A recent study by Ben-Gurion University found that secondhand smoke directly disrupts children's sleep patterns, causing significant poor sleep quality and increased fragmentation. The research used objective data and biological markers to demonstrate the toxic effects of tobacco smoke on pediatric sleep, independent of airway blockages.
A new study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that long-term Salmonella infections severely damage blood stem cells. However, researchers discovered that giving an effective course of antibiotics fully restores the stem cells' health and rebuilds their power.
A new study reveals that a Green Mediterranean diet enriched with the aquatic plant Mankai can improve gene activity and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and aging. Participants who followed this diet experienced increased folate levels, which fueled one-carbon metabolism and supported DNA maintenance.
Researchers have discovered a completely unknown type of immune cell, named ruptoblasts, which rewrite our understanding of the immune system. These cells act like cellular grenades, releasing powerful killing agents to destroy pathogens and prevent infection.
A reduction in visceral fat is associated with better cardiometabolic health and lower future type 2 diabetes risk, even when body weight is fully regained. Visceral fat loss achieves a significant protective effect against systemic aging and metabolic decay long after a diet ends.
Researchers analyzed over 264,000 pregnancies to confirm the safety of NSAIDs and paracetamol during pregnancy. The studies found no association between painkiller use and birth defects, dispelling long-standing myths.
Damselflies break optical barriers to produce vivid, angle-independent colors using structural dispersion and pigment loading. This discovery provides a blueprint for creating sustainable, highly saturated photonic materials that could replace toxic synthetic pigments.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev identified how semaglutide and colchicine protect the heart from Atrial Fibrillation by targeting different biological pathways. The study found that these medications can prevent the development of AF even in non-obese patients.
A long-term MRI study finds that lower accumulation of visceral fat is associated with preservation of key brain structures, better cognitive performance, and slower brain atrophy. The study suggests that glucose control and insulin sensitivity mediate the relationship between abdominal fat and brain aging.
Researchers found that microbes actively adjust their behavior to minimize competition and conflict when living together, leading to more efficient coexistence. This discovery provides insights into how diverse microbial communities assemble and persist despite intense competition.
Researchers found that plants can acquire essential nutrients like phosphorus and iron from atmospheric dust settling on their leaves. This discovery suggests an important new pathway for plant nutrition and ecosystem functioning, particularly in nutrient-limited ecosystems.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that altering water source distribution in a desert ecosystem improved mating structure and increased genetic diversity in wild populations. By establishing more territories for reproducing males, changes in resource management boosted population's variance effective population size.
A new study reveals a significant link between obstructive sleep apnea and skeletal muscle quality, indicating an increased risk of muscle deterioration with aging. Researchers found that people with obstructive sleep apnea have lower skeletal muscle density and a higher skeletal muscle index than those without the condition.
Researchers found SIRT6 is essential for maintaining protein homeostasis, regulating the protein life cycle to prevent protein aggregates that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Reduced SIRT6 levels play a critical role in aging and age-related neurodegeneration.
A specific protein, PKC-eta, has been identified as a central driver of aggressive breast cancer cell migration and metastasis. Reducing PKC-eta activity significantly slows tumor growth and reduces metastatic spread in laboratory and animal models.
Researchers propose a new approach to secure optical communication by hiding information in the physical structure of light, making it difficult for unauthorized parties to intercept or decode. Computer simulations showed that the method can transmit information reliably without revealing it through changes in beam size or intensity.
Scientists at BGU have identified two key principles governing the assembly of bacterioferritin proteins in bacteria. These rules limit the number of viable configurations while allowing flexibility, resulting in stable, functional structures without strict external control.
Researchers using satellite imagery and remote sensing technology have discovered at least 28 large stone circles in the Golan Heights, surrounding Rujm el-Hiri. These findings suggest a widespread architectural tradition integrated into social and economic systems of the proto-historic Levant.
A new BGU study examines the emotional labor of teachers during wartime, revealing that those who fake emotions are at higher risk of psychological collapse. The research emphasizes the importance of fostering internal motivation and clear educational identities to mitigate teacher attrition.
A BGU study uses 'soundscape mapping' to quantify the impact of road noise on bird habitats, revealing massive habitat loss and protected areas under threat. The research suggests integrating noise mitigation technologies into environmental planning to protect biodiversity.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers found that repeated attempts at weight loss confer significant and sustainable health benefits over time, particularly through reduced visceral fat. Even when participants regain all the weight lost in a previous diet, their cardiometabolic health may remain improved.
A landmark study of nearly 1.2 million infants suggests that a vegan or vegetarian diet does not compromise infant growth by age two. The research found that infants from plant-based households follow growth trajectories nearly identical to their omnivorous peers, providing reassuring evidence for parents and pediatricians.
A new study suggests that hair oxytocin levels can reflect the emotional connection between parents and young children. Higher maternal oxytocin levels were associated with higher-quality emotional interaction between mother and child, while children's hair oxytocin levels were higher than those of their mothers.
Researchers discovered that a gene called ZNF750, active in skin cells, is essential for supporting Langerhans cells and building the body's first line of immune defense. The study found that ZNF750 controls the production of IL-34, a molecule released by skin cells that acts as a survival signal for Langerhans cells.
A new open-science resource for studying sleep in children with autism has been launched, leveraging state-of-the-art wearable and nearable devices to gather unprecedented data. The Simons Sleep Project reveals that autistic children have greater difficulties falling asleep than their siblings, and this specific sleep problem is associ...
