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Bar-Ilan University


Bar-Ilan University study: Patients are being forced to become their own medical experts

A Bar-Ilan University study finds that patients with chronic illnesses often feel compelled to become experts in their condition due to inadequate healthcare systems. This phenomenon is referred to as 'forced agency,' where patients must acquire and evaluate medical knowledge without formal training, leading to an 'epistemic burden.'

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJul 20, 2026

Green neighborhoods may help reduce long-term stress during pregnancy, new study finds

A new study found that living in greener neighborhoods is associated with lower levels of chronic stress hormones, such as cortisol and cortisone, during the second trimester of pregnancy. This discovery has significant implications for urban planners and policymakers seeking cost-effective ways to improve public health and well-being.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalEnvironmental Epidemiology·DateJul 19, 2026

More is different: Physics vs AI

AI models exhibit emergent intelligence through specialization and cooperation, unlike physical systems where individual components reflect similar information, according to Bar-Ilan University research. This finding has implications for neuroscience and challenges traditional notions of intelligence in AI.

Engagement, not silence, may be the key to better learning

A study by Bar-Ilan University neuroscientists found that engagement with content strongly influences brain activity and comprehension during lectures. When participants found the lecture engaging, their brains remained synchronized with the speaker's speech despite background noise. In contrast, low-interest sections were associated w...

SourceBar-Ilan University·Journalnpj Science of Learning·DateFeb 12, 2026

Cracking the evolutionary code of sleep

A Bar-Ilan University study uncovers the origin of sleep in jellyfish and sea anemones, demonstrating that protecting neurons from DNA damage is a basic function of sleep. The research shows that both species accumulate DNA damage during wakefulness and reduce it during sleep, with increased damage triggering recovery sleep.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 6, 2026

New study shows global decline in parental trust in childhood vaccines after COVID-19, contributing to increased measles outbreaks

A new study by Bar-Ilan University reveals a global decline in parental trust in childhood vaccines after COVID-19, resulting in declining vaccination rates and increased measles outbreaks. The study found that fear of side effects was the main driver of vaccine hesitancy, with alarming consequences for herd immunity.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalVaccine·DateOct 28, 2025

Bar-Ilan University joins €8 million European consortium to make life-saving CAR-T cancer therapy faster, safer, and more accessible

A key contributor is the lab of Prof. Ayal Hendel at Bar-Ilan University's Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, focusing on evaluating CRISPR-based gene editing precision and safety. The project aims to decentralize CAR-T cell therapy production, making it available to more patients by reducing costs and increasing accessibility.

Luxury brands’ use of NFTs as digital twins may undermine the perceived value of physical products, study finds

A new study from Bar-Ilan University and University of Agder reveals that linking luxury items to NFTs can harm their perceived value by introducing a sense of temporariness. The research suggests that luxury brands must strike a balance between innovation and maintaining their heritage to avoid devaluing their physical products.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateApr 28, 2025

Scent-sational advancement in canine research!

A Bar-Ilan University study investigates brain activity of dogs during scent detection, unveiling crucial insights into their remarkable olfactory capabilities. The findings highlight the emotional and memory-related aspects of odor processing, particularly in the amygdala region.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalJournal of Biophotonics·DateMar 18, 2025

Bar-Ilan University study reveals high vaccination rates among Israeli Arabs, offering insights for minority populations worldwide

A study by Bar-Ilan University reveals that Israeli Arabs have high vaccination rates due to their trust in the country's healthcare system. The research also found that vaccinations are often administered in supportive environments with flexible hours and play areas for children, making it easier for families to participate.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research·DateFeb 10, 2025

The best AI strategy to recognize multiple objects in one image

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University discover that classifying objects together through Multi-Label Classification can yield better results than detecting individual objects. This new method allows networks to learn correlations between object combinations, making them more recognizable in real-life applications such as autonomous vehi...

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPhysica A Statistical Mechanics and its Applications·DateDec 10, 2024

Implementing ancient agricultural practices to confront modern-day challenges of water scarcity and food insecurity

A new study suggests that innovative water-harvesting and soil-enrichment technologies from the early Islamic period can address contemporary agricultural challenges. Traditional agroecosystems, such as Plot-and-Berm systems, provide a model for long-term water security and sustainable agriculture in arid regions.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalEnvironmental Archaeology·DateDec 1, 2024