During the inauguration ceremony of the 101st academic year, Rector Roberto Di Lenarda and President of Fondazione CRTrieste, Massimo Paniccia, awarded the most deserving first-year students for 2023-2024.

Each student received a €1,500 grant, funded by Fondazione CRTrieste.

‘Awarding a prize to the most deserving first years means valuing merit, encouraging excellence, and promoting an academic environment that fosters commitment and personal growth,’ said Massimo Paniccia on the occasion.

The prize-winning students, along with their degree courses and departments, are:

• Simone Barbon (Civil and Environmental Engineering – Department of Engineering and Architecture)
• Reka Cikalese (Applied Interlinguistic Communication – Department of Legal, Language, Interpreting and Translation Studies)
• Erasmo Ferrara (International Economics and Financial Markets – Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics)
• Giulia Fignon (Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics – Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences)
• Jacopo Qualizza (Political and Administrative Sciences – Department of Political and Social Sciences)
• Antonio Santini (History and Philosophy – Department of Humanities)
• Noemi Sartor (Physiotherapy – Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences)
• Luna Sorgente Scemama (Psychology – Department of Life Sciences)
• Giulio Ticli (Physics – Department of Physics)
• Maria Toso (Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology – Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences)

For the last six years the entire UniTS community has worked to make the University more solid, efficient and attractive to prospective students. As his term of office comes to a close, the Rector Roberto Di Lenarda leads the inauguration ceremony for the 2024-2025 academic year as UniTS begins its 101st year.

In addition to marking the fundamental tenets of his rectorate, Prof. Di Lenarda wanted to reiterate his position on two important current issues.  Firstly, the green light given to the reform that will abolish the admission test to master’s degrees in medicine and surgery, and dentistry and dental prosthetics, replacing it with exams taken at the end of the first term, and, secondly, the growth of telematic universities.

‘The significant and, in my opinion, pathological growth of online universities (which is also supported by legislation) does not only challenge us in terms of competition and alternative educational models, but also in terms of the ethics of teaching, empowered as they often are by foreign investment funds whose sole purpose is profit,’ underlined the Rector. ‘The problem is not the teaching tool itself, but its methods, purposes and objectives.’

The outgoing Rector takes a similarly strong position on the delegated law that will lead to the abolition of admission tests for master’s degrees in medicine.

‘The law must always be respected and so UniTS fully intends to respect it, but I cannot refrain from expressing my deepest opposition to changing the admission methods to degree courses in medicine and surgery, and in dentistry and dental prosthetics,’ he continued. ‘This is a dangerous, unworkable measure, which holds negative effects for many other degree courses and is founded on false premises. The regional health service does not lack practitioners, it lacks attractiveness. Admissions will remain competitive after this reform, but building a national ranking on the basis of the marks acquired in exams taken during the first term is unthinkable.’   

During the inauguration ceremony, the invited authorities who spoke wanted to leave a message of good wishes to the University.

'The relationship between Generali and the University of Trieste is long-lasting and enriched by significant collaborations,' stated Andrea Sironi, Chairman of Assicurazioni Generali. 'The sharing of knowledge and the development of new skills represent a fundamental cornerstone for people’s personal growth and an increasingly valuable asset for the community, demonstrating the vitality of the social fabric in which they take shape. In an extremely complex and competitive global context, the creation of joint projects between companies and educational institutions can build an important advantage to face and overcome the big challenges of our time. The opening ceremony of the Academic Year, which concludes the celebrations for the Centenary of the University of Trieste, is a very important moment not only because it celebrates the university institution and the value of the high educational path of the individual, but also because it represents a moment of dialogue with city institutions, private actors, and the community.'

‘The regional administration will continue to invest in knowledge, research and education, because we are fully aware that the development of our community depends on knowledge and innovation,’ said the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Massimiliano Fedriga. ‘Over the three-year period 2022-2024, the total funding allocated to the regional university system exceeded 80 million euros, significant resources to support teaching, research, technological innovation, the right to education, the modernisation of infrastructure and the ability to attract talent. The Region and the University of Trieste are united in a strategic alliance that will deliver important results in areas that are still crucial today, such as quantum communication, green hydrogen, life sciences, the blue economy, trade districts and the health system.’

