ΜΠΟΡΟΎΝ ΟΙ ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΈΣ ΣΥΝΉΘΕΙΕΣ ΝΑ ΜΕΙΏΣΟΥΝ ΤΟΝ ΚΊΝΔΥΝΟ ΚΑΡΚΊΝΟΥ; ΤΟ ΈΡΓΟ ONCODIR ΑΠΑΝΤΆ Το παρακάτω άρθρο, που δημοσιεύθηκε από το Αθηναϊκό–Μακεδονικό Πρακτορείο Ειδήσεων (ΑΠΕ–ΜΠΕ), παρουσιάζει βασικά ευρήματα του ευρωπαϊκού έργου ONCODIR, το οποίο εξετάζει πώς οι αλλαγές στον τρόπο ζωής —ιδίως η τακτική άσκηση και η υγιεινή διατροφή— μπορούν να μειώσουν σημαντικά τον κίνδυνο εμφάνισης καρκίνου του παχέος εντέρου. Το έργο ONCODIR συντονίζει η  Ομάδα M4D του Ινστιτούτου Τεχνολογιών Πληροφορικής (ΙΠΤΗΛ) του ΕΚΕΤΑ στην Ελλάδα με επιστημονικά υπεύθυνο τον Δρ. Στέφανο Βροχίδη. Καθοριστική συμμετοχή στο έργο έχει μεταξύ άλλων, ο μεταδιδακτορικός ερευνητής Θανάσης Μαυρόπουλος. Οι ερευνητές της εν λόγω ομάδας ανέλυσαν δεδομένα από περισσότερες από 200 επιστημονικές μελέτες. Τα συμπεράσματά τους δείχνουν ότι, παρόλο που όλοι αντιμετωπίζουν έναν ορισμένο κίνδυνο ανάπτυξης καρκίνου του παχέος εντέρου (ιδίως όσοι έχουν οικογενειακό ιστορικό), η διατήρηση ενός υγιεινού τρόπου ζωής μπορεί να μειώσει σε μεγάλο βαθμό αυτόν τον κίνδυνο. Κύριες συστάσεις περιλαμβάνουν τον περιορισμό της κατανάλωσης κόκκινου και επεξεργασμένου κρέατος, καθώς και την αύξηση της πρόσληψης τροφών πλούσιων σε φυτικές ίνες, όπως φρούτα, λαχανικά, δημητριακά ολικής άλεσης, όσπρια και ξηρούς καρπούς. Πέρα από αυτά τα ευρήματα, το έργο ONCODIR έχει επίσης αναπτύξει μια καινοτόμο ψηφιακή πλατφόρμα πρόληψης. Χρησιμοποιώντας μοντέλα πρόβλεψης και εξατομικευμένες συστάσεις, η πλατφόρμα θα επιτρέπει στους χρήστες να καταγράφουν μέσω εφαρμογής κινητού τις διατροφικές τους συνήθειες, τη φυσική τους δραστηριότητα και άλλους παράγοντες τρόπου ζωής. Αυτά τα δεδομένα θα υποστηρίζουν τους επαγγελματίες υγείας στην παροχή εξατομικευμένης καθοδήγησης για την πρόληψη της νόσου.. Η πλατφόρμα αναμένεται να εφαρμοστεί πιλοτικά και να γίνει διαθέσιμη στην Ελλάδα, καθώς και σε άλλες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες στο προσεχές μέλλον. Η προσέγγιση αυτή αναδεικνύει πώς η σύγχρονη επιστήμη δεδομένων και οι εξατομικευμένες τεχνολογίες υγείας μπορούν να υποστηρίξουν την πρόληψη μιας από τις πιο συχνές —αλλά και πιο αποτρέψιμες— μορφές καρκίνου, φέρνοντας στο προσκήνιο τη μακροπρόθεσμη σημασία των καθημερινών συνηθειών.  CAN EVERYDAY HABITS REDUCE CANCER RISK?  THE ONCODIR PROJECT HAS THE ANSWER The following article, published by the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), presents key findings from the European ONCODIR project, which investigates how lifestyle changes—especially regular exercise and a healthy diet—can significantly lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer. The ONCODIR project is coordinated by the M4D Group of the Information Technologies Institute (ITI) at CERTH in Greece, with Dr. Stefanos Vrochidis as the scientific lead. Postdoctoral researcher Thanasis Mavropoulos is among the key contributors to the project. The research team analyzed data from more than 200 scientific studies. Their conclusions show that although everyone faces a certain risk of developing colorectal cancer (particularly those with a family history), maintaining a healthy lifestyle can substantially reduce that risk. Key recommendations include limiting the consumption of red and processed meat, while increasing the intake of fiber- rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Beyond these findings, the ONCODIR project has also developed an innovative digital prevention platform. Using predictive models and personalized recommendations, the platform will allow individuals to record dietary habits, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors through a mobile application. This data will support healthcare professionals in providing tailored prevention guidance. The platform is expected to be piloted and made available in Greece and other European countries in the near future. This approach highlights how modern data science and personalized health technologies can support the prevention of one of the most common yet preventable forms of cancer — emphasizing the long-term impact of everyday habits. Source:    amna.gr  

