10 Science Stories That Will Make This Year Feel Brighter

These are some examples of how science is saving the day in the modern world and they are sure to give you hope for a vibrant future! Check out more inspiring science content here!

1. Mozart Might Help Epilepsy

Classical music could be more than just a beautiful sound escape — it may actually help reduce epilepsy in patients. Data from a recent study done at Dartmouth University indicates that measured and controlled listening to Mozart may "modulate electrical activity in the frontal cortices of the brain." This experience for patients is noninvasive and could change the game for people who suffer from epilepsy but haven't had favorable outcomes with medication. 

2. Babies Are Willing To Give Up Food To Help Others, Study Says

Altruistic babies? That's right. In a study done by the University of Washington, researchers found that altruism may begin in infancy. The study consisted of 100 19-month-old babies and it was found that babies, even when they were hungry, were willing to give up a tasty treat to someone in need. We could all learn something from these giving babies. 

3. You Can Likely Thank Carbs For Your Beautiful Brain

Good news for pasta lovers. It was discovered in a study published in May 2021 that early humans eating starch-rich foods likely contributed to the expansion of the brain. This is thanks to the glucose in starch, which is the brain's main fuel source. So the answer is always "yes" to more breadsticks. 

4. mRNA Helped Protect Many People In 2021

Messenger RNA (or mRNA) has been researched since it was first introduced in 1987 by Robert Malone. mRNA instructs cells on how to fight disease. The research into treatments of coronavirus outbreaks like SARS and MERS helped lay the groundwork for developing COVID-19 vaccines effectively and safely in less than one year. For reference, polio was identified in 1908 and it was not until 1953 that Jonas Salk announced the polio vaccination. Once the genetic code became available for SARS-CoV-2, scientists were able to develop mRNA vaccines that provide instructions to the cells in the body to create a unique spike protein to help protect against potential infection. 

5. Mosquito-Resistant Clothing May Reduce Spread Of Deadly Viruses

Clothing is always fashionable when it prevents deadly viruses. We know that mosquitos carry viruses that can be deadly to humans, such as Zika, Dengue, and yellow fever. That is why a research team at North Carolina State University has created "insecticide-free, mosquito-resistant clothing using textile materials they confirmed as bite-proof in experiments with live mosquitoes." As reported in Insects, when a volunteer wore the chic mosquito bite-preventing threads, 100% of bites were blocked. Once this hits the market, it's definitely something we'll be adding to our travel packing list! 

6. Baby Birds Learn Sound From Inside The Egg

Ever wake up to the sweet sound of baby birds chirping? They may have learned that chirp before they even hatched! Scientists at Flinders University found evidence of bird embryos auditory learning in three vocal learning birds: the superb fairy-wren, red-winged fairy-wren and the small ground finch. The evidence was also apparent in two vocal non-learning birds: the little penguin and Japanese quail. This is promising news for future studies on the capacity of animals to learn sound, which could lead to better understanding of the auditory experience as it impacts behavior and information processing. 

7. Being Creative Makes You Feel Really Good

A creative soul is a happy soul according to a study published in NeuroImage. Creativity is one of humankind's most unique characteristics and in this study, it was found that in some people, creative insights can trigger activity in the brain's reward system, evoking a response similar to that provided by yummy foods, addictive substances, and other basic pleasures like a good mystery novel. So go ahead and unleash your creative self! 

8. Kids Discovered A New Penguin Species In New Zealand

In a discovery far beyond their years, schoolchildren in New Zealand uncovered fossilized bones of a giant penguin on a school fossil hunting trip. The giant Waikato, as it was identified, is similar to the giant Kairuku penguins of Otago, but it had much longer legs, meaning the penguin could've been around 4 feet 6 inches. That sure would be a sight to see! Scientists estimate the bones are between 27.3 and 34.6 million years old, dating from a time when a lot of the area was underwater.  

9. Protecting The Ozone Layer Has Health Benefits

Being good to the ozone layer is proving not only positive for the environment but also beneficial to human health. According to new research by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and other institutions, an international agreement to protect the ozone layer is "expected to prevent an estimated 443 million cases of skin cancer and 63 million cataract cases..." This study applies to people born in the US through the end of the current century. Be good to Mother Earth and she will love you back!

10. Penicillin Continues To Save Lives

It's exciting to learn about new discoveries in science but it's also worth celebrating the world's first antibiotic, penicillin. Sir Howard Florey thought it would be wise to further study Sir Alexander Fleming’s “accidental discovery” of germ-killing mold. Florey began experimenting on mice and was able to conclude that mice injected with penicillin survived virulent streptococci, while those without the antibiotic died. Penicillin was mass-produced in WWII and possibly had an influence on the war's outcome, as it was seen as a miracle drug for military surgeons. Since Howard Florey's discovery in the 1940s, penicillin has saved an estimated 200 million lives. 

All images courtesy of Getty.

Thank you to all the scientists who have made this year brighter with their work. That goes double for the scientists who work on vaccines. For more science stories that will make you smile, visit Science Will Win™.