A village fair, a family lunch, a Japanese restaurant, a parish party, a food stall at an alpine gathering, a meeting between fan groups, a farmhouse. How many ways can we unknowingly encounter a foodborne infection?

Starting from these seven realistic scenarios, an educational workshop was developed involving around sixty students from the degree programmes in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Health Assistance, and Environmental and Workplace Prevention Techniques at the University of Trieste — the latter two run in collaboration with the University of Udine. The activity took place at the University Campus in Gorizia and proposed an interdisciplinary approach to managing foodborne illnesses.

Often underestimated, foodborne infections are caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or parasites and can lead to severe symptoms. Possible causes include improper food storage, poor handling, environmental contamination, and also the rise of mass catering services and global food flows.

The training activity included a preparatory phase featuring three introductory videos—one for each professional field—followed by guided discussions led by course tutors, group formation, and case assignments. Each scenario was supported by educational materials and photographs, with new elements gradually introduced to simulate the evolving nature of a real-life investigation into suspected cases.

In the afternoon, practical exercises took place, including microscope use for slide analysis, culturing with agar plates, tools for detecting simulated contamination, sample preparation using real minced meat packaging, and simulated phone interviews for gathering epidemiological data. Each student had the opportunity to observe and understand the role of all three professional healthcare profiles, gaining insight into how their skills are interconnected.

The workshop highlighted the complementary roles of biomedical laboratory technicians—responsible for analyzing biological samples; health assistants—focused on prevention and public health promotion; and prevention technicians—tasked with inspections in places where food is produced, processed, or served.

Thanks to the diversity of activities and the integration of different competencies, the training day helped consolidate theoretical knowledge, enhance teamwork, and offer a hands-on experience of the shared responsibilities involved in protecting public health.

From 2nd to 3rd May, the 31st Annual Congress of the European Surgical Association (ESA) will take place in Geneva. The event marks the end of Professor Nicolò de Manzini‘s two year term, Director of the Surgical Clinic at the University of Trieste and former Head of the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences.

Founded in 1993, the European Surgical Association brings together some of the most authoritative figures in European and world surgery. The association aims to promote scientific excellence, disseminate research results and foster interdisciplinary dialogue through its annual congress and careful selection of content.

The conclusion of de Manzini's term of office has coincided with a positive outcome: the association has continued to stand out for the high standard of the scientific activities it has promoted, which has seen the presentation of 45 papers selected by prestigious surgical teams, discussed during the congress activity and destined for publication in one of the most authoritative journals in the field.

Among the most significant initiatives promoted this year by de Manzini, the society will open itself up to young surgeons, with the creation of ‘Next Generation ESA’, designed to accompany and enhance the future protagonists of international surgical research.

Internationalisation, multidisciplinary collaboration and openness to young surgeons have characterised this period in the ESA’s evolution, which for the fourth time in thirty years has been led by an Italian surgeon, testimony to the European scientific community’s recognition of Italy.

The University of Trieste has inaugurated the experimental ‘Community Justice’ multi-service hub: an innovative project that brings together universities, institutions, third-sector organisations and the public to promote social inclusion and restorative justice.

The initiative is the result of an agreement between the University of Trieste and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Justice - Cassa delle Ammende. The hub will be housed on the premises of the former Casa del Marinaio in Via Principe di Montfort 3 and represents an important point of connection between the world of criminal law enforcement and the community.

The centre will be the operational hub of the ‘Ripar(t)iamo’ and ‘INclusione, CONfronto, TRAttamento’ projects, which are co-funded by the Region. The projects aim to foster the socio-occupational reintegration of people who are subject to restrictions of freedom during criminal investigations, offering concrete support to crime victims and promoting programmes for restorative justice and victim-offender mediation. This work is in line with the principles of the Cartabia Reform (Italian Legislative Decree No 150/2022), which emphasises restorative justice as a tool for reintegration, reconciliation and empowerment.

The new hub will be open at least three days a week, guaranteeing welcome, support and training activities for people subject to restrictions of freedom during criminal investigations, victims of crime and practitioners. Within the hub, public bodies, third-sector organisations and academic staff will collaborate with the aim of offering innovative services and strengthening the link between institutions and citizens.

The Rector, Prof. Roberto Di Lenarda, the Regional Councillor for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Prof. Giovanni Grandi, and Dr. Gianna Zamaro attended the inauguration.

The University of Trieste has inaugurated the new ‘Antonio Longinelli’ Stable Isotope Laboratory, dedicated to the analysis of stable isotopes and their applications in environmental, geological and interdisciplinary research. Located in the basement of Building ‘O’ at the San Giovanni Campus, Via Weiss 6, the laboratory falls under the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences (MIGe) and is coordinated by Professor Stefano Covelli, with Daniele Karlicek as the technical lead.

The new scientific facility is equipped with a next-generation Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IR MS), an instrument that enables the analysis of stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in solid, liquid and gaseous samples. The acquisition of the equipment was made possible thanks to a special funding call issued by the university in 2022 for the purchase of scientific instruments, with a total allocation of 4 million euros. The proposal was the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration involving academic staff from the MIGe, DSV and DSCF departments.  

