Many incidents show that when we are faced with danger, our reaction is not automatic. Sometimes we flee immediately; at other times, we remain frozen. The explanation lies in the brain, specifically in three key structures: the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex. The amygdala is the brain’s fear center. It detects threats, generates emotion, and prepares the body to react: a faster heartbeat, quicker breathing, and a surge of adrenaline. However, it does not assess danger objectively; it is activated only when a stimulus disrupts expectations of safety or evokes memories of previous traumatic experiences. Working alongside the amygdala is the hippocampus, which interprets context. It tells the brain whether what is happening aligns with what we expect or whether it represents a real threat. In a familiar or seemingly safe environment, even potentially dangerous signals may be ignored. In other words, the perception of danger depends on where we are and what we expect. The prefrontal cortex coordinates decision-making and rational responses. In adolescents, however, it is still developing. This means that even when the amygdala registers fear and the hippocampus evaluates the context, translating this information into effective action can be slow or inadequate. Further complicating the picture is the crowd effect. When many people share the same emotional state, individual perception merges with that of the group, creating a kind of collective mind. In social psychology, this phenomenon is known as the collective mind or, in cultural terms, the “Egregore”: the group shapes the emotions and actions of individuals. In this state, ambiguous signals are interpreted according to the prevailing atmosphere—whether it is one of joy or panic. We have all recently seen on television the images of flames spreading across the ceiling of a venue and young people attempting to put them out. Many have asked: why didn’t they run away immediately? Why didn’t they react at once? While it is impossible to provide definitive answers—since no objective reaction can be assumed without being immersed in the same situation—it is nevertheless possible to offer an interpretation of the young people’s responses through the lens of neuroscience. The adolescents’ amygdala did not perceive the situation as immediately threatening, because signals such as sparks, heat, and music were consistent with a festive setting. The hippocampus interpreted the scene as part of the evening’s experience—“everything is normal”—and finally, the prefrontal cortex, still immature, was unable to rapidly translate fear and contextual information into concrete action. Added to this was the crowd effect—the evening’s “Egregore”—which reinforced a sense of safety. The young people were not irresponsible or reckless; they were immersed in an emotionally coherent context, unable to transform instinct and perception into an immediate decision. Understanding how the human brain functions in the face of danger does not mean justifying everything. It means recognizing biological and psychological limits, and building safer environments, clearer procedures, and effective emergency education. The tragedy of Crans-Montana shows how the collective mind, together with underlying brain mechanisms, can help explain what at first glance appears inexplicable. Luciano Bassani

In the aftermath of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, as grief and concern spread across Europe, a message of hope has emerged through swift medical cooperation. In a race against time, a life-saving treatment was transferred from Genoa to Milan—one capable of making a decisive difference for patients suffering from severe burns. NEXOBRID The drug is called NexoBrid , and it stands as a compelling example of how Israeli scientific innovation can translate into concrete, life-saving care. Fifteen vials were urgently dispatched from Villa Scassi Hospital in Genoa to Niguarda Hospital in Milan to treat Italian patients with extensive burn injuries. NexoBrid is not a conventional medication, but an advanced enzymatic gel developed through Israeli bio-pharmaceutical research, now recognized internationally for its effectiveness in the treatment of deep burns. In cases of severe burns, necrotic skin tissue—known as eschar—poses a critical and often underestimated threat. Acting as a breeding ground for infection, it significantly increases the risk of sepsis and mortality. The prompt and selective removal of this tissue is therefore essential to improving survival outcomes. NexoBrid offers a groundbreaking solution. Formulated with proteolytic enzymes, primarily bromelain derived from pineapple stems, the gel is applied directly to the burn wound and, within approximately four hours, selectively dissolves dead tissue while preserving viable skin. This highly targeted action achieves results comparable to surgical debridement, but without the need for prolonged operations, invasive procedures, or general anesthesia—an especially important advantage for critically ill patients. Image courtesy of NexoBrid https://mediwound.com/product/nexobrid/ The result is a clean wound bed, ready for skin grafting, with reduced pain, fewer infections, minimized scarring, and shorter hospital stays. Above all, it offers patients a significantly improved chance of survival. Behind this treatment stands MediWound Ltd. , an Israeli biopharmaceutical company that developed the technology, holds the patents, and led the entire clinical pathway through to international regulatory approvals. In the United States, NexoBrid received authorization from the FDA  in 2022, while in Italy it is marketed through MediWound Germany GmbH. It is a clear and tangible example of how Israeli medical innovation continues to deliver advanced solutions to the most extreme clinical challenges. A question many have rightly asked is this: why was the drug available in Genoa and not in Milan? The answer lies in the complexity of these treatments. Villa Scassi is one of Italy’s leading centers for the treatment of severe burn injuries and maintains supplies of rare, costly, and fast-expiring medications that require highly specialized medical expertise. In emergencies involving multiple critically injured patients, these reserves can be depleted very quickly. This is where the network of cooperation among hospitals becomes crucial: Genoa opened its stores and shared what was available, demonstrating how essential medical solidarity truly is. In the midst of a tragedy that has deeply affected many, this story reminds us that lives can also be protected through invisible bridges built on research, cooperation, and responsibility. It also shows how a drug developed in Israel, the result of years of study and innovation, is today helping to save lives in Italy—a powerful testament to the fact that when science is placed at the service of humanity, it knows no borders.