‘The quality of life offered by any place is determined by many complex elements: the presence of businesses and therefore job opportunities, knowledge exchange, cultural events and opportunities for personal enrichment, innovation processes and propensity for innovation,’ stressed the Deputy Mayor of Trieste, Serena Tonel. ‘Every day, our municipal administration works to maintain and continue to increase the quality of life for not only its citizens but also the thousands of university students who study and live in the city. I am thinking about the public transport system, cultural activities, opportunities to initiate, set up and consolidate economic initiatives as well as career opportunities after studies. We are working, alongside other institutions in the area, with the University but also with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, to perfect the synergy between research and its technological applications. I would like to thank President Fedriga for the investments in the public sector he has guaranteed and for the policies he has put in place to increase the attractiveness of the area for businesses and highly qualified workers. All this constitutes a system that we want to make all the more integrated and successful. The University has been able to look with pride to the past and with determination to the future, expanding its range of courses and welcoming an ever-increasing number of students, investing in the quality of teaching and research. The city of Trieste and its administration are proud of the University, an institution that has distinguished itself as an important landmark in the panorama of higher education and scientific research in Italy and rest of the world.’

Following, the key points of the speech by the Rector, Roberto Di Lenarda.

Reflections after the Rector’s six-year term (2019-2025)

‘The fundamental starting point for this governance was the improvement of teaching and of the course catalogue,’ explained Prof. Di Lenarda. ‘Thanks to the activation of more than 20 new degree courses, today the University of Trieste is one of the fastest growing Italian universities in terms of both national and international intake.’

Student intake grew by more than 30% compared to 2019-2020 (six times more than the average growth of Italian public universities). The percentage of students who enrolled from outside the region and abroad (40% in first- and second-cycle courses and 60% in third-cycle courses) confirms the University’s attractiveness and makes our target of reaching 20,000 students not only more concrete but also more tangible in the short term.

Social responsibility and historical moment

The Rector recalled the Covid-19 pandemic, a period in which UniTS stood out for its strong opposition to anti-scientific approaches, for maintaining in-person teaching (especially for students in their first years of study) at a time when this couldn’t be taken for granted and for its commitment to supporting public health. 

‘Only a few months later, on 13 July 2020, we signed the pre-agreement for the return of Narodni Dom to the Slovenian community. On 28 March 2022, President Mattarella’s participation in the inauguration ceremony for that academic year was a momentous moment not only for the University and the city of Trieste but, more generally, for Italy-Slovenia relations. Our university has been recognised as a promoter of this process, as a link and as an important mediator.’ 

In April 2024, this direction was confirmed with all due ceremony when honorary degrees were conferred on President Mattarella and former Slovenian President Borut Pahor.

Key actions and strategic investments

There has been a lot of investment in the UniTS community, both through recruitment and career progression. 75 teaching staff have joined in the past five years and a further 56 recruitments are planned in the coming months. A similar investment has been made in technical and administrative staff through the addition of 95 new recruits and a further 55 new employees will be added in 2025.  

‘We are also very proud to have launched the extraordinary recruitment plan for female teaching staff which will allow us to recruit 10 female full professors, one per department, by the end of the year,’ added Prof. Di Lenarda.

Also worth mentioning is the 6 million euros of funding planned for updating and upgrading scientific equipment and measures to make the University’s spaces more modern and welcoming.

Future prospects: growth, innovation and sustainability

‘A project which we will be, or at least I hope we will be, heavily involved in is the redevelopment of the Old Port, a great opportunity for Trieste to relaunch itself as an internationally attractive city,’ continued the Rector. ‘The new Cattinara Campus will also contribute decisively to this, an investment of over 50 million euros by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region that will bring our university to new heights in healthcare and scientific research.’ 

