Researchers discovered that sponges in the Gulf of Eilat employ a unique tactic to deter predators by storing high concentrations of toxic molybdenum. The symbiotic relationship between the sponge and a bacterium enables this process, allowing the sponge to accumulate metals and neutralize their toxicity.
A wearable sensor supported by machine learning models can continuously monitor and quantify FOG episodes, providing an accurate picture of a patient's condition. This technology has the potential to support the development of new treatments and improve the lives of people with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers genetically engineered Toxoplasma gondii to produce and release therapeutic proteins in the human brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The method has potential implications for treating diseases caused by protein deficiencies or abnormal expression.
A new study at Tel Aviv University found that geckos experience a sharp increase in metabolic rates when exposed to rocket explosions, leading to energy depletion. The researchers hypothesize that this stress response may apply to many other animals in conflict zones.
A breakthrough in brain-computer interfaces allows a patient to communicate using only the power of thought. The study, led by Dr. Ariel Tankus, enables individuals with paralysis to signal 'yes' and 'no' through electrical signals in their brain.
Researchers tracked free-ranging Egyptian fruit bats and found they possess high cognitive abilities, including episodic memory, mental time travel, and delayed gratification. The study revealed that older bats can estimate time passed since their last visit to a tree and avoid those with stopped bearing fruit.
A novel mechanical metamaterial, 'Chaco,' exhibits history-dependent behavior, allowing it to remember the sequence of actions performed on it. This property enables potential applications in memory storage and robotics.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University discovered 400,000-year-old stone tools, Quina scrapers, used to butcher and process smaller game like fallow deer. The unique tools were made of non-local flint, likely sourced from the Mountains of Samaria, a calving area for the deer.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a method to grow ultra-long and narrow graphene nanoribbons with semiconducting properties, opening doors for technological applications in advanced switching devices and spintronic systems. The study's success demonstrates a breakthrough in carbon-based nanomaterials.
Researchers have discovered a star orbiting a massive black hole 33 times heavier than the sun's mass, located 1500 light-years away from Earth. The binary system Gaia BH3 contains an ordinary star that seems to have formed over ten billion years ago.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a novel therapeutic strategy using existing medications to inhibit bone metastasis in breast cancer patients. The combination of drugs improved survival rates and reduced bone metastases in animal models and human tissue samples.
A long-term study found that coronary heart patients who live in greener areas have a significantly lower risk of mortality after undergoing bypass surgery. The study, which followed over 3,000 patients for 14 years, found that living in a green environment was associated with better chances of survival.
Researchers deciphered a novel process helping viruses choose to be nasty or friendly to their host bacteria. Phages use the bacterial immune system to make decisions, activating violent mode when necessary.
The study reveals insights into topological materials by visualizing the motion of coupled pendula, reproducing behaviors of electrons in periodic systems. The researchers directly measure Bloch oscillations and Zener tunneling phenomena, previously impossible to observe in quantum systems.
A Tel Aviv University study found that women in this age group experience increased AMH secretion when exposed to UV radiation from the sun. This increase in hormone levels is associated with a positive effect on fertility.
Chemical simulations can be sped up by resetting them, a new study from Tel Aviv University found. This technique, called stochastic resetting, overcomes the timescale problem, allowing for more accurate predictions of slow processes.
Researchers used CRISPR to modify a tomato gene, resulting in reduced water consumption without affecting crop quality. The discovery holds implications for basic scientific knowledge and could help increase plant yields in dry conditions.
Researchers found that the deletion of the Gtf2i gene impairs mitochondrial organelle formation and function, leading to abnormal cell behavior and neurodevelopmental pathologies. This discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by cognitive and social impairments.
The study found a correlation between the emergence of sophisticated stone-knapping methods and a relative decrease in large prey quantities. Stone-tipped spears with Levallois technology allowed for more substantial wounds, increasing hunting success.
A computational genetic model has been developed to predict individual genetic risk of developing breast cancer based on a woman's genetic profile. The model uses data from a large-scale international study and identifies women at high risk, who may benefit from earlier and more frequent screening.
A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals that people tend to attribute more attractive appearances, pleasant scents, and agreeable voices to strangers they anticipate interacting with. This phenomenon is attributed to our innate desire for a socially and physically gratifying environment.
A breakthrough treatment targeting bone marrow cancer cells destroyed 90% of multiple myeloma cells in laboratory tests and 60% in human tissue samples. Researchers developed lipid-based nanoparticles containing RNA molecules that silence the CKAP5 gene, inhibiting cancer cell division.
Residents of southern Israel suffered significantly greater physiological and mental harm than others, with spikes in heart rate and stress, reduced sleep duration, and decreased physical activity. Women, young people, and those living near Gaza paid the heaviest price, with notable differences in screen time, mood, and quality of sleep.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a novel approach to fight cancer by inducing cancer cells to produce a toxic protein using mRNA molecules. The treatment was successful in eliminating 44-60% of cancer cells in animal models, with no damage to healthy cells.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an innovative gene therapy that shows promise in treating Dravet syndrome, a severe developmental epilepsy affecting children. The treatment was found to be effective in improving epilepsy, protecting against early death, and enhancing cognitive abilities.
