Mapping groundwater aquifers located more than 400 metres beneath the seabed in the coastal area between Jesolo and Lignano. This was the objective of the recently completed oceanographic expedition carried out under the RESCUE project aboard the Laura Bassi research vessel of the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS).

Coordinated by the University of Trieste, with OGS as a project partner, RESCUE aims to strengthen water security through research and innovation by identifying freshwater resources in unexplored coastal and offshore aquifers. Building on recent scientific discoveries, the project is mapping deep, low-salinity aquifers—located at depths exceeding 400 metres—both on land and beneath the seabed. At a time when freshwater resources in coastal regions are increasingly threatened by population growth, pollution and climate change, these aquifers could help supplement water supplies for drinking, agriculture and industry, while also reducing the costs associated with seawater desalination.

Researchers and students from OGS, the University of Trieste, the University of Pisa, CNR-ISMAR (Institute of Marine Sciences of the Italian National Research Council) in Bologna, the University of Malta, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI, California, USA) took part in the expedition aboard the Laura Bassi.

During the campaign, researchers carried out seismic reflection surveys to obtain high-resolution images of the subsurface beneath the seabed, together with seafloor mapping. In addition, electromagnetic surveys were conducted for the first time in the area to detect the possible presence of freshwater aquifers beneath the seabed. The investigations, which did not involve any seabed sampling, covered an area approximately 10 kilometres offshore, extending from Jesolo, in the Province of Venice, to the Tagliamento Delta off the coast of Lignano.

"The surveys were carried out under excellent environmental conditions, and all operations proceeded according to plan. The data collected are of very high quality, but several months of laboratory processing and analysis will be required before we can confirm the presence of freshwater aquifers beneath the northern Adriatic seabed," said Cristina Corradin, OGS researcher and scientific coordinator of the expedition.

"The operations required the integration of several geophysical techniques and close collaboration among the different research teams, the technical and scientific staff, and the ship's crew," explained Daniela Accettella of OGS, chief scientist aboard the Laura Bassi.

"After two years of scientific work, the RESCUE team has successfully applied innovative integrated geophysical methods for investigating deep offshore aquifers in one of the most promising study areas: the seabed of the northern Adriatic, particularly off the coast of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The new data will improve our understanding of regional groundwater resources and contribute to addressing water shortages linked to climate change and extreme events, such as the heatwave and drought currently affecting Europe," said Professor Michele Pipan of the University of Trieste, coordinator of the RESCUE project.

This oceanographic expedition has also laid the groundwork for a second research initiative funded by the European intergovernmental association JPI Oceans. Launched through a joint initiative by Malta and Italy, the new project will seek to confirm the presence of freshwater beneath the northern Adriatic seabed by drilling an offshore scientific borehole—the first of its kind in Europe. The project is coordinated by the University of Malta and involves OGS, the University of Trieste, the Alto Adriatico Technology Hub, as well as research institutions from Germany and Greece. It is funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

RESCUE – Resources in Coastal Groundwater Under Hydroclimatic Extremes is a project co-funded by the Water4All Partnership and the European Union. It addresses water scarcity in coastal regions by investigating deep groundwater resources located both onshore and beneath the seabed. The project focuses on mapping these resources, assessing their long-term sustainability, and developing policy recommendations for their sustainable use.

The project is coordinated by the University of Trieste, with OGS as a partner. Other partners include the University of Derby (United Kingdom), Ruden AS (Norway), and the University of Malta.

Il professor Roberto Scarciglia, già ordinario di Diritto pubblico comparato, è stato nominato Professore Onorario dell'Università di Trieste.

Il prestigioso riconoscimento, conferito a docenti che si sono distinti per l'eccellenza dell'attività scientifica e accademica, assume un significato particolare per l'Ateneo: Scarciglia è infatti il primo docente del Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche e Sociali (DiSPeS) a esserne insignito.

La sua carriera all'Università di Trieste è iniziata nel 1996 come ricercatore ed è proseguita fino al ruolo di professore ordinario, ricoperto dal 2001 al 2021. Nel corso di oltre venticinque anni di attività ha contribuito in maniera significativa allo sviluppo del diritto pubblico comparato e alla crescita del Dipartimento, assumendo importanti responsabilità accademiche, tra cui quelle di Preside della Facoltà di Scienze Politiche, Direttore del Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche e, successivamente, del Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche e Sociali.

