Press Release
BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE ANNOUNCES 2024 LAUREATES IN LIFE SCIENCES, FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS, AND MATHEMATICS
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“Oscars® of Science” Awards $3 Million Prizes for Advances against Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Parkinson’s Disease; Deep Insights into Quantum Field Theory and Differential Geometry
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Awarded to Carl June and Michel Sadelain; Sabine Hadida, Paul Negulescu and Fredrick Van Goor; Thomas Gasser, Ellen Sidransky and Andrew Singleton
Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics Awarded to John Cardy and Alexander Zamolodchikov
Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics Awarded to Simon Brendle
Six New Horizons Prizes Awarded for Early-Career Achievements in Physics and Mathematics
Three Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prizes Awarded to Women Mathematicians for Early-Career Achievements
Laureates to be Honored at Gala Award Ceremony in Los Angeles on April 13, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Breakthrough Prize Foundation today announced the winners of the 2024 Breakthrough Prizes, honoring an esteemed group of the world’s most brilliant minds for impactful scientific discoveries, including a subset responsible for substantial progress in the understanding and treatment of major diseases.
Science is an endless revolution. Diseases that looked unbeatable twenty years ago can now be managed or cured. Our deepest physics theories explain the world to staggering precision. And in the realm of mathematics, new ideas are reaching into the borderlands of the unknown. The Breakthrough Prize – popularly known as the “Oscars® of Science” – was created to celebrate the wonders of our scientific age by founding sponsors Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Julia and Yuri Milner, and Anne Wojcicki.
The Prize’s latest slate of laureates are driving this revolution onwards. They include 11 winners of the Breakthrough Prizes in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics, sharing five $3 million prizes between them; 12 early-career physicists and mathematicians sharing six $100,000 New Horizons in Physics Prizes; and three women mathematicians who recently completed their PhDs, each receiving a $50,000 Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize. This year’s prize money comes to a total of $15.75 million, bringing the amount conferred over the thirteen years of the Breakthrough Prize to $308 million.
Life Sciences
This year’s Life Sciences laureates include honorees recognized for key advances in the fight against three major diseases – cancer, cystic fibrosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
Carl June and Michel Sadelain genetically engineered T cells – key players in the body’s immune system – with synthetic receptors termed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to instruct T cells to recognize the cancer cells of individual patients. These CAR T cells have remarkable rates of success against liquid cancers including types of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For some patients, the tumors have been entirely eradicated and have not returned, years after treatment.
Sabine Hadida, Paul Negulescu and Fredrick Van Goor invented the first effective medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. This deadly disease of the lungs and other organs is caused by a protein that can’t do its job of allowing ions in and out of cells. These researchers discovered four medicines, the latest of which is a triple combination medicine, that enables the protein to function, greatly improving quality of life – and length of life – for people with this disease.
Thomas Gasser, Ellen Sidransky and Andrew Singleton discovered the most common genetic causes of Parkinson’s Disease. Sidransky identified mutations to the gene GBA1, which encodes an enzyme that breaks down fatty substances in cells, as a genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s; while Gasser and Singleton independently showed that mutations in the LRRK2 gene result in increased activity of a protein believed to contribute to neuronal damage in the disease. These discoveries offer clues to the mechanisms that cause the disease, pointing to the role of the lysosome, the cellular organelle that degrades and recycles cellular components.
Fundamental Physics
In fundamental physics, John Cardy and Alexander Zamolodchikov have contributed a lifetime of deep insights into quantum field theories, which describe not only particle physics, but emergent phenomena from magnetism and superconducting materials to the information content of black holes, and have also become a rich field of study in mathematics.
Mathematics
Mathematician Simon Brendle has contributed a series of remarkable leaps in differential geometry, a field that uses the tools of calculus to study curves, surfaces and spaces. Many of his results concern the shape of surfaces, as well as manifolds in higher dimensions than those we experience in everyday life.
“The work of these laureates is very impressive – whether it’s exploring abstract ideas or unraveling the causes of human diseases and producing effective treatments that impact millions of lives.”
–Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg
“Humanity’s collective intelligence is our most significant achievement. Great scientists, and Breakthrough Prize laureates among them, are at the forefront of this incredible phenomenon in our Universe.”
