天文探測發現了許多存在於太陽系之外的行星，目前已經累積超過五百個，還在持續增加中。這些觀測資料，讓科學家對於行星系統的形成與演變有了革命性的看法。
發炎（Inflammation）
過去十年間，醫學上逐漸形成一種共識：「發炎」是各種致死率高的慢性病背後的驅動力，像是癌症、糖尿病、阿茲海默症，和動脈硬化症。
- C.M. Larsen et al., "Interleukin-1-Receptor Antagonist in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus," N. Engl. J. Med. 356, 1517 (2007).
- G. Taubes, "Does Inflammation Cut to the Heart of the Matter?," Science 296, 242 (2002).
- P. Duewell et al., "NLRP3 inflammasomes are required for atherogenesis and activated by cholesterol crystals," Nature 464, 1357 (2010).
- H. Xu et al., "Chronic inflammation in fat plays a crucial role in the development of obesity-related insulin resistance," J. Clin. Invest. 112, 1821 (2003).
- S.P. Weisberg et al., "Obesity is associated with macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue," J. Clin. Invest. 112, 1796 (2003).
- C. Nathan, "Epidemic Inflammation: Pondering Obesity," Mol. Med. 14, 485 (2008).
- J. Marx, "Inflammation and Cancer: The Link Grows Stronger," Science 306, 966 (2004).
- J. Condeelis and J.W. Pollard, "Macrophages: Obligate Partners for Tumor Cell Migration, Invasion, and Metastasis," Cell 124, 263 (2006).
- M. Ammirante et al., "B Cell-Derived Lymphotoxic Promotes Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer," Nature 464, 302 (2010).
- S. Boillée et al., "Onset and Progression in Inherited ALS Determined by Motor Neurons and Microglia," Science 312, 1389 (2006).
- H. M. Gao et al., "Neuroinflammation and oxidation/nitration of alpha-synuclein linked to dopaminergic neurodegeneration," J. Neurosci. 28, 7687 (2008).
- C. K. Glass et al., "Mechanisms Underlying Inflammation in Neurodegeneration," Cell 140, 918 (2010).
超材料（Metamaterials）
這十年之間，物理學家和工程師們研發出種種新的方法來引導和操弄光線的行進，製造出超越基本物理限制的高解析度透鏡，甚至還造出可以讓物體「隱形」的材質。
- U. Leonhardt, "Optical Conformal Mapping," Science 312, 1777 (2006).
- J. Pendry et al., "Controlling Electromagnetic Fields," Science 312, 1780 (2006).
- D. Schurig et al., "Metamaterial Electromagnetic Cloak at Microwave Frequencies," Science 314, 977 (2006).
- T. Ergin et al., "Three-Dimensional Invisibility Cloak at Optical Wavelengths," Science 328, 337 (2010).
氣候變遷（Climate Change）
過去幾年之中，氣候學家們終於達成共識，承認地球的確正在暖化，而人類活動是造成此一現象的主因。目前的情況，光靠自然現象，似乎是無法控制這個暖化的趨勢。
（譯註：我個人不記得有這樣的科學共識，但是「抗暖化」的確在這幾年成為熱門的政治活動。）
- R. A. Kerr, "Scientists Tell Policymakers We're All Warming the World," Science 315, 5813 (2007).
（系列完）
沒有留言:
張貼留言