Scientific predictions for 2018

1. Discovered many exoplanets

The number of exoplanets discovered by the Kepler telescope will increase dramatically in 2018, as Google's artificial intelligence will also join the project. Currently, we have discovered 2,341 planets, a number that could reach 4,000 by the end of 2018.

2. Find out what causes fast radioactive explosions

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) can release 500 million times more energy than the Sun in just a few milliseconds, and can occur every two seconds. Yet we know virtually nothing about these violent cosmic events.

In 2017, researchers located a repeating FRB in a small galaxy called FRB 121102. There have been more than 150 fast radio bursts occurring in FRB 121102, and science has new tools to study them in more detail. So there’s reason to believe that by 2018 we’ll have enough data to figure out what’s causing them.

3. 2018 will be the hottest year on record... again

This prediction is almost certain to come true. In fact, the world experienced the five hottest years on record from 2013 to 2017, and it looks like 2018 will break another record. If 2018 wasn’t the hottest year on record, that would be the strangest thing.

4. China and India's space race

We are witnessing a rocket race between Blue Origin and SpaceX. But on the other side of the world, India and China are also establishing themselves as new space powers, with notable achievements in 2017 and big plans for 2018.

In 2017, India launched a small rocket into space for the first time, setting a record of 104 satellites into orbit in just 18 minutes. India has also announced plans to land on the Moon in 2018, and let’s not forget that they launched a spacecraft into Mars orbit at a very low cost.

Scientific predictions for 2018. Photo: Internet.

China is trying to reassert itself after losing control of one of its old space stations. The country is working on plans for reusable spacecraft, dark matter probes and plans to send a probe to the moon in 2018.

It can be said that space exploration has no borders.

5. Elon Musk will do something amazing

Billionaire Elon Musk had a successful year with his record-breaking Powerwall battery system, a potential plan for a new company, and continued to explore ways to send humans to Mars. In 2018, the world will surely continue to be “crazy” about his groundbreaking ideas. Let’s see what they are.

6. We still know nothing about Tabby's star.

Is Tabby a comet swarm, a Dyson sphere, or a wobbly planet? We have no clue, and it seems the only thing to do in 2018 is watch and wait.

7. Many new studies related to gut bacteria

There have been many discoveries related to this bacteria in 2017, according to which this species is more closely related to humans than we think. From diseases such as depression, stroke to Parkinson's, even our emotions are related to gut bacteria. Perhaps in 2018, science will have more useful research on this bacteria.

8. Illegal drugs can become medicines

Numerous studies have shown that drugs like ketamine and magic mushrooms have been incredibly effective in treating depression and anxiety. The only problem is that they are considered illegal drugs. However, breakthroughs in the use of antidepressants may soon lead to their recognition.

9. Find a treatment for menstrual cramps

If true, it would be a huge relief for many women. For decades, millions of women around the world have suffered from severe monthly pain, largely ignored by science. But it is finally getting attention.

Last year, Professor John Guillebaud, from the Department of Reproductive Medicine at University College London, claimed that period pain was as bad as a heart attack but was ignored because men couldn’t feel it. Since then, some research has been done into the mechanisms behind the pain, and we can hope that in 2018, scientists will find a treatment for it.