At the end of his speech, Prof. Di Lenarda thanked the entire UniTS community and its closest collaborators as well as the Municipality of Trieste and the FVG Region which, under the guidance of President Massimiliano Fedriga and with the commitment of the regional Councillor for University Alessia Rosolen, have given ready, generous and strategic support to the University. 

A special thanks also went to the CRTrieste Foundation that supported the cost of the prizes awarded to the ten most deserving first years at the inauguration ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended by the President of the Student Council Anna Colussi, the Representative for Technical and Administrative Staff Francesca Tardio, the Deputy Mayor of Trieste Serena Tonel, and the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region Massimiliano Fedriga.

The opening lecture was given by Andrea Nardini, Full Professor of Plant Physiology at the Department of Life Sciences, on the topic ‘Some Lessons from Trees on the Risks of Climate Change’. 

STUDIO DUE – GONGO 2025 has been officially launched. This inter-university teaching project involves students and lecturers from the University of Trieste (UniTS), the Polytechnic University of Milan, Federico II University of Naples, and the University of Salerno.

On Saturday 15th March 2025, the Conference Centre at the UniTS Gorizia campus in Via Alviano will welcome over 200 students and around fifteen lecturers and teaching assistants for a study day dedicated to architectural design and the urban transformation of the cross-border areas of Gorizia and Nova Gorica. The event, open to the general public, forms part of the calendar of initiatives organised by the University in celebration of GO! 2025 – Nova Gorica and Gorizia European Capital of Culture.

Launched in 2023 by UniTS Architecture lecturers Thomas Bisiani and Adriano Venudo, Elvio Manganaro from the Polytechnic University of Milan, and Alberto Calderoni from Federico II University of Naples, the project has since grown to include additional ‘Composizione 2’ studios at the Polytechnic University of Milan, led by Giacomo Ortalli, Aleksa Korolija and Luca Cardani, as well as the University of Salerno with Felice De Silva.

Prof. Adriano Venudo explained the aim of the project: ‘Gorizia, together with Nova Gorica and the border, has unique characteristics that make it stand out. This seminar and exchange will allow us to gain an external perspective. We will also produce a publication to collect the outcomes.’

‘This is a project that connects urban planning with the university world, something we believe in strongly. Our university courses are an extraordinary asset, and we are committed to promoting them to the fullest,’ said Chiara Gatta, Deputy Mayor of Gorizia.

Patrizia Artico, Municipal Councillor for GO! 2025, added: ‘Our border, with its history and unique features, is of great urban interest. The fact that prestigious universities have chosen to study it confirms this.’

After working on the historic centre of Naples in the first year of the project, the students will now turn their attention to the Transalpina Station in Nova Gorica and the cross-border urban areas between Italy and Slovenia.

During the day, Prof. Paolo Nicoloso from the University of Trieste will give a lecture entitled ‘Gorizia: 1900–1950’, followed by architect Nejc Koradin’s talk on ‘Nova Gorica: The Birth of a City’. Participants will then take part in an exploratory walk to discover the sites under study.

Programme STUDIO DUE - GONGO 2025

UniTS x GO! 2025

A young, dynamic, and ambitious initiative, yet already demonstrating excellent organisation: this is ASTREO, the new UniTS team bringing together students with a shared passion for aerospace. Their mission? To collaborate and challenge themselves alongside colleagues from other Italian and international universities, developing cutting-edge solutions for the sector with a strong focus on sustainability.

Astreo is the third student team active at the University of Trieste, joining the already established Audace Sailing Team and UniTS Racing Team. Founded within the Department of Engineering and Architecture, Astreo has already built a solid foundation, with nearly 30 members from five different departments. The project’s scientific lead is Stefano Seriani, a professor of Robotics at the University of Trieste and an expert in satellite development, with experience collaborating with ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA.

The team operates with a clear and efficient organisational structure, complemented by specific working groups dedicated to key areas: Design, Electronics, Scientific Performance, Outreach, Finance & Legal, and Software.

