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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem


A new map of arthropod evolution, from fossils to embryos

A new study by Prof. Ariel Chipman provides a novel model for understanding the development and evolution of arthropod body plans, tracing patterns back to ancient embryonic processes. The research uncovers a deep evolutionary logic behind the segmented body plans that define the world's most diverse animal group.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 23, 2025

Neolithic agricultural revolution linked to climate-driven wildfires and soil erosion - new study finds

A new study reveals that the Neolithic Revolution in the southern Levant was triggered by catastrophic wildfires and climate-driven soil erosion, forcing early communities to adopt agriculture. Fertile soils formed in valley basins after hillslope degradation became hotspots for settlement and farming.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Soils and Sediments·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2025

Female children may face greater emotional and immune challenges from prenatal stress, study finds

A new study found that prenatal stress alters the expression of tiny RNA molecules in newborn blood, particularly in female children, affecting key enzymes in the brain's stress-regulation system. This may explain why some children are more vulnerable to developmental or psychiatric challenges.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2025

Does listening really change minds? New study challenges common assumptions

A large-scale field experiment found that sharing compelling personal narratives significantly shifted participants' views on immigration, regardless of active listening. High-quality listening improved perceptions of the speaker but did not enhance the persuasive effect of the narrative.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2025

The hidden superconducting state in NbSe₂: shedding layers, gaining insights

In extremely thin films of niobium diselenide (NbSe₂), superconductivity becomes confined to the surface when thinner than six atomic layers. This discovery challenges previous theories and could have important implications for understanding superconductivity and developing advanced quantum technologies.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2025

Potential treatment for chronic kidney disease in dogs revealed

A new study suggests that paricalcitol may help manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs by reducing renal secondary hyperparathyroidism and proteinuria. The treatment showed promise in stabilizing proteinuria, but raised questions about potential long-term effects on CKD progression.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 20, 2025

AI emotion detection may fall short: real-life intense fear is shaped by context, not faces

A new study challenges the long-held belief that fear is primarily communicated through facial expressions, suggesting instead that situational context plays a critical role in fear recognition. The research involved analyzing real-life fear reactions in videos and found that facial expressions alone fail to reliably signal fear.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2025

Mapping DNA's hidden switches: A methylation atlas

The study identified over 34,000 genomic regions with distinct ON/OFF methylation patterns, including novel imprinted regions and tissue-specific variability. This atlas provides valuable insights into epigenetic regulation and may help explain the inheritance patterns of genetic diseases such as CHARGE syndrome.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 11, 2025

Study finds food deliveries to Gaza met nutritional standards, but distribution challenges persist

A new study in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research found that food deliveries to Gaza between January and July 2024 exceeded international caloric and nutritional standards, except for dietary iron. Despite meeting energy and protein needs, distribution challenges prevented equitable access to food.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 12, 2025

Ancient engravings shed light on early human symbolic thought and complexity in the levantine middle palaeolithic

A new study sheds light on intentional, symbolic engravings from Levantine Middle Palaeolithic sites, indicating advanced cognitive and symbolic behaviour among early humans. The findings provide key insights into the development of abstract thinking and cultural complexity of Middle Palaeolithic societies.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2025

Study reveals gaps in healthcare quality assessments across Israel, the US, and the UK

A new study reveals striking similarities and critical gaps in how three major countries measure healthcare quality, with an emphasis on family medicine and process-focused metrics. The findings underscore the need for a more balanced approach that includes all aspects of medical care, from infrastructure to patient outcomes.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 28, 2025

A new chapter in Roman administration: Insights from a late Roman inscription

A newly discovered Tetrarchic boundary stone provides valuable historical insights into the sweeping tax reforms of Roman Emperor Diocletian. The inscription mentions two previously unknown village names, a new imperial surveyor, and reflects the socio-economic dynamics during the Tetrarchy period.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPalestine Exploration Quarterly·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2025

Tropical sea temperatures influence Middle Eastern weather patterns, study reveals

Researchers have identified a critical link between tropical ocean temperatures and rainfall patterns in the Middle East, shedding light on the complexities of forecasting seasonal weather. The study found that positive phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole significantly increase rainfall, while negative ph...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2025

Early hominin toolmaking in Ethiopia sheds light on engineering ingenuity

A study published in PLOS ONE investigates how early hominins selected rocks for toolmaking between 1.6-1.0 million years ago in the Ethiopian highlands. The research demonstrates that early humans made informed decisions based on factors like durability and efficiency, providing new insights into their technological behaviors.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2025