Scientific and Technological Developments

Science

The systematic study of something in order to build knowledge and understanding with the aim of making life easier for humans.

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Technological

something that is based on science and can be applied to everyday life to solve problems. Technology refers to devices and systems which have been created for practical purposes Scientific development and advances can help us in how we use our environment for our benefit.

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Technology and crop growing

There have been a number of significant scientific developments in farming in recent years.

Some of the most important include:

• Genetically modified (GM) crops – where scientific techniques have been used to change the DNA of the crops, allowing them to grow in more difficult climates or environments. This has allowed crops to grow in areas/countries that have never been produced before.
• Pesticides and fertilizers – these are improving all the time. Pesticides are used to kill insects that would damage the crops, and fertilizer is used to help crops grow.

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Technological developments in farming

Other examples of new technology that are used to help farmers get the most out of their land include:

• Irrigation equipment – sprinkler systems allow farmers to water their crops when there has been a lack of rainfall. This type of technology is particularly useful in countries that have drier climates, such as the USA, Australia, and many African countries.
• Software and mobile apps – these are used for all sorts of practices in farming now, from ordering seeds to checking the weather to monitoring the movement of livestock.
• Global positioning systems (GPS) – farmers are able to locate their exact positions in fields. This allows them to create maps to measure and record terrain, features in the fields (such as a river), and moisture levels.
• Drones – are now used to take photos of the farm to show land use. They can also be used to produce 3D maps for soil analysis, which allows more efficient planning of seed planting. Drones are also used for spraying crops. According to some experts, using drones can be up to five times quicker than traditional methods of crop spraying. Drones can be more accurate, as well, as they adjust the amount of chemicals used to suit the changing geography of the area.
• Cloned animals – the first successful clone was a sheep named Dolly, cloned from her mother in 1996. Since then pigs, deer, and horses have also been successfully cloned.

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House building

An eco-friendly house is one that is designed to be sustainable while having a low impact on the environment. Eco-friendly houses are built using sustainable materials and aim to conserve and use less energy and water.

This can be achieved by:

• using sustainable energy, such as wind turbines or solar panels
• ecological materials, such as reclaimed bricks, wood, stone or bamboo, which is available on many Caribbean islands
• waste management – low-flush toilets, which use less water when flushing

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Scientific and technological developments in transport

People are becoming more connected as transport methods improve.

• Airplanes have been around for just over 100 years, but people have only flown all over the world in the last 50. It is estimated that there are over 100 000 flights every day across the world.
• Japan is the leader in train technology. Their Shinkansen train lines are a series of high-speed ‘bullet trains’ that travel at speeds of up to 320 km/h.
• Electric cars are becoming more and more popular as an environmentally friendly way to get about. Autonomous (driverless) cars are the new developments in vehicle transportation. This type of car uses sensors to navigate the roads with no driver.

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The internet

Up until the 1990s, people used books to research information, and if they wanted to keep in touch with friends and family the only option was a letter or phone call. Now the internet has completely changed our daily lives. The internet is a global network that anybody can access, providing they have a computer and internet connection. All sorts of information are available online now, which makes researching by any other method outdated and time-consuming. Emailing has fast become the method of choice when communicating with others as it sends messages and information instantly rather than having to wait for the postal system. This has revolutionized society.

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Cellular phones

As with the internet, up until the 1990s cellular phones (or cell/mobile phones) were not commonplace. Some people had them – mainly business people and the wealthy – but after the 1990s it became the norm to carry around a cell phone. Carrying a cell phone has many advantages, the most important one being the ability to communicate with people on the go, 24-7. That is especially important for parents with children, as both can get in touch if needed. Since the 1990s, cell phones have continued to evolve and now they do far more than simply make a phone call. People are able to send emails and text messages, take photos, connect to the internet, use social media sites – even pay for things when you’re out.

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Medicine

Scientific and technological developments within the medical sector are huge. Scientists are constantly finding cures and treatments for illnesses and conditions. This allows many diseases such as smallpox, measles (in many countries), rubella, and polio to be eradicated. The medicines that are being developed allow people to live much longer

Furthermore, major technological developments are being made all the time in medicine, such as:

• MRI scanners – machines used to produce images of the inside of the body
• Pacemakers – devices placed in the chest to control the rhythm of the heart
• Brain-computer interfaces – paraplegic and quadriplegic people are able to control computer cursors using only their brain
• Prosthetic limbs – artificial limbs made with computer technology can recreate all the functions of normal limbs.

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