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22/12/2022 ---- 11/01/2023

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11.01.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

The loss of pollinating insects is causing serious consequences on human health

Animal pollination supports the agricultural production of many healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, which provide vital nutrients and protect against several diseases. Today, most crops need more pollination because of the limited abundance and diversity of insects.

A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives assessed dozens of pollinator-dependent crops using data from hundreds of farms worldwide. The data was used to determine the drop in yield due to the reduced populations of pollinating insects. The research team estimated that the world is currently losing 4.7% of total fruit production, 3.2% of vegetables, and 4.7% of nuts. Such loss of production leads to an estimated 427'000 deaths annually from lost healthy food consumption and associated diseases, including stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Wild pollinators are under growing threat for many reasons. Pervasive land-use changes are fracturing, shrinking, and degrading suitable habitats for pollinators worldwide, reducing available areas for nesting and limiting pollinators' ability to migrate. Furthermore, reductions in wild lands and the dominance of large farms growing monocultures have shrunk the diversity of flowering plants and, thereby, the flowering duration, causing nutritional stress. Intensive farming techniques, such as frequent tilling, disturb and destroy nesting sites and disrupt wild plant communities on farms. The ongoing use of pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, has inflicted lethal and sublethal harm to bees.

In addition, the overarching impact of climate change is causing a host of harmful effects. It drives pollinators out of their historical range to find suitable new environmental conditions, causing novel predators, competitors, and pathogens to invade new environments. Whenever their number is measured, pollinating insects decrease in number and diversity. This trend is now understood to be causing severe consequences for the environment and human health.

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10.01.2023
THEME: POLITICS

Thousands arrested in Brazil as violent riots attempted to overthrow Lula's government

On October 30, more than 156 million Brazilians were called to elect the new president. The elections, which saw two candidates - Lula and Bolsonaro - radically opposite in almost every aspect of their politics, were characterized by an extreme climate of violence. In such a controversial climate, the Brazilians chose Lula - who was elected president with 50.9% of the total valid votes. Since then, however, Bolsonaro made clear that he would not readily accept a defeat. Until today he never explicitly accepted the results of the elections. During vote counting, Bolsonaro had cast doubts on the trustworthiness of Brazil's electronic voting system. After the elections, movements of supporters of former president Bolsonaro organized manifestations that included violent practices, such as blocking highways using burning vehicles. In the last week, these tensions catalyzed violent riots in Brasilia, Brazil's capital.

A supporter of Bolsonaro - George Washington de Oliveira Sousa - was arrested on December 26, a few days before Lula's inauguration as the new president, accused of placing explosive devices targeting the airport. Later, during interrogation, he admitted that his actions were part of a plan to trigger a large-scale intervention of the armed forces in the capital. Mr Bolsonaro flew to the US before the presidential handover ceremony on January 1, which he did not attend. In the meantime, his supporters organized a gathering in the capital through social networks. Last Sunday, January 8, hundreds of rioters broke through the police barriers. They stormed the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace, deliberately devastating these key institutional symbols. President Lula has declared a federal intervention, with thousands of troops on standby in Brasilia. After hours of chaos, Brazilian police have retaken control of the stormed premises. The count of arrested amounts to above 1'500 people and growing.

On Monday evening, president Lula visited the damaged buildings of Congress, the Presidential Palace and the Supreme Court with the country's governors, condemning the "terrorist acts" and vowing to punish the perpetrators. The reactions from world leaders have been unanimous in condemning these acts of violence. A spontaneous response also came from the population. On Monday, street rallies were held in many cities and towns to support the institutions. Thousands could be heard singing and chanting for justice. As authorities in Brazil launched an investigation into the incidents to identify the responsible, more attention was drawn to Bolsonaro. On Monday, he was admitted to a Florida hospital with abdominal pain. From the US, Bolsonaro condemned the "pillaging and invasion of public buildings" and denied responsibility for encouraging the rioters in a post on Twitter some six hours after violence broke out. He rejected what he defined as Lula's "baseless" accusations that he had incited the unrest.

