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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:

Stressful memories help plants resist caterpillars

Current agricultural practices heavily depend on harmful pesticides to protect crops against deadly pests and diseases. But what if plants could protect themselves? Our research uncovers an epigenetic mechanism that allows plants to 'remember' stress, providing them with long-lasting defense against pests like caterpillars. This discovery could pave the way for more sustainable crop protection strategies.

Oct 2, 2023 | 3.5 min read
How HIV-infected cells use immune checkpoints to evade the human immune system

The human immune system is very effective in eliminating pathogens that attack us in everyday life. However, in the case of HIV infection, it fails to clear all infected cells, resulting in a disease that remains incurable to date. Our study reveals that HIV-infected cells express higher levels of immune checkpoint markers and 'do not kill me' signals, helping them evade immune detection.

Sep 27, 2023 | 4 min read
The Lingering Shadow of Redlining: Fossil Fuel Power Plants and Air Pollution

Historically redlined communities in the U.S. today have lower home values, poorer health, and greater exposure to environmental hazards. Our research found that between 2000 and 2019, fossil fuel power plants were 31% more likely to be built near and upwind of neighborhoods that were redlined in the 1930s.

Sep 13, 2023 | 4 min read
Low and Mighty: How Low-Affinity Antibodies Boost Cancer Immunotherapy

Antibodies, nature’s guided missiles, are designed to bind to their targets with high precision. The tighter they bind, the better they’re thought to perform. But what if we’ve been wrong all this time? Our research suggests that antibodies with a looser grip can sometimes be more effective. This unexpected finding could open new avenues for improved antibody-based therapies.

Sep 8, 2023 | 4 min read
UV light is not all bad for DNA

Could the cellular mechanisms that cause sunburns help creating more stable therapeutics? Studying the effect of ultraviolet light on strands of DNA put together in various structures, we have discovered that gentle irradiation could protect the DNA from being degraded. This overcomes a major hurdle for translation into clinics without requiring extensive modifications.

Apr 26, 2023 | 3 min read
Can we read the universe’s book of secrets?

FASER, a small experiment at the CERN LHC, searches for new hypothetical particles proposed in theories that try to address some of the open questions of the Standard Model of particle physics. To enhance its discovery potential, an instrument using novel high-resolution silicon sensors was approved to be added to the experiment during the LHC Run-3, which has just started.

Jul 29, 2022 | 4 min read