The Nobel Prizes for 2024 have been announced, recognising significant contributions in various fields. This year, prizes were awarded in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, economics, and peace. The research community and academicians have already begun to analyse and celebrate the winners’ works. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun on 7 October 2024 for their pioneering discovery of microRNAs and their crucial role in gene regulation. Ambros and Ruvkun's research, initiated in the late 1980s, focused on the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism pivotal in developmental biology. They studied two mutant strains, lin-4 and lin-14, which exhibited developmental abnormalities. Ambros's investigation revealed that the lin-4 gene produced a short RNA molecule that did not code for proteins but instead inhibited the activity of the lin-14 gene. It significantly differed from previously understood gene regulation mechanisms, which primarily involved protein-coding genes. For Physics, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton won the Nobel Prize for their foundational work in neural networks, which are integral to modern artificial intelligence(AI). Their contributions have significantly advanced machine learning and computational neuroscience, driving neuroscience-driven innovations across multiple industries. John Hopfield's research began in the early 1980s when he developed the Hopfield network, a recurrent neural network inspired by the brain's associative memory. This network can store and reconstruct patterns, functioning similarly to human memory. Geoffrey Hinton further advanced these concepts by developing methods that allow machines to discover features within data autonomously. The Chemistry Prize, announced on 9 October 2024, was won by David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper. Baker was recognised for his work in computational protein design, while Hassabis and Jumper were honoured for their contributions to protein structure prediction through AI-based tools like AlphaFold. Their work highlights advancements in understanding proteins through computational design and predictive modelling. David Baker’s innovative approaches to designing new proteins complement Demis Hassabis and John Jumper’s transformative work with AlphaFold. Together, these contributions enhance our fundamental knowledge of biology and pave the way for new therapeutic strategies and biotechnological applications. The Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Han Kang. Per the Nobel committee’s press release, she won the prize “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life." Kang's narratives resonate deeply with readers, reflecting profound cultural and existential themes. Her writing is noted for its poetic intensity, often blending tenderness with brutality. The Swedish Academy praised her "unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead," emphasising her innovative approach to contemporary prose. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. The organisation was recognised for its tireless efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again. The committee noted that the organisation has significantly contributed to establishing a "nuclear taboo," which stigmatises the use of atomic weapons as morally unacceptable. Economics Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson won the Nobel Prize in economics "for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” Their work shows how important institutions are for economic success. By explaining how inclusive institutions lead to prosperity, they help both researchers and policymakers understand how to promote lasting economic growth. As issues like inequality remain significant, their research will guide efforts to build fairer societies. This year, the Nobel prize announcements were also in the headlines for the wrong reasons. The decision to award the Physics Nobel to researchers associated with neural networks has sparked debate regarding the role of AI in scientific discovery. Critics argue that this recognition may shift focus away from traditional experimental methods, raising questions about the future direction of physics research. This achievement marks the first time machine learning has played a central role in winning the award, sparking debates about integrating traditional physics with advanced AI technologies. At the same time, The Chemistry Prize winners’ close ties between these laureates and tech companies like Google have raised questions about the influence of corporate interests on scientific research. The ongoing discourse surrounding these topics will likely shape future Nobel recognitions and scientific endeavours.
Controversies in Scientific Recognition
Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, 2019 // Nobel Media. Photo: Nanaka Adachi
12 Nov 2024
Aashriti Jha
