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Massimo Caine

Founder and Director

About Massimo

Harnessing his dual expertise in molecular biology and digital communications, Massimo is a steadfast advocate for science, striving to weave it into the fabric of everyday life. As the founder and editor-in-chief of TheScienceBreaker, he is not just chasing a dream, but actively building a reality where society and science walk hand-in-hand. His aspiration is not one of distant admiration, but of close collaboration: empowering every individual with scientific understanding and fostering a collective enthusiasm for discovery. His vision is one of unity, where society acknowledges the integral role of science and technology in shaping our shared future.

Massimo is the editor of 343 Breaks:

The social life of a fish shoal in ancient times

Groups of living animals show beautiful patterns of collective behaviors. This must also be true for extinct organisms. We analyzed the fossilized fish group to infer behavioral rules for coordinated collective motions of extinct animals.

Dec 16, 2019 | 3.5 min read
Ancient human DNA from a 10000 years old "chewing gum"

We identified a new type of source of ancient human genetic data. Our group extracted DNA from Mesolithic masticated lumps, made from distilled birch bark pitch. The people in the Stone Age presumably chewed this material leaving behind ancient human DNA.

Dec 3, 2019 | 3 min read
Gone but not forgotten – plant extinction in modern times

New review of plant extinction in modern times shows clearly elevated rates globally. Highest rates are for shrubs and trees and in biodiverse areas with many unique species, such as oceanic islands – areas particularly vulnerable to human activities.

Nov 29, 2019 | 4 min read
High in the Pamir Mountains: Ancient Cannabis Smoking in Western China

This study traces some of the earliest evidence for cannabis smoking back to ancient burials in the high mountains of the Pamirs in far western China. People were burning the plant about 2500 years ago as part of a mortuary ritual. The chemical analysis suggests that these people were aware of and targeting plants with a higher THC level than would be expected from the wild.

Nov 27, 2019 | 4 min read
Silver-screen or starving? Predicting success in showbiz

Are parts in film and TV fairly allocated? How long will an actor or actresses good, or bad, luck last? Can we predict if my favourite actor is going to be more successful in the future or not? By studying the careers of 1,512,472 actors and 896,029 actresses, including careers stretching back to the birth of film in 1888, we unlock the secrets of the silver screen.

Nov 25, 2019 | 3.5 min read
Long-dead dinosaurs support new life

Some researchers think that fossilized dinosaur bones can preserve ancient proteins and other soft tissues. Our recent work using a variety of methods failed to detect evidence for ancient protein but did discover a unique microbial community living within buried fossils.

Nov 20, 2019 | 3 min read