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About Massimo
Massimo, molecular biologist, is constantly on a mission to inspire scientists and laypeople around him with his passion for science. During the time spent on the bench, he followed his natural all-around curiosity, investigating several topics from medical diseases to plant physiology. Head of TheScienceBreaker, Massimo proudly chases his naïve dream of an engaged society where scientists and citizens are facing together the upcoming challenges for human civilizations. At the University of Geneva, Switzerland, Massimo works for BiOutils – an academic and laboratory-based platform for outreach in life sciences.
Massimo is the editor of 269 Breaks:
The importance of being tested
As COVID-19 is raging worldwide, mathematical models tailored to the pandemic suggest the most effective interventions to contain the contagion. Physical distancing and lockdown, indispensable at an early stage, can be combined with testing and contact tracing, crucial to relieve lockdown measures safely and possibly end the epidemic faster.
Jul 15, 2020 | 3.5 min readA Ghost Tsunami without warning
In December 2018, a tsunami took 437 lives and injured 33,000 on the beaches of Sumatra and Java without warning. What can be done to provide a warning for such events? Real-time analysis of long-period ground motions could have determined that a sudden flank collapse of erupting Anak Krakatau volcano was potentially tsunamigenic, giving a basis for tsunami warning.
Jul 14, 2020 | 3 min readWhen the girdle of social timing relaxes: Effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on human sleep
Increased regularity of sleep-wake patterns and more sleep: The ‘lockdown’-induced relaxation of social schedules had positive effects on people’s sleep. However, not everyone slept well in this unprecedented situation.
Jul 9, 2020 | 3.5 min readCapturing the past using DNA from Sacred Ibis Mummies
Millions of Egyptian Sacred Ibis were found mummified and stored in vast catacombs. Thoth priests sold the mummified Ibis to pilgrims for offerings. Did they mass farmed the Ibises? Our analysis of the bird’s DNA did not identify the tell-tale genetic signs of farming. Priests tamed Ibises by feeding them.
Jul 6, 2020 | 3.5 min readYour biological age within a drop of your blood
When is aging occurring? Why do I look younger/older than my age? What is my biological age? These are just a few questions that can be answered using a single drop of your blood!
Jul 3, 2020 | 3.5 min readLife after death? Fossil survival strategy rediscovered in living corals
Corals are impacted by climate change worldwide. Monitoring the Mediterranean coral Cladocora caespitosa during 16 yrs allowed us to discover that some colonies were able to recover after warming-induced death. The recovery was possible thanks to rejuvenescence, a survival strategy only known from extinct fossil corals. It was described for the first time in a living coral.
Jul 2, 2020 | 3.5 min read