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The 10 most significant discoveries in medicine in 2012
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
2012 was not a wasted year for medical workers: many doctors worked tirelessly to develop new antiviral vaccines, create more effective treatment methods, and use more modern technologies. A huge amount of work was done by specialists to cure seemingly hopeless patients.
Here is a list of the most interesting discoveries of last year:
1. Facial surgery
Belgian scientists managed to perform, although not the first in the history of medicine, but nevertheless a unique operation of skin transplantation on the facial part of the body. A Belgian citizen, who was left practically without a face, was able to transplant not only the epidermis, but also some bones of the facial part of the skull. This was the first operation of this kind in the country, which Professor F. Blondel, who practices at the Ghent hospital, can certainly be proud of.
2. Transplantation of 4 limbs at the same time
Turkish scientists also did not remain in debt and made a significant breakthrough in transplantology: for the first time in the history of medicine, during one operation, it was possible to successfully transplant four limbs to a person. They fought for the patient's life for 22 hours.
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3. Prevention of Parkinson's disease
Austrian pharmacists, employees of the well-known medical market company AFFiRiS AG, have been working for a long time on developing a new vaccine that should help prevent Parkinson's disease. In 2012, scientists began the first tests of this vaccine, and, according to doctors, in the near future, with its help, the number of people suffering from Parkinson's disease will decrease significantly.
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4. Post-traumatic stress disorder gene found
Researchers at Boston University, known for its research in genetic engineering, have discovered that the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder is directly dependent on a specific gene. Scientists hope that this discovery will help eliminate stress disorders in people who have suffered severe trauma.
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5. A single medicine against flu
Californian scientists have discovered an antibody that can fight all currently known strains of flu. Thus, in the near future it is possible to invent a miracle vaccine that will help avoid annual epidemics among the population.
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6. Anti-leukemia drug approved
A new drug that can resist leukemia (cancer of the blood and bone marrow) was approved by the Quality Control Committee. Due to relapses that occurred during the drug testing, the approval of the drug was delayed for a long time.
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7. The happiness gene actually exists
Psychiatrists from Columbia University (Florida) have made an interesting discovery, which states that the “happiness gene,” which is responsible for a good mood, actually exists.
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8. Reliable protection against caries
In Japan, they have invented a means for long-term protection of tooth enamel from caries: a thin film that completely covers the teeth. With the help of this film, the teeth will look whiter and become less sensitive.
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9. Treating Breast Cancer with Temperature Changes
Israelis have conducted research and found that an alternative to surgical intervention in the case of cancer treatment can be a sharp change in body temperature, or simply put - "freezing". Using liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which is about -170 degrees, scientists are going to fight cancer cells, which will not be dangerous after being in such a low temperature.
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10. Alcoholism can be cured
Danish pharmacists say that this year a medicine will be available to the population that can help adults suffering from the "green snake".