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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:
Lighting a candle in the dark
Cyanobacteria have always lived on solar power… yet we found them living in the Earth’s crust, 600 meters below the surface. Our results suggest that they have repurposed their metabolic machinery to burn hydrogen for energy.
Jun 24, 2019 | 4 min readImproving the dietary value of tomatoes with purple plant pigments
Obtaining the right daily amount of fresh food is a challenge in many countries. This study improved the dietary value of tomato, by enhancing the content of a beneficial plant pigment, called anthocyanin. Tomatoes enriched in anthocyanins had purple-coloured fruit, and improved the lifespan of mice. Increasing the nutritional value of tomato is promising for improved public health.
Jun 17, 2019 | 3 min readScreen time and developmental delays in children: a chicken or egg problem
Does screen time precede developmental delays, or do children showing delays in development receive more screen time to manage challenging behaviors? We have addressed this “chicken or egg” question, suggesting that screen time precedes delays in children meeting their developmental milestones.
May 27, 2019 | 3.5 min readMussel powder engineered to kill pathogens
We re-engineered the adhesive used by mussels to stick to surfaces like ship hull, rocks, and piers to create a powder that can kill pathogens. When hydrated, the powder generates a common disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide, and effectively kills two types of bacteria and two types of viruses.
May 24, 2019 | 3 min readEarly humans inhabited North Africa earlier than thought
Humans dispersal into northern Africa is thought to be happened later than 2.6 million years ago. However, we discovered two archaeological deposits estimated to 2.4 and 1.9 million years ago at the site of Ain Boucherit, Algeria. The evidence argues either for a rapid dispersal of stone tool manufacture from East Africa or for possible multiple origins of stone tool manufacture.
May 22, 2019 | 3.5 min readRecording cellular memories
Using the CRISPR-Cas system, we engineer cells to create permanent molecular records of dynamic intracellular processes.
May 20, 2019 | 3.5 min read