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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.
Massimo is the editor of 318 Breaks:
Global warming blamed for Earth’s largest mass extinction
The cause of the largest mass extinction in Earth history – termed “the Great Dying” – has long remained elusive. Our research demonstrates a causal link between global warming, ocean oxygen loss, and extinction, with dramatic implications for marine life under future climate change.
Oct 28, 2019 | 3.5 min readRainfall is changing: when and where we need to be ready to adapt?
Climate model projections for the 21st century, suggest varied rainfall changes around the world with associated impacts on wheat, soybean, rice, and maize crops. Arid and wet regions of the world will become (and are already) dryer and wetter, respectively. Since large crop-producing areas are located within these regions, this is of major concern for the global food supply.
Oct 21, 2019 | 4 min readSharks, Seals, and the Balance of Power at Sea
Fur seals and penguins show up in the Southern Hemisphere; seals, puffins, and porpoises in the north. As icebergs appear on the horizon, large active sharks have vanished; orcas and leopard seals are the apex predators. The structure of marine life has changed dramatically with latitude. Why?
Oct 16, 2019 | 4 min readVisualizing the effects of sleep on neurons’ maintenance
All animals sleep, and the loss of sleep result in significant deficits to brain performance. Prolonging sleep deprivation could be fatal; however, why do we sleep is still largely an open question. Our research suggests that single neurons require sleep to maintain their DNA.
Oct 11, 2019 | 3 min readSea otters make a splash
California sea otters have been pounding mussels on shoreline boulders for more than 10 years, and this behavior leaves long-term traces. Using methods from ecology and archaeology, we showed that it is possible to recognize the damaged rocks and broken mussel shells created by sea otters
Oct 10, 2019 | 3.5 min readThe turbulent brain
Brain activity emerges from the coordinated dynamics of a huge network of neurons. Here, we explored what sorts of wave patterns can arise at the whole-brain scale, how these patterns change over time, and what mechanisms might underpin their generation.
Oct 9, 2019 | 4 min read