–Yuri Milner
“Every year I’m inspired by the ideas, discoveries and commitment to progress of the women and men who win the Breakthrough Prize.”
–Anne Wojcicki
“Oscars® of Science”
The laureates will be celebrated next April 13th at the 10th annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony, held in Los Angeles. The Breakthrough Prize ceremony is the only one of its kind that places scientists on center stage, and is attended by luminaries in film, sports, comedy, and music, to lend their spotlight to shine on scientists.
Last year’s ceremony – the first in Los Angeles – was hosted by James Corden and featured Kristen Bell, Magnus Carlsen, Lily Collins, Danny DeVito, Robert Downey Jr., Gal Gadot, Mae Jemison, Brie Larson, Edward Norton, Leslie Odom Jr., Chris Pine, Lauren Ridloff and Chloé Zhao, with music from John Legend, will.i.am and Estelle. Video highlights and photos can be found here.
Early-Career Researchers
Early-career researchers across a range of fields are also recognized, including nine researchers making big strides in astronomy and cosmology. New Horizons in Physics Prizes recognize Michael Johnson and Alexandru Lupsasca, who detected photon rings – light trapped in orbit around black holes – and deduced their structure; Laura M. Pérez, Paola Pinilla, Nienke van der Marel and Til Birnstiel, who discovered and characterized dust traps – regions of dynamic rings of gas and dust around stars where dust particles aggregate; and Mikhail Ivanov, Oliver Philcox and Marko Simonović, who studied the structure of the cosmos at the galactic scale, and found ways to use that knowledge to bring fresh insights to fundamental physics.
Physics and mathematics today are deeply interconnected, with discoveries from one discipline frequently lending powerful tools and concepts to the other. This year, the New Horizons in Mathematics Prize is awarded to Roland Bauerschmidt for his work in probability theory and the renormalization group – a concept that emerged from the quantum field theories studied by this year’s Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics winners, and has become an important object of study in mathematics. Angkana Rüland is honored for work also touching on ideas derived from physics, such as transitions between states of matter, which are now studied in mathematical fields including analysis, the branch of pure mathematics that emerged from calculus. And Michael Groechenig receives the Prize for his insights into arithmetic geometry.
For work in algebraic geometry, Hannah Larson wins the Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize; alongside Laura Monk for her discoveries about hyperbolic surfaces; and Mayuko Yamashita, for contributions to mathematical physics and index theory.
Full Citations for 2024 Laureates
2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Carl H. June
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Michel Sadelain
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
For the development of chimeric antigen receptor T cell immunotherapy whereby the patient’s T cells are modified to target and kill cancer cells.
2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Sabine Hadida
Paul Negulescu
Fredrick Van Goor
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
For developing life-transforming drug combinations that repair the defective chloride channel protein in patients with cystic fibrosis.
2024 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Thomas Gasser
Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Ellen Sidransky
National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health
Andrew Singleton
National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health
For identifying GBA1 and LRRK2 as risk genes for Parkinson’s disease, implicating autophagy and lysosomal biology as critical contributors to the pathogenesis of the disease.
2024 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
John Cardy
All Souls College, University of Oxford
Alexander Zamolodchikov
Stony Brook University
For profound contributions to statistical physics and quantum field theory, with diverse and far-reaching applications in different branches of physics and mathematics.
2024 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics
Simon Brendle
Columbia University
For transformative contributions to differential geometry, including sharp geometric inequalities, many results on Ricci flow and mean curvature flow and the Lawson conjecture on minimal tori in the 3-sphere.
2024 New Horizons in Physics Prize
Michael Johnson
Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Alexandru Lupsasca
Vanderbilt University
For elucidating the sub-structure and universal characteristics of black hole photon rings, and their proposed detection by next-generation interferometric experiments.
2024 New Horizons in Physics Prize
Mikhail Ivanov
MIT
Oliver Philcox
Columbia University and Simons Foundation
Marko Simonović
University of Florence
For contributions to our understanding of the large-scale structure of the universe and the development of new tools to extract fundamental physics from galaxy surveys.
