Formal pairs suit Writing Task 2. Neutral ones work anywhere. Informal ones belong in Speaking.
1.conduct research
formalcarry out a careful study to find new facts
Universities conduct research that private companies would not fund.
Carry out and do research are also correct. Research is uncountable.
Avoid: make a research → conduct research
2.a scientific breakthrough
neutralan important new discovery in science
The vaccine was hailed as a scientific breakthrough.
Make and achieve collocate with breakthrough.
3.carry out experiments
neutraldo scientific tests
Students carry out experiments to test what they have learned.
Conduct and perform are formal alternatives.
4.research funding
formalmoney provided to pay for research
Cuts to research funding could slow medical progress.
Secure, increase and cut collocate with it.
5.medical research
neutralresearch into diseases and treatments
Charities pay for much of the medical research into rare diseases.
Fund and support collocate with it.
6.space exploration
formalthe investigation of space using spacecraft
Critics argue that space exploration is a luxury while people go hungry.
Spending on space exploration is a common Task 2 phrase.
7.scientific evidence
formalfacts from research that show something is true
There is strong scientific evidence that smoking causes cancer.
Evidence is uncountable: no evidences.
8.draw conclusions
formaldecide what the results of something mean
It is too early to draw conclusions from such a small study.
Reach a conclusion is also natural.
Avoid: make conclusions → draw conclusions
9.test a hypothesis
formalcheck whether an idea is correct by experiment
Scientists design trials to test a hypothesis.
Plural: hypotheses.
10.animal testing
neutralusing animals in experiments
Many cosmetics companies have stopped animal testing.
Testing on animals is the verb-based alternative.
11.raise ethical concerns
formalcause people to worry about whether something is morally right
Gene editing in humans raises serious ethical concerns.
Raise questions and raise doubts follow the same pattern.
12.genetically modified crops
formalplants whose genes have been changed by scientists
Genetically modified crops can resist drought.
GM crops is the common abbreviation after the first use.
13.publish findings
formalmake the results of research public
The team published their findings in a medical journal.
Findings is plural in this sense.
14.push the boundaries of knowledge
formaldiscover things that go beyond what is already known
Pure research pushes the boundaries of knowledge even when it has no immediate use.
Use once in an essay; it is quite rhetorical.
15.practical applications
formalreal uses for an idea or discovery
Laser technology was studied for years before it found practical applications.
Have and find collocate with applications.