The University of Trieste presented at the Urban Center the five winning projects of ‘Call4Ideas’, which, in addition to allocating 75,000 euros in funding, aims to build a bridge between university research and the world of production in order to increase the technological readiness of local businesses.

‘Call4Ideas’, promoted by the University of Trieste in cooperation with the Polo Tecnologico dell'Alto Adriatico, is an initiative financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NNRP) through NextGenerationEU that is being implemented as part of the North-Eastern Innovation Ecosystem iNEST - Spoke 8 (coordinated by UniTS), specifically in the cross-sector activity CC2 ‘Lab Villages’.

In the first phase, the call for proposals saw local companies propose research trajectories, identified as priorities for the development of their activities consistent with the strategic areas of iNEST: blue economy, life sciences, digital, sustainability and material sciences.

Subsequently, the research teams of the University of Trieste proposed projects aimed at verifying the application potential of the research trajectories identified by the companies, in order to foster an increase in the level of technological readiness (TRL) and accelerate their transfer to the market.

The winning projects

After a rigorous selection process, five projects were chosen for funding, confirming their strategic relevance and high innovation potential:

Development of innovative biomedical systems to restore the functions of the masticatory apparatus. Gianluca Turco collaborated with Advan srl to develop a project to characterise the mechanical resistance to fatigue and the maintenance of the connection between the components of dental implants.

Development of a Sustainable Predictive Model for Fishing Through the Integration of Artificial Intelligence Data. Luca Bortolussi, together with Doz Guido - Cooperativa Fra Pescatori of Monfalcone, proposed FishAI, a predictive artificial intelligence system for sustainable fishing in the Gulf of Trieste.

Digital Twin and BI for the Advanced Digitisation of Port Processes in the Port of Trieste. Giuseppe Borruso in partnership with Prodigys Technology srl, developed a Digital Twin and business intelligence project for the advanced digitisation of port processes in the Port of Trieste.

Analysis and feasibility study for the Intermodal Terminal of the Gorizia Freight Village. Giuseppe Borruso, in collaboration with Adriafer Rail Services srl, conducted a feasibility study for the Intermodal Terminal of the Gorizia Freight Village.

Application of Generative Artificial Intelligence for the Analysis of Treatment Protocols of Cardiovascular Diseases. Luca Bortolussi, with Beantech srl, developed ChatMED, an innovative chatbot based on generative artificial intelligence to support the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

On this occasion, the Polo Tecnologico dell'Alto Adriatico presented the development actions of Lab Village, which will be located in the spaces of the Urban Center, to enable the meeting and collaboration between business and research. 

In the future of innovation and lab villages – which include some active experiments in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto – it is expected that there will be an increasing number of market entry, brokerage and life-long learning services for researchers, entrepreneurs and human resources involved in shared technology transfer processes, where the public sector and business will operate in synergy.

Today the University of Trieste presented four degree courses on the Gorizia Campus during the UniTS ‘Open Day’ event, aimed at final-year high school students. It took place in the Main Hall of the campus on via Alviano 18.

Four courses, which will also be based in Gorizia in the academic year 2025-2026, have been confirmed: the five-year integrated Master’s Degree in Architecture and the bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, Health Care and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety.

The initiative registered a significant increase in attendance compared to previous editions (up by15% compared to 2024). More than 400 young people took a day off from preparing for their high school exams to gather useful information on the courses offered by the University of Trieste in Gorizia and to understand how to manoeuvre everything required of their future university lives: from enrolment to fee reduction, from scholarships to accommodation.

The young participants, who over the course of the morning visited the laboratories and talked with lecturers from degree courses, for the most part came from the provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia. More than sixty came from outside the region, particularly from Veneto, but there were also participants from Brescia, Mantua and Bergamo, and from as far as Ancona, Lecce and Syracuse.

At present, 632 students enrolled in the four degree courses gravitate around the UniTS Gorizia campus, a significant number which has grown in recent years with the establishment of the two healthcare degree courses. 20% of the students enrolled in the UniTS university hub in Gorizia come from outside the region.

Giuseppe Grimaldi, a research assistant in Cultural Anthropology at the Department of Humanities of the University of Trieste, has been awarded the 2024 prize of the Italian Society of Applied Anthropology (SIAA) for the best collaborative and applied research with the project O.S.A.RE. - Osservatorio Sfruttamento Agricolo e Resistenze (Observatory on Agricultural Exploitation and Resistance).

The objectives achieved by O.S.A.RE. contribute to combating the exploitation and illegal brokerage of workers, providing data on the spread of the phenomenon and best practices for systemic projects that support the fight against these social scourges. According to the SIAA judging committee, the project, which focused on sensitive areas in Campania, stood out for ‘its significant social impact and multi-level interaction, as well as the high degree of visibility and recognition of the anthropological contribution.’