2024 New Horizons in Physics Prize
Laura M. Pérez
Universidad de Chile
Paola Pinilla
University College London
Nienke van der Marel
Leiden Observatory
Til Birnstiel
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
For the prediction, discovery, and modeling of dust traps in young circumstellar disks, solving a long-standing problem in planet formation.
2024 New Horizons in Mathematics Prize
Roland Bauerschmidt
New York University
For outstanding contributions to probability theory and the development of renormalisation group techniques.
Michael Groechenig
University of Toronto
For contributions to the theory of rigid local systems and applications of p-adic integration to mirror symmetry and the fundamental lemma.
Angkana Rüland
University of Bonn
For contributions to applied analysis, in particular the analysis of microstructure in solid-solid phase transitions and the theory of inverse problems.
2024 Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize
Hannah Larson
University of California, Berkeley
(PhD Stanford University 2022)
For advances in Brill-Noether theory and the geometry of the moduli space of curves.
Laura Monk
University of Bristol
(PhD University of Strasbourg 2021)
For advancing our understanding of random hyperbolic surfaces of large genus.
Mayuko Yamashita
Kyoto University
(PhD University of Tokyo 2022)
For contributions to mathematical physics, index theory.
About The Breakthrough Prize
For the 12th year, the Breakthrough Prize, renowned as the “Oscars® of Science,” recognizes the world’s top scientists. Each prize is $3 million and presented in the fields of Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics and Mathematics. In addition, up to three New Horizons in Physics Prizes, up to three New Horizons in Mathematics Prizes and up to three Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prizes are given out to early-career researchers each year. Laureates attend a gala award ceremony designed to celebrate their achievements and inspire the next generation of scientists.
The Breakthrough Prizes were founded by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Julia and Yuri Milner, and Anne Wojcicki and have been sponsored by foundations established by them. Selection Committees composed of previous Breakthrough Prize laureates in each field choose the winners. Information on the Breakthrough Prize is available at breakthroughprize.org.
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Press Release
New Study Reveals Majority of Indians Prioritize Nutrition Over Taste, Surpassing Global Average
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Based on a recent survey of urban Indian consumers:
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Nine out of 10 consumers are searching for protein-rich food compared to seven out of 10 global shoppers. -
The top four qualities consumers look for when buying snacks are (1) natural, (2) heart-healthy, (3) protein-rich and (4) energy-source, all of which come before satisfying cravings. -
Nuts have emerged as one of the most popular snacking choices, with 86% of Indian shoppers report having purchased them in a span of 6 months. -
Urban Indians read nutrition labels more than the global average, reflecting a growing trend towards informed purchasing. -
69% of urban dwellers surveyed have the opinion that plant-based protein is just as good as meat-based protein, exceeding the global average of 55%.
Wonderful Pistachios, the world’s largest grower and processor of pistachios and distributor of California Pistachios in India, released today, World Nutrition Day, the findings of a new global study that sheds light on the snacking habits of urban Indians. The study, commissioned with Material, a leading global research consultancy, included 10 countries and over 12,400 respondents, revealed a new behavioural trend that urban Indian consumers prioritize nutrition over taste when it comes to snacking. This growing preference for healthy snacking emphasizes the importance of good nutrition for overall well-being.
For the India market specifically, the study delved into the snacking habits of 2,415 shoppers across six Indian cities, which represented a population of approximately 35.9 million consumers. Remarkably, a majority of urban Indians (58%) reported basing their food purchasing decisions on nutritional benefits more than taste, exceeding the global average of 52%. Delhi and Ahmedabad lead with over 60% of urban shoppers preferring nutrition in their food. Bengaluru and Chennai follow closely, indicating a nationwide shift towards smarter snacking preferences. In India, Millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge in health-conscious purchasing decisions, with more than 83% of consumers in these age groups reading nutritional labels before buying.
Indian consumers prioritize four key factors when shopping for nutritional snacks: natural (free of artificial colours and preservatives), heart-healthy, protein-rich, and provides energy. Nine out of 10 urban shoppers consciously seek protein-rich food options, compared to the global average of seven out of 10. The focus on nutrition has fueled the rise of nuts as a preferred snack choice, becoming essential to daily eating habits. The study found a staggering consumption of nuts, with 86% of Indian shoppers report purchasing them in a span of 6 months, compared to just 75% globally. With 6g of protein in per 28g serving, California Pistachios are a smart snack choice that provides benefits without sacrificing taste.
