PEOPLE
"COSMO" WHAT NEXT: INFN ESTABLISHES THE PRIORITIES IN ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS RESEARCH
interview with Antonio Masiero, deputy head of INFN, professor of theoretical physics at University of Padova.
Professor Masiero, the new frontiers of particle physics today encroach on fields that traditionally belong to cosmology and astrophysics. Already from the imminent start up of the LHC particle physicists are expecting important information about the nature of dark matter. What led to this widening of the horizon?
First of all, I would like to say that this is neither a change of direction nor a sudden widening of our research horizons. It is a process which takes place in the more general context of What Next, the path of prioritisation of future research of the institution, in progress since 2014. The commitment in areas in which we still do not have a specific presence is due, on the one hand, to a cultural interest justified by the relationship that these issues have with those of INFN's research, and on the other, the awareness that our specific know-how can provide an important contribution to research in this area.
Strictly speaking, moreover, our particle physics started out as cosmic ray physics and the union between microcosm and macrocosm is part of INFN's research mandate. The first accelerator used by physicists to study particles was precisely the cosmos, but even after the development of accelerators, we continued with an intense program of cosmic ray physics. ..
NEWS
Health
ELECTRONS TO RADIOGUIDE
CANCER SURGERY
This innovative radioguided cancer surgery technique uses beta radiation, i.e. electron emission, instead of gamma radiation, the photons now commonly used in radiotherapy. The study is presented in an article published in the January issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. This type of surgery aims to identify tumour residues in order to allow complete resection in the operating theatre. ...
Environment
AN ALLIANCE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
AND MARINE ANIMALS
An important partnership was signed between INFN, University of Catania and the Maritime Authority of Catania (Sicily): the aim is to favour interdisciplinary activities of common interest in the research and monitoring, control and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, focusing in particular on the south-western Ionian Sea. ...
Outreach
INTERNATIONAL MASTERCLASSES ATTRACT
HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS WORLDWIDE
In order to open the window of cutting-edge physics to young investigators, each year in spring research institutes and universities around the world invite high-school students for a day-long programme to experience life at the forefront of basic research. ...
PARTICLES FOR HEALTH: THE CATANA CENTRE REOPENS IN SICILY