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Spoke 2 NODES research comes to Rai 1 On Saturday 17 May, Linea Verde - Rai 1's historic programme dedicated to territories and sustainable innovation - will air a special report dedicated to a frontier project that combines mineral waste recovery, sustainable building and traditional craftsmanship.

A proposal to strengthen collaboration among universities in the North-West has been relaunched in the pages of La Stampa by the Rector of the Politecnico di Torino, Stefano Corgnati, who aims to establish a federation of universities to jointly address the great challenges of research, innovation, and education, with a cooperative and systemic approach.   The stated goal would be to build a new model of academic governance capable of coordinating educational paths and laboratories, sharing infrastructures and equipment, creating research hubs also open to businesses, attracting greater public and private funding, and enhancing the different territorial vocations.   «Today it no longer makes sense to talk about individual research, we need large infrastructures,» stated the Rector of the Politecnico, who has been appointed President of the NODES Ecosystem, coordinated by the university. «Let’s project ourselves twenty years into the future: those who will succeed will be those able to cover all phases of research, networking technological, humanistic, economic, and legal skills.»   A vision that is already partly a reality   The idea of an academic federation in the North-West could find in experiences like NODES a concrete operational reference. In this scenario, the NODES Innovation Ecosystem — funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) — represents an already active and concrete experience of inter-university cooperation, involving partner universities (including many of the institutions mentioned in the article) together with research centers, businesses, and local territories.   An ecosystem built on a logic of territorial alliance for innovation, capable of a shared governance structure, a common strategic vision, integration between academic skills and the needs of the production system, and the opening up of infrastructures to serve companies and local communities. The Ecosystem is demonstrating that networking people, resources, and skills is not only possible but effective: it accelerates processes, strengthens impact, and enhances each territory in its own uniqueness.   In this perspective, the initiative scheduled for May 27 and 28 at the Politecnico di Torino also fits in: the NODES' Tech Sharing Days, a meeting point between research and industry, during which more than 60 academic Proofs of Concept developed by local universities will be presented. Projects born in university laboratories and already ready to be transferred to the market or society.   These are concrete solutions that demonstrate the value of collaboration among universities, the strength of public research, and the ability to create living connections with the productive world. Discover the full program of the Tech Sharing Days

Technological innovation, sustainability, and knowledge transfer are the pillars on which the NODES 2025 Spring Roadshow is built: a series of events focused on fostering collaboration between academia, businesses, and local stakeholders. From sustainable industry to healthcare, from aerospace to mobility, including agribusiness, tourism, and culture each stop is dedicated to a strategic sector, with the aim of highlighting the contribution of businesses and research to the digital and sustainable transition.   Organized as part of the NODES – North-West Digital and Sustainable project, the Roadshow offers a unique opportunity to explore the results of projects funded through cascade calls, get an up-close look at the developed Proofs of Concept (PoC), and delve into the solutions that are transforming key sectors for the economic and technological growth of the North-West.      

Plant Flow Solutions (PFS), a new entrepreneurial reality was born from a Proof of Concept developed within Spoke 2 of NODES - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries, under the guidance of Prof. Claudio Lovisolo (DISAFA, Università di Torino).   The project was also able to continue its development thanks to the collaboration with the 2i3T incubator, moving from academic research to market innovation. The spin-off proposes a platform capable of automatically and continuously monitoring gas exchange between plant and atmosphere (CO₂ and H₂O), with an unprecedented level of precision and modularity. A technology designed to revolutionise the Agritech sector, but also applicable in industrial and urban contexts, up to carbon capture and air remediation from VOCs and pollutants.   Plant Flow Solutions is a virtuous example of technology transfer and sustainable innovation, perfectly in line with the objectives of NODES.   Get to know more

The session “Soil management practices and land degradation in vineyards”, held on 28–29 April during the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2025 (EGU) in Vienna, featured active participation from researchers at the University of Pavia. Claudia Meisina chaired the session, guiding an international scientific dialogue on soil degradation and sustainable practices in viticulture.   The contributions presented stemmed from research activities carried out within the VINO flagship project, part of NODES – SPOKE 6 – Primary Agroindustry, and covered a broad range of topics. Massimiliano Bordoni, Valerio Vivaldi, and Claudia Meisina presented work on shallow landslide prediction models, hydrogeological characterisation, and vulnerability analysis on vineyard slopes. Fabio Dell’Acqua introduced an automated mapping approach for inter-row vineyard management using satellite imagery and Bézier curve analysis. Diego Ravazzolo discussed a surface runoff model applied to assess erosion in agricultural landscapes.   Among the on-site posters, Antonio Gambarani, Matteo Giganti, along with Bordoni, Vivaldi, and Meisina, showcased studies on the application of nature-based solutions, the quantification of soil degradation, and future land suitability for perennial crops. The event highlighted the quality and relevance of the outcomes generated by the VINO project, fostering an interdisciplinary exchange between geosciences, digital technologies, and sustainable farming practices. 🔗 Learn more about the session: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/session/52887