I am a doctor of the “old school.” I have studied, learned, taught, and above all, I have spent an entire lifetime striving to treat my patients in the best possible way, using the tools and knowledge available in each era, guided by the paths laid down by the many mentors I have encountered. Luciano Bassani Over time, I came to understand a simple yet essential truth: medicine is, and must remain, an art of balance. This concept, suggested centuries ago by Rav Moses Maimonides, known by the acronym Ramban (Cordoba 1138 – Cairo 1204), is more relevant today than ever. We live in an era dominated by evidence-based medicine, advanced technologies, international guidelines, decision-making algorithms, and medico-legal pressure. Yet medicine cannot be reduced to mechanical protocols or digital reports: it is science, yes, but it is also experience, clinical judgment, and the ability to see the patient rather than just the disease—to understand that every person is unique, both in health and in illness. Today, unfortunately, we are witnessing two opposite drifts. On the one hand, there are doctors and surgeons who have almost stopped “making diagnoses” (from the Greek diagnosis , meaning judgment and evaluation) in the true sense of the word. They have forgotten clinical practice: they no longer listen carefully to the patient’s story, they do not observe enough, they do not auscultate, palpate, or reason through the overall clinical picture. They rely almost exclusively on instrumental tests, as if these were making the diagnosis in place of the physician. Moses   Maimonide Technology, originally conceived as a support for clinical reasoning, has gradually become its replacement. When we also consider the sudden emergence of artificial intelligence, the overall picture becomes concerning. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, lies another error: a form of medical obscurantism. These are professionals who distrust progress, reject innovation outright, cling to an idealised past, and forget that medicine has meanwhile made enormous advances. Today we have extraordinarily powerful diagnostic tools, targeted therapies, less invasive procedures, and life-saving drugs. Ignoring them is not a sign of prudence, but of irresponsibility. For this reason, it must be stated clearly: one cannot be “against everything.” There are medications that genuinely save lives, antibiotics that prevent severe and potentially fatal complications, oncological therapies that have transformed outcomes once considered inevitable, and vaccines that have changed the course of human history. Rejecting these tools on principle is an injustice to patients. A common cold may require nothing more than rest and an aspirin, but bronchopneumonia requires antibiotics and appropriate medical treatment. Back pain may be a simple degenerative condition, but it can also signal a fracture, a metastasis, or even referred visceral pain. Knowing how to distinguish between these situations is the very essence of medicine: it is not automatism, but clinical intelligence. The true physician is the one who knows how to maintain balance: between doing too much and doing too little, between watchful waiting and intervention, between caution and decisiveness, and between respect for tradition and openness to progress.Every choice has consequences, and the physician’s duty is to take responsibility for them with competence, humanity, and ethical awareness. Moses Maimonides reminded us that health is born of harmony and moderation. The same holds true for the art of medicine. The physician of today—as of the past and the future—must safeguard this balance between clinical practice and scientific evidence, between experience and technology, between science and conscience. Only in this way can medicine remain what it is meant to be: the care of the person, guided by intelligence, humility, and dignity. Luciano Bassani

