Science recognized “Human Genetic Variation” as the 2007 Breakthrough of the Year, and detailed nine other of the year’s most significant scientific accomplishments in its December 21 issue:

– Cosmic rays’ acceleration may come from passing by the magnetic fields around black holes.
– Researchers determined the structure of the human Beta2-adrenergic receptor.
– Advances in transition metal oxides may herald the next materials revolution for their electrical and magnetic properties.
– The predicted quantum spin Hall effect was produced; could lead to new low-power “spintronic” computing equipment.
– Improved vaccines may be the fruit of research that shows that T cells that fight off viruses and tumors specialize to provide either immediate or long-term protection.
– Synthetic chemists developed an array of efficient, and therefore cost-saving, techniques for pharmaceuticals and electronic compounds.
– Memory and imagination are rooted in the hippocampus–the brain’s memory may rearrange past experiences to create future scenarios.
– Checkers became the most complex game ever “solved” by computers. AI researchers showed that the game will end in a draw if neither player makes a mistake.