Interview: Dr. Matthew Bergin, an Experimental Physicist at The University of Newcastle, Australia

Pooja Kashyap

I’m thrilled to introduce Dr. Matthew Bergin, a rising star in the world of Organic Electronics research. Armed with a Master of Science degree in Natural Sciences and a Ph.D. in Physics from the prestigious University of Cambridge, Dr. Bergin is making waves with his groundbreaking work at the Centre for Organic Electronics (COE). Dr. Bergin went deep into studying how things work in scanning helium microscopy. He was in charge of creating a better electron ionization mass spectrometer during his Ph.D. research. It’s like he’s breaking new ground in…

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Interview: Dr. Alex Greilich, an Experimental Physicist at TU Dortmund University, Germany

Pooja Kashyap

Meet Dr. Alex Greilich, an experimental physicist who started his journey from Russia to his current endeavors in Germany. Venturing beyond mere theory, he dives headfirst into the intricate world of semiconductor nanostructures and spin dynamics, unearthing remarkable phenomena like time crystals along the way. Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Ioffe Institute, (research center within the Russian Academy of Sciences) Dr. Greilich’s work pushes the boundaries of what we know about the universe.

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Heart Healing: Microenvironment’s Role in Cardiac Recovery

Pooja Kashyap

A group of scientists led by James F. Martin, has been delving deep into the intricacies of cardiac function at The Texas Heart Institute. Their objective is to illuminate the innate regenerative potential of the heart. At a global level, the primary challenges associated with heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions, stem from unhealthy lifestyle choices and genetic predispositions. Also, surviving a heart attack doesn’t guarantee immunity from severe damage to the heart muscles. The cardiomyocytes are severely affected.

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Book Review: Blindness by José Saramago

Pooja Kashyap

“Blindness” is written by José Saramago. It was first published in 1995. The author is widely regarded as one of Portugal’s greatest literary figures, and his novel “Blindness” stands as a testament to his talent and artistic vision. The book is not written in traditional punctuation and paragraph structures; may be because the writer intended to cultivate a stream of voices that mirror the concept of blindness in its multifaceted manifestations.

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MK03: Key Player in Multiple Sclerosis Pathway

Pooja Kashyap

To achieve a holistic understanding of multiple sclerosis, an international team of scientists led by the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University, has devised a computational biology instrument. This innovation also holds potential for probing into other intricate illnesses, like various forms of dementia. Understanding multiple sclerosis is not that easy. It’s an autoimmune condition. In such a situation, the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord. Gaining insights as to why it happens is slightly tricky, as it involves everything, from genes…

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Evolution of Life’s Molecular Systems: Insights into the Rise of Nanomachines

Pooja Kashyap

Researchers at Université de Montréal (UdeM) have made a significant discovery regarding the evolution of molecular systems crucial to the development of life. Through the linking of molecules, they have uncovered insights into the emergence of intricate self-regulating mechanisms. Alexis Vallée-Bélisle, a professor at UdeM and the lead researcher of the investigation, explained that life’s sustenance on our planet stems from myriad nanostructures. These nanomachines have undergone evolution over countless years.

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Book Review: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

Pooja Kashyap

Writers, let me be more specific, science fiction writers are visionaries. Pick up any sci-fi classic, isn’t the themes and repercussions hint at some kind of inevitability? Every science fiction novel that I have read so far has given us a peek into the future and help us understand where our current choices might lead us. Within this genre, themes and repercussions often serve as cautionary tales or reflections of contemporary societal issues. For me, Kurt Vonnegut is one of the names that fall into the category of absolute literary…

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Book Review: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Pooja Kashyap

Lately, I’ve been exploring the dystopian genre, relying on recommendations from Goodreads since I’m not very familiar with it. “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro is my first foray into his work, and it’s a masterpiece of literary fiction. Interestingly, it also evokes comparisons to my favorite author, Margaret Atwood and Lois Lowry. I’ll delve into that connection shortly, but first, let me share my thoughts on this captivating novel. “Never Let Me Go” is an interesting science fiction novel written by British author Kazuo Ishiguro, published in 2005.…

