20 Scientific Questions About the World Around Us

From the article, The 20 Big Questions in Science, the one "big" question that I found very interesting was: Why do we Dream? I thought that it was fascinating that we spend over a third of our lives sleeping and I've always wondered where the sometimes random dreams that I have come from, and what sparks them. There are two possible hypothesis for this question: that dreams are "expressions of unfulfilled wishes," or "random firings of a sleepy brain."

Here are 20 "big questions" of my own:

1. When we look at many animals from the same species, they seem identical to us. Do other species think the same thing of us humans?

2. Roughly when and how did the first human being evolve?

3.  How did scientists come to know so clearly about the structure of the whole universe when space probes nor people have explored that far?

4. Were humans initially intended to consume dairy?

5. Is there scientifically such a thing as a genius? If so, what in their DNA gives them these special qualities?

6. If a child has a physical or mental disability, when in their childhood will signs of this start to show in their behavior?

7. What makes some cancers more life-threatening than others?

8. If a cancer is diagnosed sooner, does that mean that the patient has a greater chance of being cured?

9. If it is said that babies don't have long-term memory, how long will they remember each event that happens to them? How long will it stay in their memory?

10. As time progresses, will people begin to live longer and longer each generation?

11. Why do some genetic disorders develop later in life?

12. Why don't any children remember their infancy?

13. Which continent on the Earth became inhabited first?

14. What is the most common species on the Earth?

15. How are viruses fought by the body, and why do they not require antibiotics?

16. Why are people more likely to be woken up in certain times of their sleep than other times?

17.  Are you more likely to have dreams if you go to bed preoccupied?

18. Does growth happen in spurts?

19. What are some major technological advancements that might happen in our lifetime?

20. Why can't we get vaccinated for common colds?