The project presented by the UniTS research assistant demonstrates, according to the SIAA, ‘how the production of ethnographic knowledge can contribute to generating concrete impacts on public and institutional culture, fostering virtuous local policies that are more respectful of fundamental human rights.’

This motivation aligns with the core mission of the Italian Society of Applied Anthropology, active since 2013 with the aim of promoting the social use of anthropological knowledge and practices in the public sphere, the world of work, decision-making processes, and participatory democracy in Italy and abroad.

‘O.S.A.RE – explains Dr Giuseppe Grimaldi – was made possible thanks to the support and synergy between public institutions, such as the Campania Region and the University of Salerno, activist groups in Campania – particularly the Ex Canapificio social centre, which was the lead organisation of the project – and a diverse group of residents from the area where the intervention took place, who contributed decisively to its realisation.’

O.S.A.RE involved territories such as the Piana del Sele and the Volturno Castle area, which face challenges related to the fragility of their economic fabric, exacerbated by the presence of criminal organisations that cause poverty and social distress.

The project sought to shed light – through a combination of quantitative analysis and ethnography – on the systemic nature of exploitation in the agricultural sector. Throughout its implementation, it was grounded in co-research (a collaborative method where creating knowledge also builds organisation and autonomy), demonstrating how the experience of those subjected to exploitation is crucial for defining effective countermeasures, both in specific territories and in interactions with institutions.

Over the course of the project, more than 500 people were interviewed. Of these, based on the exploitation indicators outlined in the law against the illegal brokerage of workers, nearly 70% were found to be in conditions of ‘severe worker exploitation.’ The data was presented to institutional forums addressing the illegal brokerage of workers, and the methodology underlying O.S.A.RE was recognised as a best practice used in systemic initiatives to tackle worker exploitation.

‘O.S.A.RE – concludes Grimaldi – highlighted, in particular, how ineffective any approach to combating worker exploitation is if it does not address the legal, economic, and social systems upon which it is founded. A phenomenon that, albeit in different forms depending on the degree of vulnerability, affects all agricultural labourers, regardless of nationality.’

Two professors from the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Trieste, geneticist Alberto Pallavicini and marine zoologist Piero Giulio Giulianini, spent a truly unique Christmas and New Year’s Eve at the Mario Zucchelli Antarctic Station.

Of course, this wasn’t an unconventional holiday in the snow but a mission the two UniTS professors are conducting as part of the DIMANT project, funded by the National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA). The project aims to study the immune mechanisms of marine species in the Ross Sea.

Pallavicini and Giulianini arrived at the Italian scientific base on December 20, after an extended stopover in New Zealand due to adverse weather conditions that prevented a safe landing on the Antarctic continent. The planned activities for the mission follow a rigorous schedule, and even on New Year’s Day, the two researchers conducted a sea excursion to collect samples for analysis.

The DIMANT project focuses on understanding how sponges, anemones, bivalve mollusks, and fish—organisms that play a fundamental role in the Antarctic ecosystem—respond to increasing environmental threats.

The research team is isolating and analyzing immunocytes—cells responsible for immune responses—to understand their reactivity to subzero temperatures and emerging pathogens. The growing human presence in Antarctica, driven by activities such as tourism, scientific research, and fishing, is intensifying the risk of introducing new pathogens and exacerbating the effects of rising global temperatures. This scenario presents a completely new challenge for the local marine fauna, which must rapidly adapt to an increasingly changing environment.

The biological samples collected will later undergo advanced cytological and genetic analyses to identify the molecules and receptors involved in immune defenses. The findings could provide valuable tools for monitoring and predicting the impact of climate change and emerging diseases on the Antarctic marine ecosystem.

Alberto Pallavicini and Piero Giulianini have another four weeks of work ahead of them, surrounded by ice, penguins, and polar birds, before concluding their mission.

Italian missions in Antarctica are conducted within the framework of the National Antarctic Research Program (PNRA), funded by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and coordinated by the National Research Council (CNR) for the scientific aspect, ENEA for logistics, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) for managing the icebreaker ship Laura Bassi.

The mission tied to the DIMANT project is part of the 40th Italian expedition to Antarctica, which currently involves approximately 240 researchers and technicians working on various interdisciplinary projects. The research spans fields such as marine biology, climatology, and studies on glacial systems and global climate change. Activities are conducted not only at the Mario Zucchelli Station, currently hosting the two University of Trieste professors, but also at the Concordia Station and aboard the Laura Bassi.

A study led by Prof. Luca Cegolon, a professor at the University of Trieste and researcher at ASUGI, in collaboration with Prof. Giuseppe Mastrangelo from the University of Padua, delved into the benefits of saltwater pools compared to traditional freshwater ones for treating skin diseases and rheumatic conditions. Published in the international journal Water, the study emphasizes the significant therapeutic potential of saltwater.