A new study at Tel Aviv University found that older bats do indeed suffer from age-related hearing loss, but at a relatively slow rate compared to humans. The researchers believe that bats have developed special adaptations to cope with their noisy environment, which could provide insights into human hearing loss.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and UCLA developed a method to improve memory consolidation by inducing deep-brain stimulation during sleep. The study found that precise timing of electrical stimulation enhances synchronization between the hippocampus and frontal cortex, leading to improved accuracy in recalling memories.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recorded and analyzed plant sounds emitted under stress, identifying specific identifiable sounds. The study suggests that plants may communicate with other plants and animals through these sounds.
Researchers developed a hybrid micro-robot that can navigate in physiological environments and capture targeted damaged cells. The micro-robot uses electric and magnetic mechanisms to identify and transport single cells for further study.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that dedicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective in reducing pain and healing patients with fibromyalgia caused by traumatic brain injury. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in 2 out of 5 patients, including improved pain threshold tests and quality of life indicators.
A new snake family, Micrelapidae, was identified through an international study led by Tel Aviv University researcher Prof. Shai Meiri. The family includes only three species, two in Africa and one in Israel, and diverged from the rest of the evolutionary tree about 50 million years ago.
Researchers found that abnormal methylation processes lead to disruption of gene expression essential for brain development in people with Williams syndrome. The study suggests targeting treatments to correct these disruptions.
A new study uses drone-mounted technology to deter bats from flying into wind turbines, reducing fatalities by 40% and allowing turbines to operate efficiently. The device transmits ultrasonic signals and lights to warn bats of danger, leading them to fly over the turbine and out of harm's way.
An international team of researchers has successfully characterized the earliest galaxies in the Universe, which formed only 200 million years after the Big Bang. The study found that these early galaxies were relatively small and dim, processing less than 5% of their gas into stars.
New study reveals plastic additives selectively harm corals' reproductive processes, development, and settlement, affecting ecosystem balance. Researchers found alarming effects of environmental concentrations on various organisms, highlighting the urgent need for better risk assessments.
A new study reveals that gynecology prioritizes childbirth and fertility over women's health issues such as pelvic damage, sexual pleasure, and menopause. The study proposes separating obstetrics from gynecology and incorporating feminist studies into medical training to prioritize women's needs.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a method to create the thinnest possible ladder steps made of distinct electric potentials, which can be used as independent information units. The discovery enables the creation of novel devices with potential applications in electronics and optomechanics.
Research at Tel Aviv University found that high-intensity aerobic exercise increases glucose consumption in internal organs, reducing energy availability for tumors. The study reduced the risk of metastatic cancer in humans and animal models by up to 72%.
An international team of researchers found evidence of cooked fish remains at the Gesher Benot Ya'aqov archaeological site in Israel, dating back approximately 780,000 years. This discovery predates previous knowledge by about 600,000 years and sheds light on the evolution of cooking techniques.
A Tel Aviv University study reveals that the Israeli shoreline is contaminated with more than two million tons of microplastics, with Tel Aviv and Hadera beaches being the most polluted. The researchers warn that exposure to microplastic waste is unavoidable and poses a risk to human health.
A Tel Aviv University study shows that pressure chamber therapy can improve social skills and reduce neuroinflammation in the autistic brain. The treatment, which involves high-pressure chambers with oxygen enrichment, was found to increase blood and oxygen supply to the brain, leading to improved brain function and social behavior.
A joint study by TAU and Hebrew University accurately dated 21 destruction layers at 17 archaeological sites in Israel, using geomagnetic field reconstruction. The new data verify Biblical accounts of Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian, and Babylonian military campaigns against the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that skin cancer cells interact with astrocytes in the brain, promoting metastasis. By inhibiting this interaction using existing treatments, they delayed the spread of melanoma to the brain by 60-80%. This breakthrough has implications for treating advanced-stage melanoma.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
A recent academic study found that Facebook's introduction at American colleges was associated with a significant worsening in mental health symptoms, particularly depression and anxiety. The study used a novel research method to establish causality between social media use and poor mental health.
Researchers have identified two effective antibodies that neutralize all known strains of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron variants. These breakthrough antibodies could eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen immune systems, especially in at-risk populations.
A Tel Aviv University study challenges the widely-held assumption that COVID-19 originated from bats, instead highlighting their highly effective immune system. The researchers found that many reported findings on bat-borne viruses are based on antibody presence or PCR tests rather than actual virus isolation.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University develop a groundbreaking method to eradicate glioblastoma brain tumors by targeting astrocytes and starving them of energy. The study found that in the absence of these brain cells, tumor cells die and are eliminated, offering a promising basis for developing effective medications.
Researchers developed a method combining musical tests with EEG measurement to detect cognitive decline in old age. The study tested 50 elderly people who scored low on the mini-mental test, showing promising results in detecting mental deterioration.