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09.01.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

More than half of glaciers will be gone by 2100 if global warming continues at the current rate

The Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) is where the United Nations come together to act towards achieving the world's collective climate goals agreed upon in the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris on December 12 2015. Its goal is to limit global warming to below 2C (Celsius degrees), preferably to 1.5C, compared to pre-industrial levels. Earlier this year, at COP 27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, leaders recognized that more effort would be needed to achieve the objective of 1.5C. Unfortunately, scientists are finding out that even this best-case scenario may not be enough to avoid dramatic and profound changes in the Earth's climate.

A recent study published in Science shows that 49% of glaciers would disappear under the most optimistic scenario of 1.5C warming within 2100 AD. However, if global heating continues under the current scenario (reaching 2.7C of warming), losses would be more significant, with 68% of glaciers disappearing. If this happened, almost no glaciers would be left in central Europe, western Canada and the US by the end of the next century. The research team of scientists led by Dr Robert W. McNabb (UK) used two decades of satellite data to map the planet's glaciers with greater precision than ever before. Previous models relied on measurements of specific glaciers. Scientists would then extrapolate that information, but now they can get precise data points on each of the planet's 200,000 glaciers. These data gave insight into how many would be lost under different climate change scenarios. In particular, it was possible to observe mountain glaciers. Mountain glacier melt is believed to contribute to more than a third of sea level rise. A lot of this loss is unavoidable, but the magnitude of loss is directly related to temperature increases, so acting on the climate crisis is vital to contain this phenomenon. The result of the study indicates that mountain glacier melt would significantly raise the sea level. Moreover, it threatens the water supply to 2 billion people and increases the risk of natural hazards such as flooding.

After the alarming temperatures registered at the beginning of the year in central Europe, and the recent and worrisome observations from the Alps' glaciers, science is now getting more accurate in indicating the extent of the effects of global warming. While rising sea levels were initially the primary concern, water droughts may be a more imminent issue involving largely populated areas. According to the latest observations, this a problem that may become critical in just a few decades.

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08.01.2023
THEME: TECHNOLOGY

A new study demonstrated that ancient Roman concrete is more advanced than what we use today

The ancient Romans were masters of engineering, constructing vast networks of roads, aqueducts, ports, and massive buildings, whose remains have survived for two millennia. They built many of these structures with concrete. For instance, the Pantheon - AD 128 - is still intact, and some ancient aqueducts still deliver water to Rome today. In contrast, many modern concrete structures have crumbled after a few decades.

The reason for such extraordinary resilience was still unknown until a recent study published in Science, the fruit of collaboration between the University of Udine (IT) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US). In their research, the authors analyzed the chemical composition of 2000-year-old concrete samples obtained from the archaeological site of Privernum, Italy. The observations are based on cutting-edge electron microscopy and x-ray technologies. They discovered that ancient concrete-manufacturing strategies had incorporated several key self-healing functionalities. The unknown self-healing capabilities of ancient concrete are due to the so-called "lime clasts" - white microscopic minerals that are a typical mark of Roman concrete. The lime clasts develop a brittle architecture thanks to a specific hot-mixing manufacturing protocol, creating an easily fractured and reactive calcium source. As tiny cracks start forming within the concrete, they can preferentially travel through the high-surface-area lime clasts. This material can then react with water (like the one that would penetrate a cracked surface on a rainy day), creating a calcium-saturated solution that recrystallizes and fills the crack.

It is worth noting that concrete is the most ubiquitous construction material in the world, but its production has serious environmental consequences. One method to reduce the carbon footprint - which accounts for up to 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions - is to improve the longevity of concrete. The resulting extended use life, combined with a reduced need for repair, could reduce the environmental impact and improve the economic life cycle of modern constructs. Such a relevant innovation may now be at hand - not thanks to modern science, but to our ancestors' inheritance.

