Back to The Team
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:
High in the Pamir Mountains: Ancient Cannabis Smoking in Western China
This study traces some of the earliest evidence for cannabis smoking back to ancient burials in the high mountains of the Pamirs in far western China. People were burning the plant about 2500 years ago as part of a mortuary ritual. The chemical analysis suggests that these people were aware of and targeting plants with a higher THC level than would be expected from the wild.
Nov 27, 2019 | 4 min readSilver-screen or starving? Predicting success in showbiz
Are parts in film and TV fairly allocated? How long will an actor or actresses good, or bad, luck last? Can we predict if my favourite actor is going to be more successful in the future or not? By studying the careers of 1,512,472 actors and 896,029 actresses, including careers stretching back to the birth of film in 1888, we unlock the secrets of the silver screen.
Nov 25, 2019 | 3.5 min readLong-dead dinosaurs support new life
Some researchers think that fossilized dinosaur bones can preserve ancient proteins and other soft tissues. Our recent work using a variety of methods failed to detect evidence for ancient protein but did discover a unique microbial community living within buried fossils.
Nov 20, 2019 | 3 min readGotta recognize ‘em all! Using Pokémon to understand brain development
The human brain contains clusters of neurons in the visual cortex that help us recognize important objects, like faces and words. Surprisingly, these regions appear in the same place across brains, and despite several theories for why this may be, the origins of this shared brain organization are unknown.
Nov 19, 2019 | 3.5 min readA tiny shark from the ancient past of the United States
More than dinosaurs lived in North America during the Cretaceous, including a very small freshwater shark. The new species, named Galagadon, is a relative of modern day bamboo sharks, and possessed teeth only 1mm in size. Discoveries such as Galagadon help paleontologists to understand the ways that environmental change shaped modern ecosystems.
Nov 15, 2019 | 4 min readWhen were Denisovans and Neanderthals present in Eurasia?
Denisova Cave is an archaeological site in southern Siberia. Russian archaeologists have excavated it for over 30 years. It is the only site in the world we know to have been occupied by three different kinds of humans: Denisovans, Neanderthals, and us.
Nov 13, 2019 | 4 min read