Stable isotopes – atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons and therefore in mass – are invaluable tools for studying a wide range of natural phenomena. In Earth Sciences, for instance, stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon are used to reconstruct past temperatures and climate changes by analysing rocks, sediments and ice. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes help to investigate the origin and movement of surface and groundwater, providing key insights into the water cycle and interactions between water and soil. Isotopes are also used to identify sources of pollution and to monitor the degradation processes of pollutants. In Environmental Sciences, the analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes allows for a deeper understanding of ecosystem functioning, nutrient sources and plant growth mechanisms. In archaeology, the study of isotopes in human and animal remains provides information about diet, mobility and ancient cultural contexts. Isotopes also play a key role in verifying the origin and authenticity of food products such as wine and extra virgin olive oil, helping to detect fraud, adulteration and counterfeiting.

The laboratory is named in memory of Professor Antonio Longinelli, a pioneer of isotopic geochemistry in Italy and Full Professor at the University of Trieste from 1983 to 1998. A leading figure in the international scientific community, Longinelli established isotopic geochemistry laboratories in Pisa, Palermo, Trieste and Parma. His extensive body of research covered fields ranging from palaeoclimatology to hydrogeology, from oceanography to environmental science and biomedicine. A member of the European Academy and the Lyncean Academy, he is remembered not only for the value of his scientific contributions, but also for his charismatic personality and enduring influence on the scientific community. 

The collaboration agreement between the U.S.-based company Performance Medical Technology (PMT) and the University of Trieste was signed at the Palazzo della Regione, with the involvement of the Central Health Directorate of the Regional Administration.

"The agreement involves three departments of the University of Trieste (Department of Life Sciences; Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences), which will conduct research, analysis, and pilot clinical studies aimed at developing a new drug for Parkinson’s disease,” explained the Rector of the University of Trieste, Roberto Di Lenarda. “The scientific activities carried out at the University, in collaboration with PMT (Performance Medical Technologies), will serve as the foundation for the NDA (New Drug Application) required for the drug’s commercialization. We are at the beginning of a stimulating scientific challenge with great social impact, which we will pursue using the skills and outstanding facilities at our disposal.”

The agreement paves the way for PMT’s establishment in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, PMT specializes in developing new therapeutic options for neurodegenerative diseases—particularly early-stage Parkinson’s—and will launch a series of joint activities in the field of medical research.

A journey through centuries of Byzantine history takes digital form: the University of Trieste has officially presented the Nomismata Database, a research project of excellence and a significant advancement in the field of Digital Humanities. 

The database, which currently includes more than 210,000 data entries from around 5,000 sites, represents the first large-scale, systematic effort to catalogue finds of Byzantine coins minted between 498 and 1453, both within and beyond the borders of the Empire.
Developed with the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Department of Humanities, the UniTS International Relations Office and the 2022 PRIN (Research Projects of National Interest) programme, the project is the result of collaboration among numerous internationally renowned scholars and researchers, including Cécile Morrisson, Vivien Prigent, Gheorghia Alexopoulou, Vujadin Ivanišević, Ermanno Arslan, Stefan Krmnicek, Alessia Rovelli, Erika Trbojević, Stoyan Mihaylov, Nikolaus Schindel, Luca Zavagno, Andrea Gariboldi, Giulio Carraro, Cristiano Rossetti and Kateryna Sorochan.

Equally fundamental was the IT contribution of Giorgio Donato, Jordan Piščanc and Davide Franch, along with the communication design curated by Pamela Theodotou and Giulia Basso.

During the presentation, a prestigious new donation was also announced: Giorgio Conetti, Professor Emeritus at the University of Insubria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Trieste (1984–1992), has donated his personal collection of coins from medieval Serbia, the Latin Empire and 19th-century Balkan states to the University. This enriches the numismatic heritage available for research and public engagement.

A section dedicated to the study of Byzantine seals from archaeological excavations will also be integrated into the database, in collaboration with the Research Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art of the Academy of Athens, represented by Olga Karagiorgou.

The database, which is part of the University Museum Services (SMATS), will be accessible online at www.smats.units.it, where it will be maintained, continuously updated and further developed, also through the application of artificial intelligence tools.

More than 1,500 prospective students registered for the Open Day for Master’s Degrees, where they attended presentations of the University of Trieste’s second-cycle academic programmes.

Three new master’s degrees will be launched in the next academic year:

• Rehabilitation Sciences for Health Professions
• Applied Social and Cognitive Psychology
• Political Science – Integration and Governance, based at the Gorizia campus

The orientation event opened with a talk titled ‘The University of Trieste and the Importance of Choice: Becoming Drivers of Change Through a Solid and Interdisciplinary Education in a Unique City,’ featuring university professor Andrea Segrè and radio host Massimo Cirri.

Further information about UniTS Master’s Degrees.

The International Day of Human Space Flight falls on 12th April, commemorating the day in 1961 when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to cross the boundaries of Earth’s atmosphere and travel into space. The Space Race had begun four years earlier with the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. But it was Gagarin’s historic flight that ushered in what came to be known as the ‘fourth dimension of geopolitics’, as Cold War rivalries extended beyond Earth into outer space.

