Thursday December 21 2:55 PM ET Genome, Georgian Skulls Top Science Coups for 2000 By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The faster-than-expected sequencing of the human genome -- the first step toward unraveling the genetic ``book of life'' -- tops this year's list of biggest scientific achievements, Science magazine said on Thursday. Genome mappers also pushed out sequences for two favorites of laboratory scientists -- the fruit fly and the weed Aradopsis. Both are interesting on their own but also offer valuable insights into human genetics. The genomes of several microbes have been sequenced as well, including those that cause cholera and meningitis -- achievements that should lead to new treatments for these and other diseases. Science, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (news - web sites) (AAAS), named as runner-up the discovery that RNA runs the part of the cell known as the ribosome, where proteins are made. While the discovery did not make the front pages of most newspapers, it was a hugely important step that may show that life started with RNA, rather than DNA, the magazine said. Genetic information is stored in DNA, but for the body to do anything with it, it has to be translated into RNA. Then the ribosome can use this ``recipe'' to make a protein -- which is the basic function of a cell. Other discoveries praised by Science: -- The unearthing of fossil skulls 1.7 million years old in Dmanisi in the Republic of Georgia. Researchers said they may have come from the first human ancestors to journey out of Africa. -- Advances in developing ``plastic electronics'' -- which won three scientists the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Examples include an array of hundreds of organic computer chip components on flexible plastic and an organic laser. -- Cloning and stem cell research. Work in getting adult stem cells -- the master cells of the body -- to change their identity and function offered new potential for organ and tissue transplants. Scientists also cloned pigs, one of the most difficult animals to clone, and a guar, an endangered cow-like animal native to Indian and southeast Asian forests. -- Evidence that water may have recently flowed on or at least to the surface of Mars, and photographs that suggest the planet was once covered with lakes. -- Microwave maps of the early universe, which use leftover radiation from the Big Bang to confirm the view that the universe is flat. -- New insights into the roles of hormone receptors that advance understanding of cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid production, as well as the processes underlying diabetes and cancer. -- The rendezvous of the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft with the asteroid Eros. -- Discoveries in quantum physics including one finding that an electric current can flow around a superconducting loop of wire in both directions at the same time and a report that quantum computers might be able to work without using a strange property called ``entanglement.'' For big discoveries next year, Science advises watching the fields of infectious diseases, ocean studies with satellites, RNA synthesis, science funding around the world and asymmetry in cell development. -- This is the ISTA-talk mailing list. To unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For more information: <http://www.ista-il.org/about/mail_list.html> To search the archives: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/>
