Welcome to the top 10 scientific breakthroughs of May 2019, a month when researchers across the globe turned the ordinary into the extraordinary. From shimmering gold‑loving fungi to mind‑reading hearing devices, each discovery pushes the envelope of what we thought possible. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in – these ten marvels will make you see science in a whole new light.
top 10 scientific Highlights of May 2019
1 The First Living Creature With Fully Synthetic DNA
In a landmark achievement, scientists have crafted a living organism whose entire genetic blueprint is synthetically manufactured. The team at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge rebuilt the bacterium Escherichia coli from scratch, swapping out more than 18,000 bits of DNA to strip away non‑essential sections and redesign the genome.
These engineered microbes, dubbed Syn61, carry a four‑million‑letter artificial genome – the largest synthetic DNA set ever assembled. By rewriting the code, researchers not only proved that a completely artificial chromosome can sustain life, but also opened doors to a new era of bio‑engineering where genomes can be tailored for specific tasks.
Beyond the sheer novelty, Syn61 offers practical benefits: its synthetic DNA renders the bacteria highly resistant to viral attacks, a boon for industries that rely on E. coli to produce insulin and other pharmaceuticals. Looking ahead, such designer organisms could become factories for a range of proteins, medicines, and even novel materials.
2 A Record‑Breaking High‑Temperature Superconductor
Superconductors, those magical materials that transmit electricity without any loss, have long promised revolutionary applications – from ultra‑fast computers to levitating trains. The catch? They traditionally need to be chilled to temperatures just a few degrees above absolute zero, making real‑world use extremely costly.
In a breakthrough that could reshape the field, researchers at the Max Planck Institute forged a compound called lanthanum hydride that remains superconducting at a relatively balmy minus 23 °C (‑9 °F). To achieve this, they squeezed lanthanum between two diamonds, generating pressures exceeding 150 gigapascals – more than a million times atmospheric pressure.
This new temperature record nudges superconductivity ever closer to everyday conditions, sparking optimism that future materials might someday operate at room temperature, unlocking a host of transformative technologies.
3 Mammals Are Getting Smaller
A sweeping analysis published in Nature Communications predicts that, by the end of this century, the average body size of mammals will have shrunk by roughly 25 %. Over the past 130 000 years, mammals already lost about 14 % of their mass, a rate of roughly 0.001 % per century.
The study warns that larger, less adaptable species face a heightened risk of extinction. By cross‑referencing the IUCN Red List, the researchers identified the most vulnerable animals, noting that the Sumatran orangutan has a mere one‑percent chance of surviving to 2100, while the already endangered Amur tiger enjoys a two‑in‑three chance.
To reach these conclusions, scientists examined data from more than 15 000 species, evaluating traits such as body mass, litter size, diet, habitat, and generation length. The findings underscore how climate change and human pressures are reshaping the very shape of life on Earth.
4 Shark Vomit Throws Up Unexpected Result
Biologists from Mississippi State University made a startling discovery while examining the stomach contents of young tiger sharks: DNA traces belonging to land‑based birds such as doves and meadowlarks. The project, spanning 2010‑2018, involved dissecting the guts of 105 juvenile sharks.
The initial clue emerged when a shark was found with feather fragments after a coastal storm. Subsequent DNA analyses repeatedly revealed avian genetic material, especially during a specific season each year.
Researchers concluded that these birds likely fell into the ocean—perhaps exhausted from migration or swept up by severe weather—providing an unexpected, albeit occasional, snack for the hungry sharks.
5 Quantum Physicists Recreate The Mona Lisa
In a dazzling blend of art and quantum mechanics, a team at the University of Queensland used a laser‑based “light stamping” technique to imprint iconic paintings onto a cloud of ultracold rubidium atoms. The resulting images—ranging from Leonardo’s Mona Lisa to Van Gogh’s Starry Night—measure only about 100 microns across, roughly the width of a human hair.
When cooled to just a fraction of a degree above absolute zero, the rubidium atoms enter a Bose‑Einstein condensate, a state of matter where quantum effects become visible on a macroscopic scale. This allowed the researchers to “paint” with light, creating quantum‑scale masterpieces that can be observed with conventional microscopes.
