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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 352 Breaks:
Vicious Circles – how changes in the shape of DNA can drive cancer
One of the most iconic images in biology is the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human cell. It is central to the paradigm of inheritance. Our recent findings show that cancer breaks that rule. We have explained how changes in the shape of DNA, as it forms a circle, promotes cancer. This scenario makes cancer to evolve quickly and more resistant to treatments.
Aug 17, 2020 | 3.5 min readCarnivorous plants help uncover universal rules of plant development
From flowers to leaves and carnivorous plant traps, humble mounds of cells generate remarkably diverse plant organ shapes. How do plants coordinate growth to shape these blobs into fully-grown organs? By combining computational modelling with experiments in a carnivorous plant, we suggest a mechanism for how plants control growth patterns and how they can be modified to evolve new shapes.
Aug 14, 2020 | 4 min readT. rex growing pains: the king of dinosaurs was first a tyrannical teenager
Studying the bone microstructure of the skeletons of two medium-sized Tyrannosaurus rex, we investigated their early life. We discovered that they were teenagers, rather than a smaller ‘Nanotyrannus’ species. Additionally, we found that T. rex adjusted annual growth based on resource abundance; it exploited carnivore niches at the exclusion of other species.
Aug 13, 2020 | 4 min readThe biological reality of psychosomatic disease
The latest neurobiological research is revealing important and influential neural pathways between the brain to organ systems, indicating the potential power of mind-body medicine.
Aug 12, 2020 | 3.5 min readGenes that influence handedness alter brain architecture
By comparing the genetic sequence of right-handers versus left-handers, we have uncovered regions in the genome that are linked to an increased chance of being left-handed. These genetic variations alter the white matter tracts that link regions of the brain related to language, and the same regions in the right and left brain hemispheres of left-handers communicate in a more coordinated way.
Aug 10, 2020 | 3 min readThe 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 read