Major Developments Major Developments by Calendar Year

Nobel prize in Medicine in 2008 has been awarded to Harald zur Hausen (Geramany), Françoise Barré-Sinoussi (France), and Luc Montagnier (France). Among them, Harald zur Hausen shared half of the Nobel Prize for his contributions as described by the Nobel foundation

“for his discovery of viruses causing cervical cancer”.

In 1983, Zur Hausen identified HPV 16 DNA in cervical cancer tumors. Papilloma virus is an ancient poisonous virus, which causes small tumors on skin. Human papilloma viruses cause cancer to human beings. They affect outer parts of skin and mucous membrane. He was the first to discover individual types of these viruses, and first to separate separated those that cause cervical cancer. This discovery has led to take preventive measures and for the development of a vaccine against cervical cancer.

Françoise Barré-Sinoussi shared one-fourth and Luc Montagnier shared one-fourth of noble prize for discovering HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

First Françoise Barré-Sinoussi discovered the existence of virus HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus). She constantly works on establishing permanent links between basic research and clinical research in the areas of prevention, clinical care and treatment of disease. Luc Montagnier discovered that HIV virus leads to AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome). When Montagnier’s group first published their discovery, they said HIV’s role in causing AIDS. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier separated, reproduced lymph node cells from patients, that are swollen and that have symptoms of the early stage of AIDS. Their discovery led to find vaccination for AIDS. Montagnier has published research regarding emission of electromagnetic signals from infected DNA of a person suffering from different diseases.

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The 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to Paul Krugman(USA) “for his study on trading methods and location of economic activity(expanding business)” as described by nobel foundation. He secured nobel prize for his contribution to analyse economies of scale( are the cost advantages that a business obtains due to expansion).All the consumers get satisfied for diversity of business and on location of economic activity(any trade can be done in any country).

Krugman proposed New Trade Theory. According to this theory (for trade between rich and poor country), based on the comparative edge, that is, a company or a firm producing products at a cheaper cost than other company, poor country should export agricultural goods to rich country in exchange for industrial goods. Krugman in his theory explains how each country should specialize in producing a few brands of any given type of product, instead of producing in different types of products. If people of different countries wish to buy BMW (Brand car), then it is not profitable to produce BMWs in all countries, as it is very expensive one. It should be produced in few countries (or one) and should be sold in other countries. He also explains in his theory about transportation costs, which lead to the concept of “Home Market effect”. The concept Home market effect is, a country should have a huge demand, goodwill, should be in a position to produce excess goods and export all the excess goods. Krugman always supports globalization, that is, all national economies coming together to form international economy by trade and foreign direct investment.

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Nobel peace prize 2008 has been awarded to Martti Ahtisaari (Finland) for his significant efforts to resolve international conflicts for more than thirty years. Martti Ahtisaari has involved in peacemaking efforts in Namibia, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Indonesia, and Kosovo in various diplomatic capacities (in a polite manner) as described by Nobel foundation. Unlike other Nobel Prize winers Martii Ahtisaari is not a political leader or controversial figure. He is the former president of Finland (1994–2000).

Ahtisaari has played a prominent role in resolving dispute (which was there for a long time) in Kosovo and declared its independence from Serbia on 17th February 2008. When Yugoslavia had made break up with Kosovo, there were many regoinal conflicts arising, which led to Kosovo war 1999. The result of the war is, United Nations administered Kosovo. However, the politicians of Kosovo did not accept it. They wish to have independence. United Nations asked Serbia to withdraw its forces from Kosovo. Serbia do not want Kosovo to get independence. Ahtisaari brought the parties together on February 2006 to discuss independence of local government, which is an important for the protection of Kosovo and Serb peple. On 24 July 2006, Ahtisaari brought the parties together in Vienna for the first high-level talks on the status of Kosovo issue. On 2 February 2007, UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari delivered a settlement proposal, which included Kosovo Security system, Kosovo Justice system, and religious and cultural heritage. These provisions convinced the leaders of Kosovo. Later, all countries like United States,United Kingdom and other European countries supported Kosovo’s independence after many settlements made by Ahtisaari. Finally, on 7th February 2008 Kosovo parliament declared officially its independence from Serbia.