News

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.  

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.     

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).    

On 4 April, the Spring Roadshow of Spoke 6 took place, promoted by the University of Pavia in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Cremona-Mantua-Pavia, dedicated to sustainability and digitalisation in the primary agri-food sector. Over 100 participants and 26 exhibiting companies had the opportunity to showcase and learn about the progress made in the sector, with a wide display of technologies and developed prototypes (proofs of concept), and to take part in open discussions on the latest research developments, industrial PhD results, and in-depth one-to-one meetings.   The event was opened by Rector Francesco Svelto: "Our University is committed to the local ecosystem and the agri-food sector, despite never having had a Faculty of Agriculture or a dedicated departmental area. We are part of a broader ecosystem that includes the University of Turin, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Forestry Services, the University of Sassari, and the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change, recognising the agricultural value of the region. We have invested around €4.5 million, including support for businesses in the Oltrepò area. It is the right path to follow."   Also in attendance was Gian Marco Centinaio, Deputy President of the Senate: "The province of Pavia has a strong agricultural vocation: Lomellina with rice, Oltrepò with vineyards, innovations in olive oil and olive trees, and livestock farming for Grana Padano. The University of Pavia, already a leader in healthcare, has accepted the challenge of agriculture. This project is important for the region and for Italy as a whole. In Lomellina, we have the first experimental field for TEAs – techniques that will improve plant genetics in line with European Union goals."   Hermes Giberti, professor at the University of Pavia and project manager of NODES - Spoke 6, highlighted: "Primary agri-food industry is complex. With the VINO and FORMIDABILÆ projects, we aim for innovations to tackle climate change in viticulture and to promote smart, resilient dairy farms. With the NODES Spoke 6 fair, we are presenting 18 research and development projects, 3 innovation services, 2 industrial PhDs, 2 prototypes, and a new start-up. We have allocated nearly €4 million for business tenders and almost €1 million to academic proofs of concept for the creation of new enterprises."   Enrico Ciabatti, Deputy Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Cremona-Mantua-Pavia, added: "We have supported the initiative with over €6.5 million through Pavia Sviluppo. €1.65 million was allocated to the Innovation Call, and over €1 million to interest rate subsidy contributions. We are also pursuing two PID initiatives: the Digital Enterprise Point, for business digitalisation, and the Pavia Innovation District, to support SMEs in development and networking."

Great participation and concrete dialogue between research and business at the Spoke 1 event on Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility On April 3, the event dedicated to the results of Spoke 1 - Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility, organized at Environment Park as part of the Ecosystem Roadshow 2025, concluded successfully. Many moments of discussion and networking, to promote innovation and technological and sustainable transition. Excellent turnout of companies, researchers and stakeholders from Spoke 1 and the NODES area. Speeches by the companies involved in the Spoke gave a concrete overview of the project results obtained thanks to the Spoke 1 cascade calls, created to support high-tech solutions for the Aerospace and Sustainable Mobility supply chains.  

On Wednesday 26 March, the podcast: Tourism, between precariousness and precariousness was presented at the Aula Magna Campus SAA of the University of Turin.   The event, full of ideas for professionals in the sector, was introduced by Davide Caregnato, Director of the SAA, by Marcella Costa, Director of the Department of Foreign Languages ​​and Literatures and Modern Cultures, and by Rossi Piercarlo, full professor of Administrative Law and Flagship Manager of the NODES - Digital and Sustainable North West project.   Tourism is one of the strategic sectors of our country system. It is in good health, but continues to show strong structural criticalities: in Italy it is still dominated by individual businesses, often undercapitalized and far from managerial management. A fragility that, also due to the seasonality of the offer, negatively influences the professional choices of the new generations, increasingly oriented to consider tourism as a transitory occupation.   These are some of the topics covered in the new podcast by Filippo Monge, professor of Business Economics and Management and Innovation Economics at the University of Turin, as well as director of the SAA-COREP masters dedicated to the management of territorial systems and sustainable agriculture.   The podcast is the result of two years of research in Italy and abroad, with primary data taken from financial and social security databases. The text was written in collaboration with Paolo Gerbaldo, tourism historian, and Robin Vanzolini, researcher. The direction is by Massimo Pasquale, in the studios of Radio 110 – the Web Radio of the University of Turin.   In the classroom and online, over 250 participants including students, professionals and stakeholders in the sector. Guests included: – Federico De Giuli, top manager and former president of the Tourism Group of the Industrial Union of Turin – Riccardo Staglianò, journalist and author of the book “Hanno vincere i ricco” (Einaudi, 2024), presented during the meeting – Marco Novarese, economist at the University of Eastern Piedmont, who enriched the discussion with interesting suggestions on research.   A necessary dialogue to understand the transformations of the tourism sector and enhance the role of training and innovation.  