One of Astreo’s first projects is the development of a detector for space debris in low Earth orbit – an urgent response to concerns highlighted in ESA’s annual reports, which warn of increasing space traffic and the growing risk of collisions between satellites and debris. To ensure sustainability in their research and make experimentation more accessible, the team is committed to using innovative and modular technologies. They aim to adopt the CubeSat standard – small satellites used for scientific and experimental purposes – and employ 3D printing for prototyping.

From 3rd to 7th March 2025, Astreo had its first opportunity to engage in an international setting. Giuseppe Basile, a UniTS student and Astreo member, took part in a workshop organised by ESA after successfully securing a place through a competitive selection process. During the workshop, participants worked on designing a CubeSat based on requirements defined by ESA experts.

The Italian Medicines Agency - AIFA has given the green light for the world's first clinical trial of the drug Mirtazapine in Rett Syndrome,  MirtaRett, after receiving approval from the national ethics committee for paediatric studies. 

The trial is coordinated by the University of Trieste and will be conducted in the main Italian referral hospitals for patients suffering from Rett Syndrome. It is entirely supported by non-profit grants, particularly the non-profit project ‘Angelini for future ’ from Angelini Pharma SpA, together with the Canali Onlus, Ico Falck Onlus and Amadei and Setti Onlus Foundations. The trial will be managed by the consortium for biological and pharmacological evaluations (Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche, CVBF), a non-profit organisation providing services for clinical research in Italy. 

The actual start of the trial will take about two months, during which UniTS, the coordinating centre, and the four clinical centres in Milan, Genoa, Siena and Messina, will set up the organisational machinery for the recruitment and treatment of the patients. The patients are exclusively female, as Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 girls and is the second most common cause of intellectual disability in females worldwide (Petriti et al. Systematic Reviews (2023) https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02169).

The trial will involve a total of 54 patients aged between 5 and 40 years. They will be divided into three groups of 18 with varying age brackets (5-10, 11-17 and 18-40 years).

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by unpredictable mutations of the MECP2 gene in the reproductive cells (spermatozoa or oocytes) of completely healthy parents. Symptoms appear in the second year of life when girls begin to speak and walk, displaying rapid regression of speech and the inability to make voluntary hand movements. In later years, girls develop epileptic seizures and respiratory difficulties, which are the main cause of death. Many patients reach adulthood, albeit with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. 

Restoration experiments on the mutated gene conducted in animal subjects have demonstrated that the disorder can be completely reversed, but to date there is still no definitive cure. 

The project started in 2009, thanks to funding from Telethon, Fondazione San Paolo, Fondazione Casali, Beneficentia Stiftung and the parent associations AIRETT Onlus and ProRett Ricerca Onlus. Across15 years of study carried out in the laboratory directed by Prof. Enrico Tongiorgi at the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Trieste, abundant experimental evidence of Mirtazapine's efficacy in the recovery of certain symptoms has been collected. Further evidence in favour of the drug was then gathered through a retrospective investigation in collaboration with the Rett Reference Centre at Le Scotte Hospital in Siena, where the drug was administered as standard treatment for anxiety, repetitive behaviour and sleep disorders for a period of 1 to 5 years in 40 adult Rett patients. In addition to the beneficial effects the drug had on anxiety and sleep, the study also revealed it as being beneficial to slowing the progression of Rett syndrome, demonstrating improvements in some typical symptoms such as self-harm, irritability, motor difficulties and loss of communication skills. 

‘At the moment, no one has been able to test the effects of this drug in girls suffering from Rett syndrome yet,’ said Prof. Tongiorgi, ‘We therefore believe it is necessary to proceed with a rigorous clinical trial like the one proposed in the MirtaRett project. We have set ourselves the goal of keeping this project entirely in Italy, involving the main referral clinical centres. The trial will test the efficacy of the drug on general symptoms and in particular on motor skills, such as the use of the hand, the ability to communicate and on psychological disorders. We will also monitor the quality of sleep and the basic parameters of breathing and the heart, thanks to a new Italian-made smart T-shirt that we have tested, allowing us to make important discoveries on breathing defects in these patients.’ 
The study also involves monitoring the stress levels of caregivers and detecting biomarkers in the blood, such as neurotrophic factors, which are useful for assessing the effects of the drug on developmental recovery and plasticity of the nervous system.