A new study published in Communications Psychology found that verbal justifications supporting memories remain rich, detailed, and consistent even after a delay of 24 hours. The study suggests that memory justifications provide a temporally stable window into episodic memory, making them a reliable basis for evaluating memory credibility.
Researchers developed AI-powered in silico labeling to analyze cell images without staining, preserving cell health. The system leverages context, such as cell shape and position, to accurately stain rare processes like cell division.
A longitudinal study of 125 children found that early environmental factors can predict ADHD, with infants showing high motor activity benefiting from rich home environments. This sensitivity is linked to better cognitive functioning and fewer ADHD symptoms in later childhood.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have developed a new type of plastic-like material that can be activated with light or gentle heat. The materials, known as latent monomers, remain inactive for weeks before solidifying into a durable plastic-like substance. This switchable system could give rise to hundreds of new plastic-like mate...
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev identified SIRT6 as a critical upstream drug target for combating neurodegenerative pathology. By reprogramming gene expression, SIRT6 prevents the production of neurotoxic tryptophan metabolites and promotes protective neurotransmitters.
A recent study found that weight loss in midlife can aggravate inflammation in the hypothalamus, a brain region regulating appetite and energy balance. This neuroinflammation persists for several weeks before subsiding, raising concerns about its impact on cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University find that CD4 T cells play a critical role in reducing aging by cleaning out senescence cells. They suggest tracking people in their 30s to assess the pace of aging and developing early interventions.
A new study using radiocarbon dating has pushed back the timeline for the Thera (Santorini) volcanic eruption, placing it prior to Pharaoh Ahmose's rule. The findings suggest a longer Second Intermediate Period and a later start to the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt.
The BGU-RADAR Center, in collaboration with leading US universities, has developed a consensus statement on essential knowledge and skills for integrating medical cannabis into clinical practice responsibly. The statement outlines key competencies for healthcare providers to counsel patients effectively on medical cannabis use.
A recent study published in Social Development found that firstborn behavioral problems can predict the quality of their sibling relationship over time. Maternal reflective functioning plays a crucial role in mitigating negative outcomes, particularly for children exhibiting internalizing behavioral problems. The researchers suggest th...
A study by Israeli researchers found that people apply mechanisms of forgiveness towards technology, similar to human relationships. Participants described their experiences with technological malfunctions in emotional terms, describing paths to forgiveness such as cost-benefit calculation, placing responsibility on humans, and accepti...
A new study found that participants following the green-Mediterranean diet showed decreased levels of Galectin-9 and Decorin, two proteins linked to accelerated brain aging. The study suggests a potential beneficial impact on biological processes related to brain aging through blood protein modulation.
A study by Ben-Gurion University reveals that desert soils can release powerful greenhouse gases within minutes of being wetted, even without microbial life. The team found that chemical reactions drive these emissions, especially for nitrogen-based gases.
Human cells use a synchronized traffic control system to monitor nutrient levels and precisely control cellular energy balance, blood sugar levels, and energy management. This finding offers promising new targets for treating diabetes and cancer.
Researchers found that individuals from vulnerable groups who felt discriminated against may actually show increased preference for brands that insult their group. This 'paradoxical phenomenon' aligns with theories of disidentification, which suggests long-term consequences of harm to groups include reduced self-esteem and group-esteem.
A study found that public support for releasing women first is widespread, but linked to beliefs about gender, with benevolent sexism being a key predictor. Attitudes also followed a pattern tied to ideals of motherhood, suggesting that these cultural narratives may weigh more heavily than gender alone in shaping public judgment.
A new database, the Israeli Face Database (IFD), presents face images of real individuals from an ethnically diverse population in Israel. The IFD features multiple highly controlled images per face identity and provides detailed demographic data, addressing a lacuna in the field by including non-Western populations.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have found coral-derived molecules that can disrupt bacterial communication and reduce the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. The combination of these molecules with antibiotics increases effective killing of bacteria, even when they form biofilms.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have made a breakthrough in harnessing patient's own T-cells to fight off cancer by creating artificial surfaces mimicking natural immune cells. These surfaces, engineered with nanostructures, strengthen and prolong activation of T-cells, leading to more effective immunotherapy.
Researchers found that invasive brown widow spiders effectively defend their egg sacs against wasp parasites through multiple defence strategies. By constructing denser spikes on their egg sacs and using guarding behaviors, the spiders protect themselves against high levels of predation and parasitism.
A new machine-learning algorithm has been developed to identify proteins with significant roles in various human tissues. The Weighted Graph Anomalous Node Detection (WGAND) algorithm successfully identified proteins associated with tissue-specific diseases and critical biological processes.
A new position paper argues that maladaptive daydreaming should be included as a dissociative disorder in psychiatric manuals. The inclusion of MD is expected to spur research and treatment, leading to increased awareness among clinicians and researchers.
A Ben-Gurion University social psychologist argues that toxic masculinity and traditional gender roles impose significant costs on men, affecting their personal and professional lives. Men are pressured to conform to narrow standards of masculinity, leading to increased stress and negative mental and physical health outcomes.
Researchers have presented a unique time-dependent record of drainage divide migration rates, showing that episodes of rapid shift coincide with past climate changes in the Negev over the last 230,000 years. This discovery accelerates our understanding of how climate affects the Earth's surface.
A new study found that the proportion of visceral fat, rather than the absolute amount, is a stronger predictor of high triglyceride levels and inflammation. Lowering visceral fat proportion during weight loss can lead to better metabolic health outcomes.