While the work was not intended to produce art, the scientists were thrilled by the unexpected outcome. As quantum expert Tyler Neely put it, “We never aimed to do this – we just happened to create some of the world’s smallest masterpieces.”
6 Mayonnaise Helps With The Study Of Nuclear Fusion
In a surprisingly tasty turn, researchers at Lehigh University have turned a jar of Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise into a proxy for studying the turbulent dynamics of nuclear‑fusion pellets. The technique, known as inertial confinement fusion (ICF), normally involves bombarding tiny fuel pellets with ultra‑intense lasers, causing them to implode and reach temperatures of millions of degrees.
Because the laser bursts can cause the pellets to explode prematurely, scientists need a more controllable medium to observe the internal flow. Mayonnaise, with its viscous, metal‑like properties when heated, mimics the behavior of molten fuel, allowing researchers to capture high‑speed footage of the implosion process.
By exposing mayonnaise to the same laser conditions, the team gained valuable insights into the fluid dynamics that govern fusion reactions, bringing us a step closer to achieving practical, clean energy from nuclear fusion.
7 Why Our Brains Love Pokemon
Stanford psychologists have pinpointed the brain region that lights up when lifelong Pokémon fans view their favorite pocket monsters. The study compared neural activity between eleven self‑identified fans and eleven novices, scanning their brains with functional MRI while they were shown images of various Pokémon characters.
Results showed a pronounced activation in the occipitotemporal sulcus—an area just behind the ears—whenever the fans were presented with Pokémon imagery. This suggests that early, repeated exposure to the franchise has wired a specific neural pathway that triggers heightened visual and emotional responses.
Lead author Jesse Gomez explained that the research was partly inspired by his own childhood fascination with the series, underscoring how pop‑culture phenomena can leave lasting imprints on our neural architecture.
8 The First Mind‑Controlled Hearing Aid
Scientists at Columbia University have unveiled a groundbreaking hearing aid that doesn’t just amplify sound—it listens to the wearer’s brain. By monitoring neural activity, the device can isolate a single voice in a noisy environment, replicating the so‑called “cocktail‑party effect” that lets us focus on one conversation amid a sea of chatter.
Traditional hearing aids boost all ambient noise, often overwhelming users in crowded settings. This new prototype, however, employs artificial intelligence and real‑time brain‑wave detection to discern which speaker the wearer is trying to hear, then selectively amplifies that voice while suppressing background sounds.
The breakthrough promises to dramatically improve quality of life for people with hearing loss, especially in bustling social gatherings where distinguishing speech has historically been a major challenge.
9 Suicidal Thoughts Could Be Detected By Brain Scans
Yale University researchers have made a potentially life‑saving advance in mental‑health diagnostics by identifying a biomarker that may flag suicidal ideation in individuals with post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their study, published in PNAS, focused on the metabotropic glutamatergic receptor (mGluR5), which is already known to be elevated in PTSD patients.
By scanning the brains of 29 PTSD sufferers, the team discovered that those experiencing suicidal thoughts exhibited even higher levels of mGluR5 receptors on the surface of their neurons. This heightened signal could serve as a neural fingerprint for clinicians to detect and intervene earlier.
While further research is required before clinical implementation, the findings hint at a future where brain imaging could guide personalized, more effective treatments for PTSD‑related suicide risk.
10 Fungus Discovered That Extracts Gold
While trekking near Perth, Western Australia, researchers stumbled upon a remarkable fungus—Fusarium oxysporum—that actively pulls gold particles from its surroundings and strings them along its delicate hyphae. The organism appears to coat itself in gold, possibly to boost its own growth and territorial expansion.
Australia ranks as the world’s second‑largest gold producer, yet its reserves are dwindling. Dr Ravi Anand, a leading scientist on the project, believes the gold‑magnetizing fungus could become a natural prospecting tool, helping locate hidden ore deposits beneath the earth’s surface. Similar bio‑mining strategies already employ gum‑leaf and termite‑mound techniques.