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Biofilm Microstructure Could Enhance Pathogenic Infection Control: Microbial Ecology

Pooja Kashyap

Generally, bacteria are envisioned as tiny, single-cell organisms scattered thinly on surfaces or floating in liquids. However, in various settings, bacteria prefer to grow in clusters known as biofilms. The formation of biofilms provides certain advantages to bacteria. In these clusters, bacteria can collaborate and create a protective environment that enhances their survival and growth. Biofilms, while aiding in kombucha tea production, present a challenge by complicating the control of bacterial growth. When bacteria form a biofilm, it acts like a protective shield, making the cells resistant to antibiotics.

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Interview: Professor Roberto Maiolino, an Astrophysicist at Cavendish Lab, UK

Pooja Kashyap

I am honored to introduce Professor Roberto  Maiolino, an esteemed figure in the field of Experimental Astrophysics. Currently holding the position of Professor at the Department of Physics (Cavendish Laboratory) and the Kavli Institute for Cosmology, University of Cambridge, Dr. Maiolino also serves as an Honorary Professor at University College London and holds the prestigious title of Royal Society Research Professor. With a primary focus on the exploration of galaxy formation and the evolution of supermassive black holes, Professor Maiolino employs a diverse array of observing facilities to unravel the…

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Book Review: The Brilliant Abyss by Dr. Helen Scales

Pooja Kashyap

“The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean and the Looming Threat that Imperils It” is an awesome work by Dr. Helen Scales. The book was first published in 2021. Dr. Scales is a distinguished marine biologist, accomplished writer, and captivating broadcaster. With an impressive repertoire of books exploring the wonders of the ocean, including the Guardian bestseller “Spirals in Time” and the New York Times top summer read “The Brilliant Abyss,” Dr. Scales has established herself as a leading voice in marine literature.

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Electron Dance: Creating Robust Continuous Time Crystals

Pooja Kashyap

Researchers at TU Dortmund University have achieved a breakthrough by creating a remarkably resilient time crystal. It exceeds the temporal stability observed in previous trials by millions of times. This accomplishment not only validates a captivating phenomenon proposed by Nobel Prize laureate Frank Wilczek approximately a decade ago but also echoes themes that have fascinated science fiction enthusiasts. The intriguing findings have been officially documented in the prestigious journal Nature Physics.

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Biohybrid Bipedal: Muscle-Powered Two-Legged Robot

Pooja Kashyap

Unlike robots, our bodies are super flexible and can make delicate moves effortlessly. Components like muscles, joints, and nerves work in tandem and allow us to make precise and delicate movements with ease. Robots, on the other hand, rely on rigid structures and predefined movements; in contrast, our bodies can adapt and respond dynamically to various situations.

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Book Review: Twilight of Idols and Anti-Christ by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Pooja Kashyap

Friedrich Nietzsche’s ” Twilight of Idols and Anti-Christ” sharply criticizes the dominant values, institutions, and beliefs of his era. Accordingly, this bold work encourages readers to challenge their own assumptions and fearlessly explore long-accepted traditional ideas. “Twilight of the Idols” was penned in 1888, while “The Anti-Christ”, was composed shortly after in the same year. And Nietzsche’s mental breakdown occurred in early January 1889, just a short time after completing these works.

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Mitochondrial Energy Crisis: Unraveling the Alzheimer’s Puzzle

Pooja Kashyap

Brain cells crave immense energy to survive and communicate through connections known as synapses. These cells are like energy enthusiasts, which are busy in making way through synapses. But, in the Alzheimer’s scenario, it’s like they’re facing an energy crisis. This messes up their power production. And so, it leads to crumbling down of the synapses and consequently, our fresh memories slowly slip away.

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