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07/01/2023 ---- 05/02/2023

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05.02.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

Scientists are saving threatened Coral Reef in Florida

Coral reefs are one of the most threatened marine systems. Scientists estimate that unless we take immediate action, we could lose up to 90% of coral reefs within our lifetimes. Florida's Coral Reef is the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental U.S., with its extensive shallow coral reefs that span 358 miles from the Dry Tortugas near Key West, north along the Atlantic coast to Martin County. Colourful parrotfish, angelfish, wrasses, barracuda, nurse sharks, stingrays, delicate corals, other invertebrates and turtles are all inhabitants of Florida's beautiful coral reefs. The coral reefs provide Florida with many benefits. Not only are they home to many species of wildlife, including those listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. They are also integral to Florida's economy, supporting our tourism industry and commercial and recreational fisheries. Additionally, they act as a natural buffer for Florida's shoreline, helping to lessen the strength of waves and providing natural support for coastal resilience.

Coral reef communities are sensitive to threats linked to people's actions. From high water temperatures, which are dangerous to corals, to pollutants that impact the ecosystem's health, to our commercial and recreational uses of the reef, sound science-based management practices and careful stewardship are critical to ensure the reefs' health future. A recent outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease threatens to destroy 20 of 45 species found here. It is still unknown what is causing this. To save the reef, a team of scientists from The Nature Conservancy has moved some species to a lab in Orlando where they simulate breeding conditions, LED and lights replicate the sun and moon cycles, and volunteers feed the coral in water treated to mimic its natural habitat. That is the first time many volunteers are involved in rescuing an entire ecosystem. They now seek to collaborate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop and implement a more detailed restoration plan. Hopefully, the aim of saving Florida's reef will be achieved.

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02.02.2023
THEME: WORLD

In Israel, significant violence took place in a situation of growing social and political tension, again

The territorial dispute between Jews and Palestinians revolves around the control and ownership of land, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Jews have claimed the land as their ancestral homeland and see it as their right to live there. Palestinians, on the other hand, see the West Bank and East Jerusalem as part of a future Palestinian state and argue that the presence of Israeli settlements is illegal under international law. The conflict over the territory has been ongoing for decades, with both sides claiming rights to the land and engaging in acts of violence and conflict to support their claims. Efforts to resolve the dispute and find a peaceful solution have been made through negotiations and peace processes. Still, a final resolution has yet to be reached. Last week, within a few days, there were reciprocal attacks and acts of violence between Palestinians and Israelis. It all started Thursday, January 26, with an Israeli army military operation in the West Bank, in the Jenin refugee camp, in which 10 Palestinians were killed, which was followed first by an exchange of missiles and rockets between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and then between Friday and Saturday two attacks by Palestinians in East Jerusalem. In the first, the most serious, a 21-year-old man killed seven people while leaving a synagogue: not so many people have been killed in a single attack in Jerusalem for 15 years.

The origin of this conflict has old roots. Jerusalem's Old City is divided into four quarters: Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Armenian. The Eastern part of the Old City is called the "East Jerusalem" and holds significant religious and cultural importance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. In the 7th century, Jerusalem was conquered by Arab forces and became a cultural centre for Islam. The city remained under Muslim control until the First Crusade in 1099 when Christian knights captured the city and established the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In 1187, the city was retaken by Muslim warrior Saladin, who became a hero in Islamic history. During Ottoman rule, Jerusalem's East became a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood. In 1917, British forces captured the city during World War I and established the British Mandate in Palestine. The conflict between Jews and Arabs over control of Palestine and the city of Jerusalem escalated in the 20th century, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the establishment of Israel. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured and reunified the Old City of Jerusalem. Today, the Old City is a major tourist destination and pilgrimage site for people of different faiths, with the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, both revered by Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest sites, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a primary Islamic site, located in Jerusalem's East.

Since December 2022, a new government by Benjamin Netanyahu has been formed, and tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have grown significantly. The government is the most right-end in Israel's history. It includes ministers, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, holding a strong nationalist ideology. Itamar Ben-Gvir is known for his controversial views on issues such as Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Palestinian statehood, and the treatment of Arab Israelis. He is a vocal opponent of the peace process. He has been associated with several acts of extremism and incitement, leading many to view him as a divisive figure in Israeli politics. The international community is notoriously divided over the issue of Israeli control of East Jerusalem. Some countries recognize Israel's sovereignty over the city, while others do not. The issue has led to debates and negotiations, with some countries supporting Israel and others supporting the Palestinians. Despite international efforts to resolve the conflict, the situation remains unresolved, and tensions continue to simmer in Jerusalem and the wider region.

