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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 344 Breaks:
Why breakfast is not the most important meal of the day: Another myth bites the dust!
There has been a widespread belief that eating breakfast is central to tackling overweight and obesity, one of our major medical and public health challenges. We examined the international literature and, after combining the results in a meta-analysis, found that is not advisable to change a person’s diet, forcing breakfast in order to lose weight.
Jul 29, 2019 | 3.5 min readGrape expectations: how balls of water can mimic metallic objects in the microwave oven
Our study into the sparking of grapes in microwave ovens reveals that the phenomenon has less to do with the electrical conductivity of grapes and everything to do with the unique optical properties of water at microwave frequencies.
Jul 26, 2019 | 4 min readWolves don’t go doggy in the Alps: two decades of genetic evidence
Potential hybridization between wolves and dogs has become a subject of high political and conservation controversy, fueled by misinformation campaigns. We performed a retrospective genetic analysis of Alpine wolves since their natural return 20 years ago, and found that their genetic integrity is not under threat.
Jul 24, 2019 | 3 min readA world without lake ice?
Lakes are rapidly losing ice cover around the Northern Hemisphere. Currently, 14,800 lakes are no longer freezing every winter. And even small increases in temperature could result in thousands of additional lakes losing ice cover. Lake ice provides essential ecosystem services that support human life. Its loss will impact hundreds of millions of people socioeconomically and culturally.
Jul 19, 2019 | 3.5 min readA new strategy to beat Ebola virus at its own game
We investigated how Ebola virus interacts with proteins in human cells. Doing this, we identified a human protein called RBBP6 that reduces the virus’ growth. Using a small part of RBBP6, we could slow down the infection in the lab – a promising finding for future treatments.
Jul 17, 2019 | 4 min readGenetic determinants of thinness and obesity: cards of the same deck
Obesity is a major public health concern. While most genetic studies have focused on obesity, we opted to look at the contribution of genetic variation to healthy thinness. In this study, we found that propensity to obesity or thinness is affected mostly by the same genes.
Jul 12, 2019 | 3.5 min read