WASHINGTON, D.C.- (12/21/95) The envelope please...and this year's top research advance, according to Science magazine, is...the Bose-Einstein condensate, a new form of matter created by chilling a group of atoms to a temperature only a hair above absolute zero.The new form of matter is named after physicists Albert Einstein and Satyendra Bose. The existence of this form of matter was postulated by Einstein 70 years ago based on previous work by Bose. Using lasers and magnetic fields, researchers at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology and the University Colorado were able to chill rubidium atoms to so low a temperature that they virtually stopped moving. In this state the atoms move synchronously, at the same speed and in the same direction.
The discovery is expected to advance the state of understanding of the early universe. In addition, practical applications could include superconductors and a new kind of laser that would allow scientists to etch single atoms onto semi-conductors.
"The selection of the Bose-Einstein condensate as Molecule of the Year exemplifies the intellectual chain of progress that underlies virtually all of science: the interweaving of individual contributions on a worldwide scale and the emergence at certain key points of critical experimental data that gives insight into old unknowns, generates important new questions, and provide new ways to create new products," commented Science's Editor-in-Chief Dr. Floyd Bloom.
The remaining advances given top ten status were:
The discovery of a master control gene, 'eyeless', that controls the entire genetic program for making eyes. Swiss researchers demonstrated the discovery by activating the gene in various parts of the Drosophila genome, causing the flies to sprout eyes on their wings, antennae and knees. While the experiment was conducted with flies, the gene is common to mammals as well.
The complete DNA sequencing of two bacterial genomes- H. influenzae and Mycoplsma genitalium. These accomplishments are the first ever of their kind and are expected to advance research in areas ranging from bacterial evolution to human disease.
The discovery of the leptin protein produced by the "obese gene". Experiments showed that injecting genetically obese mice with leptin made them lose weight. The search is now on to find the neuroreceptor for the protein.
The isolation of key components of telomerase, the enzyme that synthesizes telomeres, the structures that terminate chromosomes. The research could one day yield important findings in about how cancer develops in humans.
The creation of self-assembling molecular structures. Mimicking nature, chemists were able to harness molecular forces in such a way that molecular components assembled themselves. This accomplishment is expected to lead to cheaper microelectronics and new drug delivery techniques.
The Internet. Science dedicated an entire issue to the explosion of research resources available on the Internet. From the GenBank gene library and the Visible Human Project, to the electronic publication of countless technical journals, scientists are relying increasingly on the Internet for fast access to data. And let's not forget Access Excellence, now celebrating it's first complete year on the World-Wide-Web. During that time, AE has received recognition by Science, Yahoo, USA Today and others, and has recently been recognized as being among the top five percent of all web sites.
Noninvasive brain imaging techniques. New techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging and magneto-encephalography have allowed researchers to observe the association between mind and brain with increasing precision. One experiment detailed the neural process of musical training.
Discovery of a planet around a distant sun, the first ever. A Swiss team reported observing a star with an unusual wobble believed to denote the presence of a planetary satellite.
The role of sulfuric acid and global warming. New research convincingly demonstrated that man-made pollution had been contributing to global-warming for 100 years. The conclusion was reached after taking into consideration an aerosol haze of sulfuric acid found over most of the developed world. The above mentioned research is highlighted in Sci ence 12/22/95.
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