Between 1901 and 2024, the Nobel Prizes and the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences have been awarded 624 times to 1,007 individuals and organisations. With some recipients honoured multiple times, this totals 972 unique individuals and 27 organisations.
The Nobel Prizes for 2024 celebrate remarkable advancements in science. Here’s a summary of this year’s recipients:
Nobel Prize in Physics
Winners: John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton
Achievement: Foundational discoveries enabling machine learning with artificial neural networks.
On October 8, 2024, in Stockholm, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton. Their pioneering work laid the groundwork for machine learning technologies. Hopfield's framework for information storage and Hinton's data analysis techniques are vital for modern applications in artificial intelligence. Their contributions underscore the importance of research in advancing technology.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Winners: David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper
Achievements: Baker for computational protein design; Hassabis and Jumper for protein structure prediction.
On October 9, 2024, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honoured David Baker with half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his innovative work in protein design. The other half was awarded jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for their advancements in predicting protein structures. Their research significantly enhances our understanding of proteins, which is crucial for developments in biochemistry and medicine.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Winner: Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
Achievement: Discovery of microRNA and its role in gene regulation.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded on October 7, 2024, to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Their research began in the late 1980s with the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. They identified how microRNAs regulate gene expression, impacting cellular behaviour and development. This discovery holds significant implications for understanding various health issues, including cancer and genetic disorders.
The 2024 Nobel Prizes celebrate transformative contributions to science. The winners have made strides in understanding complex systems, paving the way for future innovations. Their work exemplifies the ongoing quest for knowledge and the impact of scientific research on society.
