Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years • Hacker News Board

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#21

Post by limeade » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 7:41 AM UTC

npk wrote: post #17

1) Measuring the age of the universe to a few percent ~14 billion years. 2) Determining the dark energy (70%) / dark matter (25%) / regular matter (5%) breakdown of the universe to a few percent. 3) The Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Hubble Space Telescope and Wilkinson Probe I'm purposely being biased :)

You couldn't be more right.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#22

Post by rkabir » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 8:23 AM UTC

Better wireless data. I know this isn't really new, but I know it's a recent deployment in countries like Bangladesh. It gives you the opportunity to lay a communication foundation throughout an entire third-world country at a significantly reduced cost than laying down cable. I also remember reading that in some countries, copper wire would be dug up by surrounding people to sell. It's nearly free infrastructure.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#23

Post by vuknje » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 9:24 AM UTC

Semantic web. I'm suprised no one mentioned it.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#24

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 9:26 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#25

Post by pg » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 12:14 PM UTC

vuknje wrote: post #23

Semantic web. I'm suprised no one mentioned it.

I think this is more of a planned research breakthrough. I.e. the type that doesn't happen.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#26

Post by robg » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 12:23 PM UTC

I'm biased: functional MRI

We're just now scratching the surface as to how humans derive their intellect from 3.5 pounds of squishy grey stuff. Some questions we'll never have licked, but the future looks good.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#27

Post by brlewis » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 12:53 PM UTC

Why are you so sure the transistor and the AC generator were not expected to change the world? Inventors often envision sweeping changes as a result of their inventions.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#28

Post by vuknje » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 1:10 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #25

vuknje wrote: post #23

Semantic web. I'm suprised no one mentioned it.

I think this is more of a planned research breakthrough. I.e. the type that doesn't happen.

I think every research breakthrough is planned. Impact on civilization is what counts. I just have an impression people are not aware of the huge impact Semantic web will have. Why there are no more startups dealing with SW problems?

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#29

Post by staunch » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 1:35 PM UTC

myoung8 wrote: post #19

Wireless electricity.

That's one Telsa himself was working on 100+ years ago.

Re: Major research breakthroughs in the last 10-15 years

#30

Post by jsmcgd » Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 2:21 PM UTC

Genetic algorithms.