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06.01.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

Exceptional temperatures are occurring in Europe: a trend with potentially serious consequences

While the US is dealing with the consequences of the century winter storm, the situation is diametrically opposite in Europe. National temperature records for January have been established in eight countries. For instance, in Warsaw, the temperature reached 18.9C, while in Spain, it went even further to over 25C on January 1. In Switzerland, temperatures hit 20C in Geneva, and the warm weather has affected ski resorts across the Alps due to the absence of snow. Switzerland's Alps are renowned as the water bank of Europe. According to recent studies, Swiss glaciers are melting at an unprecedented and increasing speed. They have lost more than half their volume in less than a century. With the temperature increase in recent years, the volume loss is accelerating. Comparing topographic images of glaciers from the 1930s to those from the last ten years establishes a link between ice loss and global warming. Furthermore, after the heatwaves involving the whole Northern Hemisphere last summer, regions of ground that were covered by ice for thousands of years became exposed due to melting. Ice measurements last summer were off the chart, showing three times more mass loss over one year than the average over the previous ten years. Glaciers are often referred to as the water towers of Europe. They store the winter snow and release it gently over the summer, providing water for Europe's rivers and crops, and cooling its nuclear power stations. Last summer, severe droughts hit Europe, provoking several issues, such as the need to transport drinking water in dry regions. Considering these recent events, the current high temperatures and accelerated melting glaciers are no good news for the old continent. It is uncertain how some large European areas would survive without a constant mountain water source.

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03.01.2023
THEME: WORLD

The first death from brain-eating amoeba infection was reported in South Korea

South Korea has reported its first-ever case of, and subsequent death by, the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria Fowleri. The patient, who died on December 21, had been suffering from meningitis symptoms caused by the pathogen, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed Monday. In a statement, the KDCA said the patient had experienced fever, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and loss of the ability to speak, having returned home recently from a four-month trip to Thailand. N. Fowleri is typically found in freshwater, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It is the only species of Naegleria that infects humans, and while infections are rare, they are often fatal – the death rate is over 97%. The amoeba enters the body via the nose. It then travels to the brain, where it can cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an infection characterized by the destruction of brain tissue, brain swelling, and eventually death. The organism mainly thrives in warm water and heat and grows best in high temperatures up to 115°F (46°C) but can sometimes survive warmer temperatures. As of 2018, 381 cases have been reported worldwide, mainly from US, India and Thailand. While currently reported cases of this deadly amoeba are rare, as climate change and global warming heat the planet, this heat-loving amoeba may thrive, making infections common.

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02.01.2023
THEME: WORLD

A few facts marking the end of 2022 and the start of 2023

2022 was undoubtedly a year that will be remembered. We have seen the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, but at the same time, growing global inflation and a steep deterioration of international relationships. War in Ukraine started earlier in February and is still ongoing while the Taiwan crisis grows. Moreover, exceptional atmospheric events occurred in the northern hemisphere, both in summer and winter. In the few final days of 2022, two famous characters died, marking the end of the year. From the world of sport, more specifically soccer, it was Edson Arantes do Nascimento - who died on 29 December 2022 at 82 - known by his nickname Pelé. He was regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled "the greatest" by FIFA. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. He was included in the Time list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. His 1,279 goals in 1,363 games are recognised as a Guinness World Record. After retiring in 1977, Pelé was a worldwide ambassador for football and made many acting and commercial ventures. In 1995, he became the Brazilian minister for sport. Just two days after Pelé death, a pope of the Catholic Church died too. Pope Benedict XVI - born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger - died on December 31 at 95. He became famous among popes for somewhat controversial facts and opinions. After his election in 2005, Benedict chose to be known by the title "pope emeritus" upon his resignation, and he retained this title until his death. It was the first time a pope spontaneously retired since 1294. During his short reign, he became known for his anti-LGBT positions and was called homophobic by many. He was also accused of failing to adequately take action against clerics in four cases of alleged abuse while he was Archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1977 to 1982. The first positive news of 2023 comes from the world of international politics as Croatia adopted the euro currency and entered Europe’s passport-free Schengen zone starting January 1 - after nearly a decade since joining the European Union.

