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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem


Drones and genetics team up for drought smarter wheat

Researchers used drones with advanced cameras to measure how wheat plants cope with climate change, identifying key traits like leaf area index and chlorophyll content. They matched these traits to specific genes in the wheat genome, discovering 16 genetic markers linked to better performance under normal and dry conditions.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2025

New study reveals how to reclaim space for civil society in times of democratic decline

A new study finds that emphasizing widely supported public service efforts and redefining what it means to be part of a group can increase the perceived legitimacy of controversial civil organizations. The research tested different messaging strategies on over 1,600 Jewish Israeli participants, using real-world examples from a delegiti...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2025

No car, no problem: Unlikely car-free families

A new study from the Hebrew University explores middle-class parents in Israel who choose to live car-free due to personal values like promoting children's independence and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These 'outlier' families offer valuable insights into reducing society's dependence on private vehicles, highlighting instrumental ...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Transport Geography·TypeObservational study·DateMay 14, 2025

Name diversity sheds light on ancient societies

Researchers analyzed personal names from archaeological findings to detect patterns of identity, openness, and change in ancient Hebrew societies. They found that the Kingdom of Israel had a more diverse naming landscape than Judah, indicating a more open and cosmopolitan society.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2025

Hebrew University’s Dr. Chaim Garfinkel named 2025 Blavatnik Awards Laureate for Pioneering Climate Research

Dr. Chaim Garfinkel's groundbreaking work in climate modeling and atmospheric dynamics enhances predictions of climate patterns on seasonal to decadal timescales, providing critical tools for weather forecasting systems and international efforts to mitigate climate change. His research aims to predict extreme weather events weeks in ad...

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