Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Bar-Ilan University


Children hold leaders primarily responsible, not entitled

A new study published in Child Development found that young children conceptualize leadership as a hierarchy based on voluntary deference and respect. Children expected a leader to contribute more to joint goals and withdraw an equal share from common prizes, but judged leaders harsher for not adhering to these behaviors.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalChild Development·DateSep 30, 2020

Grape pips reveal collapse of ancient economy in the grip of plague and climate change

A study published in PNAS reveals a significant economic downturn in the Byzantine Empire's arid Negev desert during a pandemic in the mid-6th century CE. The research analyzed seeds found in ancient trash mounds, including grape pips, which show a high frequency, suggesting an increase in viticulture and wine export.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

Fans love musicians' personalities as much as their music

A new study found that listeners' musical preferences are driven by the similarity between their personality and that of famous musicians. The 'self-congruity effect of music' suggests that people prefer music from artists with similar public personas, which can evoke feelings of pride and belonging.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJul 2, 2020

Hearts that drum together beat together

A study at Bar-Ilan University found that group drumming fosters both behavioral and physiological synchronization among participants. This synchronization enhances cohesion, predicts a heightened sense of group bonding, and even improves performance in subsequent group tasks.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 21, 2020

State of mind: The end of personality as we know it

Researchers propose a holistic framework for understanding how the mind adapts to situations, suggesting that changing states of mind exert coordinated effects on perception, attention, and behavior. By acknowledging and manipulating these dynamic states, individuals can improve performance and achieve a healthier state of mind.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2020

Light and sound in silicon chips: The slower the better

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a new concept that combines light and sound waves in standard silicon chips, achieving delays of tens of nano-seconds without introducing additional materials. This breakthrough enables the selective processing of sound waves, which is difficult for electronics and optics alone.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2019

Holocaust survivors with PTSD transmit negative views on aging to their adult offspring

A study by Prof. Amit Shrira found that Holocaust survivors with PTSD and their offspring negatively perceive aging, viewing themselves as less successful than those without PTSD or exposure to the Holocaust. This transmission of negative views can lead to greater risk for physical deterioration among survivors and their families.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·DateMar 18, 2019

Fiber sensors may leave the jacket on

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have successfully mapped liquids outside coated optical fibers, enabling sensing applications beyond the lab. The use of a polyimide coating overcomes the protective barrier previously hindering sensor performance.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 28, 2019

Parental PTSD affects health behavior and aging among offspring of Holocaust survivors

A new study by Prof. Amit Shrira found that Holocaust survivors with PTSD and their adult offspring exhibit unhealthy behavior patterns, age less successfully, and have more medical conditions than those without PTSD or exposure to the Holocaust. The research highlights the intergenerational transmission of trauma and its impact on aging.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJan 22, 2019

Parental CPTSD increases transmission of trauma to offspring of Tutsi genocide survivors

A new study reveals that children of Tutsi genocide survivors with complex PTSD exhibit more severe symptoms and self-perception issues, highlighting the intergenerational impact of trauma. Researchers found CPTSD to be a prevalent debilitating condition among Tutsi genocide survivors, affecting not only themselves but also their offsp...

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJan 9, 2019