breakthroughs, and an overwhelming amount of progress in AI. Science Quickly host Rachel Feltman is joined by sustainability editor Andrea Thompson, health and medicine editor Tanya Lewis and technology editor Ben Guarino to recap a busy year and weigh in on the stories they’re watching in 2025.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Science Quickly! Thank you for your support and your curiosity. We’ll see you next year.
E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman, with guests Tanya Lewis, Andrea Thompson and Ben Guarino. Our show is edited by Fonda Mwangi, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.