Studioso di riconosciuta autorevolezza nel panorama del diritto comparato, è Associate Member dell'International Academy of Comparative Law di Parigi e membro di numerose associazioni scientifiche nazionali e internazionali. Ha coordinato progetti di ricerca italiani ed europei, promosso collaborazioni accademiche con numerosi atenei stranieri e svolto attività di insegnamento e ricerca come visiting professor in prestigiose università europee, tra cui Cambridge, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Barcellona e Francoforte.

La sua attività scientifica, testimoniata da un'ampia produzione di monografie, volumi e saggi pubblicati anche da editori internazionali, ha contribuito allo sviluppo degli studi sul diritto pubblico comparato, sulla metodologia della comparazione giuridica, sul pluralismo giuridico e, negli ultimi anni, sulle implicazioni dell'intelligenza artificiale e delle nuove tecnologie per gli ordinamenti pubblici.

Maria Carolina Foi, Full Professor of German Literature at the Department of Humanities of the University of Trieste, has been elected a member of the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung (German Academy for Language and Literature).

Founded in 1949 and based in Darmstadt, the Academy brings together writers, scholars, and intellectuals who have made outstanding contributions to German-language culture. Its membership also includes jurists and scientists distinguished by their literary sensitivity. Among its members have been figures such as Hannah Arendt, Jürgen Habermas, Ingeborg Bachmann, and Elias Canetti. The Academy also awards the Georg Büchner Prize, the most prestigious lifetime literary award for authors writing in German.

After beginning her academic studies in Law at the University of Padua, Maria Carolina Foi graduated in German Literature from the University of Trieste under the supervision of Claudio Magris.

She subsequently received prestigious research fellowships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts and Culture, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She also served as an External Senior Fellow at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies. Since 2008, she has been Full Professor of German Literature at the University of Trieste. Her main research interests include the relationship between literature and law, Viennese Modernism, and Italian-German cultural transfer. She has translated and edited Italian editions of classics by authors including Heinrich Heine and Friedrich Schiller.

From 2020 to 2024, she served as Distinguished Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Berlin, appointed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In 2025, she joined the jury of the Deutscher Buchpreis, Germany's most prestigious annual award for the best German-language novel.

Her election to the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung confirms Professor Foi's international standing and represents a source of particular pride for the University of Trieste, whose excellence in research has been recognised by one of Europe's most prestigious cultural institutions.

The University of Trieste was represented by Stefano Parolai, Director of the Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, at the meeting "Seismic Risk Prevention in Italy", held at the Italian Senate.

During the event, which brought together institutional representatives, experts, and members of the National Civil Protection System, Professor Parolai presented the contribution of the scientific community to the Italian National Civil Protection Service. He highlighted the essential role of research in advancing the understanding of seismic phenomena, assessing seismic risk, and supporting decision-making to protect communities.

Professor Parolai's participation reflects his role as Deputy Representative for the Seismic Risk Sector of the National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks, the technical and scientific advisory body to the Italian Civil Protection Department. The Commission brings together leading experts from universities and research institutions and provides scientific assessments of the country's major natural and human-induced risks, supporting activities related to forecasting, prevention, and emergency management.

Professor Parolai's appointment to this Commission is an important recognition of the expertise developed at the University of Trieste in the fields of geosciences and seismology. The involvement of a UniTS faculty member in a strategic national advisory body underscores the valuable contribution that university research can make to public institutions in shaping effective policies for risk reduction and the safety of communities.

Which mammals live within the municipal territory of Trieste? Where are they concentrated? How numerous are they? For the first time, these questions can now be answered thanks to research coordinated by Alessio Mortelliti, Professor of Ecology at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Trieste.

The study represents the first systematic survey ever conducted in the Municipality of Trieste on the presence, distribution and abundance of medium- and large-sized mammals. It fills a significant gap in knowledge about the city’s natural heritage and provides essential data for biodiversity conservation and land-use planning.

The research was carried out between November 2025 and February 2026 using a fully non-invasive methodology based on camera trapping. A total of 156 camera traps were installed across 78 monitoring sites distributed throughout the Municipality’s natural and peri-urban habitats, amounting to more than 2,300 observation nights. The cameras, automatically triggered by the passage of animals, made it possible to document wildlife presence without interfering with animal behaviour.

Overall, 18 mammal species were recorded, confirming the high naturalistic value of the Trieste area. Among the most widespread species were roe deer, wild boar and golden jackal. Of particular interest were the detections of the wildcat and European polecat, species of conservation relevance whose presence in an area so close to the city represents a finding of considerable scientific value.

In addition to compiling a checklist of the species present, the researchers used advanced statistical models to produce the first maps showing the probability of occurrence and abundance of the different species across the various environments of the municipal area, from forests and karst landscapes to agricultural and peri-urban zones. This information will make it possible to better understand the relationship between wildlife and habitat and to identify the areas where certain species are most concentrated.

