Some fossil remains discovered near Casablanca, dating back to around 773,000 years ago, may belong to an African population that lies at the base of the evolutionary trajectory from which the most recent human species, including our own, originated
With four projects and total funding of 11 million euros, the University of Bologna is the Italian university with the highest number of grant holders in the latest ERC Synergy Grants and one of the most successful in the European Union. From the cohabitation between humans and animals on an increasingly fragile planet to the earliest microseconds after the Big Bang; from the ultra-fast processes of the photochemical reactions to the unsolved questions on the universe expansion, the participating researchers will join their forces to address some of the most complex challenges in contemporary science
Thanks to portable technologies, an international team has carried out in situ analyses of silica stromatolites in the Imawarì Yeutà cave, opening up new perspectives for planetary exploration as well. Research groups led by Martina Cappelletti from the University of Bologna and speleologist Francesco Sauro from the University of Padua are among the authors of the study
Emergy analysis is a tool to objectively calculate the environmental and social costs of climate policies, with significant implications on legal proceedings related to climate change
In the new edition of the GreenMetric ranking, the University of Bologna ranks first nationally and ninth worldwide among the most sustainability-conscious universities. A standout among the indicators that make up the ranking is the first place globally in sustainable mobility
The University of Bologna Embraces the Project “Green Library”
As a consequence of climate change, some species will only be able to survive at the highest elevations, while many others – surprisingly – will shift downslope in search of areas with greater precipitation
At the latest edition of the world championship for solar vehicles, the Onda Solare team took third place in the Cruiser Class and also received the CSIRO Innovation Award for its suspension system
At the heart of the new ERC project BELIEFS, led by Professor Emanuele Campiglio of the University of Bologna, is the issue of business expectations regarding ecological transition policies and how these influence their investment decisions. The project aims to create a tool that can provide reliable answers, thereby ensuring a rapid and orderly decarbonisation process
A sequence of supercell thunderstorms caused devastating hailstorms – responsible for hundreds of injuries and millions of euros in damage – and generated the largest hailstorm observed in Europe. A group of scholars observed that the main cause of this extraordinary weather event was the strong flow of moisture at high altitude
The technology used by the University of Bologna is the only one of its kind in Italy. It is being used for the first time in a historic park that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site
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 shipwreck that occurred on the night of 19 August 2024 off the coast of Palermo, claiming seven lives, is thought to have been caused by a 'downburst', a phenomenon characterised by downward gusts of wind that can exceed 100 kilometres per hour
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 project, coordinated by the University of Bologna will support low-impact fish production by using climate forecasts generated by Artificial Intelligence
Starting tomorrow, videos on monitors in regional trains, posters in bus shelters and a dedicated website will offer tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle to people who travel every day from home. This is the core of the activities coordinated by the Department for Life Quality Studies of the University of Bologna, in collaboration with Trenitalia and Tper
Through the SustainEUorPlanet - Jean Monnet Chair project, the University of Bologna offers a training programme designed for public officials, academics, and high-level political decision-makers who can interpret and promote sustainability in international law and policies—in the areas of trade and investment, the environment, and energy—with a special focus on the European Union’s leadership role
The Horizon Europe MINEYE project is developing new technologies to enhance the EU’s ability to access strategic metals and minerals, while also addressing environmental and social impacts. The University of Bologna is involved in both exploration efforts, as well as the management and monitoring of mineral residues
Professor Günther Blöschl of the University of Bologna and the Vienna University of Technology has been awarded the Stockholm Water Prize for his groundbreaking studies on flood risk reduction and water resource management under climate change
Accidentally found by a researcher from the University of Bologna, it was named Leprocaulon inexpectatum to emphasise the surprise of the discovery of a new species in one of the most polluted areas of Europe
Thanks to advanced machine learning models, the new GrAiCE dataset offers an accurate reconstruction of variations in freshwater reserves, highlighting the impact of extreme weather events on water resources
Only one in five native plants survives in areas threatened by human activity. An international study of 5500 sites around the world reveals the invisible loss of nature
A multi-taxonomic analysis that considered 151 different species of small mammals, reptiles, birds, beetles, and lichens offers an overview of the situation, revealing potential threats to biodiversity in a sensitive geographical area where industrial and agricultural activities coexist with ecologically significant natural habitats
Rector Molari took part in the Climate Symposium in Durham, organized by the Coimbra Group, to discuss climate change and the commitment of universities to environmental protection
