Anticipated Science Milestones in 2024: What to Expect in Breakthroughs?

In 2024, the world is buzzing with exciting scientific breakthroughs across various fields, ranging from space exploration to health, medicine, and technology.

At the forefront of space exploration is NASA’s historic Artemis II mission, set to send astronauts back to the Moon for the first time in fifty years. Scheduled for late 2024, this mission will make history by including the first woman and person of color on a lunar mission. Simultaneously, the PACE satellite mission is set to launch early in the year, collecting vital data to assess the health of Earth’s oceans. Mid-2024 is eagerly awaited for the debut of ESA’s heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, while NASA’s Europa Clipper is gearing up to explore the potential for life on one of Jupiter’s icy moons.

In the realm of celestial events, Earth dwellers are in for a treat with a total solar eclipse sweeping across Mexico, Canada, and the US on April 8. Additionally, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft will conduct its first lunar-Earth flyby in August, offering a spectacular celestial experience.

Shifting focus to health and medicine, the spotlight is on tirzepatide (Mounjaro), a drug undergoing phase 3 trials. Similar to the attention-grabbing weight-loss drug semaglutide from 2023, tirzepatide holds promise in the world of pharmaceuticals. CRISPR therapy, having received approval in the I-JK for certain treatments, is anticipated to gain US approval by March 2024. Transplant medicine is reaching new heights with the possibility of gene-edited pig organs, courtesy of biotech company eGenesis, offering hope for human infants in need of transplants.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare continues to advance, with ongoing clinical trials exploring its potential in cancer diagnoses, testing new treatments, and vaccine development for HIV and malaria. The role of AI in revolutionizing healthcare is a significant stride towards more efficient and precise medical interventions.

On the technology front, there is great anticipation for OpenAI’s updates to its Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) models. Generative AI is expected to find novel applications in various research fields and daily life. Simultaneously, virtual reality (VR) and gaming technologies are taking center stage with significant investments from tech giants. Advancements in robotics, smart materials, and eco-materials are also on the horizon. Expect more sophisticated robots capable of micro-operations inside the body, buildings that adapt to changing weather conditions, and improved solar cells, possibly made using 4D printers.

Beyond the scientific realm, 2024 brings cultural and societal developments. Film enthusiasts can look forward to sequels like Inside Out 2, addressing mental health in teenagers, and Dune: Part Two, exploring extraterrestrial terraforming. These films promise to not only entertain but also delve into important societal issues.

In the world of AI, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will witness AI supercharging camera operations for security purposes, albeit without facial recognition. This marks a significant step in incorporating AI into large-scale events for enhanced security measures.

However, amidst these exciting advancements, concerns about AI’s impact on politics persist. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s warning to the US Congress in 2023 underscores the potential risks associated with political deepfakes, which are on the rise. As significant elections, including the US presidency, are scheduled for 2024, the potential for AI-generated misinformation is a growing concern that warrants attention and mitigation strategies.

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