Depression is a complex and widespread mood disorder, characterized not only by persistent sadness and loss of interest, but also by changes in sleep, appetite, concentration and self-esteem. La depressione è un disturbo dell'umore molto diffuso It is not simple melancholy, but a true clinical condition that can significantly affect quality of life. Despite major advances in recent decades, depression treatment is still often based on a “trial and error” approach: a medication is prescribed, weeks are waited, results are evaluated, and therapies are changed if ineffective. This process can lead to long delays, frustration, side effects and, in some cases, loss of trust in treatment. This is where NeuroKaire , an Israeli precision medicine startup, introduces a promising innovation that is attracting international attention. Its technology begins with a simple blood sample from the patient. Cells are reprogrammed into a stem-cell-like state and then developed into personalized neurons. Different antidepressants are tested directly on these neurons to identify which produces the best response. In essence, NeuroKaire creates a personalized “mini-brain” on a laboratory plate, allowing clinicians to predict which antidepressant may work best for each individual patient. This breakthrough is made possible by the integration of cellular biology and artificial intelligence. NeuroKaire’s AI algorithms analyze neuronal behavior and translate complex biological data into clinically useful insights. While not a miracle cure, this technology aims to reduce treatment time, therapeutic errors and side effects, bringing psychiatry closer to true personalized medicine. Supported by the European Innovation Council  and currently in advanced validation phases, NeuroKaire has the potential to significantly change how depression is treated in the coming years. Luciano B assani Through PortaleCEM, the Jewish Community of Milan highlights this innovation as part of its broader mission to share Israeli scientific excellence and promote high-quality medical and cultural information for the Jewish community in Italy and worldwide.

Care, Dignity and Community in Residential Care Facilities Following the publication of our in-depth feature dedicated to the future of residential care, we received a personal testimony from one of our members. The testimony “The article dedicated to residential care facilities conveys, very effectively—also through the images—an extremely positive picture of the environment and the human quality that defines it.One photograph in particular stands out: it depicts several elderly people in wheelchairs attending a musical event, a shot capable of conveying tenderness, presence and shared life. In an era marked by increasing longevity and by a human mind that remains plastic and capable of learning even at an advanced age, residential care facilities can—and should—become a central pillar of civil coexistence. Not merely places of assistance, but spaces of relationship, true bridges between generations and communities. These reflections arise from direct and deeply felt personal experience. Perhaps they are simple thoughts, but they are expressed with sincerity and with the hope that they may help us look to the future with greater awareness and humanity. Thank you for being there.” The testimony is not anonymous; however, we have consciously chosen not to disclose personal details out of respect for privacy, believing that the value of these words lies in their content rather than in the identity of the person who wrote them. We decided to share it because it authentically and profoundly expresses a vision of residential care facilities as places of life, relationships and dignity , perfectly aligned with the values that PortaleCEM  seeks to promote. This contribution deeply moved us, as it encapsulates—through simple yet powerful words—the most genuine meaning of the transformation currently taking place within residential care facilities. Residential care facilities are no longer—and must no longer be—perceived solely as places of medical care, but as spaces of life , where relationships, culture, music and participation become an integral part of personal well-being. In a society marked by increasing longevity, the issue of ageing concerns us all. Sharing positive experiences, thoughtful perspectives and virtuous models means contributing to the building of a more attentive, inclusive and responsible community. Il PortaleCEM continuerà a dare spazio a testimonianze, riflessioni ed esperienze capaci di mettere al centro la  dignità della persona , in ogni fase della vita. Perché informare significa anche prendersi cura. E perché una comunità cresce quando sa ascoltare.

