scientific discoveries?

Will there be scientific discoveries over time? new machinery, new treatments? new diseases?

Hi. Scientific discoveries aren't planned for base game, perhaps in the future (depends on many things, but we'd certainly love it). For the rest of your question, yes - you'll see some new machinery, treatmens and diseases while making progress through the game. Not the usual new lvl = new toys tho, we'll have it a little bit different.