Every clinical trial has high costs, but thanks to the non-profit nature of the project, it has been possible to reduce them considerably and, thanks to the generosity of donors, the hospitals in Messina, Milan and Siena will also be equipped with the instrumentation to conduct the actigraphy, and 54 smart T-shirts will be purchased. 

Centres and researchers involved in the experimentation:

Coordinator - Prof. Enrico TONGIORGI, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste.
Partner 1 – Prof. Maria Paola CANEVINI, Dr. Ilaria VIGANÓ, ASST Ospedale Santi Paolo Carlo - Via di Rudinì 8; Milano; Prof. Aglaia VIGNOLI (MD) ‘Statale’ University of Milan.
Partner 2 – Prof. Lino NOBILI, Dr. Giulia PRATO – Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa - Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Research Hospital, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa.
Partner 3 – Dr. Salvatore GROSSO, Dr. Claudio DE FELICE – Rett Syndrome Research and Experimentation Centre - Paediatric/Neuropaediatric Unit, Mother and Child Department – Polyclinic ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, Siena.
Partner 4 – Prof. Gabriella DI ROSA, Dr. Antonio NICOTERA - ‘Gaetano Barresi’ Department of Human Pathology of Adults and the Age of Development, ‘G. Martino’University Polyclinic, University of Messina.

Giulia Piacente and Giulia Toscano, both graduates in Architecture, are the winners of the first edition of the ‘Fermeglia Prize’ for the best Master's thesis on the topics of energy, transport and the environment.

The €1,000 prize was presented by Professor Sabrina Pricl on behalf of the family of Maurizio Fermeglia, former Rector of the University of Trieste, who passed away prematurely in 2024.

The thesis ‘From Waterscape to Nautopia: Scenarios of Global Warming and Stories of Architecture, Spaces and Radical Habitats’ (Advisor prof. Thomas Bisiani) presents an imaginative and futuristic vision of cities on water.

Starting from a reflection on global warming and the consequent rise in sea levels, the two students conceived Nautopia, a floating village for 2,000 people. Partially submerged, it is designed to submerge further in bad weather and is surrounded by an artificial atoll to mitigate the impact of waves.

On the underwater level, a dedicated distribution grid allows for horizontal movement, is modular to expand or reduce spaces and includes a connection system linking the market, the commercial building and the cultural centre. The surface level is left open to allow navigation.

Movement between levels is made possible by lifting platforms, which enable vertical transport and the provision of energy, water and waste management systems.

Nautopia is self-sufficient in terms of food, water, energy and waste disposal, following a ‘zero waste’ approach in alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

The ceremony was attended by Rector Roberto Di Lenarda and Alessandro Massi Pavan, Coordinator of the Giacomo Ciamician Interdepartmental Centre, which was involved in selecting the winning thesis project.

Creating materials that behave like living tissue is an ever closer prospect thanks to a University of Trieste – Keio University (Japan) study just published in Advanced Science.

The international research team that conceived the paper consists of Pierangelo Gobbo, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UniTS, Prof. Taisuke Banno and PhD student Tomoya Kojima from Keio University.  

The scientists have developed an innovative method for assembling ‘prototissue’ fibres from microscopic vesicles, demonstrating how it is possible to synthesise materials that mimic the behaviour of human body tissue from scratch. The process exploits the adhesion between two types of oppositely charged vesicles, which are joined by ‘salt bridges’ acting as a kind of natural glue. 

The innovation has multiple applications and is likely to revolutionise various fields from 3D bioprinting and the design of engineered tissues to the development of soft robotics for the creation of flexible and adaptable devices inspired by living organisms. 

