The prestigious Nobel Prize has awarded the Prizes for the fields of Physiology or Medicine and Physics. Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi of Japan received the Prize for Medicine while three British-born scientists received the Prize for Physics. Announcements for other prizes such as Chemistry, Economic Sciences and Peace have been lined up as well for the rest of the week.
The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
Dr. Ohsumi’s work in autophagy, a cellular mechanism that allows for “self-eating” in order to get rid of “unnecessary or dysfunctional components,” is the reason why he is receiving the prize.
According to a BBC News report, Dr. Ohsumi discovered which genes were responsible for regulating this “self-eating” process, which may lead to a better understanding of certain illnesses, such as cancer, Parkinson’s and other mental diseases. Autophagy is part of the body’s natural defense by allowing the body to “cope with starvation” and “fight off bacteria and viruses.” It also helps “clear away junk” so that new cells can develop. When autophagy fails, this can lead to many diseases that are usually associated with old age, such as dementia. Because of his work, research on how drugs can help the autophagy process in treating certain diseases are already underway.
The award was given by the Karolinska Institute of Sweden and will come with eight million Swedish kronor, equivalent to US$ 936,000 for the award winner. To watch video of announcement click here.
The Nobel Prize for Physics
The Nobel Prize for Physics 2016 was awarded to three British-born scientists for their work on “exotic” states of matter or states of matter that has valuable implications on quantum computing and quantum physics. According to the press release on the Nobel Prize website, half of the award will go to David Thouless of the University of Washington, while the other half will be shared by F. Duncan Haldane of Princeton University and J. Michael Kosterlitz of Brown University.
Their work and discoveries were focused on “abrupt changes in the properties, or phases, of ultra-thin materials,” according to a Reuters report. These changes, according to the scientists, are step-wise changes which occur abruptly, without any intermediate steps in between. And these changes affect the material’s electrical properties. One material studied was the superconductor, which when subjected to low temperatures, is able to conduct electricity without resistance.
The award, which also comes with 8 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to US$936,000, was given by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. To watch video of announcement click here.
Other Nobel Prizes are lined up to be given in the coming days. Information about when the Literature Prize will be awarded is not yet available. Below is the schedule of announcements so far:
- Chemistry Prize: October 5
- Peace Prize: October 7
- Prize for Economic Sciences: October 10