Question Your World: Has Research Brought Us Any Unexpected Benefits?
Thanks to NASA's space program, we enjoy innovations like memory foam mattresses, originally developed to cushion astronauts during liftoff. Almost a century ago, Alexander Fleming’s accidentally contaminated petri dish led to the discovery and development of penicillin, a powerful antibiotic.
Building upon the theme of unexpected outcomes, a new finding explores how unforeseen elements contribute to scientific discovery. The study analyzed over 1.2 million previously published medical studies that were funded by the National Institutes of Health to assess the prevalence and impact of unexpected findings.
This research found that 70% of these publications contained at least one unexpected category, meaning a significant finding for an area of study not mentioned in the research proposal, indicating that surprise plays a significant role in studies. On average, 40% of the categories assigned to a publication were unexpected, highlighting the routine nature of unforeseen results in medical studies and its potential for broader impacts outside the original area of research. These unexpected elements can lead to novel insights and advancements in biomedical sciences.
Sildenafil, better known as Viagra, initially was tested in clinical trials to treat chest pain due to restricted blood flow and high blood pressure. Unexpectedly, the drug was very effective at increasing blood flow to a different region of the body, leading to its FDA approval for treating impotence. Iproniazid was a drug initially developed in 1951 to treat tuberculosis, but had a noticeable side effect of euphoria, as the medication prevented the breakdown of serotonin. It quickly became repurposed, becoming the one of the world’s first antidepressants. These aren’t uncommon stories: in a different study of 26 transformative drugs, over 1/3 of them were repurposed from drugs originally intended for a different purpose.
Researchers advocate for research environments that encourage exploration beyond anticipated outcomes, which can be done by having NIH and other granting agencies award larger amounts of funding for over longer periods of time to allow space to further investigate unexpectedness. The study underscores the importance of flexibility and openness, but also the necessity for adequate grant funding in scientific inquiry and pursuit of knowledge at many general capacities that can lead to new, unexpected avenues for advancement in biomedical sciences.
It challenges the emphasis on disease-specific research by showcasing the value of serendipitous discoveries. The findings imply that funding bodies and academic institutions should recognize and support research that allows for unexpected developments. By doing so, they can facilitate breakthroughs that might otherwise be overlooked. The article concludes that unexpectedness is not just a byproduct but a driving force in medical research.
Stay tuned as we continue to cover all the breaking science news, even if it's unexpected!
