What happens when we immerse ourselves in a place designed to isolate us from all external stimuli? A journey through the mechanisms by which we recognise reality, at the intersection of cognitive semiotics and neuroscience
A study identifies the brain mechanism that links expectations to confidence in our decisions in the alpha oscillations of the right parietal cortex
The blood pressure parameters used to consider a person “hypertensive” have steadily been lowered over the decades, to the point of reaching, in some cases, values that until recently were considered normal: but not all national and international guidelines agree
A large-scale survey of five million births in 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and India shows that exposure to high temperatures during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, particularly for male foetuses
The research, coordinated by Professors Federica Andrei and Elena Trombini of the University of Bologna’s Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, examines parental wellbeing and the factors influencing burnout in Italian families
The definition of what we see depends, at least in part, on the speed at which our brain takes its internal “photographs” of the outside world. When the frequency of alpha waves speeds up, perceptual sensitivity increases
A study by the University of Bologna gives voice to 17 Italian Paralympic athletes: media coverage still tends to emphasise disability over sporting performance, often relying on heroic or pity-based stereotypes
An investigation into the gut microbiome of asylum seekers reveals clear signs of stress, dysbiosis, and the loss of sensitive, beneficial microbial taxa. These indicators suggest potential adverse effects on the refugees' health
Successfully tested in animal models, a new-generation drug has achieved complete disease regression in models of neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, as well as colon cancer. The key lies in antibody–drug conjugates, which can recognise tumour cells and target them with a chemotherapy molecule designed to act selectively
People who are guided mainly by predictive cues risk making ineffective decisions even when experience shows there are better alternatives. This is the mechanism highlighted by a study conducted at the University of Bologna’s Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience (Cesena Campus)
We spoke with Raffaella Nori, Professor at the Renzo Canestrari Department of Psychology, whose research focuses on spatial memory, about how we find our way in unfamiliar places, gender stereotypes, orientation disorders, navigation tools, online maps and virtual reality
A young researcher from the Department of Psychology at the University of Bologna has received three prestigious international awards in the past two years. He shares the story of his scientific journey through the brain, the heart, memory and emotions
Meetings to inform and raise awareness, anti-abuse services and mental health support for staff and students. These are some of the actions with which the University of Bologna ensures the well-being of staff and students
According to an analysis of more than one hundred thousand university exams, an international team of researchers has shown that the moment in which students achieve the best results is around 12 p.m. This trend may be explained by the physiological rhythms that regulate cognitive abilities and mental fatigue
A survey on 158 small- and medium-sized family-run businesses shows that children-in-law often feel put aside by their parents- and siblings-in law, with significant consequences in terms of organisational dynamics and business results
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 European week dedicated to the prevention and early diagnosis of head and neck cancers is back, as part of an international initiative. The University of Bologna is joining the initiative with its Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), offering prevention days and awareness events for the public
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
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 genomic study of individuals from the Aymara, Quechua and Uros ethnic groups has revealed genetic variants that allow the embryo to develop in low-oxygen conditions. Similar traits have been observed in Asian populations living in the Himalayas: a rare case of 'evolutionary convergence'
The new research project BactEradiX, funded by the European EIC Pathfinder programme and coordinated by the University of Bologna, will develop a modular nanoplatform capable of degrading the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms, which enables pathogens to resist drugs and the immune system
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
Research carried out by the University of Bologna's Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, in collaboration with the Animal and Food Genomics Group and other University departments, has characterised the pig metabolome for the first time, opening up new possibilities for combining genetics and nutrition with applications in biomedicine and animal production
The researcher from the University of Bologna was awarded by the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for MultifacetedProtDB, the largest database of multifunctional human proteins
Social interactions can become a central element in strengthening interpersonal connections, improving the quality of life of the elderly and reducing isolation. This approach influences important biological mechanisms for healthy and active ageing, contributing to reducing social and health costs
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
Thanks to cryoelectronic microscopy, a research group led by scholars from the University of Bologna has identified a new aspect of the working mechanism of this very widespread enzyme, paving the way for the development of new drugs
The REWIRE project, coordinated by the University of Bologna, aims to provide Italy’s newly retired population with an index that indicates their risk of experiencing low well-being after retirement and offers guidance on improving their quality of life
For the first time, an international group of scholars shed light on how our brain manages to extract musical meanings from a string of sounds, and what happens when variations are introduced in a known pattern
DIGI-B-WELL: a European project to promote the digital well-being of SMEs, public institutions and academia was launched at the kick-off meeting in Rijeka (Croatia). Nine partners, including the University of Bologna, join forces to create a sustainable and future-oriented working environment
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