Shail Pancholi, Country Director, India, Wonderful Pistachios, commented on the study, saying, “Nuts were traditionally used as garnishes and consumed during festivals, but have now become a popular snack in India, indicating a notable shift in dietary habits. Pistachio consumption in India has doubled in the last six years, as consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits that pistachios offer has grown. Consumers are discovering that pistachios are naturally cholesterol-free, rich in plant-based protein and dietary fiber, and provide over 30 different vitamins and minerals.”
Interestingly, the study found that nuts are the second most preferred snack among urban Indian consumers, with 64% of Baby Boomers and 59% of Gen Z prioritizing nutrition over taste when selecting food. This indicates a growing focus on health across generations, with Baby Boomers focusing on senior wellness and Gen Z reflecting the rise of mindful purchasing. Though on opposite ends of the age spectrum, these two generations take the lead in seeking protein-rich options, as well as preferring natural snacks.
Mumbai tops most of the consideration sets when choosing a snack. Residents opt for natural ingredients (35% vs. the national average of 30%), heart-healthy options (33% vs. 30%), and protein (33% vs. 29%). Chennai residents look for energy-boosting snacks (31% vs. the national average of 29%).
The fact that 69% of urban Indians surveyed have the opinion that that plant-based protein is just as good as meat-based protein reflects a positive shift towards varied dietary preferences. Pistachios are a good source of high-quality complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. A 28g serving of pistachios provides 6g of protein, which is 11% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) according to FSSAI.
The Wonderful Pistachios study unveils a compelling shift in Indian snacking habits. Nuts are evolving from festive treats to a daily snacking staple, fueled by a nationwide preference for more nutritious options. The trend transcends generations, resonating with Gen Z and Baby Boomers alike, underscoring the growing importance of mindful eating in urban India. As consumers increasingly seek natural, heart-healthy, protein-rich, and energy-boosting snacks, the future of Indian snacking appears to be firmly rooted in nutrition and well-being.
Wonderful Pistachios
Wonderful® Pistachios is the world’s largest grower and processor of pistachios, with a global presence in over 70 countries. As a vertically integrated operation, they are experts in every step of the process from tree to shelf, ensuring the highest-quality product every time. In tandem with its Grower Partners, Wonderful Pistachios harvests 125,000 sunny acres (50,000 hectares) of land in California that receive warm days and cool nights, which work in harmony with the rich, natural soils to create the perfect growing climate for high-quality pistachios. They ship 600 million pounds (204 million kg) of nuts worldwide from their advanced processing facilities to ensure the highest standards are met. When it comes to pistachios, Wonderful® Pistachios expertise is unmatched in scale and capacity, paired with warehouses and sales teams worldwide that are well-equipped to provide support at every step of the way.
California Pistachios
California Pistachios are grown and distributed by The Wonderful Company, the world’s largest vertically integrated pistachio processor and marketer located in California’s Central Valley. California Pistachios are Non-GMO, providing a smart, healthy choice for consumers around the world. Sun-ripened in the moderate Mediterranean climate of California, these distinctively green nuts pack taste and contain antioxidants and over 30 different nutrients. California Pistachios in India are available under leading brands and private labels at retail outlets, grocery stores, and online platforms.
For more information about California Pistachios India, please visit www.b2b.wonderfulpistachios.com
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SINGAPORE, May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Tan Kiat How launched the Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB) at Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2024 today. The Blueprint will enable SMEs to harness technology, optimise the way they work, and strengthen digital resilience and cybersecurity across the ecosystem. 50,000 SMEs are expected to benefit over the next five years through four key focus areas:
- Empower enterprises to be smarter by adopting AI-enabled solutions
- Enable enterprises to scale faster through cloud-based and integrated solutions
- Equip enterprises to be safer through improved cyber resilience
- Support enterprises to upskill workers to make full use of digital capabilities
Seven partners have come onboard to pledge their commitment, including Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Computer Society, SGTech, Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft and Salesforce.
