Buzz
While scientists may not wear signs that say "Consulting Detective" or "Private Eye," they have occasionally cracked cases related to crimes. More frequently, though, they tackle puzzles, some centuries old, that fall within their areas of expertise: uncovering the causes of medical conditions, studying bacterial movement, or analyzing unusual extraterrestrial radio signals.
At other times, they unravel complex problems, such as resolving a challenging mathematical theorem, uncovering the fate of vanished molecules, explaining why a computer model can’t reconcile apparent contradictions in complex ecosystems, or determining why certain architecture carries unexpected stains.
Other challenges that scientists have faced—and ultimately solved—revolved around issues of identity: determining what a dinosaur with massive arms looked like, discovering the artist behind Madonna of the Veil, and identifying the owner of bones found in Tennessee forests.
Now that these scientific puzzles have been labeled “solved,” they are even more captivating than when they were merely perplexing questions or enigmas.
10. The Cause of Narcolepsy
Before the root cause of narcolepsy was identified, this condition, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep episodes, muscle tone loss, and potential hallucinations, posed a significant mystery for medical professionals struggling to provide effective treatment. Although narcolepsy is relatively rare, affecting around 1 in 2,000 individuals, this chronic sleep disorder can severely impact the daily lives of those it affects.
Since 1986, Dr. Emmanuel Mignot, a geneticist at Stanford University, has been working to pinpoint the gene responsible for narcolepsy. In 2022, he successfully identified the culprit: a gene regulating orexin, a neurotransmitter that promotes wakefulness and prevents REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep. Mignot's persistence in this pursuit earned him part of the $3 million Breakthrough Prize, shared with Masashi Yanagisawa from Japan’s University of Tsukuba, who, independently but concurrently with Mignot, also discovered orexin.
Further research revealed that narcolepsy is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the neurons responsible for producing orexin. Today, when Mignot brings his narcoleptic dog, Watson, to the sleep clinic to help explain the disorder to younger patients, he can share the positive news that new treatments are on the horizon. Thanks to Mignot’s work, this scientific enigma has been solved! With this breakthrough, those suffering from narcolepsy can soon look forward to better sleep and improved daytime function.
9. The Mystery of Bacterial Movement
For fifty years, scientists were puzzled by how bacteria moved from one place to another. Light microscopes were unable to capture the movement of bacteria with flagella at the atomic level, so researchers turned to cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and sophisticated computer models in an effort to illustrate potential mechanisms. However, as Edward Egelman from the University of Virginia’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics highlights, the computer-generated models were inaccurate.
It was believed that bacteria propelled themselves forward by twisting their flagella—thread-like structures—into rotating corkscrews. However, the exact mechanism behind this was unclear, as flagella are composed solely of proteins. Now, this mystery has been unraveled: the protein that makes up the flagella exists in 11 different states, and a specific combination of these states gives rise to the corkscrew shape of the flagella.
8. The Mystery of Peryton Origins
Astronomers were stumped by the origin of peculiar radio bursts that seemed to originate from outer space. These bursts, known as perytons, resembled signals from deep space, which led scientists to speculate they were caused by neutron stars turning into black holes.
The true cause of these signals turned out to be much less exciting: microwave ovens used by astronomers to heat their meals. When the oven doors were opened prematurely, the magnetrons emitted brief bursts at a frequency of 1.4Hz. These emissions resembled fast extragalactic radio bursts, but in reality, they were originating from within our own galaxy, not from beyond the Milky Way.
7. Fermat's Last Theorem
Pierre de Fermat's Last Theorem, formulated in the 17th century, remained an unsolved enigma for three hundred years. The theorem, deceptively simple in appearance, states that there are no whole number solutions to the equation xn + yn = zn when n is greater than 2. Andrew Wiles, fascinated by the mystery since childhood, dedicated seven years to studying at Princeton University before the breakthrough came. His solution involved complex concepts such as 'modular forms, elliptical curves, and Galois representations'—terms that are obscure to most but essential to those solving this age-old puzzle.
In recognition of his achievement, the Oxford University professor was awarded the prestigious 2016 Abel Prize along with $700,000. His work also brought him international fame. As a spokesperson for the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters remarked, 'Wiles is one of the few mathematicians—if not the only one—whose proof has made global headlines.'
6. The Vanishing Molecules Mystery
In an ultracold chemistry experiment, Kang-Keun Ni, Morris Kahn Associate Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Physics at Harvard University, and her team cooled two potassium-rubidium molecules to nearly absolute zero. This dramatic cooling process extended the life of the intermediate state—a phase where reactants turn into products—by a factor of one million compared to typical higher-temperature reactions. This allowed them to observe and manipulate the transformation with lasers, unveiling the reasons why ultracold molecules tend to vanish when forced to react.
During their laser light experiments, gas molecules behaved as expected, colliding with one another. However, some of the molecules appeared to vanish. In reality, these molecules likely transformed into entirely new species upon collision. Instead of simply scattering due to the light, they deflected from their usual path, entering a new reaction route.