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31.01.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Global warming may induce pathogenic fungi to be more dangerous for human health

Pathogenic fungi are common fungi that cause disease in humans or other organisms. Approximately 300 fungi are pathogenic to humans, mainly to immune-compromised subjects such as HIV-infected or organ-transplanted people. Among pathogenic fungi, we find Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus, which can cause diseases such as vaginal candidiasis, fungal nail infection, aspergillosis and cryptococcus infection. Healthy people with a functional immune system usually don't have to worry about these diseases since symptoms disappear without treatment.

However, all that may be about to change: a new study by a team of scientists at Duke University School of Medicine and published on January 20 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that raised temperatures can cause a pathogenic fungus - known as Cryptococcus deneoformans - to turn its adaptative responses. Briefly, high temperatures increase its genetic changes, some of which may lead to higher heat resistance and more significant disease-causing potential. Specifically, higher heat induces changes in a specific region of its DNA called jumping genes, thus allowing the fungus to adapt to extreme environmental conditions (and, therefore, to increased resilience in general). The study suggests that high temperatures may contribute to the evolution of pathogenic traits in fungi during infection. Similar mechanisms in various fungi species may evolve faster than expected due to rising global temperatures.

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27.01.2023
THEME: WORLD

Advanced genetics is unlocking the mysteries behind hair loss

Body hair is a defining mammalian characteristic, but several mammals, such as whales, naked mole rats and humans, have notably less hair. The evolutionary mechanism of body hair loss is well understood: some animals do not have hair on their entire body because it is not necessary for survival or reproduction. For example, certain marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales, have little to no body hair because it would harm their ability to swim efficiently. Similarly, some animals that live in hot environments may have less hair as it helps them to regulate their body temperature. It is believed that also humans have evolved to have hairless skin because it allows them to regulate their body temperature. Humans have evolved to have efficient sweat glands, which help them to cool down by sweating. Fur can trap heat and make it difficult for an organism to cool down, which would be detrimental in hot environments. Additionally, the development of clothing and other body coverings has also made fur unnecessary for human survival.

Even though all these facts are known and understood, the genetic mechanism of body hair growth is still a mystery. A recent study by scientists from the University of Utah, published in the journal Elife, unlocked the mystery by examining how hairlessness evolved in different species at different times. By comparing the human genetic code with those of 62 other mammals, including elephants, manatees and chimpanzees, they managed to identify the genes involved in the expression of body hair. To find the genetic basis of reduced hair quantity, the scientists compared more than 19,000 genes and, through cutting-edge methods, narrowed their focus to those linked to keeping or losing body hair. Many genes linked to hair growth contain instructions for making the protein keratin, which forms hair, nails and the skin’s outer layer. The authors found that although the genes for a complete covering of body hair remain in our genetic code, they have been muted and lost their function.

This study marks the first time genetic mechanisms behind various hair traits have been studied in such a diverse group of mammals. Using a novel computational approach, which allows for estimating the genome evolution rate, the research team was able to identify genes and processes that no one knew to be involved in hair growth or hairlessness in mammals. This study and the method used may pave the way for finding out how to treat genetic conditions such as baldness.

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26.01.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Low fertility rates are an economic issue for many countries and Japan is acting on it

Over the past 50 years, the world has witnessed a steep decline in fertility rates in virtually every country on Earth. The global fertility rate measures how many children per couple are born yearly. Worldwide, it changed from a value of 5 in 1951 to a value of 2.4 in 2022 - a decrease of more than 50%. While this measures the world average, it is worth noting that the fertility rate changes radically among different countries. While many African countries maintain high fertility rates, the countries driving the world's economy had 2022 fertility rates below the so-called "replacement threshold", which is the rate required to maintain the population - identified in a value of 2. For instance, the EU has a fertility rate of 1.6, with low peaks in Italy and Greece at about 1.3. China had 1.7, the US 1.8, all the way down to 1.4 and 1.1 for Japan and South Korea, respectively.

The main reasons for the decline are the social factors related to increasing prosperity. The most relevant aspect is access to high education, which delays the decision to conceive a baby for many couples. The social condition of women has improved drastically in the latest decades, which caused many to delay procreation to favour career development. Age is undoubtedly the most critical factor affecting a woman's fertility. While good health improves the chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby, it doesn't override the effects of age. A woman in her early to mid-20s has a 25–30% chance of getting pregnant every month. Fertility generally starts to reduce when a woman is in her early 30s and more so after age 35. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any monthly cycle is only around 5%.

