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06.10.2022
THEME: WORLD

Bertozzi, Meldal, Barry: the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to the pioneers of “click” chemistry

Carolyn R. Bertozzi (USA, 55), Morten Meldal (DK, 68), and Barry Sharpless (USA, 81) are the winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022, awarded “or the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry”. Sharpless and Meldal have laid the foundation by describing the process for the first time in two independent but very similar works. Bertozzi (the 8th woman in history awarded with this Nobel) has taken click chemistry to a new dimension and started utilizing it in living organisms. Click chemistry is not a single specific reaction but describes a way of generating products by joining small modular units. By the union of biomolecules and molecular probes, they have been made notably useful in the detection, localization, and qualification of biomolecules in vivo. However, the method is not limited to biological conditions: the concept of a "click" reaction has been used in chemoproteomic, pharmacological, and various biomimetic applications. The reason for such widespread use is that these reactions are in general able to occur in relatively simple conditions, are not disturbed by water, generate little and inoffensive byproducts, and happen quickly with high characteristic yield. These qualities make click reactions particularly suitable to the problem of isolating and targeting molecules in complex biological environments. In such environments, products accordingly need to be physiologically stable and any byproducts need to be non-toxic (for in vivo systems). Their work finds even further application in all those industries and research fields where molecules need precision design and production, such as nanotechnology, pharmacology, and materials engineering.

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05.10.2022
THEME: WORLD

Aspect, Clauser, Zeilinger: the Nobel prize in Physics goes to experimental quantum entanglement

A famous law of quantum mechanics states that two objects that are separate in space can, in some cases, maintain a strong connection: what happens to one object will immediately influence the other. Such incredible behavior, referred to as entanglement, is a characteristic of quantum mechanics which has no parallel in classical physics. If theories have been developed at the beginning of the past century, the experimental proof came much later. It is for their pioneering experiments that demonstrate these facts that today Alain Aspect (France - 75), John F Clauser (the USA - 79), and Anton Zeilinger (Austria - 77) are the winners of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics. Thanks to their work, quantum entanglement is not just a theory anymore, but rather a hard undeniable fact of nature. It is also thanks to their contribution that today many investments have been dedicated to quantum technology, which is revolutionizing the capabilities of our computers as well as bringing cybersecurity to the next level.

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04.10.2022
THEME: WORLD

Swedish paleogeneticist Svante Pääbo wins 2022 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine

Dr. Svante Pääbo (Swedish - 67), founder of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany and adjunct professor at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, won the 2022 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. His most important contribution to science was the sequencing of the genome of the Neanderthal, an extinct relative of present-day humans. Dr. Pääbo and his team found that the modern human - Homo Sapiens - inherited some genes from these now exinct hominis. This ancient flow of genes to present-day humans has physiological relevance today, for example affecting how our immune system reacts to infections. The anatomically modern human - Homo Sapiens - first appeared in Africa approximately 300,000 years ago, while our closest known relatives - Neanderthals - developed outside Africa and populated Europe and Western Asia from around 400,000 years until 30,000 years ago, at which point they went extinct. About 70,000 years ago, groups of Homo Sapiens migrated from Africa to the Middle East and from there they spread to the rest of the world. Homo sapiens and Neanderthals thus coexisted in large parts of Eurasia for tens of thousands of years. The research of Dr. Pääbo has proven that such coexistence may have been closer than previously thought.

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03.10.2022
THEME: POLITICS

Brazil elections took place in a violent climate: Lula is favourite after first ballot with 5% margin

More than 156 million Brazilians - those eligible to vote - were called to elect the new president and several local authorities on Sunday, October 2. To win at this first ballot a candidate must collect more than 50% consensus. A second round is foreseen otherwise. These elections, which see two main candidates - Lula and Bolsonaro - radically opposite in almost every aspect of their politics, are characterized by an extreme climate of violence. Recent events include shootings at public places, the murder of a politician, and even explosives thrown at the crowd of a political rally. Due to the tense climate, the two candidates have been seen constantly escorted by security or police, even wearing bulletproof vests. Bolsonaro - the head of the Liberal Party, now 67 - would be re-elected with a victory. His campaign focused on privatization of public companies, lowering energy prices, increasing mining activities, and welfare in continuation with his previous government (Auxilio Brasil). Lula, now 76, is representing the Worker’s Party and would also achieve re-election in the event of a victory: he governed before in two consecutive terms until 2010. He left office with a very high approval rating, and he is largely credited for lifting many Brazilians from extreme poverty with the “Bolsa Familia” welfare program. He focused his campaign on getting Bolsonaro out of office and highlighted his past achievements throughout the campaign. However, he was involved in the wide-ranging “Operation Car Wash” investigation and was convicted for corruption and money laundering in 2017. But after serving less than two years, a Supreme Court Justice annulled Lula’s conviction in March 2021, clearing the way for him to run for president for the sixth time. Lula obtained more than 48% votes in the first round and will face Bolsonaro - 43% - on October 30 in the final election round.