New challenges, new approaches to care, and a single mission: enhancing the value of the elderly person. Residential Care Facilities are changing their face. No more anonymous corridors and rigid routines: today’s facilities are conceived as places of life, not merely of care, where technology and humanity come together to restore dignity, autonomy and value to each individual. RSA ARZAGA The goal is clear: to place the person at the centre. It is not only about managing chronic conditions or age-related fragility, but about creating personalised pathways that respect the rhythms, habits and wishes of each resident. “Every elderly person has a story, an identity and potential that deserve to be recognised,” explains Dr Daniela Giustiniani , Director of RSA Arzaga. “Our role is to give people dignity, to value them, and to accompany them with care through this stage of their lives.” Modern residential care facilities are designed according to principles of therapeutic architecture : bright spaces, warm colours, sensory gardens and customisable environments that resemble a home more than a hospital. Common areas encourage social interaction, while safe and carefully planned pathways help even those with cognitive decline to maintain a sense of orientation and reality. Healing Garden - RSA Arzaga “Technology is a constant but discreet presence,” says Dr Flavio Galli , Medical Director of the RSA. “Smart sensors such as Ancelia monitor vital parameters and help prevent falls, while digital platforms keep residents connected with their families.” In the very near future, robotic assistants will support staff in carrying out the most physically demanding tasks. Everything, however, is guided by a clear objective: to support human work, not replace it. The heart of care remains the direct relationship—listening, a gentle touch, a smile. The increase in average life expectancy and the rise in chronic conditions make care increasingly complex. For this reason, next-generation residential care facilities rely on multidisciplinary teams: doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, educators, activity coordinators and nutritionists work together, sharing information and strategies tailored to each individual resident. The result is a holistic approach that addresses not only physical health, but also emotional and relational well-being. Another innovative aspect is openness to the outside world. New facilities are becoming places of intergenerational exchange, hosting workshops, cultural events and shared projects with schools and local associations. Older adults are no longer isolated, but once again become active members of the community—guardians of memory and witnesses to lived experience. Concerts in RSA Arzaga This means that elderly residents can live day by day in an environment that recognises and values their religious and cultural identity, without compromising access to advanced technologies and highly professional care. This new model of residential care represents both a challenge and a promise: to combine innovation and humanity, science and sensitivity. No longer simply care institutions, but centres of life, where well-being arises from the meeting of professional expertise and deep respect for the individual. Because, as the professionals who believe in this change like to say, “there are no elderly people to be cared for, only people to be valued.” Children visiting the Elderly in the RSA Arzaga Residention Facility In our residential care home, there is so much more happening: In the RSA of the Jewish Community, something truly precious takes place. Children come to visit the elderly. In these simple yet profound encounters, a bridge between generations is formed—built on listening, smiles and mutual curiosity. For the elderly, the presence of children brings light, movement and vitality: it reminds them that life continues to grow and that their lived experiences still hold value to be passed on. For the younger ones, it is a unique opportunity to discover respect, memory and the importance of roots, learning that every personal story is a fundamental piece of our shared history. Thus, in our RSA, these moments of encounter become a mutual gift that enriches the entire community. Article by Luciano Bassani

For nearly a century, Hadassah Medical Center  has stood as a beacon of innovation, care and inclusion in the heart of Jerusalem. Founded in its modern form between 1934 and 1939, it now spans two major university campuses— Ein Kerem  and Mount Scopus —fully integrated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Image courtesy of Hadassah Website Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze doctors and nurses work side by side every day, embodying a unique model of collaboration and humanity. The institution’s international prestige is globally recognised. In 2023 , the Newsweek/Statista  ranking placed Hadassah Ein Kerem  among the world’s best hospitals in three strategic areas: oncology, cardiology and smart technologies . In 2025 , the Israeli Ministry of Health further recognised it as the national leading centre for coronary bypass surgery  and a regional leader in stroke care . Hadassah also continues to invest heavily in cutting-edge infrastructure and technology: the recently inaugurated Gandel Rehabilitation Center , now the most advanced in Israel, stands as a new benchmark in rehabilitative medicine. Equipped with robotic systems for motor rehabilitation, therapeutic pools and dedicated programmes for both civilians and military personnel, it represents a new frontier in recovery and care. During and after the 2023 conflict , the hospital played a crucial role in trauma management and psychological support for patients and families, reaffirming its universal mission and its commitment to leaving no one behind. It is not just a hospital: it is a vision . A place where research and compassion intertwine every day. As its motto states: “Our