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29.12.2022
THEME: WORLD

Covid cases surge in China while international tensions grow due to the Taiwan crisis and new travel restriction

Just a month ago, China faced rising socioeconomic pressure due to rigid restrictions against Covid. Lockdowns were frequently in place to limit the virus spread and maintain the sanitary situation under control. However, such measures' economic and social costs have been incredibly high, so the government has recently decided to ease the grip on the virus. The National Health Commission announced that the management of COVID-19 will be downgraded from Class A to Class B from January 8. It means that there will be no more quarantine for people entering the country, and there will be no isolation of COVID-19 cases and the designation of high-risk areas. The government will gradually resume the entry and exit of passenger transport through water and land ports. International passengers coming into the country should still take a nucleic acid test 48 hours before departure. It is worth noting that most countries already have similar measures in place for months. However, immunization in the Chinese population is very low, and most Chinese people have never come in contact with the virus. For this reason, significant pressure on hospitals is already taking place and is expected to grow. The World Health Organization expressed concern about reports of severe disease in China. Around Baoding and Langfang outside Beijing, hospitals have run out of intensive care beds and staff as severe cases surge. Several countries, including Italy, Japan, India and US, are already implementing restrictions for all inbound travellers from China, who now need to show a negative molecular test to travel. The reaction of the Chinese government to such rules is of disappointment, accusing Western countries of disproportionate and inappropriate response to a crisis that, they say, is under control and managed based on a comprehensive analysis. In the meantime, the European and US administrations justify the restrictions with fear of new variants. Every new infection offers a chance for the coronavirus to mutate, and the virus is spreading rapidly in a country with over 1.4 billion people. International relations are also under pressure due to the increasing intensity of the Taiwan crisis. New Chinese military drills came after US President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which marked the first time the US government will finance weapons for the island of Taiwan. The intensity of the drills surpassed those in August. They showed that the Chinese army could organize large-scale exercises repeatedly and at any time. To make things even worse, at the same time, China and Russia were holding joint naval drills in the East China Sea, proving the capability of the Chinese to conduct multiple major military activities in various regions simultaneously. Not the best premises for the upcoming year 2023, in which, hopefully, major powers will learn to collaborate instead of continuously raising international tension.

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26.12.2022
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

The US faced over Christmas the most powerful winter storm in the last century

In the last few days, record-low temperatures have been registered in large territories of Canada and the US. A powerful and prolonged winter storm brought strong winds and snow in incredible amounts. The scope of the storm has been unprecedented, stretching from Canada as far south as the Rio Grande. The snowfall and blizzard conditions made roads impassable, froze power substations and left more than a dozen dead. At least 38 deaths have now been linked to this severe Arctic freeze. Storm-related deaths were reported in Vermont, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Colorado. South Florida's temperatures dropped so low that iguanas froze and fell from trees. Over 200'000 people were left without power, with their homes covered in snow and ice. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, preventing many people from reaching their families at Christmas. The western US state of Montana is the worst hit by the cold, with temperatures dropping to -45C. Atlanta and Tallahassee, Florida, were forecast to have their coldest temperature recorded on December 24. Such an event is so rare that it should happen once in a hundred years. However, it is not the first potent and extreme weather event this year. The whole northern hemisphere was hit earlier in the summer by record-high temperatures and droughts. Recently, studies published by eminent climatologists demonstrated that the effects of global warming are to increase the frequency of extreme events. May this recent storm also be a consequence of climate change?

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23.12.2022
THEME: HEALTH

FDA approved the first monoclonal antibody drug for the treatment of COVID-19 hospitalized patients

The FDA has approved Tocilizumab - also known as Actemra and commercialized by Roche Genentech - for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The treatment is for individuals who receive corticosteroids and require supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or oxygenation. Tocilizumab is the first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, recommended for use as a single intravenous injection. Scientists evaluated Tocilizumab for the treatment of COVID-19 in 4 studies in more than 5500 individuals who were hospitalized. The studies showed that Tocilizumab may improve outcomes in individuals receiving corticosteroids and requiring supplemental oxygen or breathing support. There were no new warnings or precautions related to Tocilizumab noted in the trials, with the most common adverse events being anxiety, constipation, diarrhoea, hypertension, insomnia, nausea, and urinary tract infection. More than one million people hospitalized with COVID-19 have been treated with Actemra worldwide since the pandemic's beginning. Tocilizumab has been approved for use for COVID-19 in the United States, European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Russia, and Brazil. It is also provisionally approved in Australia and authorized for emergency use in Ghana, Mexico, and Korea for individuals hospitalized with severe or critical COVID-19. The World Health Organization has also recommended and prequalified the drug.

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