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01.10.2022
THEME: HEALTH

Recent research finds that the brain “rewires” in phases during adulthood

With more than 80 billion interconnected neuronal cells, the human brain is one of the yet unsolved big mysteries of science. In popular knowledge it is accepted that the brain goes through significant changes in childhood: this is supported by evident milestones such as learning to walk, speak, paint, etc… However, brain development is often commonly thought of as a process that, starting at the youngest age, reaches a mature state in young adults and only in old age - eventually - degrades by an act of diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Recent scientific research is instead pointing to a completely different understanding. The structural, functional, and metabolic changes don’t stop in the early years and continue throughout adulthood in more than one distinct phase. A “refinement phase” takes place around the third and fourth decade of life: the executive function and attention, such as the ability to think abstractly, reason, and problem-solve will peak at this point before further changing. Around the fifth decade of life, our brains start to undergo a radical "rewiring" that results in a more integrated and connected network. Older adults display reduced activity in consolidating or learning concepts, but an improved activity in associating what is already learned. Such change likely results from the necessity to function with reduced resources and aging neurons. Overall, tasks relying on predominantly known processes are less impacted by age or may even increase slightly - such as vocabulary and general knowledge. Evidence also indicated that the variability among individuals can be large: a proper diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle can keep the mind in good working order and put networking changes on hold, sometimes well into old age. Further understanding of these matters may, in the future, positively evolve our societies as currently adult individuals are considered equals - by organizational and representative organs - independently of their age.

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30.09.2022
THEME: POLITICS

Nations witness unprecedented attacks to gas pipelines while Russia annexes Ukraine territories

Today September 30 Putin confirmed the annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia in a televised ceremony in the Kremlin's St. George's Hal, justified by the so-called “referendums”. He added that “….(they) are becoming our citizens forever” and that Russia “will defend its land with all the means available”. Ukraine and the West have renounced the vote as a sham and said they will never recognize the Ukrainian regions as being part of Russia. Reactions are escalating with the EU promising more opposition and economic sanctions, Ukraine promising continued military effort, and the US and Russia exchanging threats. Finland announced the closure of its borders to Russian tourists starting midnight. Additional tension is due to four gas leaks that occurred on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines on Monday. They were preceded by two large explosions that were registered by seismologists, indicating that it was a deliberate attack. To date, no pointers have yet emerged as to who might have done it and why. The damage now likely prevents transporting any gas to Europe even if the political situation changes. German security agencies are concerned that Nord Stream 1 may become unusable forever and the EU is now investigating the incident and promising countermeasures. Naval forces have been deployed from the Baltic to the Mediterranean seas to protect continental infrastructures. While NATO and US accused Russia, the Kremlin rejected accusations saying it was not in Russia's interest to stop the gas flow through the pipelines. Dmitry Peskov (Press Secretary) and Sergey Lavrov (Foreign Affairs) declared investigations are needed and that Russia would call for a UN Security Council over the matter. Putin himself defined it as an "unprecedented sabotage" and "an act of international terrorism”, accusing the US and saying that “it is obvious to everyone who did it”. In the meantime, Germany's government says it will spend up to €200 billion to help consumers and businesses cope with rising energy prices: a decision likely to spread through the EU countries. Further, a final measure of the EU commission on the price cap on energy imports will also be decided or rejected by mid-October.

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29.09.2022
THEME: HEALTH

Historic moment for Alzheimer's treatment: an experimental drug demonstrated slowing the disease’s progression

On Wednesday the experimental drug “lecanemab”, developed by Eisai (Japan) and Biogen (USA), has been declared efficient as a result of a large phase 3 clinical study involving 1795 patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. With high statistical significance, lecanemab has shown a reduction in clinical decline in patients. It has been shown that the drug slowed the progress of the disease by 27% compared to the placebo. Toxic plaques made of “amyloid-beta” proteins are considered the probable cause of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug reduced the number of toxic plaques in the brain and slowed the decline in memory and ability to perform daily tasks. Lecanemab has been the first one able to successfully slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. This is a great achievement for science and medicine, which now offer hope for patients and their families desperate for effective treatment. The multinational pharmacology company Roche, together with Genentech and the Swiss laboratory AC Immune is developing a second drug based on the same principle, which hopefully will even reinforce future treatments.