Prof. Maria Cristina Rulli has been awarded the 2026 Volker medal “for pioneering research and global leadership in applying hydrology to food, water and health security, benefitting the society and informing the policy worldwide”. The Volker medal is awarded annually by IAHS, with UNESCO and WMO, to one person who has made an outstanding contribution to hydrological sciences. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place during the 29th IUGG General Assembly, scheduled for 16-22 July 2027 at the Songdo Convensia Convention Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea. L'articolo Prof. Maria Cristina Rulli has been awarded the 2026 Volker medal proviene da DICA - Polimi.

As part of the actions outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan to support research, Prof. Valentina Zega has been awarded a Seed Fund of €150,000. The funding is aimed at launching and supporting the research activities developed within the proposal “Frequency combs beyond optics: harnessing signals with nonlinearities“, with which Prof. Zega reached the second selection phase of the recent FIS Starting Grant call. L'articolo University Strategic Plan: Seed Fund awarded to Prof. Valentina Zega proviene da DICA - Polimi.

Start-up “AMBRA – calcestruzzo “intelligente” che integra funzioni di monitoraggio nella struttura stessa” developed by Niki Trochoutsou and Prof. Liberato Ferrara, has been selected among the winners of the 17th edition of the Switch2Product Innovation Challenge, ranking in the top 10 out of 181 applications. As part of this recognition, the team has also secured €30,000 in funding from the Camera di Commercio Milano Monza Brianza Lodi and has been admitted to the Incubator Programme. More information is available in the official announcement published on the PoliHub website. L'articolo AMBRA among the winners of the 17th Switch2Product Innovation Challenge proviene da DICA - Polimi.

Lucia Castellani, PhD candidate in Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, has been selected for the IDEA League PhD Grant. The grant will allow her to spend three months in 2026 at ETH Zurich as part of her doctoral research activities. Lucia is an engineer with a background in environmental and building engineering and conducts her PhD within the Water Science and Engineering area. Her research focuses on nature-based solutions for the built environment. In particular, she investigates bioluminescent microalgae both as living hydrodynamic flow biosensors and for architectural applications. Her research prototype, Swirling Lunulae, was exhibited within the special project Material Bank – Matters Make Sense at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. The IDEA League PhD Grant is a mobility programme within the IDEA League alliance that supports research stays at partner universities, fostering scientific collaboration and the internationalisation of doctoral training. L'articolo Lucia Castellani selected for the IDEA League PhD Grant proviene da DICA - Polimi.

