APHRODITE Project: Italian lab-on-chip technology debuts on the ISS
Thanks to the synergy between chemistry and aerospace engineering, the compact analytical device is ready for the first microgravity experiments with astronaut Sophie Adenot
Thanks to the synergy between chemistry and aerospace engineering, the compact analytical device is ready for the first microgravity experiments with astronaut Sophie Adenot
By blocking the receptor for specific steroid hormones called "glucocorticoids", it may be possible to enhance the effectiveness of cardiomyocyte regenerative therapies, with a significant impact on the treatment of heart failure
The Eldercare project, coordinated by the University of Bologna, has identified strategies to address poor adherence to chronic treatments. The aim is to tackle one of the main challenges facing the Italian public healthcare system, which costs the National Health Service around two billion euros each year
The most common bone cancer in children will be recreated in the laboratory and implanted into a fertilised egg. The project, developed by the University of Bologna’s Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, is supported by the Italian Association for Cancer Research (Fondazione AIRC)
The analysis of the ancient artefacts preserved in the “Luigi Cattaneo” Anatomical Wax Collection of the University of Bologna has revealed a new perspective on the material and symbolic culture of the 19th century, including religious motifs and themes of a personal, amorous and erotic nature
Coordinated by Professor Pietro Cacialli of the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Bologna, the project aims to investigate the role of the TTI2 gene in the nervous system during embryonic development
The joint work between the University of Bologna and the University of Milano-Bicocca was presented in Milan during an event in collaboration with Amref Health Africa aimed at raising awareness and strengthening prevention and action against femal genital mutilation
A project by the University of Bologna reveals the key role of families, schools and local communities in fostering openness to diversity in an increasingly multicultural society
The first symptoms of this rare inherited metabolic disease often appear in the gut: a joint study between the University of Bologna and APC Microbiome Ireland investigated how the accumulation of a particular metabolite, called lyso-Gb3, contributes to their development
A study involving over one hundred young women found that a high intake of animal proteins or alcohol is associated with an imbalance in the vaginal microenvironment. By contrast, a diet rich in fibre, starch, plant proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids supports a more stable and resilient microbiota. These findings open up new perspectives for preventing vaginal disorders, particularly in women prone to recurrence or during sensitive stages of life, such as pregnancy
An analysis of MRI scans from more than 46,000 people has revealed that excessive body weight is associated with accelerated brain ageing and greater cerebral atrophy. This phenomenon is particularly evident in men and tends to decrease with advancing age
The SYNTHIA project, in which the University of Bologna is a partner, will demonstrate how the responsible use of these data—artificially created to mimic real ones—plays a key role in advancing personalised medicine, contributing both to improved public health and to the protection of patient privacy
With this accreditation, certifying technical competence and high quality, the laboratory reaffirms its role as a key partner for the Judicial Authority in the fight against crime
Inflammaging, a state of low-grade chronic inflammation, is among the main risk factors for age-related diseases. Being able to measure it could help doctors provide personalised treatments for care and prevention. We discussed this with Aurelia Santoro, professor at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the University of Bologna
A study tracking infection and antibiotic resistance rates over 13 years in two UK healthcare facilities raises concerns about current guidelines on large-scale disinfectant use
A research team led by researchers from the University of Bologna has succeeded in measuring with extreme precision the activity and inhibition of 3CLpro, a key enzyme for coronavirus replication. The result could lead to new therapies, not just against COVID-19, but also against other viral diseases
A study led by the University of Bologna, which monitored the entire province of Pescara’s population for a year, confirmed the effectiveness of all influenza vaccines administered in 2023, observing the best results among individuals who had also been vaccinated against pneumococcus and Covid-19
At the Sant'Orsola General Hospital, a large tumour was removed without disfiguring the patient's face, thanks to three prostheses created using virtual surgical planning, augmented reality and 3D technologies
Forecasts for 2025 indicate a decrease in cancer mortality rates in the European Union, with an estimated reduction of around 3.5% in men and 1.2% in women. A positive trend is also expected for breast cancer, with the exception of women over the age of eighty. For this group, the increase in mortality may be linked to limited access to regular screening, delayed diagnoses, and lower uptake of innovative treatments
One-third of patients undergoing advanced cellular therapies develop a severe neurotoxicity syndrome as a side effect. A new scientific study reveals how to detect this complication days in advance, enabling doctors to intervene effectively
By analysing the cases of more than 1,700 patients who experienced an NSTEMI myocardial infarction, a research team led by scientists from the University of Bologna has identified a new threshold value for troponin, a protein found in heart muscle cells, which could allow doctors to adopt more targeted strategies to reduce post-angioplasty complications
The research group led by Professor Elisabetta Ciani from the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences will investigate whether the recombinant CDKL5 protein, secreted in vivo by lactic acid bacteria, can restore brain development impaired by its deficiency
A research team from the University of Bologna has developed a system that uses a specific bacteriophage — a virus that infects bacteria but is harmless to humans — as a template to synthesise new photosensitive nanoparticles able to target and destroy cancer cells and tissues
The University of Bologna is contributing to the Strengthening BBMRI.it project by establishing the “UNIBO Microbiome Biobank and training specialists to improve the collection of biological resources and advance the treatment of multifactorial diseases
The University of Bologna joins the European research project Orchestra, achieving critical breakthroughs in understanding and addressing the long-term effects of coronavirus
Paediatric neuroblastoma is the leading cause of death among children with cancer. An international research team has discovered the gene that initiates the disease, also identifying a potential therapeutic target
Developed by researchers from the University of Bologna and Dartmouth College, this consists of an innovative template of the cortical surface, developed based on the anatomy of 1031 human brains, which makes it possible to conduct studies in functional magnetic resonance imaging with less data and a higher level of replicability and reproducibility
Research involving the University of Bologna, found that graphene has properties that can control and modulate the activities of astrocytes, a type of brain cell. The work, published in Nature Nanotechnology, has the potential to have positive implications for the study of brain diseases such as epilepsy and stroke
A study led by scientists at the University of Bologna has uncovered new insights into how the brain regulates automatic imitation - a behaviour that underlies many complex social interactions. The findings could lead to therapeutic applications for patients with neurological impairments and social dysfunction
A research group at the University of Bologna has demonstrated that when we move our arms, very similar neural states are activated in three areas of the posterior parietal cortex, but with different results with respect to the accuracy of the movement target decoding process. The results could be useful for the development of prostheses in direct communication with the brain
The study, conducted by cross-referencing data from 19 scientific studies, involving over 20,000 individuals, shows an efficacy rate of over 50% in reducing disease cases, with lasting effects and a high safety profile
Led by Francesco Chemello, a professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, the project will explore potential therapeutic approaches for this genetic disease that affects muscles, leading to loss of mobility and premature death due to cardio-respiratory issues
An analysis summarising two decades of scientific studies highlights how a diet free from animal products and their derivatives reduces the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and cancer
A research group at the University of Bologna has identified, for the first time, the specific location and genomic context where DNA breaks occur due to the inhibition of the topoisomerase I protein. The findings could lead to the development of new cancer therapies
Scholars from the University of Bologna's medical departments talk in videos and podcasts about prevention, healthcare, the fight against disease, research challenges and the training of new healthcare professionals