  In recent days, a group of students from the IBE and FIMIF-FIMEDIS Master's Degree courses in Economics at the University of Insubria had the opportunity to visit the company Novello Case srl in Oggiona con Santo Stefano (VA) as part of the Challenges of the Nodes project.   The aim of the visit was to experiment with collaboration between students from Master's Degree courses characterized by different educational objectives, offering them the opportunity to interact with local business realities and work together on topics of innovation and sustainability.   The contamination of ideas between students with different backgrounds, and between the academic world and business are essential to enhance the talent of young people.

On March 31, 2025, the event "Tourism and culture: innovation for the North West" was held at the University of Turin, a partner of Spoke 3 - Tourism Industry and Culture, organized as part of the Primavera Nodes Roadshow initiative.   During the event, several companies operating in the North West took part and were able to win funds from the cascade calls.   Thanks to the funds received, companies were able to start interesting industrial research and experimental development projects that were presented during the day. Prototypes of applications to be used in the field of tourism, culture but also sustainable fashion captured the attention of those present, who asked several questions to the company representatives.   Finally, Prof. Piercarlo Rossi of the University of Turin and Prof. Stefania Cerutti of the University of Eastern Piedmont presented the results obtained to date with the two flagship projects CIRIL and TOEP.    

Oriana Benfatto, a third-year PhD candidate within the NODES program in the PhD course in Electronic, Computer, and Electrical Engineering (Cycle 38), talks to us about her research project, "Sustainable services for agricultural areas: renewable energy communities and micro-grids." The project, supervised by Professor Norma Anglani from the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering at the University of Pavia, is developed within the flagship project FORMIDABILAE. It focuses on integrating renewable energy and energy communities to enhance sustainability in agricultural areas. NB: Renewable energy communities represent an opportunity to make the agricultural sector more sustainable and efficient. In your opinion, what are the main obstacles to their large-scale adoption? OB: Energy communities offer a great opportunity to make agriculture more sustainable, but they also face several challenges. One of the main issues is the stability of the electrical grid: while renewables are essential, they are also variable, requiring storage systems and advanced strategies. Moreover, a lack of awareness among farmers and citizens limits participation, highlighting the need for greater outreach and education. Bureaucratic complexity also slows development, with intricate procedures and uncertainties regarding incentives. Overcoming these challenges requires clearer regulations, targeted incentives, and advanced energy storage and smart management technologies to ensure a sustainable and inclusive transition. *** NB: The FORMIDABILAE project aims to develop innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency in the agri-food sector. What is the specific contribution of your research in this context, and what promising technologies are you working on? OB: Within the FORMIDABILAE project, my research focuses on a case study involving a dairy farm, evaluating electrical loads and converters to make it as self-sufficient as possible and less dependent on the power grid. Specifically, I study the control of grid-forming and grid-following inverters to ensure system stability while optimizing energy flow between renewable sources, battery storage, and critical loads such as milking and milk cooling systems. In parallel, we analyze municipalities served by the same primary substation, assessing the potential for rooftop photovoltaic installations using geospatial analysis techniques and comparing estimated energy production with consumption data from national databases. This allows us to estimate the community's self-sufficiency level and optimize system sizing. The ultimate goal is to develop a replicable model for creating self-sufficient energy communities, promoting the adoption of advanced energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy integration in the agri-food sector. *** NB: Being part of the NODES ecosystem and a flagship project like FORMIDABILAE, has this experience provided you with new perspectives or collaborations that have enriched your research journey? What results have you achieved so far? OB: Being involved in the NODES project has allowed me to collaborate with the AUDE laboratory at the University of Pavia, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. This experience has enriched my journey, enabling me to analyze energy communities from technical, architectural, and urban planning perspectives. I have visited research centers and agri-food companies, gaining firsthand insight into renewable energy technologies and practical challenges. I developed a simulation model to assess the energy self-sufficiency of a dairy farm and its connected community, combining load analysis with photovoltaic potential evaluation.Additionally, I have deepened my study of grid-forming and grid-following inverter control to enhance local grid stability, proposing scalable solutions for the agri-food sector.