Professor Umberto Perego has been elected President of AIMETA (Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) for the 2026–2029 term, officially taking office on January 30th following the elections held in December. AIMETA is a long-standing institution dedicated to the advancement of mechanical sciences, serving as the primary point of reference for both the academic and engineering communities in Italy. This appointment is a prestigious recognition of Professor Perego’s scientific standing and reflects the high esteem in which he is held by the national scientific community. L'articolo Professor Umberto Perego has been elected President of AIMETA (Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) proviene da DICA - Polimi.

The ISSG PhD candidate Linghzi Chen has won the Top Prize Award as part of the 2026 Piezo MEMS Design Challenge, an international initiative sponsored by the A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics and STMicroelectronics. The awarded project, titled “Novel Subwavelength Phononic Crystals to Reduce Anchor Losses”, was selected as the best among 40 proposals submitted by participants from around the world. The award includes the free fabrication of the proposed device, offering a valuable opportunity for experimental validation and technological development. The prize was officially announced during the IEEE MEMS 2026 Conference, held in Salzburg (Austria) from January 25 to 29, 2026, one of the leading international scientific events in the field of microelectromechanical systems. L'articolo Linghzi Chen has won the Top Prize Award – 2026 Piezo MEMS Design Challenge proviene da DICA - Polimi.

Andrea Marcucci, PhD graduate of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has received the Young Research Prof. Surendra P. Shah Award 2026 on Technologies for Low-Carbon and Lean Construction for his dissertation entitled An Advanced Tunnel Refurbishment Methodology Based on Slip Forming Fast-Setting Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete. Now in its fifth edition, the award recognizes the best doctoral dissertation defended in the previous year on topics related to the sustainability of construction and reinforced concrete infrastructure. Andrea won this year’s edition, selected from over 50 candidates, 15 of whom advanced to the final stage, held in person at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Chennai, India. The jury was composed of Prof. Barzin Mobasher (Arizona State University), Prof. Alexandra Bertron (current Director of INSA Toulouse), and Prof. Pat Rajeev (Swinburne University, Melbourne). The award was presented by Prof. Gettu (IIT Madras) and Prof. Mobasher, in the presence of Prof. S.P. Shah, to whom the recognition is dedicated. Prof. Shah is currently Director of the Center of Advanced Construction Materials, Civil Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Arlington, Emeritus Professor at Northwestern University, and a member of the National Academy of Engineers in the USA, Germany, and China. He is widely regarded as a leading authority in advanced construction materials and was named among the ten most influential figures in the cement and concrete construction industry several years ago. Andrea completed his PhD under the supervision of Prof. Liberato Ferrara within the ISSG program. His doctoral scholarship was co-funded by the National Operational Program Research and Innovation 2014-2020, FSE REACT-EU, and by the start-up Hinfra S.r.l., within the ETLR project for the refurbishment of existing tunnel linings. L'articolo Andrea Marcucci has received the Young Research Prof. Surendra P. Shah Award 2026 proviene da DICA - Polimi.

Professor Liberato Ferrara has been elected a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), leading global authority for the development, dissemination, and adoption of consensus-based standards in the broad domain of concrete materials and structural applications, with more than 40,000 members spanning more than 120 countries. The election to ACI Fellow, one of the highest distinctions awarded by the Institute, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to both the American Concrete Institute and the concrete industry at large. Only a small percentage of ACI members receive this prestigious honor, which acknowledges professional excellence, leadership, and long-term commitment to the advancement of concrete science and engineering. L’annuncio formale dell’elezione del Professor Ferrara avverrà durante la Opening Session and Keynote Presentation dell’ACI Spring 2026 Concrete Convention, in programma domenica 29 marzo 2026 presso l’Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago Hotel. This recognition highlights Professor Ferrara’s significant impact on the international concrete research and professional community and confirms the high quality and relevance of his scientific and technical contributions at a global level. L'articolo Professor Liberato Ferrara Among the Fellows of the American Concrete Institute proviene da DICA - Polimi.