While the first human venture into space occurred in a period marked by intense geopolitical tension, today, the presence of men and women beyond our planet aspires to embody peace and international cooperation, exemplified by major joint ventures such as the International Space Station. This is the spirit behind the Day’s celebration.

Current developments point towards new trends, particularly regarding the use of satellites. Professor Fabio Spitaleri, lecturer in European Union Law and International Law, offers his insight:

‘We are witnessing a true revolution in the use of space resources. In the past, space was initially a domain of political and technological competition between major powers, and later, a field of cooperation for scientific and industrial initiatives. In recent years, a new phase has begun: alongside governmental agencies, private groups have become increasingly active. By creating constellations of satellites, they are able to provide internet access from virtually any point on the planet. There is an urgent need for international regulation of these new developments, in order to preserve the peaceful use of space, steer and support investment, safeguard scientific research, and ensure equitable access to limited resources, such as low Earth orbit.’

Further reading:

• UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
• Draft Bill on ‘Provisions for the Space Economy’

The University of Trieste and the University of Udine signed a new Framework Agreement together with AUSIR – the Authority for Water and Waste Services in Friuli Venezia Giulia and the region’s leading water and environmental service providers. In addition to AUSIR, the agreement includes the following partners: AcegasApsAmga, Acquedotto del Carso – Kraški vodovod, CAFC, HydroGEA, Irisacqua, Livenza Tagliamento Acque, A&T 2000, Ambiente Servizi, GEA – Gestioni Ecologiche e Ambientali, Isontina Ambiente, MTF, and NET.

The agreement, signed today by all partners in the Predonzani Room of the Regional Government Building in the presence of the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, renews and expands the earlier protocol signed in 2019. It reaffirms the shared commitment to collaborate on sustainability and innovation in the management of the integrated water and waste cycle.

The new framework promotes applied research projects, joint advanced training initiatives, participation in competitive funding calls, and the valorisation of shared data, experience, and technical infrastructure.

The University of Trieste brings a strong interdisciplinary approach to the partnership, represented by Professor Paolo Bevilacqua (Department of Engineering and Architecture) and Professor Fabio Barbone (Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences), who serve as the University’s scientific coordinators. The agreement also supports inter-university masters already launched in collaboration with public service providers, including those in ‘Technology and Management of the Integrated Water Cycle’ and ‘Circular Economy and the Integrated Waste Cycle.’

‘This agreement,’ said Roberto Di Lenarda, Rector of the University of Trieste, ‘offers a concrete opportunity to launch new multidisciplinary research capable of addressing the challenges of sustainable resource management in innovative ways. Collaboration will range from the study of aquifer systems and infrastructure networks to wastewater and sludge treatment, from the economic and regulatory analysis of public services to the reuse of waste within a circular economy framework. Just as crucial is our commitment to communication and training, which are strategic levers for raising awareness and driving change at both the technical and societal level.’

A previously unknown and extraordinary glacial melt event dating back to the Medieval Warm Period has left striking evidence on a glacier in Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. The discovery is detailed in an international study published in the prestigious journal Communications Earth and Environment, titled "A warming pulse in the Antarctic continent changed the landscape during the Middle Ages." For the first time, the study reconstructs the impact of a sudden climatic warming that occurred between 900 and 989 years ago and significantly altered the Antarctic landscape.

The research, coordinated by Emanuele Forte (University of Trieste) and Mauro Guglielmin (University of Insubria and Centre for Climate Change Research), in collaboration with Maurizio Azzaro (Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council – CNR-ISP), Nicoletta Cannone and Alessandro Longhi (University of Insubria and Centre for Climate Change Research), and Ilaria Santin (ETH Zurich), documents a phenomenon never before observed. The study identifies intense fluvial erosion and sediment transport across the glacier’s surface, caused by meltwater runoff that carved a channel at least four kilometres in length.

The findings show that the water left a lasting imprint on the glacier, creating a break in the stratigraphy and forming a graded sediment deposit – clear evidence of a gradual slowing of the water flow. Unlike current melt events observed in East Antarctica and on the Nansen Ice Shelf, the medieval event stands out as an exceptional case. It occurred during a naturally occurring phase of global warming, yet the same glacier today remains permanently snow-covered with no signs of surface melting. This contrast further highlights the uniqueness and significance of the discovery.

The research offers a new perspective on the stability of Antarctic glaciers and demonstrates that even short-lived episodes of climatic warming – often undetectable through traditional palaeoclimatic analysis – can lead to profound and lasting changes in glacial landscapes. The results underscore the sensitivity of Antarctic glaciers to sudden climate shifts and point to the potential impact of extreme events linked to ongoing climate change.

The study was conducted as part of the National Antarctic Research Programme (PNRA), funded by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and implemented through the National Research Council (CNR) for scientific coordination, ENEA for the planning and logistical support of activities at Antarctic bases, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) for the technical and scientific management of the research vessel Laura Bassi.