Saltwater has been used for centuries to alleviate various ailments, and today it forms the basis of treatments such as thalassotherapy, which utilizes controlled interaction with marine environments, including exposure to sunlight. This type of therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or rheumatic conditions such as fibromyalgia.

The combination of exposure to seawater and sunlight – a key component of thalassotherapy – is especially effective in reducing the symptoms of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, as well as rheumatic conditions like fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis.

For those with psoriasis, the benefits of immersion in seawater combined with sun exposure can last up to three months. Experimental studies have shown that six-week treatments using saltwater and UVB light are more effective than freshwater immersion or UV exposure alone.

Finally, a significant clinical trial involving over 1,200 patients across 102 dermatological clinics confirmed that saltwater baths followed by UVB exposure yield results comparable to established therapies like PUVA baths, traditionally used for treating psoriasis.

The Urology Clinic at Cattinara Hospital has received the prestigious "Orange Badge" for renal cancer treatment from the Italian Society of Urology (SIU).

This recognition represents an excellent achievement for the University of Trieste, rewarding the department led by Professor Giovanni Liguori, which also houses the Urology Specialization School of the University of Trieste.

The "Orange Badge" project, conceived by SIU, identifies Italian SIU urological centers that offer cutting-edge treatment for kidney cancer, as well as services dedicated to prevention, diagnosis, and care of the disease.

The recognition was granted based on specific criteria regarding diagnostic-therapeutic pathways and patient services for kidney cancer, which were fully met by the university’s facility.

The clinics that joined the initiative were evaluated by a Board of the Society, which also involved radiologists, pathologists, and oncologists, following a multidisciplinary approach based on the best scientific evidence and the latest international guidelines.

The goal of the Orange Badge, which is valid for two years, is to promote a culture of continuous improvement based on the paradigm of evidence-based medicine and value-based healthcare.

“We are proud to have received the 'Orange Badge',” says Giovanni Liguori, Professor of Urology at the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences at UniTS and Director of the Urology Clinic at ASUGI Cattinara Hospital. “This recognizes the efforts of our team, which also includes Professor Paolo Umari, in managing this pathology.

We interpret this award not only as proof that multidisciplinary management is the key to kidney cancer treatment, but also as a recognition of the quality of training at UniTS, which, through the Urology Specialization School, prepares new generations of professionals with cutting-edge skills.”

The first training and accompaniment cycle of the SOCLAM Project - ‘Dental, cultural and linguistic support to migrants in the first reception centres’ - ended with certificates being awarded to mediators. 

The initiative saw the involvement of local associations and organisations offering a significant contribution to the migrant community in the area, and was led by UniTS and implemented under the scientific responsibility of Federico Berton (DSM) in collaboration with Caterina Falbo (IUSLIT) and Roberta Altin (DiSU).

Funded by the University's Centre for Research on Migration and Development Cooperation, the project provided specific training for interpreters in the most common languages among migrants crossing the Balkan route, focusing on dental and intercultural skills.

Thirteen mediators received comprehensive training that led to the creation of a dental glossary in 14 languages, including Dari, Pashto, Farsi, Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian, English, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Greek, Kyrgyz, Albanian and Bengali. In addition, a multilingual blog with useful instructions and accompanying support services was created at the Caritas dental clinic in Via dell'Istria, where the relationship dynamics between doctor and patient in an intercultural context were also analysed.

Thanks to the project, fundamental information was also disseminated to facilitate access to dental care provided by the University Hospital of Trieste in the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery and Odontostomatology of the local health services (ASUGI).

The success of SOCLAM has opened up new prospects, including the training of further operators and the development of research on intercultural communication in healthcare. Among the next objectives is the development of an app for smartphones, designed to offer multilingual information in a quick and accessible way. 

On December 19, students from the Administrative Procedural Law course at the Department of Political and Social Sciences (DISPeS) participated in an administrative trial simulation, an innovative educational experience promoted by Professor Andrea Crismani.

The activity revolved around the "L49 Wolf Case", a hypothetical legal proceeding inspired by real events concerning the management of wildlife. The case carried significant legal and social relevance, centering on the appeal of a provincial decree authorizing the culling of the L49 wolf, deemed a threat to public safety. Environmental associations "Animal Freedom," "Guardians of Nature," and "Green Planet" challenged the legality of the decree, setting the stage for a legal debate rich in legal and societal implications.

Students were assigned predefined roles such as plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, and judges. They tackled all phases of the administrative process, including discussions on urgent precautionary measures, evidence analysis, party arguments, and the simulation of a ruling on the inadmissibility of the appeal following the wolf's natural death.