5. The Persistence of Complex Ecosystems
Scientists rely on computer models for reasons similar to why filmmakers use special effects: it's either too dangerous or impossible to directly observe certain phenomena. One such challenge involves understanding ecosystem responses to environmental changes. In some cases, the models themselves present perplexing questions. For example, how do wildly different ecosystems like jungles, deserts, and coral reefs manage to maintain the interaction and coexistence of species when the math suggests such systems should be unsustainable? Nature, however, proves otherwise.
For years, scientists struggled to reconcile mathematical predictions with real-world observations. Recently, Stefano Allesina and Si Tang from the University of Chicago cracked the puzzle. They introduced a crucial factor that had been omitted from earlier models: the role of predator-prey relationships. In ecosystems, whether in rainforests, deserts, or coral reefs, some species interactions revolve around the eat-or-be-eaten dynamics, which earlier models ignored. Allesina and Tang added this predation element to their models.
Adding predation into the mix provided new insight into how ecological systems remain stable. The interactions between species, including predation, competition, and mutualism, alongside the strength of those relationships, determined the persistence of complex ecosystems. Remarkably, Allesina and Tang achieved this breakthrough without relying on supercomputers or cutting-edge technology, instead using simple pen and paper. Their inspiration came from a 1988 article on quantum physics, which helped them solve the mystery.
4. The Appearance of Deinocheirus Mirificus
Paleontologists faced a challenge in reconstructing the appearance of Deinocheirus mirificus, with only a few fossilized bones to work with—specifically, a pair of enormous arms. Scientists speculated on its appearance, pondering whether it resembled a predator like the T. rex or a large, sloth-like creature that used its arms to swing from trees. However, in 2014, a complete skeleton of this enigmatic dinosaur was discovered. Lead researcher Yuong-Nam Lee from South Korea’s Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources described the find as “weird beyond our imagination.”
The creature was colossal, measuring 36 feet (11 meters) in length and weighing six tons. Its body featured a duck-like beak, a large humped sail on its back, short stumpy legs, and massive, hooved feet. With an elongated head, it moved slowly and resided in wetlands, feeding on plants and fish. It likely used its long forearms and massive claws to dig up herbaceous plants in freshwater environments. Professor John Hutchinson, a paleontologist at the UK’s Royal Veterinary College, noted, “It really is shocking to see how many weird features it has. It changes our view of what kind of forms dinosaurs can take.”
3. The Mystery of Alhambra’s Purple Stains
The unusual purple stains on the gilded plasterwork of the Alhambra, the Islamic palace-fortress in Granada, Spain, puzzled experts for a long time. Researchers ruled out the possibility that the stains were caused by added pigment. After some investigation, they identified a likely source: gold particles. Upon closer inspection with an electron microscope, their hypothesis was confirmed. The only remaining question was how these gold particles were formed.
The ancient Alhambra’s age posed challenges in understanding the precise process that led to the creation of the gold particles, but the location provided a clue. The purple stains on the Alhambra are not present everywhere, but only in certain gilded sections exposed to the elements or the humidity and salt from the Mediterranean Sea, which lies just 31 miles (50 kilometers) away. These details helped researchers crack the case. The stains were the result of a combination of factors: the tin sheets behind the gold leaf, the region’s humid environment, and aerosols from the Mediterranean that dissolved the gold from the sheets. Another scientific mystery was solved!
9. Cold Case
Years of not knowing what happened to a missing person is an agonizing experience. For the loved ones left behind, it’s a torment. This was the case for the family of fifteen-year-old Tracy Sue Walker, who vanished in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1978. Her family’s suffering ended only years later when her remains were discovered 400 miles away in the woods of Campbell County, Tennessee, including her skull, teeth, and a necklace. But forensics at the time couldn’t confirm that the remains were hers. It wasn’t until 2022 that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was able to make the positive identification.
With new methods that enabled the creation of a DNA profile from the smallest of remnants, despite years of exposure to environmental elements, data could be uploaded to genealogical databases. This led to the discovery of a potential relative in Indiana, as well as family members in Lafayette who confirmed that Tracy had gone missing from there. The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification in Fort Worth confirmed that the remains found in Tennessee were indeed Tracy Walker’s. At last, her family learned the fate of their missing loved one, if not how she died.
1. Botticelli Painting Authenticity
In the world of art collecting and museums, authenticity is key to determining value. However, art forgery is more common than many realize. One of the authenticity debates in the 20th century revolved around Madonna of the Veil, a painting once believed to be by the renowned Italian artist Sandro Botticelli.
During World War II, art experts began questioning the painting’s legitimacy. Electron-beam EDX analysis revealed a surprise: the painting contained chromium oxide green, a pigment that didn’t become widely available until 1862—around 350 years after Botticelli's death. Although the painting’s frame appeared ancient due to its worm-eaten wood, further investigation showed that the holes had been made by a drill, not beetle larvae. Ultimately, it was revealed that the painting was a forgery, crafted by Umberto Giunti, an Italian forger active in the 1920s. Science had unveiled the truth behind the fake Botticelli.