“The results show that Trieste hosts a particularly rich and diverse mammal community,” explains Alessio Mortelliti. “This is not a phenomenon linked to climate change, but rather to the distinctive position of the Trieste area, which is closely connected from an ecological point of view with the Karst and the natural areas of Slovenia. This environmental continuity, together with the expansion of woodland across the Karst in recent decades, has favoured the presence of numerous wild species even close to the city.”

The data collected provide a valuable tool for updating knowledge of the fauna within the municipal territory and may support future activities related to biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, and urban and environmental planning by the Municipality of Trieste.

The project "Generazione Impresa – Young Entrepreneurs of Confcommercio Trieste Meet the Innovators Community Lab (ICL)", developed through the collaboration between the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Confcommercio Trieste and the University of Trieste's Innovators Community Lab, has been selected among the winners of the second edition of the "Best Practices GGI 2026" award, promoted by the National Young Entrepreneurs Group of Confcommercio.

The award, presented by a national evaluation committee on the basis of the quality and impact of the submitted projects, recognizes initiatives capable of transforming ideas and expertise into tangible opportunities for local communities, businesses, and society.

The project was created with the aim of building a lasting bridge between academia and the business world through an innovative Business Speed Dating format. Starting in September, students, PhD candidates, early-career researchers, and entrepreneurs will take part in a series of short, structured meetings followed by networking sessions.

The initiative is designed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among younger generations, encourage the development of entrepreneurial skills, and create meaningful opportunities for dialogue between innovative ideas and market needs. Entrepreneurs will share their experience and strategic vision, while students will have the opportunity to present their projects, test solutions, and receive valuable feedback to support their professional and entrepreneurial development.

The University of Trieste's Innovators Community Lab will contribute to the implementation of the project by providing its facilities, engaging students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers, and supporting both the design and facilitation of the meetings. The ICL will also bring expertise in innovation, prototyping, design thinking, and business modelling, fostering cross-fertilization between research, education, and industry.

The initiative is fully aligned with the mission of the Innovators Community Lab to promote structured collaboration between the University and the local business ecosystem, highlighting the role of entrepreneurs as mentors and students as drivers of innovation. This national recognition confirms the value of a collaborative model aimed at generating new skills, meaningful connections, and sustainable development opportunities for the local community.

UniTS remembers David Clyde Snelling, an extraordinary teacher and humanist, a lover of history and languages, art and music, who has recently passed away.

Having moved to Trieste from England in the early 1970s, he soon joined the then School for Interpreters (SSLMIT) as a lecturer in simultaneous interpretation.

He would remain there for more than 40 years, leaving an indelible mark on the School, of which he also served as Director, and on generations of interpretation students, many of whom went on to become conference interpreters and, thanks in part to his teaching, reached the highest levels of the profession.

His versatility, intellectual vitality, analytical precision, teaching rigour, generosity in his relationships with colleagues and students, and his extensive international network made a fundamental contribution to the life of the institution, helping to consolidate and enhance its prestige worldwide.

Four women and one man, five books exploring science from invisible microorganisms to the sense of touch. Antonella Fioravanti takes readers into the unseen world of microorganisms that sustain the planet's delicate balance (Journey into the Invisible World). Vincenzo Levizzani shows how fog, wind and storms have shaped the course of human history (The History of the World in Ten Storms). Daniela Minerva gives voice to women's knowledge that remained on the margins of mainstream medicine for centuries (Plural Women's Medicine), while Beatrice Mautino explores the uncertainty and vulnerability of those who turn to science at one of life's most fragile moments—illness—in Vertigo. Completing the shortlist is Marta Paterlini's The Thinking Skin, which brings touch—the oldest and perhaps most overlooked of our senses—back to the heart of what makes us human.

These are the five finalists for the fourth edition of the Trieste Next – Science Book of the Year Award, promoted by ItalyPost and the Municipality of Trieste – Department of Education, Schools, Universities, Research, Employment and Innovation, under the scientific leadership of the University of Trieste. Presented as part of the Trieste Next festival, the award celebrates the most significant recent publications that explore and interpret the world of science.

The shortlist was selected by the Award's Scientific Jury, which chose five titles from more than 60 books submitted by publishing houses. The shortlisted authors will take part in the fifteenth edition of Trieste Next, entitled "The Shape of Thought. Interactions between Brains and Intelligences," taking place in Trieste from 25 to 27 September. Throughout the festival, each finalist will present their book in a dedicated event introduced by a member of the Scientific Jury. The winner will be chosen by the Readers' Jury, made up of more than 200 science enthusiasts from across Italy, and will be announced during the award ceremony on Sunday, 27 September at 11:30 a.m. on the Trieste Next main stage.

