5 scientific discoveries that changed the world but did not win the Nobel Prize

This week, the world's best scientists are receiving Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology, or medicine. Established by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel more than a century ago, these awards recognize cutting-edge discoveries in various fields.

However, many groundbreaking works remain without worldwide recognition. However, they are undoubtedly worthy of the highest praise because they have changed the world, CNN writes.

The first human genome

One of the most frequently discussed candidates for the Nobel Prize is the work of mapping the human genome. This is a bold project that began in 1990. An international consortium of thousands of researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and China participated in the uncovering of the genetic code of human life.

This development had a far-reaching impact on biology, medicine, and many other fields. But one of the reasons why the project might not have won the Nobel Prize is the huge number of people involved in this project.

After all, according to the rules approved by the Nobel, prizes can only be awarded to up to three people per award. And this is becoming an increasing problem, given the group development of many scientific studies.

A revolution in obesity treatment

According to statistics, one in eight people in the world is obese, and this figure has more than doubled since 1990. Therefore, the development of popular weight loss drugs that mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1, has shaken up the healthcare world.

A drug that lowers blood sugar levels and curbs appetite has the potential to usher in a new era of treatment for obesity and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

The three scientists, Svetlana Moisova, Dr. Joel Habener, and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, who developed the drug, received the Lasker-DeBakey Award for Clinical Medical Research in 2024, which is often considered an indicator of whether a breakthrough will achieve the Nobel Prize.

Although this drug is taken by millions of people around the world, it was not recognized with the most prestigious award.

Unprecedented impact of AI

Artificial intelligence is changing people's lives at an unprecedented rate. Despite the fact that many scientists work in this field, two names are worth highlighting. According to David Pendlebury, head of research analysis at the Clarivate Institute for Scientific Information, two key figures in AI development are Demis Hassabis and John Jumper.

These are the inventors of Google DeepMind AlphaFold Protein Structure Database, an artificial intelligence program that acts as a "Google search" for protein structures, providing instant access to predicted protein models, and accelerating progress in basic biology and other related fields.

The program has been used by at least 2 million researchers worldwide but has not yet won a Nobel Prize

Understanding the gut microbiome

According to scientists, the trillions of microbes (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that live on and inside our bodies are known as the human microbiome. Thanks to advances in genetic sequencing over the past two decades, scientists have been able to better understand what these microbes do and how they interact with human cells, especially in the gut.

Dr. Robert J. Glazer University Professor Emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis, biologist Jeffrey Gordon led work that found the gut microbiome plays an important role in the health consequences of malnutrition, which affects nearly 200 million children worldwide. It is developing nutritional interventions aimed at improving gut health.

However, this discovery has not yet been recognized with a Nobel Prize.

Cancer can be prevented

Scientists from around the world have been trying to develop the most effective cancer drugs for many years. With her experience in studying genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees, Mary-Claire King, a professor of medicine and genomic sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, has taken a new approach to this problem.

Working long before scientists had a map of the human genome, King spent 17 years discovering and identifying the role of the BRCA1 gene mutation in the development of breast and ovarian cancer.

The discovery has led to genetic testing that can identify women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, as well as what steps to take to reduce their risk.

In 2016, Mary Clare King received the National Medal of Science at a ceremony at the White House. But she failed to receive the Nobel Prize.

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