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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem


Can cosmetic procedures become addictive? New study links addiction risk to social media and body image

A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low body esteem, problematic social media use, and other factors are linked to addictive-like behavior in women who undergo repeated cosmetic treatments. Nearly 20% of surveyed women met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Health Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2026

Warm temperatures disrupt spider sex-changing bacteria in dwarf-spiders across generations

A new study reveals that brief warm temperatures disrupt the internal bacterial ecosystem of dwarf spiders, leading to a sudden comeback of male offspring. The research found that thermal stress triggers a transgenerational shift in microbial dynamics, with a rival bacterium blocking the feminizing bacteria and allowing males to thrive.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2026

1,000 days since October 7 - Bringing survivors' voices to the world through AI-powered living archive - Hebrew University and Edut 710

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Edut 710 have partnered to create a groundbreaking AI-powered living archive, featuring nearly 2,000 survivor, witness, and first responder testimonies. The archive will enable users to search, translate, and explore the accounts through natural language, preserving authenticity and integrity.

How culture shapes the way we care for other people's emotions

A global study reveals that culture influences how people try to regulate the emotions of others, with individualistic cultures prioritizing comforting and expressing care, while collectivistic cultures often view unpleasant emotions as valuable. This finding highlights the importance of cultural context in emotional support.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJun 29, 2026

Antibiotic resistance threatens vision in pets and horses, new veterinary review warns

A comprehensive review examines global trends in antimicrobial resistance in animal eye infections, warning that multidrug-resistant bacteria are becoming more common. The authors call for earlier diagnostic testing, targeted antibiotic use, and stronger infection-control measures to preserve treatment options.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalVeterinary Ophthalmology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2026

Filtering out the negative: people are less likely to notice negative words new study finds

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered a surprising bias in non-conscious processing: negative spoken words are less likely to reach conscious awareness than neutral ones. This challenges traditional assumptions about how emotional information gains access to conscious awareness.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2026

Climate models are missing the first warning signs of deadly Middle East heatwaves, study finds

A new study reveals that climate models reproduce extreme heat but struggle to capture the gradual atmospheric buildup leading up to it. The researchers propose a process-based framework for evaluating climate models to improve prediction capabilities and enhance preparedness for extreme heat events.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalWeather and Climate Extremes·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 16, 2026

Predators on the move may link the evolution of species thousands of kilometers apart

A new study suggests that migratory predators can act as evolutionary messengers, carrying avoidance behaviors across continents and linking the fates of species separated by thousands of kilometers. This challenges a longstanding assumption in mimicry theory, opening up a hidden world of long-distance evolutionary relationships.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 15, 2026

Ancient fire record rewritten: Researchers push earliest evidence of human fire use back to over a million years

A new study found evidence of repeated fire use at Wonderwerk Cave between 1.07 and 1.79 million years ago, revealing that early humans brought naturally occurring fire into the cave and maintained it. The findings provide new insights into how our ancestors first began to harness fire.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJun 15, 2026

Plants reveal hidden PFAS pollution that soils can miss, study finds

A new study found that plants can reveal recent PFAS contamination linked to airborne deposition, suggesting direct exposure from the atmosphere rather than uptake through roots alone. The research suggests that vegetation can serve as a valuable tool for tracking emerging environmental contaminants and complement traditional soil-base...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2026

Ancient hominins demonstrated long-term planning in tool production nearly 800,000 years ago

Researchers found that ancient hominins selected specific basalt sources for tool production, demonstrating advanced planning abilities and long-term technological traditions. This discovery highlights the ability of Acheulian hominins to plan, select, and exploit geological resources within a changing landscape.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2026

Budget-friendly lab-grown steak with realistic texture cooked up

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created a novel method for cultivating meat using plant-derived cellulose scaffolds. This approach significantly reduces production costs by infusing growth factors directly into the scaffold, allowing for comparable tissue development with lower factor usage.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCurrent Research in Food Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2026

Intestinal stem cells can fight back against salmonella scientists discover

Researchers identified a defense mechanism in intestinal stem cells that actively responds to Salmonella infection, differentiating into antimicrobial Paneth cells to limit bacterial persistence. The study suggests that stem cell differentiation is part of an intrinsic protective program preserving intestinal function during infection.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2026

Why does life prefer one “hand” over the other? New study points to electron spin

Researchers found that electron spin interacts differently with mirror-image molecules, causing small but meaningful differences in behavior during dynamic processes. This asymmetry could lead to the dominance of a single 'hand' in biology, offering a possible route toward understanding how one molecular form came to dominate.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

The hidden logic behind AI’s judgments of people

A new study reveals that AI systems mimic the structure of human judgment but with a more rigid, rule-based approach. The researchers found biases in AI judgments, especially across demographic traits, highlighting the need for awareness and understanding how these systems 'think'.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2026