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28.09.2022
THEME: WORLD

Russia claims 15% of Ukraine territory through questioned Referenda while tensions escalate internally and abroad

On September 20 the Russian-installed leaders of four regions of southern and eastern Ukraine - Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk - called for referendums to join Russia. Today the first results have been released: with no surprise, a large majority was declared in favor of annexation to Russia. It means around 15% of Ukrainian territory - an area about the size of Hungary or Portugal - is now under the direct control of the Kremlin. From today the Kremlin’s narrative may switch to claim Russia itself is under attack from NATO weapons: this justified several threats to the use of nuclear weapons in the last few days as well as the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Russian troops. The international reactions are mixed in the level of condemnation of the process, but almost every state (including China and India) are asking to stop the war as soon as possible. Russian state media claim that the vote has been regular and that observers from all over the world (including France and Germany) reported no violations. However, western media noted that the process has been breaching the United Nations Principles for international observation: first of all an international election observer mission must respect the “sovereignty of the country holding elections,” and the host country – in this case, Ukraine – should invite international observers. US and NATO members already condemned the vote before the results were known. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in a tweet that he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and told him that the military alliance is "unwavering" in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and right to self-defense. As previously stated, Kyiv is likely to continue in the pursuit of its military goals - which include the “liberation of Ukraine until Crimea”. After Putin announced mobilization last week, long queues have been reported at the frontiers with Georgia, Finland, and Kazakhstan, where men were questioned about their military eligibility before being allowed through. Spontaneous manifestations have flared across Russia and continue in a wave of protests involving thousands - despite penalties for those fleeing a mandatory military call-up by up to 10 years of jail since Saturday. In the meantime, two leaks on the Russian-owned Nord Stream 1 pipeline in Swedish and Danish waters, shortly after a leak on the nearby Nord Stream 2 project, were discovered. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said the damage to Nord Stream 1 and 2 was "an act of aggression" towards the EU. He added that Russia wanted to cause pre-winter panic and urged the EU to increase military support for Ukraine.

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27.09.2022
THEME: WORLD

Protesters are unleashing anger and frustration for Iranian women's rights

The mandatory dress code in Iran, which applies to all nationalities and religions (not just Iranian Muslims), requires women to conceal their hair and neck with a headscarf. A law enforced shortly after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Last Friday a 22 years old woman named Mahsa Amini from Kurdistan was in Tehran with her family when she was detained by the so-called morality police for wearing an “improper” headscarf. Shortly after she was transferred to the hospital and died in a few days - the family of the young lady claimed the death resulted by act of brutality of the police itself. Several days of protests have ensued since Amini’s death on Friday. Protesters are demanding an investigation into Amini’s death and the dismantling of the morality police - the same force already criticised in recent years, especially over its treatment of young women. Dozens are thought to have been killed and thousands arrested during the protests so far, but the authorities – who describe the protests as “riots” – have yet to publish official tallies. To justify several arrests, they are claiming through the state media that behind protests there are revolutionary forces. While many in Iran are concerned about separatist groups, protesters in the streets are displaying levels of anger and frustration not seen in years. Such protests, related to violation of women’s right, may mark the urgent need of the Islamic Republic to leave behind some religious traditions, in favour of women freedom. Rallies in support of Iranian women have occurred around the world. In Paris and London, to prevent attacks to the Iranian embassies, anti-riot police tactics where employed to control thousands of protesters.

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26.09.2022
THEME: POLITICS

After Sweden now Italy: far-right parties are governing key EU countries

Sweden and Italy, two key nations in the EU group, made a substantial step towards far-right politics in the latest elections this year. On September 11 Sweden voted for a new parliament: as a result the Moderates, Sweden Democrats, Christian Democrats and Liberals had held a one-seat lead after Sunday's election. Sweden PM Magdalena Andersson - first woman PM - resigned to allow the election of a new president and government. These elections mark a significant change in Sweden political landscape: never before have the Sweden Democrats, a party who relies on anti-immigration and nationalist rhetoric, been part of a government. Further, they are now the leading force in the right coalition. Yesterday it was Italy’s turn: the three parties forming the right coalition won the elections collecting 44,2% consent and a very strong majority in both Parliament and Senate chambers. The result is particularly significant as far-right party Fratelli d’Italia - translation “Brothers of Italy” - exploded to a striking 26,5%. A conservative nationalist force which directly traces its roots to the Italian Social Movement - a neo-Fascist party created in the wake of Benito Mussolini's demise. Their leader - who is likely the next PM - is known for calling Mussolini a "good politician" who "did everything he did for Italy" and for employing a hard-right rhetorical style that emphasises "God, fatherland and family” as well as lambasting LGBTQ+ "lobbies" and “Islamist violence”. Standing alongside her is Matteo Salvini from the Lega Nord - translation “Northern League” - which began in the 1990s as a secessionist movement. He is standing on a manifesto which is consistent with anti-immigration, promising cuts to clandestine arrivals. Salvini has also been a longtime admirer of Vladimir Putin and claimed multiple times that sanctions are hurting Italians more than Russians. The third of the parties is ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia - translation “Go Italy”. His party may have a more moderate approach, but it’s his personal history of scandals - his tax evasion conviction in 2013, his decades old friendship with Putin, and allegations of soliciting sexual services from a minor - that has attracted more scrutiny. The electoral results means he still holds considerable power. Overall, the far-right victory is an historic one because it brings full power to a party that is further to the right than any mainstream political movement Italy has seen since the days of its former fascist leader, Benito Mussolini (historic ally of Adolf Hitler). This happening in a key founder state of the EU may be the premise to unpredictable debates and change of politics in the old continent.

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