As we are counting down days, then hours, then minutes to the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015, the inevitable urge to review the year’s events, accomplishments, milestones and notable happenings takes over, as we yearn to close the book on the old year and usher in the new.
Without a doubt, 2014’s biggest accomplishment goes to Ford for finally ditching the iconic Mustang’s live rear axle in favor of a modern independent rear suspension. Although the following undoubtedly pales in comparison, 2014 also saw incredible breakthroughs in stem cell research and female infertility treatments, including the world’s first baby born after a womb transplant. Stem cell breakthroughs lead to a previously paralyzed man’s ability to move his legs through an intricate spinal shock treatment and regeneration procedures. Unprecedented advances in brainwave mapping lead to a successful experiment in which a lab monkey was able to control artificial limbs using only its brain.
2014’s Nobel Prize was awarded to scientists who successfully discovered our brain’s location center — a part of our brain we use to navigate, position and figure out spatial directions.
HIV research took a hit when a Mississippi baby previously believed to have been one of the first cases of cured HIV was once again diagnosed with the autoimmune decease, sending those working for an HIV cure back to the drawing board.
While both an example of a horrible virus and an example of human kind’s propensity towards altruistic behavior and helping one another, 2014 marked the year of the worst Ebola outbreak in recorded human history. The outbreak crippled three African nations with thousands of recorded cases and thousands of deaths. Aid workers and deadly disease specialists from the world over rushed to aid in the outbreak. Although several cases were reported in Europe and the United States, mostly among aid workers who travelled back home after their work in Africa, the outbreak was largely held in check in the western world. In addition to successfully containing the virus, the CDC has also developed a vaccine and is as of this date ready for human trials.
The ALS Ice Bucket challenge swept the nation as hundreds of thousands including actors, famous athletes and even former president George W. Bush took to social media to douse themselves with a bucket of ice-cold water and challenge their friends, co-workers and even archenemies (Bush challenged Clinton) to do the same in support of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Decease.
All in all, 2014 was a year of monumental events and great achievement — we wish you the best in 2015! By the way, of course we were kidding about the Mustang.
