Milo Lab @WIS
@milolabwis.bsky.social
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
4/ Using a simple machine-learning model trained on our data, we inferred rates for all ≈68,000 known rubiscos based on sequences. Predictions suggest the same story: after 3.5 billion years of evolution, nature’s carbon-fixing engine runs at best at ≈30 reactions per second… and that’s it.
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
3/ The faster rubiscos (15–30 s⁻¹) are found in a few sequence clusters, usually associated with microaerobic environments or CO₂-concentrating mechanisms. We explored further rubiscos from these clusters and found a plateau: no faster variants beyond ≈30 s⁻¹. Has evolution hit a ceiling?
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
November 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
2/ We systematically characterized rubiscos from the three domains of life, doubling known kinetic diversity. Despite big genetic variation, all stay in a narrow range: most fix CO₂ at <10 s⁻¹, and none exceed ≈30 s⁻¹ at 30 °C... still slow compared to typical metabolic enzymes (≈80 s⁻¹).
5/ Quantifying the biomass movement of all animals and humans reveals the dominant place of humanity on Earth. It is associated with key ecological functions that shape ecosystems and climate, and highlights species whose movement may matter more for conservation.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
5/ Quantifying the biomass movement of all animals and humans reveals the dominant place of humanity on Earth. It is associated with key ecological functions that shape ecosystems and climate, and highlights species whose movement may matter more for conservation.
4/ The awe-inspiring African Serengeti migration, with ~1 million wildebeest, zebras & gazelles, barely moves as much biomass as attending the FIFA World Cup or an annual Hajj. But the biggest migration of all? The daily vertical dance of plankton & tiny fish in the ocean.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
4/ The awe-inspiring African Serengeti migration, with ~1 million wildebeest, zebras & gazelles, barely moves as much biomass as attending the FIFA World Cup or an annual Hajj. But the biggest migration of all? The daily vertical dance of plankton & tiny fish in the ocean.
3/ The ocean still holds the most biomass movement on Earth, but it has been down 60% since 1850, mainly from over-fishing and whaling. Meanwhile, human biomass movement rose by 4000% driven by industrialization and population growth.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
3/ The ocean still holds the most biomass movement on Earth, but it has been down 60% since 1850, mainly from over-fishing and whaling. Meanwhile, human biomass movement rose by 4000% driven by industrialization and population growth.
2/ Biomass movement = the total mass of animal species × the distance it travels per year.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
2/ Biomass movement = the total mass of animal species × the distance it travels per year.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
We used hundreds of studies and datasets to quantify it globally.
On land, birds, mammals & insects move most, but their combined biomass movement is ~40× smaller than that of humans.
5/ Quantitative estimates such as these establish historical baselines of wild animal populations, so that we can avoid the shifting baseline syndrome - a gradual change in the accepted norms for the condition of the natural environment
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
5/ Quantitative estimates such as these establish historical baselines of wild animal populations, so that we can avoid the shifting baseline syndrome - a gradual change in the accepted norms for the condition of the natural environment
4/ While historical wild mammal biomass estimates have various uncertainties and caveats, they provide a complementary perspective to species extinctions and other metrics in tracking the status of wildlife
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
4/ While historical wild mammal biomass estimates have various uncertainties and caveats, they provide a complementary perspective to species extinctions and other metrics in tracking the status of wildlife
3/ Zooming in on marine mammals, their global biomass declined by ≈70% since the 1850s, despite a moderate increase in recent decades. This provides a broader perspective to observed extinctions, with ≈2% of marine mammal species recorded as extinct during the same period
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
3/ Zooming in on marine mammals, their global biomass declined by ≈70% since the 1850s, despite a moderate increase in recent decades. This provides a broader perspective to observed extinctions, with ≈2% of marine mammal species recorded as extinct during the same period
2/ We estimate that wild mammal biomass globally in 1850 was ≈200 Mt, roughly equal to that of humans and their domesticated mammals combined at the time. Since then, human and domesticated mammal biomass has risen to ≈1100 Mt, while wild mammal biomass decreased to ≈60 Mt
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
2/ We estimate that wild mammal biomass globally in 1850 was ≈200 Mt, roughly equal to that of humans and their domesticated mammals combined at the time. Since then, human and domesticated mammal biomass has risen to ≈1100 Mt, while wild mammal biomass decreased to ≈60 Mt
6/ Advances in efficiency and low-impact electricity sources could improve the future outlook for vertical farming. Ultimately, we need to carefully consider whether and how best vertical farming contributes to sustainable and secure food production roadmaps
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
6/ Advances in efficiency and low-impact electricity sources could improve the future outlook for vertical farming. Ultimately, we need to carefully consider whether and how best vertical farming contributes to sustainable and secure food production roadmaps
5/ Electricity use alone also leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. Overall, we find limited environmental benefits afforded by vertical farming with current electricity options
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
5/ Electricity use alone also leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. Overall, we find limited environmental benefits afforded by vertical farming with current electricity options
4/ For vertically-farmed vegetable production, electricity is also at least as costly as current production in the field. However, future advances in vertical farming and electricity generation may improve the longer-term economic viability of vertically-farmed vegetables
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
4/ For vertically-farmed vegetable production, electricity is also at least as costly as current production in the field. However, future advances in vertical farming and electricity generation may improve the longer-term economic viability of vertically-farmed vegetables
3/ Using back-of-the-envelope calculations, we find that the electricity cost alone of vertical farming is over one order-of-magnitude (>10x) more expensive than producing current dried staple crops (e.g. wheat and rice)
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
3/ Using back-of-the-envelope calculations, we find that the electricity cost alone of vertical farming is over one order-of-magnitude (>10x) more expensive than producing current dried staple crops (e.g. wheat and rice)
2/ In recent years, billions of dollars have been invested in growing plants indoors on stacked shelves (vertical farming) as a potential resilient and sustainable food source. However, vertical farming needs a lot of electricity for powering plant growth using artificial light
July 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
2/ In recent years, billions of dollars have been invested in growing plants indoors on stacked shelves (vertical farming) as a potential resilient and sustainable food source. However, vertical farming needs a lot of electricity for powering plant growth using artificial light
6/ Advances in efficiency and low-impact electricity sources could improve the future outlook for vertical farming. Ultimately, we need to carefully consider whether and how best vertical farming contributes to sustainable and secure food production roadmaps
July 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
6/ Advances in efficiency and low-impact electricity sources could improve the future outlook for vertical farming. Ultimately, we need to carefully consider whether and how best vertical farming contributes to sustainable and secure food production roadmaps