Thomas Smith

Aug 29, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Thomas Smith |Thomas Bell |Quqiming Duan |Thomas Edward Clegg

AbstractBy conservative estimates, microbes make up about 17% of the world's biomass and are essential for most ecosystem functions. However, the mechanisms driving the variation in microbial species diversity in response to both natural and anthropogenic temperature gradients remain unclear. In this study, we integrate ecological metabolic theory with a community assembly model to predict that microbial community diversity generally follows a unimodal pattern with temperature.

Jun 9, 2024 | nature.com | Thomas Smith |Ilaria Dorigatti

AbstractPrevious work has shown that environmental variables affect SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but it is unclear whether different strains show similar environmental responses. Here we leverage genetic data on the transmission of three (Alpha, Delta and Omicron BA.1) variants of SARS-CoV-2 throughout England, to unpick the roles that climate and public-health interventions play in the circulation of this virus.

Aug 22, 2023 | nature.com | Thomas Smith

In an ideal world, palliative care specialists would encounter cancer and other patients with all their germline genetic testing done and all their families’ questions answered. Unfortunately, that is not the case. From 2012 to 2019, only 6.8% of 1.3 million cancer patients had germline DNA testing done. The testing was highest in men with breast cancer – but only 50% when it should be close to 100%.

Aug 16, 2023 | onthetrail.klwines.com | Thomas Smith

The Yarra is Australia’s Burgundy. Many of Australia’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is made here. But what I find most captivating are the alternative varieties of the region: spicy cool-climate Syrah, exceptionally balanced Bordeaux blends, and intensely aromatic Nebbiolos. The wide variety of topography and a vast number of microclimates allow the production of many different varieties at an extremely high quality across the board.

Feb 7, 2023 | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

A January investigation by Seznam Zprávy found that “inappropriate behavior” by two lecturers at the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University was an “open secret” that nobody tackled. According to students who spoke out, this had been ongoing for a long period of time. In May last year, six current and former students at the faculty compiled a letter of complaint, alleging multiple instances of alleged “sexual pressure, sexist comments or problematic behavior,” on the part of certain teachers.