🌎 The Earth has become greener during the 21st century
Satellite data shows that Earth's vegetation was at its most extensive in 2020 since measurements began in 2001. Increased carbon dioxide levels, warmer climate and reforestation contributed to increased greenery in temperate and cold regions.
💡 Nobel laureate transforms AI hallucinations into new proteins
David Baker uses AI's ability to generate hallucination to develop entirely new proteins for medical treatment. His team converts AI's imagined protein structures into real proteins that can be used in healthcare. The method has led to 10 million new proteins.
🚭 Teen drug and alcohol use reaches historic low levels
Alcohol consumption among middle school students in the US has decreased from 46 to 13 percent since 1997. Marijuana use is at its lowest in three decades among high school students. Nicotine vaping among seniors has decreased from 35 to 21 percent since 2020.
💻 New AI model creates tailored materials for future technology
MatterGen creates materials based on specific requirements and desired material properties. The model has already led to the creation of a new material, TaCr2O6, which has been successfully tested in laboratory. The technology is available to everyone under MIT license.
🦈 Shark attacks decreased during 2024
The number of shark attacks decreased from 69 to 47 during 2024, well below the ten-year average of 70 attacks. Four of the attacks resulted in fatalities. Bull sharks were responsible for the majority of identifiable attacks during the year.
⚕️ Nine countries eliminated diseases in 2024
Cape Verde and Egypt became malaria-free countries in 2024. Jordan became the first country ever to be certified as leprosy-free. Pakistan, Vietnam and India eliminated trachoma, a disease that causes blindness.
🌾 Record year for global food production
Global production of rice, wheat and soybeans reached new record levels during 2024. Corn production remained at high levels, comparable to the 2021 harvest. Yields per hectare for most staple crops were equal to or higher than previous years.
🦟 Drastic reduction in malaria deaths in Kenya
The number of malaria deaths in Kenya has decreased by 93 percent. Approximately 400,000 children in western Kenya have received the RTS,S malaria vaccine, the world's first of its kind. The country has distributed 15.3 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
🧒 Cancer mortality in children has decreased by 84%
Childhood cancer mortality in the US has decreased six-fold since the 1950s. Improved treatment methods for leukemia have led to significantly more children surviving the disease. Mortality has decreased significantly for all types of cancer, including lymphoma and multiple myeloma.