In the clinical field, for example, it will be possible to graft such synthetic fibres tissues in vivo to support sick living tissues. Notably, some of the prototypes developed are able to detect the presence of glucose and produce a fluorescent ‘signalling’ molecule. In future, these fibres could be engineered to produce insulin in response to increased glucose, meaning it could be applied in interesting ways in the treatment of diabetes. 

The fibres could also be engineered to respond not only to chemical but also physical stimuli, such as temperature or light, and, by combining them in bundles, obtain new ‘smart’ biomimetic materials for muscle tissue repair.

The study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the European Research Council (Starting Grant PROTOMAT) and the Next Generation EU programme (NRPP PRIN project 3D-L-INKED).
 

In the Picture: Prof. Pierangelo Gobbo, UniTS

From today, the University of Trieste and the University of Udine are connected by a quantum link running over fibre optics.

This connection marks the beginning of an infrastructure that is expected to grow rapidly, aiming to become a model for both Italy and Europe. The result of a five-year study, it is one of the key objectives of the Quantum FVG project, coordinated by the University of Trieste and funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The first milestone was the inauguration of the QCI Laboratory in 2024. Based at the CNR facility on the Basovizza campus within Area Science Park, the lab is dedicated to developing quantum solutions for the secure exchange of information.

The Rector of the University of Trieste, Roberto Di Lenarda, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating that those leading technological development, in which quantum research plays a fundamental role, have the power to shape economic processes and contribute to a safer and fairer society. Through the Quantum FVG project and its future developments, the university aims to play a central role in this transformation by excelling in teaching, research, and technological innovation within this strategic field.

Similarly, the Rector of the University of Udine, Roberto Pinton, emphasised that quantum physics represents an important frontier of knowledge. He noted that, with the activation of this quantum link between Udine and Trieste, the universities of the region are making a significant contribution to research in this field. The technical expertise and experience gained over decades, dating back to the early days of the internet, have now enabled the creation of a system based on sophisticated and innovative technologies, positioning the region at the forefront of quantum communication in Italy.

The Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia has committed further funding through the 2025 Stability Law for a project called EQUIP-FVG (Extended Quantum Infrastructure Project for Friuli Venezia Giulia). This initiative will establish a permanent fibre-optic infrastructure for secure communication using quantum technology, with applications in maritime, port, and logistics operations. This experimental phase is part of a broader strategy to enhance cybersecurity and technological competitiveness. In the future, it will be extended to other critical infrastructures and cross-border projects, strengthening the security of the region’s entire logistics network and reinforcing Friuli Venezia Giulia’s leadership in strategically significant areas for the country. Regional Councillor for Labour, Education, Research, Universities, and Families, Alessia Rosolen, explained that this initiative represents one step in a wider regional effort.

In addition, Councillor for Information Systems, Sebastiano Callari, noted that this achievement has been made possible above all thanks to investments by the Region, which has developed the Regional Public Network (RPR). This fibre-optic network spans 1,600 km as a backbone and includes over 500 km of access networks in urban and industrial areas, connecting more than 1,300 public offices. For years, the regional administration has been working to improve and expand digital infrastructure, and quantum communication will now allow these networks to support highly secure applications between key nodes, including universities.

The quantum link between the two universities guarantees both security and stability. It allows for the generation of ultra-secure cryptographic keys to encrypt document exchanges, and it is not simply a demonstration of the technology. Instead, it is a permanent and stable connection, intended to be integrated into future operational services.

The University of Trieste and the University of Udine will continue collaborating to enhance its performance and integrate it into classical infrastructure such as the internet.

To establish the connection, both the acquisition of quantum communication equipment and the securing of the necessary fibre-optic network were required. The purchase of equipment was made possible thanks to the Quantum FVG project, supported by the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Department for Labour, Education, Research, Universities, and Families. The fibre-optic infrastructure, on the other hand, was provided with the support of the Department for Public Assets, State Property, General Services, and Information Systems. 

