The Hebrew University has received a $5 million grant to study visceral leishmaniasis in Ethiopia, also known as Kala-azar. This collaborative project aims to identify weak links in the transmission cycle and devise methods for disease control, particularly in HIV/AIDS-endemic areas.
A DNA study has identified the earliest known case of leprosy in a 1st-century shrouded man found in a Jerusalem tomb. The analysis reveals that this individual likely died from tuberculosis, challenging the historical association between leprosy and social exclusion.
A team of researchers has identified the Chd1 gene as a crucial regulator of open chromatin in embryonic stem cells, enabling their ability to differentiate into any cell type. The study provides important insights into the mechanisms of stem cell pluripotency and opens up new avenues for the development of stem cell therapies.
Researchers at Hebrew University have developed a novel stem cell technology, immuno-isolation, to treat complicated bone fractures. The technology has been successfully used to treat seven patients with a combination of their own MSCs and blood products, offering a promising alternative to standard treatment methods.
Scientists at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that tiny molecules called miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating our internal clock. This finding has significant implications for treating sleep deprivation and other disorders related to the daily life cycle.
A specific gene in the pancreas affects insulin secretion, leading to improved blood glucose regulation and potential new treatments for diabetes. The discovery opens a new understanding of diabetes pathophysiology.
A large-scale meta-analysis has found a clear connection between depression and reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. The study, conducted by Hebrew University researchers, reveals that young women are particularly at risk, especially those with clinical depression.
A team of researchers led by Prof. Todd Lencz and Prof. Ariel Darvasi will conduct a groundbreaking study on the genetic basis of schizophrenia using advanced technologies and a large sample group of 4000 Ashkenazi Jewish individuals.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover Lysyl-tRNA synthetase's regulatory role in gene expression, potentially leading to new therapies for diseases like AIDS and breast cancer. The molecule is also involved in viral replication and high levels have been observed in certain cancers.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered a promising approach to treat Alzheimer's disease in individuals with a mutated gene that accelerates disease progression. They found that the mutated enzyme protein damages its protective tail, leading to increased risk and rapid disease progression.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem neutralized tumor growth in human embryonic stem cells by identifying and inhibiting the survivin gene. This breakthrough paves the way for further progress in stem cell therapy for diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and heart failure.
Researchers at Hebrew University found that administering morphine with a drug blocking interleukin-1 provides effective long-term pain relief without increasing dosages. This breakthrough could lead to better pain management with lower side effects.
Researchers link muscle decline to elevated carbon dioxide in blood of patients with lung diseases, discovering surprising effects including increased lifespan and dynamic gene changes. High CO2 levels may impact treatment strategies for lung conditions.
Researchers found that genetic variants impact stress response differently in men and women. Women carrying the BDNF Val/Met genotype were shown to have a lower cortisol response than men with the same genotype, while men with the Val/Val variant exhibited higher cortisol levels.
Researchers created a method called Minimum Mutual Information (MinMI) to understand how brain cells process information. The tool can identify which neurons encode specific stimuli, such as facial reactions or movement, and how they collaborate.
The renewal of the European Associated Laboratory Agreement establishes a France-Israel laboratory of neuroscience, fostering joint research projects and collaborative publications. The new agreement aims to promote brain research opportunities in Europe amidst calls for boycotting Israeli academia.
Researchers led by Prof. Boris Rubinsky developed a technique using irreversible electroporation (IRE) to destroy cells responsible for restenosis in arteries. IRE successfully destroyed almost all cells in less than 23 seconds with no damage to other structures.
Researchers propose a new theory that galaxies formed primarily through cold gas streams, challenging the prevailing view of galactic mergers. Computer simulations suggest these streams led to efficient star formation in massive disks, driving the creation of spiral galaxies.
A high-fat diet can affect circadian rhythms, leading to hormone imbalance, obesity, psychological disorders, and cancer. Fasting and a low-fat diet regulate adiponectin signaling pathways, while a high-fat diet disrupts these pathways, contributing to metabolic disorders.
Researchers at Hebrew University have made significant breakthroughs in reversing brain birth defects in animal models by using stem cells to replace defective brain cells. In their study, Prof. Joseph Yanai and his team demonstrated that stem cells can induce the host brain to produce large numbers of stem cells, repairing damage and ...
Researchers have identified a single gene, G9a, controlling cell flexibility in embryos and potential for medical cell replacement therapy. This discovery sheds light on the process of cell differentiation and could pave the way for new approaches to reprogram cells in a controlled manner.
A 12,000-year-old Natufian shaman's skeleton has been discovered in northern Israel with a unique burial ritual. The grave contained 50 complete tortoise shells, the pelvis of a leopard, and a human foot, indicating a high social status and close relationship with animal spirits.
The discovery of burned flint at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov site pushes back the accepted date for man's fire-making ability by half a million years, indicating that early humans controlled fire from 790,000 years ago. This skill enabled ancient humans to leave their surroundings and populate new environments.
A new study suggests that air pollution can both increase and decrease rainfall, depending on local environmental conditions. The research, led by Prof. Daniel Rosenfeld of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found that aerosol particles in the air can affect cloud formation and precipitation patterns.
The International Red Cross has adopted a cholera prevention program developed by Hebrew University students, which was effective in preventing and managing the disease in displaced persons camps. The program aims to increase safe drinking water sources, promote awareness, and improve surveillance and reporting of cholera cases.
