Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Università di Trento


Subsonic or supersonic?

Researchers propose a new analytical approach to determine the limiting velocity of an avalanche crack, revealing that it may propagate at supersonic speeds in certain situations. The findings reconcile conflicting interpretations and provide insights into designing structures impacted by snow masses.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalMatter·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2026

The many forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Researchers uncover role of glia in ALS pathogenesis, finding altered functioning of TDP-43 protein and MYC factor responsible for abnormality. The study provides new anchors to understand clinical heterogeneity of ALS and suggests potential biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalBrain·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2026

The disordered heart of glass

A study by the University of Trento reveals that ultra-stable glasses exhibit almost identical basic vibrations to normal glass, contradicting previous computer simulations. This finding suggests that vibrational modes are less sensitive to disorder than thought.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

Cystic fibrosis: research advances

A study coordinated by the University of Trento has identified a gene therapy for individuals with cystic fibrosis caused by a specific mutation, offering new hope for those currently dependent on drugs. The therapy uses advanced gene editing technology to correct the DNA mutation responsible for the disease.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2026

Cohesion in Diversity

A study published in PNAS found that the brain's social perception is more inclusive when a shared national identity is made salient. The research suggests that this neural flexibility can help bridge divisions and foster harmonious intergroup relations. By emphasizing common identities and shared goals, social cohesion can be improved.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 30, 2026

An avatar to study pediatric brain cancer

A team of researchers has created a 3D model of pediatric brain tumors using biopsy-derived organoids, allowing for more accurate testing of new drugs. The model, which accurately reproduces the human environment, preserves the molecular characteristics of the original tumor and maintains cellular heterogeneity.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Protocols·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

Evidence of a subsurface lava tube on Venus

A team from the University of Trento has identified an empty subsurface lava tube beneath Venus' surface, estimated to be approximately one kilometer in diameter and 375 meters deep. The discovery was made possible by analyzing Magellan's radar images and provides new insights into Venus' volcanic processes and geology.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 9, 2026

Growing together, bacterium after bacterium

A study by University of Trento researchers found that babies share up to 20% of bacterial strains with peers in the same nursery, highlighting the importance of social interaction in shaping their developing gut microbiome. The study also discovered an increase in new strain acquisition after antibiotic treatment.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 21, 2026

Vital intertwining

A study on a blood parasite's genome has led to the development of a new material with unusual properties. The material combines toughness and softness, characteristics that are typically not found in the same substance.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 16, 2025

A 3D atlas of brain connections

Researchers created BraDiPho, a 3D atlas of brain connections, combining clinical neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and neuroanatomy. The tool facilitates precise identification of white matter connections, opening up new therapeutic perspectives for neurological diseases.

SourceUniversità di Trento·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2025

The harmony of cells

A new bioinformatic tool called Cell Marker Accordion has been developed to help researchers understand single-cell analysis results. The tool reveals the presence of altered cells that may be linked to diseases such as blood cancers or solid tumours, and can identify unique genes involved in these alterations.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2025

Colorectal cancer: towards a diagnostic test

Researchers have identified a specific microbial signature associated with colorectal cancer, allowing for non-invasive screening approaches. The accuracy of this method is close to 90%, and it's also correlated with the clinical stage of the disease.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 3, 2025

The sleep of bees. So human

A study at the University of Trento has observed the brain activity of honey bees during sleep and identified similarities with human sleep patterns. The researchers used a combination of optical brain imaging, machine learning analysis, and computational neural modelling to analyze how sleep influences sensory perception in bees.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNeural Networks·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2025

A step forward towards green hydrogen

A team of researchers from the University of Trento has developed a new method for producing clean hydrogen through photoelectrochemistry, utilizing two-dimensional materials. The study shows that these materials can break the chemical bond of water molecules to produce hydrogen with superior performance compared to previous methods.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalCarbon·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 5, 2025

Investigating human interaction: When we are in sync

A team from the University of Trento combined AI techniques with neuroimaging measurements to analyze how emotions and language structure influence brain activity during interactions. The results show that neural synchrony is associated with emotional content and semantic structure, with implications for understanding human relationships.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNeuroImage·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025

Traffic jams? Let's learn from ants

A team of researchers from UniTrento examined how ants manage traffic congestion using pheromone trails and observed individual ant movements. Their findings could provide a model for optimizing autonomous vehicle traffic flow, reducing congestion and emissions.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateJan 13, 2025