This experience allowed participants to delve into complex topics such as precautionary measures, collegial protections, and the legal implications of unforeseen events, providing them with a significant opportunity for practical learning. During the simulation, students engaged not only in drafting legal documents but also in filing them electronically, simulating the use of a dedicated administrative process portal.

The initiative highlighted the Department's and the Administrative Law chair's commitment to offering a curriculum that combines theory and practice. Thanks to this innovative teaching methodology, students gained both technical and soft skills essential for understanding the dynamics of administrative justice and preparing for the challenges of the professional world.

The Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics (DEAMS) has collaborated with Mare FVG to publish the first report ‘Observations from the FVG Maritime Sector - Innovation, Sustainability and Skills’. The report provides an analysis of the positioning of the regional maritime sector – made up of 1350 companies – in the Italian, European and international context. It highlights the distribution of companies in maritime supply chains, the value of individual products and services, and their orientation towards innovation and sustainability.

The analysis conducted by DEAMS included the design of a sustainability self-assessment tool based on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) criteria and nine interviews with companies in the sector, carried out in cooperation with Mare FVG. The interviews delved into crucial topics such as technological and market challenges, skills development and previously explored routes to sustainability.

The results of the survey revealed that a quarter of the companies in the sample were already active in the field of sustainability, distinguishing themselves through certifications, investments, professional skills development and value chain monitoring. More than 40 per cent have embarked on a path towards sustainable development, while around 30 per cent have yet to equip themselves to meet ESG challenges.

A crucial element concerns internal expertise: three quarters of companies have not yet formalised a specific sustainability figure, an element that will be key to addressing the growing focus on these issues in the coming years. Finally, almost 70% of companies have adopted sustainability practices aimed at employees, underlining the crucial role of human resources in company processes and confirming appeal and retention as strategic priorities for the future. The interviews, conducted with both SMEs and large companies, confirm the relevance of environmental issues and attention to people, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to address the challenges of the sector.

The report is the result of a collaboration between mareFVG, Area Science Park and DEAMS – Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Trieste, and written thanks to the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. To support this study, the data of the M.IND platform (Maritime Industry, by mareFVG) was used, and collected also thanks to the initial contribution of the Chamber of Commerce system and regional employers' associations, the Innovation intelligence FVG platform of Area Science Park and the ModeFinance databases.

The international scientific collaboration Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which also includes a group of researchers from the University of Trieste, has observed and studied at different wavelengths a spectacular flare from the powerful relativistic jet of the supermassive black hole at the centre of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87*), the subject of the first ‘photo’ of a black hole. The study, coordinated by the EHT-MWL group and in collaboration with institutions such as INAF (Italian national institute of astrophysics), INFN (Italian national institute of nuclear physics) and ASI (Italian space association), has been accepted for publication in the prestigious journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. 

The event was documented during EHT's second observation mission in April 2018, involving more than 25 ground- and space-based telescopes and collecting data at different wavelengths. For the first time since 2010, a gamma-ray burst at very high energies, up to trillions of electron volts, was detected, lasting about three days. ‘We were fortunate to detect a gamma-ray burst from M87* during the Event Horizon Telescope's multi-wavelength mission. The observations will provide us with further insights and an incredible opportunity to investigate the physics around the supermassive black hole M87*, explaining the connection between the accretion disk and the emitted jet, as well as the origin and mechanisms responsible for the emission of gamma-ray photons,’ comments Giacomo Principe, lead author of the paper, UniTS researcher and INAF and INFN associate. 

The relativistic jet, extending over dimensions that exceed millions of times those of the black hole's event horizon, has been observed with leading telescopes such as Fermi-LAT, MAGIC and HESS. Francesco Longo, head of the Gamma Astrophysics group for the University and INFN of Trieste, says: ‘Observations made simultaneously at different wavelengths are fundamental for contemporary astrophysics. The availability of an instrument like Fermi-LAT, capable of continuously monitoring the sky in the gamma band, is crucial for detecting rare phenomena, such as the gamma flare from M87. In addition, ground-based gamma-ray instruments, capable of observing the sky at higher energies, allow the emission mechanism of gamma-ray sources to be studied with greater sensitivity'.

The data published in the paper also show a significant variation in the position angle of the ring asymmetry (the so-called ‘event horizon’ of the black hole), helping to solve scientific questions such as the origin of cosmic rays and the formation of relativistic jets. Principe concludes: ‘These observations may shed light on some major astrophysical questions that are still unresolved: how do the powerful relativistic jets observed in some galaxies originate? Where are the particles responsible for gamma-ray emission accelerated? What phenomenon accelerates them to energies of TeV (trillions of electron volts)? What is the origin of cosmic rays?’ 

The full study is available here : “Broadband Multi-wavelength Properties of M87 during the 2018 EHT Campaign including a Very High Energy Flaring Episode”