Six-thousand year old Jericho bones excavated by Dr. Kathleen Kenyon will be tested for tuberculosis, leprosy, and malaria to better understand disease development and transmission.
Octopus brains utilize activity-dependent long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) to store and recall memories, with findings suggesting a segregation of short and long-term memory systems. This process is comparable to that discovered in vertebrate brains, yet operates differently due to the octopus's unique brain anatomy.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed a real-time test to monitor bacterial syringe activity, discovering new properties that could lead to drug development. This breakthrough has the potential to combat diseases caused by pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem demonstrate the exact mechanism by which embryonic stem cells develop into specific cell types. The study reveals that ES cells express a large proportion of their genome in an 'open and active' state, enabling them to become any cell type before undergoing global genetic silencing.
Researchers develop a system that transmits unprocessed medical images via cellular phones, enabling sophisticated radiological diagnoses and treatment in remote areas. The technology uses electrical impedance tomography and reduces costs by simplifying the apparatus at patient sites.
A Hebrew U study has shown that humans can detect finer frequency differences than animals, using single neuron recordings in the auditory cortex. This suggests a unique neural representation of frequency in the human brain.
Researchers have revealed the electronic structure of single DNA molecules, shedding light on their electronic properties and potential use in nanotechnology. The discovery has significant implications for understanding DNA damage and repair mechanisms, as well as the development of new DNA decoding technologies.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that subliminal exposure to a national flag image can moderate political attitudes, voting intentions, and actual voting in general elections. The studies showed that participants exposed to the subliminal message tended to adopt more centrist views and voted for central parties.
Hebrew University researchers received prestigious EU research grants to advance their careers and tackle groundbreaking projects. The five winners will focus on innovative fields such as dormant bacterial spores, group theory, neurophysiological changes, planetary formation, and protein-modulating drugs for cancer and AIDS.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a new communication factor that enables bacterial communities to 'talk to each other' and die under stressful conditions. This discovery could lead to the development of a new class of antibiotics targeting Escherichia coli and other pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified a brain region, the planum temporale, as responsible for perceiving 'sound space', or the location of sounds. The study found that this region is activated when subjects are not concentrating on those sounds and can represent sound locations in a non-intentional manner.
Research found that administering cannabinoids like THC reduces allergic reactions in mice with contact dermatitis. The study suggests a protective role for the endocannabinoid system in skin allergy and potential therapeutic applications.
Scientists at Hebrew University of Jerusalem Racah Institute of Physics have developed a way to program polymer sheets to bend and wrinkle into prescribed structures. By varying the local polymer density, the gel shrinks at specific temperatures, causing it to buckle and change shape.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed a method to increase plant tolerance to salt stress, preventing stunted growth and plant death. The technique uses genetic manipulation to reduce self-induced membrane damage and has significant consequences for dealing with soil salinization.
A miniature robot developed by Prof. Leo Joskowicz and his team enables precise targeting in neurosurgical procedures, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. The system, which uses preoperative scans and real-time image guidance, has been recognized with a Kaye Innovation Award.
Research by a Chinese-Israeli team shows that air pollution significantly reduces precipitation on mountains in semi-arid regions, highlighting the dire consequences for water resources in the Middle East and worldwide. The study found that increasing levels of manmade air pollution have led to a 20% decrease in precipitation on Mount ...
Researchers at Hebrew University found a link between depression and osteoporosis, showing that anti-depressant drugs can halt bone density loss. The study used laboratory mice to demonstrate the connection, revealing a neural system linking the brain to bones, which is disrupted in depressed individuals.
The honey bee's molecular structure of its biological clock is more similar to mammals than to flies, according to groundbreaking research. The key genes involved in the biological clock were identified and characterized, opening up new directions for understanding complex behaviors like sun-compass navigation and time sensing.
A team of researchers has developed a new method for targeting malignant brain tumors by inducing cancerous cells to commit suicide. The technique uses a molecule containing long, double-stranded RNA attached to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and delivered selectively to cells with high EGF receptors.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem isolated malignant tumor cells from their nutritional and oxygen supplies, inhibiting growth and stopping metastases. Actibind, a protein found in black mold, was shown to bind actin in human and animal cells, halting cell growth and reducing the ability of cancer cells to form new tumors.
Researchers found correlations between DNA variants in the D4 receptor gene and self-reported sexual desire, arousal, and function. Variants affecting dopamine levels were shown to influence sexual behavior.
Researchers at Hebrew University have identified a new protein that scans DNA for damage during bacterial sporulation, identifying a key mechanism in the process. This discovery may aid in understanding diseases involving DNA damage, such as cancer.
Researchers have successfully repaired torn Achilles tendons in rats using engineered mesenchymal stem cells expressing Smad8 and BMP2, promoting tendon regeneration. The study provides a novel approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative diseases.
A hydrological mapping study found that the Judea Group Aquifer in Israel's desert has an average yearly volume of 100 million cubic meters, with only 20% currently used. The remaining water could supply 5% of Israel's total freshwater needs and meet the potable water needs of several towns at a lower cost.
Scientists have found that there are two separate visual streams in the brains of healthy individuals, one for perceiving objects and another for guiding actions. This discovery was made using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provides new insights into the neural basis of perception and action.