A little taste of everything that’s out there
The book The Short Story of the Universe really does have it all.
Diana Gitig
–
|
54
Diana Gitig
Associate Writer
dmgitig@gmail.com
Diana received her B.A. in Biochemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, and then a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Genetics from Cornell. Now she is a freelance science writer and editor in New York. Diana likes rock climbing, yoga, swimming, baking, and eating yummy baked treats.
Recent stories by
Diana Gitig
Genetically engineered rice needs less fertilizer, makes more food
The change coupled enhanced photosynthesis with improved nitrogen use.
Diana Gitig
–
|
262
Why don’t most foods cause allergies?
Proteins in food set off an immune response—but a feeble one.
Diana Gitig
–
|
35
Learning physiology by looking at the poisons that shut it down
A cute book, but not nearly as good as Deborah Blum’s The Poisoner’s Handbook.
Diana Gitig
–
|
35
A little bit of everything: The Short Story of Science
A beautiful volume that gives you a taste of most of science’s key advances.
Diana Gitig
–
|
70
It’s a good time to learn the immune system—and this is the book for it
Philipp Dettmer, a self-described immune enthusiast, invites us into his world.
Diana Gitig
–
|
79
Attempt to compare different types of intelligence falls a bit short
Bots and Beasts gets at what makes for intelligence, but SciFi may have done it better.
Diana Gitig
–
|
130
Autism affects the microbiome, not the other way around
Microbiome composition is associated with dietary choices, not a diagnosis of autism.
Diana Gitig
–
|
136
Most Read
Searching for solutions to a crisis decades in the making
A readable book on a depressing subject: the ongoing challenge of plastic pollution.
Diana Gitig
–
|
219
Engineering a second genetic code in parallel with the normal one
As if an Android phone could all of a sudden run iOS at the same time.
Diana Gitig
–
|
64
Holding a mirror to life’s key molecules
Life only works with chemicals that have the right orientations—but chemists don’t.
Diana Gitig
–
|
91
H.G. Wells’ “World Brain” is now here—what have we learned since?
H.G. Wells presented a vision of society that events quickly eclipsed.
Diana Gitig
–
|
139
Maybe not so fast with the phage therapy?
Even though viruses attack harmful bacteria, the immune system attacks viruses.
Diana Gitig
–
|
69
When science breaks bad: A rogues’ gallery of history’s worst scientists
A new book catalogs some of the greatest ethical lapses done in the name of science.
Diana Gitig
–
|
228
Can we keep human inconsistency from confusing expert advice?
Human variability is great—except when it gets in the way of consistent guidance.
Diana Gitig
–
|
100
Researchers force two mice to hang out and induce FOMO in a third
Synchronized activity between brains seems to be the key to socializing.
Diana Gitig
–
|
45
Will SARS-CoV-2 have a long-term impact on the climate?
Pollution is down now, but policy decisions will drive its future direction.
Diana Gitig
–
|
146
The immune system listens in on bacteria signaling to each other
The immune response can be modulated by bacterial signaling molecules.
Diana Gitig
–
|
23
The tree of life may have only two major branches once again
New analyses strongly suggest that all complex cells are a subset of archaea.
Diana Gitig
–
|
70
Attacking agricultural pests with viruses
The phages use a three-pronged strategy to cripple the agricultural pathogen.
Diana Gitig
–
|
46
New antibiotic found in bacteria inside a worm inside an insect egg
It comes from the microbiome of parasitic worms.
Diana Gitig
–
|
75
California’s methane super-emitters
In the Golden State, landfills are the worst, then dairies and the oil/gas sector.
Diana Gitig
–
|
163
The genetic basis of Peruvians’ ability to live at high altitude
It involves changes in the basic oxygen sensing system.
Diana Gitig
–
|
122
Great apes pass a false-belief test, hinting at a theory of mind
Apes may anticipate when a person will wind up believing something in error.
Diana Gitig
–
|
81
Neanderthals were different because their genes were regulated differently
Inferring what ancient humans were like by examining gene control sequences we didn’t get from them.
Diana Gitig
–
|
16
CRISPR used to edit rice DNA as defense against pathogen
Altering rice genes the pathogen needs renders rice strains resistant to blight.
Diana Gitig
–
|
46
Are you a mouse who can’t let go of fear? Your microbiome might be the problem
After antibiotics, mice still fear a tone that they should think is harmless.
Diana Gitig
–
|
75
As we age, we struggle to use landmark-based navigation
Deficits in how we process visual info cause a reliance on geometric features.
Diana Gitig
–
|
62
We can phase out fossil fuels fast without having a burst of warming
The cooling effect of aerosols from burning fossil fuels is already much smaller.
Diana Gitig
–
|
85
AI can diagnose some genetic disorders using photos of faces
DeepGestalt takes faces apart and reassembles them to diagnose genetic disorders.
Diana Gitig
–
|
55
The molecule that helps exercise protect the brain from Alzheimer’s
Gives the phrase “muscle memory” a whole new meaning.
Diana Gitig
–
|
86
Autism involves a large-scale reduction in RNA editing
New work ties things in to the gene behind Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disease.
Diana Gitig
–
|
103
Oh sorry, is eating meat bad for the planet? I didn’t know.
People don’t appreciate the greenhouse gas impact of their food choices.
Diana Gitig
–
|
635
Genetic information as self-fulfilling prophecy
DNA test results can spur relevant physiological changes, even if they’re made up.
Diana Gitig
–
|
47
Just pee in a cup for bladder cancer detection
A 94% accurate diagnosis of bladder cancer using atomic force microscopy on urine.
Diana Gitig
–
|
43
Bacteria engage in chemical warfare against viruses
Bacteria anti-virus armaments include chemicals that stop DNA from being copied.
Diana Gitig
–
|
14