The year 2018 was no exception for Nobel Prize laureates. There were a total of 5 categories: Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Literature, and Economics. Notably, the Nobel Prize in Literature did not find its recipient. Due to a scandal in the Swedish Academy, a split occurred.
Nobel Prize: Laureates of 2018
Immediately after the award ceremony, which took place on December 10, 2017, 500 participants competed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Four independent committees review candidates and filter them at their own initiative. The fate of the remaining laureates is decided by the Nobel Committee. Essentially, almost a year passes between the award presentation and the announcement.
Medicine Award. Scientists James Ellis and Tasuku Honjo managed to deceive cancer tumors. More precisely, they created a drug that enhances the human immune system against the disease. The researchers did not cure cancer — only slowed down the spread of cancer cells for a long period.
Physics Award. Scientists revisited laser technology research. Shifting focus from military topics, researchers aimed to improve life on the planet. Gerard Mourou, Arthur Ashkin, and Donna Strickland invented the laser tweezer. This device helps move molecules, cells, and other substances. The scientists spent 16 years developing the tweezer.
Chemistry Award. The global problem of oncological diseases prompted chemists George Smith and Gregory Winter to develop antibodies capable of fighting cancer.
More scientist foolishness
We should also not forget the Ig Nobel Prize. The 28th ceremony for awarding the most pointless and silly research took place at Harvard University.
James Cole, representing the University of Brighton in England, proved that the human body contains too few calories. When converted to calories, an adult human body has only 125 kilocalories. Yes, this refers to cannibalism (cannibalism). This caused a wave of positive emotions among colleagues.