On top of this trend, it recently became clear that environmental and lifestyle factors also have an essential impact. Besides increasing obesity in the population, which is known to hinder procreation, a recent study published in Human Reproduction Update reported for the first time an analysis of the evolution of sperm quality. The result of the study indicates that, over the past 50 years, human sperm counts have fallen by more than 50% around the globe. If the findings are confirmed and the decline continues, it could have important implications for human reproduction. The review, and its conclusions, have sparked a debate among experts. Some say the findings are real and urgent, but others say the data do not convince them. However, more studies are being published to find possible explanations for this trend. For example, scientists observed the harmful effects of microplastics - already known to harm several lifeforms - on male reproduction and sperm quality. More scrutiny is also dedicated to the several chemicals employed throughout modern societies.

Arguably, many elements are driving our species into an infertility trap. If we are to avoid it, it is vital to adopt social, political, environmental and lifestyle changes to bring this situation under control. For the first time, a robust political signal was launched in this direction just a few days ago by Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who openly recognized the country's population crisis and its implications for Japan's economy. He said Japan was "on the brink of being unable to maintain social functions" due to the falling birth rate. In a policy address to lawmakers, Fumio Kishida said it was a case of solving the issue "now or never" and that it "simply cannot wait any longer. In thinking of the sustainability and inclusiveness of our nation's economy and society, we place child-rearing support as our most important policy". Kishida added that he wants the government to double its spending on child-related programs and that a new government agency would be set up in April to focus on the issue.

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23.01.2023
THEME: WORLD

International tensions grow over Ukraine crisis: is a terrible war really coming?

The tensions between the European Union and Russia have grown over the Ukraine war in the last two months. They reached a maximum during the night between November 15 and 16, 2022, when two explosions by Russian-made missiles reached a small village in Poland, right at the border with Ukraine, making two dead. An emergency meeting was held between NATO and G7 members (the G20 in Bali was ongoing then). However, a confrontation did not occur, with Russia denying responsibility and the uncertainty of the strike source. After the event, Russia hit the whole Ukraine territory with missiles, mainly targeting energy and military facilities, civil buildings, and city centres.

Consequently, on November 23, the European Parliament declared Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism" over the "brutal and inhumane" acts inflicted upon Ukraine and its citizens since the launch of the invasion. A few hours after the vote, the EU Parliament's official website was down due to a "sophisticated cyberattack". The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola declared that a pro-Kremlin group had claimed responsibility. In the meantime, Kyiv was left without water and electricity after new Russian strikes caused power outages across Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova. Authorities in Lviv, western Ukraine, also reported that the "whole city" was without electricity after fresh Russian rocket attacks. The Russian strikes continued in the following weeks. Due to the Russian strikes, on November 25, more than 6 million households were without power, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On December 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin met his German counterpart, Olaf Scholz, over the phone. He told him that Moscow's attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure were "inevitable". The Kremlin raised attention to the destructive line of Western states, including Germany, pumping the Kyiv regime with weapons and training the Ukrainian military. Putin said that "political and financial support" from Ukraine's Western allies leads to the fact that Kyiv completely rejects the idea of any negotiations. On the other hand, Scholz condemned Russian airstrikes against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and stressed Germany's determination to support the Ukrainians in ensuring their defence capabilities against Russian aggression. In the meantime, the European Union reached a consensus on the price to cap Russian oil just days before its ban on most imports comes into force. The bloc's 27 member states agreed to set the cap at $60 a barrel. Although Russia previously warned that it would stop supplying countries that adhere to the cap, it means that their income from oil sales will necessarily decrease.

On December 5, attacks killed three people and damaged two strategic nuclear bombers in separate blasts at two Russian airfields. One of these airfields - Engels, located 500 kilometres east of Ukraine's border in the Saratov region - was attacked through drones. The other, located southeast of Moscow, was hit by a fuel tanker explosion that caused the three deaths. Russian regional governors have repeatedly blamed Ukraine for these cross-border attacks on their soil. Still, Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility. Russian massive attacks continued until the end of December, leaving millions without electricity in the upcoming winter.