A healthy diet is key to a healthy gut microbiome

A large-scale study analyzed the gut microbiomes of over 21,500 individuals and found that vegan diets had the healthiest microbiomes, followed by vegetarians and omnivores. The researchers discovered unique microbial signatures for each dietary pattern, with vegans having more beneficial bacteria associated with fiber fermentation.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 6, 2025

The innate ability to recognize faces

A recent study by the University of Trento found that newborn chicks have a population of neurons responding to face-like stimuli, suggesting an innate ability to recognize faces. This innate predisposition is supported by previous behavioural studies showing spontaneous attraction to face-like stimuli in humans and animals.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2024

Spider fangs reveal surprises

Researchers have discovered that spider fangs can cut strong materials like carbon and Kevlar with minimal force due to their unique morphology. The serrated edge of the fang allows for a secure grip, maximizing cutting efficiency and making it an effective tool for spiders.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2024

Existence of lunar lava tube cave demonstrated

A team of international scientists has demonstrated the existence of a lunar lava tube cave, with radar reflections indicating an underground conduit in Mare Tranquillitatis. This discovery provides crucial evidence for safe site selection on the Moon and supports future exploration missions.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 15, 2024

The dance of electrons

Scientists have discovered a new way to transform an insulating material into a semimetal by exposing it to ultrafast laser pulses. This process alters the energy states and electron movement, temporarily creating a semimetallic state that can be used in devices with dynamic properties.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 10, 2024

Brain plasticity, not just neurons

Researchers discover a new mechanism of neural plasticity underlying learning and memory processes, highlighting the crucial role of chondroitin sulfates in brain function. The study provides insights into how these molecules contribute to synaptic modifications and spatial memory.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Fighting cancer with artificial cells

A research team led by Martin Hanczyc is developing artificial cells with specific elements to target cancer cells, aiming to stop their growth and defeat cancer. The team will create bio-hybrid tissues where artificial cells interact with living carcinogenic cells to influence cancer development.

Mind the mask!

An experimental study on over 6,000 unvaccinated individuals in Europe reveals that people perceive less risk of contagion when wearing masks and meeting in open spaces. The study highlights the importance of improving behavioral aspects of health policies and public health literacy.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2024

Stable and efficient robotic artificial muscles built upon new material combinations

Researchers have developed a system that enables accurate force measurement in soft material-based actuators, allowing for arbitrarily long periods of constant force. The new material combinations reduce energy consumption by up to thousandfold, enabling the creation of low-cost and high-performance solutions for assistive devices and ...

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

New insights on Neanderthal cuisine. Plos One has just published a study that sums up twenty years of archaeological excavations with a striking conclusion: Neanderthals were as intelligent as Homo sapiens

Neanderthals demonstrated intelligence and symbolic thought through their ability to control fire and cook food. Their varied diet consisted of cooked meats, fish, and other food sources, showcasing their advanced cognitive abilities.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

The origins of life on Earth

A University of Trento study has demonstrated that inorganic structures can incorporate organic molecules to form primitive cell-like membranes, a key step in the origin of life on Earth. The findings open up new research opportunities for recreating life on other planets and improving drug effectiveness.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2023

DNA breaking process revealed

A team of scientists studied the impact of radiation on DNA, revealing that damaged areas are separated by a critical distance before breaking. The study found an exponential increase in DNA breakage time with distance, providing crucial information for effective DNA repair processes.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2023

Microscopic chains that mimic DNA

Researchers discover circular polycatenanes with properties similar to DNA rings, showcasing a connection between local and global properties. These structures have unique elastic properties and can be used in designing new materials and micro-sensors.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 24, 2022

A "compass" in the brain to navigate thoughts

Researchers at the University of Trento discovered brain cells acting as a compass for navigating conceptual spaces, similar to those found in physical environments. These 'head-direction cells' signal direction even when movement occurs in abstract spaces, suggesting a complementary mechanism for conceptual navigation.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 17, 2021

Happiness can be learned

A nine-month program combining theoretical studies and meditation practices improved life satisfaction, perceived well-being, and emotional regulation. The study suggests that happiness is linked to inner equilibrium and offers a secular approach to develop authentic happiness.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 19, 2021

Bioinspired materials from dandelions

Researchers at the University of Trento have discovered that dandelion clocks can trap air when submerged in water, leading to the development of new materials that could be used in underwater operations. The discovery was made by students and professors who were inspired by a observation made by a high school student.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalMaterials Today Bio·DateMar 3, 2021