mission is to care for anyone in need, regardless of race, religion or background.”A remarkable demonstration of this mission is reflected in an unprecedented intervention carried out at Hadassah Medical Center . A team of Israeli doctors performed a true surgical miracle, saving the life of Suleiman Hassan , a 12-year-old Palestinian boy from the West Bank who had been the victim of a very serious road accident.The child was airlifted by helicopter to the Israeli hospital after the crash caused an extremely rare and devastating injury known as “internal decapitation.” —that is, the separation of the skull from the spine, with the soft tissues still intact. The surgeons, led by Ohad Einav , carried out an operation lasting several hours to reattach the boy’s head, stabilising the cervical vertebrae and reconstructing the vital connections between the skull and the spinal column. The boy’s father, visibly moved, publicly thanked the Israeli medical staff who operated on his son: “I will be grateful for the rest of my life to the doctors who saved my only son. May God bless you all.” In Israel, every day there are doctors, nurses, scientists and researchers who dedicate—and often sacrifice—their lives for the well-being of all, regardless of religious beliefs or origins, in order to make a better life possible for everyone. As a final note, within the hospital synagogue there are stained-glass windows  preserved as a symbol of this spirit. Stain glass windows by Mark Chagall These stained-glass windows, created between 1960 and 1962 , are the work of Marc Chagall , the Russian-French artist born in Vitebsk in 1887 and who died in 1985, renowned for his unique style blending Jewish tradition, dreamlike imagery and influences from the avant-garde. Today, these windows are a constant destination for visitors and represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel , each depicted with specific symbols that reflect their characteristics and the related biblical narratives. Luciano Bassani

MindTension  is an Israeli startup operating in the field of digital health. Founded in 2020  by its current CEO Zev Brand  and Avi Avital  of the University of Haifa  and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology , its goal is to develop an EMG-based medical system  to measure attention and provide an objective diagnosis of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) . Image courtesy of Freepik The medical device, based on years of research, detects attention disorders by observing blinking patterns in response to startle sounds. MindTension  leverages the brainstem’s reflexive response to sound stimuli to analyse eyelid blinking patterns. “In individuals with adequate attention, different responses (full blinks, partial blinks) are observed in reaction to different sounds. By contrast, when attention difficulties are present, the reactions become uniform, making a more precise diagnosis possible.” explains Shatz Azoulay , co-founder of MindTension .According to Shatz Azoulay, MindTension’s innovation in the field of ADHD lies in offering an objective test  for a condition that has so far been difficult to assess accurately. Today, ADHD is diagnosed using subjective questionnaires or tests that rely on voluntary participation. By measuring reflex responses, MindTension can provide a more accurate diagnosis, turning attention testing into an exact science . “We are beginning to understand that we can provide reliable results on attention, and we expect that we will also be able to offer insights into levels of anxiety or depression.” explains Shatz Azoulay . The startup was selected as a finalist in the MassChallenge Israel 2022  programme. The device is currently undergoing approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  in the United States, which MindTension has identified as its first target market. Completion of the approval process was expected in the early months of 2024. At the same time, large-scale clinical trials are planned in collaboration with the Geha Mental Health Center  in Israel and Mount Sinai Hospital  in New York to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm. MindTension’s innovation lies in its ability to transform ADHD diagnosis into an exact science, overcoming the subjective limitations of questionnaires. But its potential goes further: the team envisions applications in fields with high demands for attention or vigilance (such as long-haul drivers, surgeons, athletes and pilots). In the future, the system could provide diagnoses for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression, based on biomarkers derived from the brainstem’s reflex response. MindTension is based in Kibbutz Nir Am , just a few kilometres from the Gaza border. The pogrom of 7 October 2023  profoundly affected the lives of the team members. Some employees endured traumatic experiences: one was barricaded at home with their family under attack; another had to shelter with their children in the kibbutz bunker under extreme stress. Despite this, the company continued to operate, finding in professional routine a psychological lifeline. MindTension stands out as one of the most dynamic players in Israeli health-tech, combining neuroscience, medical engineering and machine learning to innovate ADHD diagnosis. Supported by international funding, strategic partnerships and strong resilience in a challenging geopolitical context, the startup continues its path toward global clinical validation—looking ahead to the future of mental health and human performance. Luciano Bassani