In collaboration with IMDA and the TechSkills Accelerator for ITE and Polytechnics Alliance, SGTech is launching the Tech Apprenticeship Programme to expand the career pathways of graduates by providing access to industry apprenticeships that offer on-the-job training and development opportunities. Over the next two and a half years, SGTech aims to facilitate the placement of at least 300 apprentices who are fresh or mid-career professionals from polytechnic or ITE backgrounds, and drive the adoption of similar practices that promote more inclusive hiring and career agility.
IMDA and the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) signed an MoU aimed at uplifting the legal sector’s productivity through the use of GenAI. As part of this partnership, GPT-Legal, a new large language model which is contextualised for Singapore’s legal sector, will be co-developed. The model will be integrated into SAL’s research platform LawNet, which is accessible by 75% of Singapore’s lawyers. SAL will also be penning an MoU with the National University of Singapore and AI Singapore to develop its AI capabilities and create a certification to recognise AI specialists in the legal profession.
Additionally, Tribe and Digital Industry Singapore announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to launch the Ignition AI Accelerator for AI startups to create and bring to market the next wave of advancement in AI solutions. This programme will nurture 15 high-potential startups, equipping them with well-rounded support covering business and technical needs. NVIDIA and Tribe will also collaborate with EnterpriseSG to offer qualified AI startups funding support through the Startup SG Tech scheme, and assist them through the IMDA Accreditation process.
Singapore hosted the final meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body (AIAB) from 28-29 May. As part of the agenda, Singapore facilitated an engagement session between AIAB and the Digital Forum of Small States (Digital FOSS). Digital FOSS Fellows exchanged views with AIAB members on the topic of AI governance, particularly on the implications and challenges faced by small states. Through such efforts, Singapore aims to promote a more inclusive approach towards shaping global AI and digital governance.
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SHENZHEN, China, May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — By 2040, the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is projected to increase to 3.2 million new cases and 1.6 million deaths per year representing a 66% and 71% rise in new cases and deaths respectively relative to 2020.
To better address the global burden of CRC and reduce its impact, BGI Genomics has launched the second edition of its global CRC awareness report, covering 1,938 respondents from Brazil (306), China (367), Poland (300), Saudi Arabia (300), Thailand (362), and Uruguay (303):
CRC Screening Gaps Vary Globally: Nearly half (49.3%) of global respondents have never undergone CRC screening, with the highest proportions in Saudi Arabia (62.0%) and Poland (61.0%).
Preference for Fecal Testing Over Colonoscopy: Although colonoscopies are more recognized (33.4%), fecal tests at healthcare facilities are preferred (31.8%), reflecting a trend towards non-invasive methods.
Cost and Fear are Determinants of Screening Choice: Fear of colonoscopy (18.2%) and screening costs (17.7%) are major barriers to CRC screening. Poland (24.7%) and Uruguay (21.0%) show the highest fear of colonoscopy, while Thailand (24.5%) and Brazil (20%) indicate the most concern about costs.
Medical Advice and Family History Drive CRC Screening: Doctor’s recommendations are a major driver for CRC screening (30.5% globally), with Uruguay showing the highest adherence (44.1%). Additionally, those with a family history of CRC are more proactive in screening (64.5%), compared to the general population (35.0%).
Prof. Varut Lohsiriwat from Mahidol University offers his insights to this report. He suggested: “The essence of effective cancer screening lies in the acceptance and adherence of the patient to the screening method. The best screening method is the one that the patient accepts and adheres to because that’s the method that will actually benefit them.”
Dr. Zhu Shida, BGI Genomics Deputy GM, notes: “At BGI Genomics, we focused our efforts on developing advanced molecular biology testing techniques to close the gap [between acceptance and accessibility]. The ultimate goal is to transform colorectal cancer from a life-threatening disease into a manageable condition through widespread, early screening and intervention.”
For more region-level comparisons, access the full BGI Genomics 2024 State of CRC Awareness Report.
All data involved in this report come from the results of an online survey project conducted by BGI Genomics. It only surveys awareness related to colorectal cancer and does not involve personally identifiable data.
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New Study Reveals Majority of Indians Prioritize Nutrition Over Taste, Surpassing Global Average
Singapore Prepares Ahead to Leverage Artificial Intelligence for a Better Future
One in Six Globally Concerned About Colorectal Cancer Screening Costs
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