Saima M. Sidik

2 months ago | thetransmitter.org | Saima M. Sidik |Paul Middlebrooks |Claudia Lopez Lloreda |Terrence Sejnowski

Saima Sidik is a freelance science writer and editor based in Somerville, Massachusetts, who writes mainly about life sciences and climate change. She has an M.Sc. degree in microbiology and immunology from Dalhousie University, and she spent many years researching the pathogens Shigella flexneri and Toxoplasma gondii. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

Nov 27, 2024 | scientificamerican.com | Saima M. Sidik

A shared meal, a kiss on the cheek: these social acts bring people together — and bring their microbiomes together, too. The more people interact, the more similar the make-up of their gut microorganisms is, even if individuals don’t live in the same household, a study shows. The study also found that a person’s microbiome is shaped not only by their social contacts but also by the social contacts’ connections.

Sep 26, 2024 | science.org | Saima M. Sidik

The discovery of an eastern red cedar log, buried in eastern Canada for millennia and nearly perfectly preserved, illustrates the potential of a new kind of carbon storage scheme in the fight against climate change: wood “vaults.” The log shows how burying wood—rather than letting it decay on the surface—could keep billions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere, advocates say.

Aug 20, 2024 | islandinstitute.org | Saima M. Sidik

In case there was any doubt, our August heat wave makes it clear that summer is in full swing. Summer means the beach, with all the weird sea creatures it has to offer. Among these weirdos is the tropical sea cucumber, Holothuria leucospilota, which is mainly found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. As soft bodied, slow-moving animals, sea cucumbers seem pretty vulnerable, but they have a weapon up their sleeves.

May 22, 2024 | technologyreview.jp | Saima M. Sidik

生物工学／医療 Insider Online限定 Tiny faux organs could crack the mystery of menstruation 重い月経に悩まされている女性は少なくないが、その悩みを解消する決定的な方法はまだ見つかっていない。月経を持つ動物は珍しく、本格的な研究が進まなかったためだ。しかし、ヒトの細胞から作るオルガノイドが、そうした状況を変えつつある。 by Saima Sidik2024.05.23 0 培養皿の中央には白い膜が見えた。光が適切に当たらなければ見えないような目立たない膜だ。生殖生物学者のアイセ・ニハン・キリンクがその培養皿を顕微鏡に設置すると、スクリーンに画像が映し出された。キリンクが顕微鏡の焦点を合わせると、その白い膜は内部が半透明で薄い黒い境目を持つ液滴のような球体の集合体であることがわかった。顕微鏡の拡大映像には、球体は25セント硬貨ほどの小さなものからゴルフボールほどの大きなものまで映っていた。しかし、各球体の実際の大きさは砂粒数個ほどに過ぎなかった。...