Time Keeps on Ticking On into the Future - Everything we know is wrong

The result of the rapid pace of scientific and technological advancements. When we are in school, we learn the fundamentals and current understandings of various subjects. However, as research continues and technology progresses, discoveries and insights often enhance or challenge the knowledge we gained in school.

Let's take the field of biology as an example. Many students learn about the basic systems of the human body, such as the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems, in school. These foundational concepts provide an essential understanding of human physiology. However, in the years following our matriculation, our understanding of these systems and how they interact continues to grow.

For instance, in recent decades, we've come to understand the gut-brain axis's role, the complexity of the microbiome, and the importance of the lymphatic system in the central nervous system - topics that may not have been comprehensively covered in a typical high school biology course. Likewise, the Human Genome Project has vastly expanded our understanding of human genetics, which has seen monumental advancements since the turn of the century.

In fields like technology, the pace of change is even more rapid. The internet, smartphones, and artificial intelligence have revolutionized society in ways that weren't fully understood when many of us were in school. Today's students are learning about quantum computing, data science, and AI ethics - subjects that were scarcely considered a few decades ago.

This constant evolution of knowledge doesn't diminish the value of what we learn in school. Rather, it underscores the importance of lifelong learning. Education shouldn't stop once we leave the classroom; it should be an ongoing journey of discovery. To remain adaptable in an ever-evolving world, we must continually update our knowledge, learn about new developments, and sometimes unlearn outdated concepts.

Ultimately, the objective of education is not only to provide us with factual knowledge but also to teach us how to learn, think critically, and adapt to new information. This fundamental skill set enables us to navigate the constant flow of new insights and discoveries that life after matriculation invariably brings.

Here is a list of some of the systems in the body that have been discovered or better understood since 1970:

• Lymphatic system: In 2015, researchers found that the central nervous system is directly linked to the immune system by vessels previously thought not to exist, suggesting that the brain is also part of the lymphatic system

• Extracellular matrix: This isn’t a ‘system’ in the traditional sense, but our understanding of the extracellular matrix and its role in cell communication, migration, and even gene expression has grown considerably.

• Microbiome: The development of DNA sequencing technologies in the 1990s and beyond led to the recognition of the human microbiome’s importance—the trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies. These microbes significantly impact our digestion, immune system, and possibly even our behavior.

• Endocannabinoid System: While the existence of cannabinoid receptors was suspected since the 1980s, Discovered in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily processes, including appetite, mood, and pain perception.

• Endocrinology: The discovery and understanding of the role of leptin, a hormone that regulates energy balance by inhibiting hunger, significantly advanced our understanding of metabolic processes.

• Genetics: The Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, significantly increased our understanding of the human genetic system, mapping the entire human genome. Also, the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology has revolutionized genetic research and therapy.

• HPA Axis: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates stress and other physiological processes, was described in more detail in the 1970s and 1980s.

• Gut-Brain Axis: The connection between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis, was first described in the 1980s and has since become an area of significant research and interest.

• Neural Crest Cells: Neural crest cells were discovered in the 1970s and are now known to play essential roles in developing the nervous system and various other organ systems.

• The Human Papillomavirus: The human papillomavirus (HPV) was discovered in the 1970s and is now understood to be a major cause of various types of cancer, including cervical cancer.

• TGF-Beta Signaling Pathway: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway was discovered in the 1980s and is now known to play essential roles in various cellular processes, including cellular differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.

• The Renin-Angiotensin System: The renin-angiotensin system regulates blood pressure and fluid balance and was described in more detail in the 1970s and 1980s.

• Neurology: Our understanding of brain plasticity has been revolutionized since 1970. We now know the brain can change and adapt throughout a person’s life. Furthermore, the role of glial cells, including their crucial function in the brain’s response to disease and injury, is now recognized. The discovery of the brain’s glymphatic system, a system responsible for waste removal, is also quite significant.

• Immunology: The discovery and understanding of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their role in immune response, as well as the identification of several cytokines (chemical messengers of the immune system), have significantly improved our understanding of the immune system.

  
  Sources:

  Louveau, A., et al. (2015). Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatic vessels. Nature. 

  Gilbert, J.A., et al. (2018). Current understanding of the human microbiome. Nature Medicine.

  Devane, W.A., et al. (1992). Isolation and structure of a brain constituent that binds to the cannabinoid receptor. Science.

  Lander, E., et al. (2001). Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome. Nature.

  Merzenich, M. (2001). Cortical plasticity contributing to child development. The Neuroscientist.

  Sakaguchi, S., et al. (1995). Immunologic Self-Tolerance Maintained by Activated T Cells Expressing IL-2 Receptor α-Chains. Cell.