An award for the INTEROCOACH project: an innovative teleassistance model for patients with heart failure.      The research team of TINCARE's Research Module 1 received an important recognition at the 5th Congress ''Healthcare Professions in the Cardiovascular Field: Assistance, Research and Training''. Dr. Ines Basso presented the INTERCOACH study, conducted under the guidance of Prof. Alberto Dal Molin, and was awarded the “Best Oral Abstract” prize in the competition held in memory of Elaine Gillian Laws. The study involved 45 patients discha5rged from the AOU Major of the Charity of Novara, after hospitalization for heart failure. The aim is to enhance their ability care for themselves thorugh a six-months nurse-led educational program delivered by phone, integrated with a telemonitoring system for vital signs.  To date, over 120 follow-up phone calls have been conducted and the telemonitoring system has generated more than 200 alarms.  In 44 cases, nursign intervention was necessary, which involved the reinforcement of self-management measures, a more intensive monitoring or the coordination of care by referring the patient to the family doctor of hospital specialist, according to the severity of the situation.  Participant acceptance of the intervention has generally been positive: patients are cooperative and motivated, despite some initial difficulties related to the use of technology, overcome thanks to the active support of the operators.     

The approval by the Ethics Committee marks the official start of the experimental phase of the project.   Healthy aging is a crucial challenge for modern society, with an estimated growth in government costs of up to 28.3% of Italian GDP by 2040. The progressive decline of motor and cognitive skills in the elderly population requires innovative strategies; among these, virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a promising tool thanks to its ability to create immersive environments, improving memory, attention and problem-solving, as well as offering psycholosocial benefits, reducing isolation and depression.       In this context, the ''VR-AGEWISE'' project aims to explore the use of advanced visualization devices to assess the effectiveness of using VR on elderly subjects. The main objectives are: to measure its impact on cognitive and motor functions, to analyze the usability and acceptability of the technology, compare cognitive and physical benefits between younger and older individuals, and study the longitudinal effects on cognitive decline progression.     The recent approval obtained from the Ethics Committee marks the official start of the experimental phase of the project. This campaing will be based on the use of digital technologies identified and developed in the first two years of work, with the aim of systematically testing their effectiveness. In particular, the focus will be on virtual reality (VR), assessing its benefits thorugh a direct comparison between different cohorts of participants, young and old. Different cognitive and motor parametes will be analysed to better understand how age affects the response to technology.   In addition to measuring the effects of VR activities, the study aims to collect qualitative and quantitative feedback from participants, which is crucial for perfecting and optimising the usability of the proposed solutions. The ultimate goal is to maximise the positive impact of digital technologies on quality of life by promoting their widespread and conscious use within contemporary society.      

Il Research Module 2 di TINCARE esplora nuove strategie per il benessere osteomuscolare   Il gruppo di ricerca Research Module 2 del gruppo TINCARE ha avviato l'arruolamento dei pazienti per uno studio clinico monocentrico volto a valutare l'efficacia della maglietta DZero, un dispositivo medico indossabile di classe I, su soggetti con dolore lombare o cervicale. Coinvolgimento, innovazione e medicina non farmacologica al centro della ricerca.  Con entusiasmo e spirito innovativo, il Research Module 2 dell'Università del Piemonte Orientale ha avviato ufficialmente l'arruolamento dei pazienti presso l'Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS Antonio e BIagio e Cesare Arrigo di Alessandria, per uno studio clinico dedicato alla valutazione dell'efficacia della maglietta DZero, un dispositivo medico indossabile di classe I, realizzato con fibre tessili impregnate di nanoceramica.    Lo studio, di tipo pre-post e monocentrico, coinvolgerà 50 soggetti adulti affetti da problematiche osteomuscolari, in particolare lombalgia o cervicalgia, sintomi diffusi che impattano significativamente sulla qualità della vita quotidiana. Il percorso di studio si articolerà in tre momenti principali: una visita iniziale (T0), un follow-up (T1) e una valutazione finale a 30 giorni (T2). In ciascuna fase verranno raccolti dati relativi alla qualità della vita (EQ-5D-5L), al dolore percepito (Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire), al benessere generale (WHO-5) e alla fatica (Borg CR10). Tutti i partecipanti riceveranno gratuitamente la maglietta DZero da indossare quotidianamente durante il periodo di studio, secondo le indicazioni fornite al team clinico.    Un aspetto fondamentale dello studio riguarda anche la raccolta sistematica di dati sulla sicurezza e tollerabilità di DZero, con particolare attenzione all'eventuale comparsa di reazioni avverse cutanee (come rash o irritazioni) e alla durabilità del materiale durante l'uso quotidiano. Trattandosi di un dispositivo medico di classe I, è essenziale documentarne in modo rigoroso non solo l'efficacia percepita, ma anche la sicurezza a breve termine e la resistenza all'usura, in linea con le normative vigenti in ambito medico e regolatorio.  Il reclutamento rappresenta un passo decisivo verso una medicina sempre più personalizzata, orientata al benessere e alla sostenibilità. La tecnologia della maglietta DZero, basata sull'emissione di onde infrarosse lontane da parte delle particelle ceramiche integrate, mira a favorire la microcircolazione e il rilassamento muscolare, offrendo un possibile supporto complementare per chi convive con dolori cronici.  

