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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem


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

How bacteria outsmart the immune system: Two-pronged strategy revealed

Researchers have discovered how a disease-causing bacterium uses a single protein to interfere with the body's defenses in multiple ways, offering a clearer picture of how infections take hold at the cellular level. This discovery highlights the importance of targeting specific interactions between bacterial proteins and human cells in...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

VertINGreen unveiled turning indoor green walls into smart, living systems breathing life into buildings

Researchers have developed VertINGreen, a web-based platform that transforms vertical green walls into intelligent environmental systems using remote sensing technology and machine learning. This system enables precise planning and real-time monitoring of indoor plants, reducing maintenance costs and increasing the benefits of green wa...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalIndoor Air·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2026

Massive-scale spatial multiplexing with 3D-printed photonic lanterns achieved by researchers

The Hebrew University team designed an adiabatic transition to convert multiple few-mode sources into a single multimode fiber, enabling efficient combining of dozens of small semiconductor lasers. The technology simplifies high-power laser systems and optical communications, preserving brightness and easing alignment constraints.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

Cannabis compounds show promise in fighting fatty liver disease

Researchers discovered that CBD and CBG can significantly reduce liver fat and improve metabolic health by creating a backup energy reserve and restoring cellular cleaning crews. These compounds also showed promising effects on treating metabolic diseases, including reducing body fat mass and improving insulin sensitivity.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2026

Protecting wildlife from genetic collapse with newly identified "early warning signals"

Researchers have identified detectable 'early warning signals' in genetic data that can alert conservationists to an approaching crisis before it becomes irreversible. The findings provide a new tool for protecting endangered species by monitoring genetic changes in populations and identifying early warning signs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 5, 2026

How military deployment affects children: New study identifies parental burnout as critical

A new longitudinal study found that children's behavior problems are significantly linked to parental burnout, regardless of partner deployment status. Protecting children's resilience requires bolstering caregivers' emotional resources and external support to avoid burnout's negative impact on family well-being.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPsychiatry Research·TypeSurvey·DateMar 2, 2026

Cannabis essential oils unlock how camphor repels mosquitoes - new study

Researchers have identified the specific smell receptor that causes mosquitoes to avoid borneol, a natural compound found in camphor tree oils. Activating this receptor triggers a neural pathway leading to avoidance behavior, offering potential strategies for designing more targeted and effective mosquito repellents.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2026