STOCKHOLM — A record five women were among the 13 people awarded Nobel Prizes on Thursday, including a writer who depicted life behind the Iron Curtain and two U.S. researchers who showed how chromosomes protect themselves from degrading.
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf presented the 10 million kronor ($1.4 million) prizes in chemistry, physics, medicine, literature and economics at an elegant ceremony at a Stockholm concert hall. The ceremony was topped off by a lavish banquet.
The prizes were created in Alfred Nobel’s 1895 will, which stipulated that they be granted to those who “have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” They were first awarded in 1901.
Only 40 women have won the prestigious awards. In all, 802 individuals and 20 organizations have received Nobel Prizes over the years.
Romanian-born author Herta Mueller accepted the Nobel literature award for her critical depiction of life behind the Iron Curtain — work drawn largely from her own experiences.
Elinor Ostrom, 76, made history by being the first woman to receive the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, sharing it with fellow American Oliver Williamson for their work in economic governance.
Americans Elizabeth Blackburn, 61, and Carol Greider, 48, shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine with countryman Jack Szostak for their work in solving the mystery of how chromosomes protect themselves from degrading when cells divide.
The chemistry award was shared by 70-year-old Ada Yonath of Israel and Americans Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas Steitz for their atom-by-atom description of ribosomes, the protein-making machinery within cells. Their research is being used to develop new antibiotics.
American George Smith shared the physics award with countryman Willard Boyle for inventing a sensor used in digital cameras. Also taking the prize was Charles Kao, also from the U.S., for discovering how to transmit light signals long distances through hair-thin glass fibers.
The prizes include a diploma and a gold medal.