At the Bio Park of Hadassah University Hospital  in Jerusalem, researchers at Cellcure Neurosciences Ltd , a subsidiary of Lineage Cell Therapeutics , are working to advance regenerative medicine through the development of specialized human cells. Their goal is to replace cells lost due to disease, injury, or aging, offering a potential new approach to conditions that currently have limited therapeutic options. Unlike conventional drugs, which primarily act on symptoms, Lineage develops functional cells designed to replicate those naturally present in the body. Through guided differentiation, pluripotent stem cells are directed toward specific terminally differentiated cell types, such as retinal cells to address vision loss or auditory nerve cells to treat hearing disorders. The company’s most advanced clinical program is OpRegen® , a retinal pigment epithelial cell therapy currently in Phase 2a development as part of a global collaboration with Roche  and Genentech , a member of the Roche Group, for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). If successful, it could represent an option for patients for whom very few approved treatments are currently available. Lineage has also launched the ReSonance (ANP1)  program, which aims to address auditory neuropathy. In this condition, the auditory nerve cells that transmit sound signals to the brain are impaired or absent, resulting in significant hearing difficulties. By developing replacement auditory nerve cells, researchers hope to restore part of the auditory pathway and potentially improve the performance of cochlear implants. ReSonance is currently under development thanks to a multi-year research collaboration and investment from William Demant Invest A/S (WDI) , an evergreen investor and holding company for the investment activities of the William Demant Foundation, the majority shareholder of Demant A/S , a global leader in hearing health. Behind these advances are scientists such as Dr. Micol Di Segni , of Italian origin, who works as a Research and Development analyst at Lineage’s subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences  in Jerusalem. Her work focuses on the careful monitoring of cells during the delicate process of their transformation into functional nerve cells, ensuring their identity, quality, and ultimately their ability to restore function in patients. “It is both exciting and challenging to be part of a team developing a potential therapy for auditory neuropathy, a condition with so few treatment options,” explains Micol. “What motivates us is the idea that our work could one day help people regain their hearing.” Although it is still in the research and clinical trial phase, Lineage’s work illustrates how regenerative medicine is evolving from concept to practical application. By focusing on therapies that replace lost cells, the company is contributing to initiatives that could one day expand treatment options in fields such as the restoration of sight and hearing. As these innovations move from the laboratory to the clinic, they carry with them not only the promise of treatment, but also the possibility of restoring some of humanity’s most vital senses: vision and hearing. Luciano Bassani

Traumatic peripheral nerve injury (TPNI) is a common condition affecting approximately 2.8% of trauma patients and can lead to permanent disability, chronic pain, and a reduced quality of life. Image courtesy of Freepik A common effect of TPNI is the loss of tactile sensation, which not only interferes with patients’ daily lives but also increases their susceptibility to injury. At present, only a few solutions are available for restoring the sense of touch. The most commonly used therapy is surgical nerve reconstruction through nerve autografts or the implantation of nerve tissue taken from other donors. Unfortunately, nerve reconstruction can only be performed within a limited time window (the first two years after the injury) and requires healthy skin and viable nerve endings. Moreover, even when these conditions are met, the success rate is low. A promising alternative pathway for restoring tactile sensation is the development of wearable or implantable neuroprosthetic devices that simulate the experience of touch. This simulation is achieved by translating pressure stimuli in the damaged area into electrical signals that can then be processed by the brain. In Israel, at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, a team of researchers has developed a device that could revolutionise reconstructive medicine and human–machine interfaces: the Triboelectric Nano-Generator (TENG). Image courtesy of TENGable The startup TENGable  is leading the commercialisation of this unique technology. After trauma or amputations, even when part of the body can be surgically reconstructed, the loss of sensation remains a major obstacle. Without touch, it becomes difficult to perform simple actions and, above all, to prevent the development of further injuries. The TENG exploits the triboelectric effect: two thin layers of material, coming into and out of contact, generate electricity. The device is surgically implanted under the skin (for example, at the tip of an insensate finger) and then connected to a nearby healthy nerve. When pressure is applied—even minimal pressure—the device converts mechanical force into an electrical impulse that stimulates the nerve. The brain thus receives a signal corresponding to tactile sensation, restoring perceptions ranging from the lightness of a feather to the pressure of a handshake. The implant requires less than an hour of surgery and does not need external batteries, as the device is self-powered by movement itself. The potential of TENG extends beyond the restoration of touch. Thanks to its miniaturisation, flexibility and energy independence, this technology could be applied to: tactile robotics, human–machine interfaces, implantable biomedical sensors, smart fabrics and devices, autonomous environmental sensory networks. The triboelectric nano-generator TENG, born from Israeli research at the Technion in Haifa, represents a revolutionary step towards restoring the sense of touch to those who have lost it. It is a powerful demonstration of how materials science, engineering and medicine can converge to create new therapeutic and technological hope. LUCIANO BASSANI