A key role was played by LightNet, which will also be responsible for the technical management of the infrastructure.

This quantum link is part of a broader vision. The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, through the QuFree project, has allocated additional funds to explore quantum communication via free-space optics, the equivalent of radio links, instead of using fibre optics. The goal is to secure communications for recipients who cannot be connected via fibre, such as ships.

Finally, preparations are underway for a European project that will extend the quantum network eastward to include Slovenia.

In the photo: a shot from the presentation of the conference at the University of Trieste

A study has just been published in the international scientific journal Science of the Total Environment, which involved measuring mercury levels in the hair of fisherman and people working in the fishing industry in the Marano and Grado lagoon, one of the largest in Europe. 

The study was conducted by Luca Cegolon (UCO of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine of UniTS) in collaboration with Giuseppe Mastrangelo (University of Padua), the MercuRILab research group of the University of Trieste (directed by Stefano Covelli) and UniTS’s Occupational Medicine Department (directed by Francesca Larese Filon). 

The Marano and Grado lagoon was identified as a Site of National Interest (SNI) due to contamination from centuries-old mercury ore (cinnabar) from the Soča/Isonzo river draining into the Idria mining district in Slovenia (the second largest natural deposit in the world after Almaden in Spain). Inorganic forms of mercury were also present in the contamination, and came from uncontrolled industrial discharge. 

In the eastern sector of the lagoon, at the mouth of the Isonzo river, previous studies detected mercury concentrations of up to 11 mg/kg in sediments, gradually decreasing to 5 mg/kg in the central area and 0.7 mg/kg in the western sector. 

While the contamination of the eastern sector of the Lagoon was mainly attributable to mercury of mineral origin (cinnabar or mercury sulphide) from the Isonzo river, the mercury detected near the mouth of the Aussa-Corno river had an inorganic component, of industrial origin. 

The investigation by the University of Trieste, carried out in early 2024 in Marano Lagunare, compared the concentration of mercury in the hair of 73 fishermen (32 from the open sea, 30 from the lagoon and 11 mixed) and 83 local residents working in the fishing industry, with 93 residents from the Belluno area (mainly farmers). The survey focused on this group of people as they inevitably have greater access and availability to fish consumption than the general population. Residents from a mountainous area were chosen as the comparison category for the opposite reason. 

The average level of mercury detected in fishermen (2.56 mg/kg) and workers of the industry (2.31 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that of farmers in the Dolomites (0.58 mg/kg) and increased with the consumption of local fish, particularly fresh fish. An increase was also detected in categories such as fishermen, fish sellers or restaurateurs.

Although these values are slightly above the limit (2 mg/kg) recommended by the World Health Organisation, these concentrations are still well below 11.5 mg/kg, the limit below which no adverse effects on human health have been observed to date. The current situation, therefore, can be considered balanced, and does not contraindicate the consumption of fish from the lagoon. This is also true since fish carries selenium, a chemical element which offsets the effects of mercury. However, it is recommended that pregnant women and growing children limit their consumption of fresh fish to no more than one meal per week.

The new Multidisciplinary Clinic for the Management of Chronic Orofacial Pain is now active.

Established through a collaboration between the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences at UniTS and ASUGI (the local healthcare services), this innovative service aims to provide an integrated and highly specialised approach for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

The clinic involves the Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry Department, led by Professor Roberto Di Lenarda, and the Psychiatry Department, led by Professor Umberto Albert.

Chronic orofacial pain presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly given the growing demand for effective and coordinated patient care. This type of pain severely impacts the quality of life and daily activities of those affected.

To effectively address this complexity, the new clinic relies on a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including dentists with expertise in oral medicine and psychiatrists, who work in synergy to provide patients with a personalised and comprehensive treatment pathway.

The service is available at the Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry Department (Ospedale Maggiore, Oral Medicine and Pathology Clinic, 1st floor, Staircase G, Room No. 6) and can be accessed by appointment through ASUGI’s official channels. 

For further information, citizens can contact +39 040 399 2102.