In December, several bilateral meetings took place where leaders discussed the Ukraine crisis. On December 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting President of the European Council Charles Michel met to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation between the EU and China. Among other topics, Xi and Michel exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi expounded on China's position, noting that a political settlement of the crisis best serves Europe's interests and the common interests of all countries in Eurasia. China will remain on the side of peace and continue to play a constructive role in its way, Xi said. On December 19, Putin visited his close ally and strongman Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus. His arrival in Minsk came hours after Russian forces launched a swarm of attack drones at critical infrastructure in Kyiv, which provoked emergency blackouts in a dozen Ukrainian regions. Belarus, which relies on Moscow for cheap oil and loans, has so far resisted outright unification with Russia despite being a key ally in the war. However, earlier in October, Belarus announced the formation of a joint regional force with Moscow, fuelling concerns Minsk could also send troops to Ukraine. Until today, however, Belarus did not directly join the war. On December 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington to thank US leaders and the Americans for their support. He pledged there would be "no compromises" in trying to bring an end to the war. President Joe Biden and Congress responded with billions in new assistance and a pledge to help Ukraine pursue a "just peace." Mr Zelensky said that "just peace is no compromises. The war would end once we restore Ukraine's sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity."

On January 5, Putin met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone conversation. In light of Erdogan's readiness to mediate a political solution to the conflict, Putin reiterated that Russia is open to serious dialogue. He added that Kyiv must meet demands, with the due account taken of the new territorial realities. According to the Kremlin, Putin and Erdogan also discussed the agreements reached in Istanbul to export Ukrainian grain and unblock Russian food and fertilizer exports. A few hours after the call, Putin ordered his troops to observe a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine over Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 6-7. However, this pause did not lead to any negotiation table, with Kyiv accusing the Kremlin of "cynical propaganda".

The Ukraine crisis has yet to have a favourable negotiation in sight today. In the last few weeks, the US and its allies have decided further to sustain the Ukrainian army in its military objectives. On January 19, the US expressed its will to support Ukraine in retaking all territory until Crimea. These days the allies are deciding on providing long-range missiles, tanks, and new weapons to Ukraine. A lengthy debate revolved around providing German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, which was approved today, January 23. In the meantime, the Kremlin is threatening that new weapons for Kyiv will cause a 'global catastrophe' as it is pushing the world to a terrible war.

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19.01.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Ultrasound treatments are being proven effective against neurodegenerative disorders

With more than 80 billion interconnected neuronal cells, the human brain is one of science's yet unsolved big mysteries. It is arguably the most irreplaceable organ of our body, the virtual space in which our existence occurs. The brain is at the base of most neurological diseases associated with ageing. Although the exact science remains opaque, scientists and doctors recently demonstrated that ultrasounds could attenuate or reverse some neurological conditions. With the advancement of brain diagnostic technologies and ultrasounds, these methods are increasing efficacy. Soon, they will help treat many common diseases - such as essential tremors.

Essential tremor is a neurological disorder which causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking. The condition can affect almost any body part. Still, the tremors typically occur in hands even during simple tasks such as eating, drinking or writing. The tremor is usually more prominent on one side of the body and can worsen with movement. It's most common in people 40 and older, affecting 25 million worldwide. Dr Jeff Elias - from the UVA neurosurgery clinic in Virginia - is a pioneer in treating essential tremors using ultrasound waves. Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive therapeutic technology that sends sound waves to specific brain parts. Targeting precise structures deep in the brain can restore the function of faulty circuits, and it has been demonstrated - in some cases - to stop and cure essential tremors.

Focused ultrasound is currently regarded as an alternative treatment for patients that are irresponsive to conventional ones. However, it does have several advantages compared to other methods. The therapy would involve a diagnostic phase where the patient undergoes MRI and CT scans so doctors can use the resulting images to map the brain's structure and the target. Before receiving high-intensity, focused ultrasound, patients must have their heads shaved since air can sometimes get trapped in hair and disturb the therapy. There are reports of patients who got rid of any tremor after only 44 seconds of focused ultrasounds. But the range of applications continues beyond this particular disease. There are more than 170 clinical uses including for neurodegenerative disorders and tumours of the brain, breast, lung, and prostate, and the field is growing. Today, focused ultrasound technology is used globally in various stages, including clinical trials and approved regulatory use.

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17.01.2023
THEME: WORLD

In Peru' there are escalating and violent protests against the government

The year 2023 started with a certain political turmoil in South America. The transition of power in Brazil was far from smooth, with ex-president Bolsonaro's supporters trying to overthrow the new government of Lula - who won the elections in October 2022. A different but equally problematic process is now ongoing in Peru', where violent protests erupted in late 2022 and escalated these days into large manifestations against the government.