From 22 to 24 April 2025, students from the Master’s Degree Programme in Agri-Food Sustainability at the University of Pavia took part in an intensive learning experience as part of the course “Sustainable Grass Crops, Integrated Production, Organic Farming” (9 ECTS), offered within the activities of Spoke 6.   Coordinated by Professor Valentina Vaglia (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences), the course featured visiting professor Anna Peterson from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), providing students with a valuable opportunity to engage with international academic and practical perspectives on agroecology and the sustainability of agricultural landscapes.   The programme included field visits to the “I Doria” farm in Montalto Pavese (PV) and group work focused on real-world challenges such as agrivoltaics, soil and forest management, and crop diversification. Thanks to collaboration with European researchers and practitioners, students tackled complex issues through an interdisciplinary and project-based approach. Drawing inspiration from historical references such as Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good and Bad Government, participants were asked to envision sustainable transformation scenarios for the farm by 2050, rooted in the local context and grounded in the principles of environmental justice and resilience.

A significant stage, rich in ideas, inspiration and tangible outcomes, enlivened the Rectorate of the University of Piemonte Orientale on April 14th during the event  “Business and Innovation: Springtime for Health and Silver Economy''. The initiative was organized by Spoke 5 of the NODES project as part of the Roadshow dedicated to companies funded through cascade calls.     The initiative, funded by MUR through the PNRR and NextGenerationEU funds, shone a spotlight on innovative solutions developed by companies and researchers to address the challenges of modern healthcare, with a focus on digitalization, artificial intelligence, biomedical technologies and personalized medicine.   Following the institutional greetings by the Rector, Prof. Menico Rizzi, and Prof. Marco Invernizzi, Project Manager of Spoke 5, the audience had the opportunity to learn about the first results of the flagship projects INNDIANA and TINCARE, presented respectively by researchers Dr. Elena Canciani and Dr. Ines Basso. Additionally, Dr. Chiara Caucino, Junior Innovation Manager & Business Development at BioIndustryPark, provided an overview of the cascade funding calls—key tools for supporting innovation within companies.   Great attention was given to the projects funded through the cascade calls: in 4-minute pitches, companies enthusiastically presented their results and prototypes, ranging from assistive robotics to telemedicine, from nutraceuticals for longevity to nanotechnologies applied to oncology.    The event confirmed the strenght of the NODES ecosystem in fostering synergies between academia, industry, and the local territory and in supporting the development of technologies at the service of people, prevention and quality of life.     Stay tuned to the NODES and Spoke 5 to discover upcoming developments in heatlh and innovation.

Three agricultural businesses from the province of Pavia have been selected to take an active role in the project within Spoke 6, which is focused on sustainability and the digitalisation of agricultural and livestock production intended for industrial processing. The participating companies are:   Il Sabbione, run by Alice Zanaboni, based in Robecco Pavese (PV) Azienda Agricola Frigerio Anna Maria, located in Voghera (PV) Azienda Agricola Luca Bonizzoni, based in Casteggio (PV)   The challenges proposed by these companies were presented to students on 14 March during the Advanced Digital Marketing course, part of the Master’s Degree Programme in Digital Communication. This marked the beginning of an innovative educational journey based on the “learning by doing” method. The students, organised into multidisciplinary teams and guided by Professor Elisa Conz, will develop ideas, projects, and innovative solutions in response to the companies' real-world needs.   The initiative has a dual aim: To provide students with the opportunity to work on real business cases, gaining practical and project-based skills in a dynamic and authentic environment. To enable companies to connect with young talent and discover innovative, applicable solutions for their production and communication strategies.   Students will have until June to develop digital marketing plans designed to enhance brand awareness and engagement for the selected businesses. Particular attention will be given to competitiveness on both national and international levels: the marketing strategies must highlight the authenticity and quality of local products, helping to position these brands in a distinctive way within Italian and global markets.

IV Spoke 4 Stakeholder Committee held in Aosta on April 10, 2025

The Ethics Committees of Ospedale Maggiore della Carità in Novara (coordinating center), Auxologico in Piancavallo (VB), Ospedale Molinette in Torino, Ospedale San Luigi Gonzaga di Orbassano (TO) and Politecnico di Torino have given a favourable opinion on the conduct of the MOVEWISE study in each centre.   The Ethics Committes are independent bodeis that guarantee the protection of the rights, safety and well-being of people involved in scientific research. In italy, any study involving human participants must be evaluated to ensure compliance with fundamental principles, such as those established by the Declaration of Helsinki and the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. This process guarantees that research is conducted ethically, transparently and safely for all participants. The Territorial Ethics Committees of the five centers involved in the MOVEWISE project have approved the study protocol aimed at developing a wearable system to monitor mobility parameters most closely associated with fall risk in everyday life. The study includes the recording of signals from wearable sensors in cohorts of sixty patients affected by multiple sclerosis (Ospedale Maggiore della Carità and San Luigi Gonzaga), Parkinson’s disease (Auxologico di Piancavallo), and vestibular disorders (Ospedale Molinette), as well as twenty healthy controls (Politecnico di Torino).