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 bacterial communities that live on tree canopies are fundamental to promote plant growth and their resistance to environmental stresses, but the effects of global change could alter this delicate balance
The new ESG4PMChange Erasmus + project, in which the Department of Management at the University of Bologna is involved, aims to enhance the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into training courses for professionals working in project management within organisations
Thanks to the Erasmus+ CBHE "GreenTraINT" Project Coordinated by Alma Mater, Academic Training and Practical Experience for Future Professionals in the Agri-Food, Livestock, and Biodiversity Conservation Sectors, Aiming for a More Sustainable Future
The tree is the defining feature of the Botanic Garden of Bologna, with its 32 metres in height and almost 5 metres in circumference. It has shown signs of ageing and a delicate balance with the surrounding environment: a group of scholars from the University of Bologna will take care of it thanks to a unique research initiative in Europe
This russet apple, named after its distinctive golden hue, offers a sweet-sour fresh and pleasant taste. It was created by crossing Renetta Grigia di Torriana and GoldRush
An analysis conducted by combining satellite images with an artificial intelligence system shows that Ukraine lost 808 square kilometres of forests in 2022, and 772 square kilometres in 2023, causing immeasurable damage to biodiversity and ecosystem processes
The series of free events celebrating Charles Darwin’s birth returns to Bologna, bringing the city to life with meetings, conferences, and educational activities for people of all ages
An interactive journey to explore the Arctic and how climate change is altering its ecosystem, with economic, social, and geopolitical repercussions worldwide
In a world increasingly marked by human impacts and wars, a novel conservation strategy is emerging that fosters cooperation among neighbouring countries while enhancing ecosystem and wildlife connectivity. UniboMagazine discussed this initiative with Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, a professor in the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Bologna, who introduced the proposal in the journal Biological Conservation
This is confirmed by the latest edition of the GreenMetric ranking, which evaluates universities’ actions for environmental sustainability. The University of Bologna ranks first in Italy for the eighth consecutive year and has reached ninth place in the global rankings
Starting from the case of Madrid, an international group of researchers has developed a method to identify the areas with the highest vulnerability to rising temperatures. The method is based on the distribution of specific population subgroups, such as the elderly, women and people with a low socio-economic status
By studying the traces left by predators and parasites on shells, it was revealed that the molluscan communities in the northern Adriatic Sea are subjected to much more limited predation and parasitism compared to a few thousand years ago. This finding reflects a reduction in biodiversity and stability of ecosystems
Alongside the Apis mellifera ligustica, a native subspecies fundamental for beekeeping, some traces of Carniolan honeybee, Africanized bee and European black bee have been identified too. This was revealed by the first study on genetic diversity of honeybee populations in the Emilia-Romagna region. Results can help us preserve the Apis mellifera ligustica subspecies from genetic erosion
The new Interreg Italy-Croatia project, involving the University of Bologna, will develop tools to better understand the complex interactions of climate change along the Adriatic coast
A number of initiatives and visiting days at the experimental fields in Cadriano promote the four varieties that have achieved all the goals set in terms of yield, fruit quality and size
The area including the Punte Alberete Oasis, the Pialassa Baiona, the Valle della Canna and the San Vitale Pinewood is one of the experimental sites of the ACTION project, which will provide natural based solutions for protecting the ecosystems and ensuring more resilience to climate change
The document outlines the University's strategies and actions that allow it to create economic, social, and environmental value for both the community and the region it serves, while aligning with the UN's Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Fifteen species of elasmobranchs are in danger of extinction. To support their conservation in the Mediterranean, the EU is funding the LIFE PROMETHEUS project with 4.3 million euros, involving twenty-one partners, including the University of Bologna
As part of the ERC DeepSeep project, a scientific expedition will search for traces of how natural hydrogen was formed and circulated in rocks nearly two billion years old: a possible energy source for primordial life forms, which could also prove to be a new clean energy source
The new Radicals research project, led by the University of Bologna, investigates the genetic basis of plants to make them more resilient and ensure their productivity even under adverse conditions
Climate change, ocean acidification, the spread of invasive species, trawling: human activities are altering fossil record on the seafloor, affecting our ability to reconstruct the recent past and to use fossils to assess the state of degradation of current marine ecosystems
The POLYPOLL project, led by the University of Bologna, studies the effects of chemical pollutants such as fungicides, herbicides, heavy metals, and veterinary drugs on pollinating insects, seeking solutions to make agricultural ecosystems more sustainable
Combining the tools of climate science with those of volcanology, a group of scholars has shown that the period of increased rainfall recorded between late 2017 and 2018 coincided with a strong reduction in gas emissions from the Pozzuoli Solfatara, contributing to the increase in seismic activity recorded the following year