Protests began after Congress removed President Pedro Castillo on December 7, who was arrested and sentenced to 18 months of pre-trial detention on rebellion charges. Voters elected Castillo from a crowded field of candidates in 2021, following years of political crises and during a pandemic that hit Peru harder than most countries. He is a former teacher and union leader who had never held elected office before becoming president. He came from rural Peru and positioned himself as a man of the people. Many of his supporters hail from poorer regions, hoping Castillo would bring better prospects to the country's rural and indigenous people. Castillo's supporters had high hopes he could bring better representation to the poor, standing up to elites. Once in office, however, his support tumbled amid corruption scandals, party infighting, and congressional opposition. Castillo struggled to govern, naming five prime ministers and more than 80 ministers during his short presidency. Once embroiled in multiple corruption investigations, he tried to illegally dissolve Congress ahead of a planned impeachment vote. He was impeached and removed from office and is currently accused of crimes of rebellion and conspiracy, which he has denied. Still, Castillo retained supporters, who see him as a victim of political elites and a widely unpopular and corrupt Congress. After his removal, the vice president, Dina Boluarte, ascended to the job as Peru's sixth president in five years.

His supporters started manifesting days after his removal, demanding his release in what some have described as a "national insurgency". Airports and highways became the site of some clashes, and hundreds of foreign tourists were stranded in the country. As a result, in December, a state of emergency was imposed by Boluarte's government, suspending several constitutional rights, such as freedom of movement and assembly. Troops were deployed on the streets. To date, dozens have died in clashes with security forces. The authorities are using firearms, justifying the use of force with the alleged protesters' use of improvised explosives and weapons. The government is now extending this emergency state for the next month. Several top ministers have resigned since protests began. The former Minister of Labor, Eduardo García Birmisa, resigned on Thursday, calling Peru's president to apologize and hold general elections, according to the letter on his Twitter account. Former Minister of Interior Victor Rojas Herrera and Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations Grecia Rojas Ortiz resigned the following day. Despite mounting political pressure, Boluarte has said she has no intentions of leaving office. In the meantime, Lima was braced for new rallies this week as thousands of demonstrators mobilized Monday towards the capital. More significant protests are now foreseen in the capital Lima in the next few days.

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14.01.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be based on gut microbes

Gut microbiota is the collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi in the human digestive tract. The gut microbiota has broad impacts, including protection against pathogens, maintaining the intestinal epithelium, metabolizing dietary and pharmaceutical compounds, and controlling immune function and behaviour. The microbial composition of the gut microbiota varies across regions of the digestive tract. The colon contains the highest microbes density recorded in any habitat on Earth, representing between 300 and 1000 different species. Bacteria are the largest and, to date, the best-studied component - 99% of gut bacteria - is made of about 30 to 40 species. The relationship between gut microbiota and humans is not merely a non-harmful coexistence but rather a mutualism. Some human gut microorganisms benefit the host by fermenting dietary fibres and also play a role in synthesizing vitamin B and vitamin K and metabolizing bile acids, sterols and synthetic chemicals. Dysregulation of the gut microbiota has been linked with several diseases, such as asthma, bowel inflammatory disease, autoimmune diseases and even depression. Recently, a study has established a strong link with a dangerous but common type of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is when women without diabetes are diagnosed with glucose intolerance during pregnancy, typically in the second or third trimester. Approximately 10% of pregnant women worldwide are diagnosed with GDM. Risk factors include increased maternal age, obesity, family history of diabetes and history of giving birth to large infants. Consequences of GDM have a wide range of complications for both the mother (e.g., pre-eclampsia, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) and the neonate (e.g., macrosomia and hypo-glycaemia). Many complications are preventable if GDM is detected and appropriately managed. Reasonable control is achieved by nutrition, exercise and insulin administration - if necessary - along with heightened monitoring during labour and delivery. However, an earlier detection (for example, during the first trimester) may allow for an anticipated action, possibly reducing GDM-associated short and long-term risks.

A study published in the scientific journal Gut shows that gut microbiota plays a role in GDM pathogenesis. In particular, scientists profiled the gut microbiota and clinical records of 394 women during the first trimester of pregnancy. They found alterations in the gut microbiota composition in women who later developed GMD. This study could provide relevant insights to prevent the development of GDM. Recognition of women at high risk of GDM at an early stage of pregnancy may allow specific recommendations for the prevention of the disease simply by lifestyle modification and, in the future, by specific intervention to equilibrate the gut microbiota.

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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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