The Scientific Jury is chaired by Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste, and includes: Gabriele Beccaria (Tuttoscienze, La Stampa), Fabrizio Brancoli (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Gruppo Nem Nord Est Multimedia), Maurizio De Blasio (Councillor for Education, Schools, Universities, Research, Employment and Innovation, Municipality of Trieste), Leonardo De Cosmo (ANSA and Le Scienze), Paola Del Negro (Director General, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS), Fabio Pagan, Marco Panara (la Repubblica Affari & Finanza), Nicla Panciera, Paola Pica (Corriere della Sera Innovazione), Caterina Petrillo (President, Area Science Park), Nico Pitrelli (SISSA, Trieste), Davide Re (Avvenire), Fabio Sottocornola (Corriere della Sera), and Camilla Valletti (Managing Editor, L'Indice della Settimana).

"Once again this year, the science books competing for the award reflect a wide range of fields of knowledge that have a profound impact on society. Bringing them to the attention of the ever-growing audience of Trieste Next is precisely our goal: fostering greater awareness of the role science plays in everyday life is essential," said Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste.

Silvia Marchesan, Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DSCF) of the University of Trieste, has been elected a Member of the Chemistry Division of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc).

This prestigious recognition acknowledges Professor Marchesan's pioneering contributions to the field of nanomaterials science, particularly her research on the role of chirality in peptide self-assembly, which has provided fundamental insights for the design and development of functional peptide-based nanomaterials. Her election also recognizes her commitment to promoting interdisciplinary research, science communication, and dialogue across disciplines, cultures, and genders.

"I am deeply honoured to join the Chemistry Division of EurASc," said Silvia Marchesan. "This recognition marks an important milestone for my research group and for our commitment to building collaborations that transcend the boundaries between disciplines and scientific communities. I am delighted to contribute to the Academy's mission of promoting scientific excellence and international cooperation."

The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is an independent international organization that brings together some of Europe's most distinguished scientists and engineers to promote excellence in fundamental and interdisciplinary research, strengthen international scientific cooperation, and advance science and technology for the benefit of society. EurASc works alongside and complements the activities of national academies and the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC).

Professor Marchesan joins EurASc's Chemistry Division alongside several distinguished colleagues from the University of Trieste already serving in the Academy: Professors Paolo Fornasiero and Federico Rosei, members of the Materials Division from the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Maurizio Prato, Professor Emeritus at the University of Trieste.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has presented the largest and most detailed image ever produced of the centre of the Milky Way, the so-called Galactic Bulge: an extremely bright region densely populated with stars. This extraordinary “photograph” opens up new possibilities for scientists, who will be able to confirm the possible existence of exoplanets in this region and measure their mass through the tiny variations in starlight over time.

The Euclid Space Telescope acquired this enormous image in around 26 hours. It is a mosaic made up of nine pointings of its visible-light camera, each covering a portion of the sky larger than the full Moon.

In this image, Euclid captured more than 60 million stars, together with nebulae and star clusters. This extremely populated region of our galaxy is an ideal environment for the search for exoplanets through microlensing.

The news from Euclid is extraordinary: mapping the Galactic Bulge with such precision opens up unique prospects,” commented Gabriele Cescutti, UniTS Professor of Stellar Astrophysics. “Although this specific observing campaign was designed to exploit microlensing and search for exoplanets, such a density of stellar data is also extremely valuable for our research lines at UniTS. In our Department of Physics, we have been working for years on chemical evolution and ‘galactic archaeology’. We use spectroscopic and chemical data from stars to reconstruct, through theoretical models, the early history, formation timescales and origin of the elements in the bulge and nucleus of the Milky Way. High-resolution mosaics, such as the one produced by Euclid, are fundamental to understanding the precise distribution and nature of these stellar populations.

The University of Trieste is responsible for the operations of the two scientific instruments at the heart of the Euclid mission: VIS (Visible Instrument) and NISP (Near Infrared Spectrometer Photometer). In detail, UniTS researchers hold responsibility and coordination roles in several Key Projects dedicated to the scientific exploitation of Data Release 1 (DR1), expected around mid-2027, which concerns the study of cosmology through the statistical properties of the distribution and evolution of galaxies. UniTS also contributes to the production of cosmological numerical simulations based on High Performance Computing methodologies.

Image credits: European Space Agency - ESA.