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Weizmann Institute of Science


The solar forest

A new study finds that building solar farms in arid regions can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more viable solution for addressing the climate crisis. By contrast, natural forests have a limited impact on carbon dioxide absorption due to their low albedo and high energy absorption rates.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateDec 13, 2023

Surviving on an empty battery

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a novel immune mechanism that enables bacteria to survive on empty batteries, protecting them from viruses. This strategy has been conserved through billions of years of evolution and is also found in advanced species such as corals, bees, and fungi.

A “Jupiter” hotter than the Sun

Researchers report the discovery of a hot Jupiter-like object orbiting a nearby star, offering insights into extreme planetary and stellar evolution. The binary system's brown dwarf component reveals temperature differences of up to 6,000 degrees between its dayside and nightside hemispheres.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 21, 2023

Building better enzymes – by breaking them down

Researchers developed an algorithm that uses physics-based protein design calculations and machine learning to generate thousands of active enzymes, achieving a tenfold increase in success rate over traditional methods. The new method, CADENZ, has the potential to transform industries by providing green alternatives for processes such ...

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2023

Putting liquid biopsies on solid ground: cancer diagnosis from a milliliter of blood

Researchers developed a multiparameter approach for diagnosing cancer using a small blood sample, finding distinct patterns of epigenetic marking and protein segments between healthy individuals and cancer patients. The technology has shown high precision, with 92% accuracy, and could lead to a non-invasive and cost-effective blood test.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateOct 12, 2022

The heat is on: Weizmann Institute scientists uncover traces of fire dating back at least 800,000 years

Researchers detected nonvisual traces of fire in ancient stone tools and fossil remains from Evron Quarry site, pushing the timeline of controlled fire use back to 800,000 years. The discovery suggests that early humans were experimentalists and could have played a crucial role in human evolution.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2022

Harder winters, stronger storms: New data reveals climate change might be more rapid than predicted

A new study reveals climate change is causing winter storms to intensify faster than predicted, with implications for societies in the Southern Hemisphere. The research suggests that human activity may have a greater impact on this region than previously estimated, requiring rapid intervention to halt climate damage.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 29, 2022

The triple threat of coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2 employs a three-pronged strategy to outsmart the immune system, including reducing gene translation, degrading messenger RNAs, and preventing mRNA export. This 'host shutoff' tactic delays and muddles the immune response, resulting in severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Bacteria may aid anti-cancer immune response

Researchers have discovered that bacteria residing within tumor cells can be harnessed to provoke an immune reaction against the tumor. The findings suggest that bacterial peptides presented on tumor cells can serve as potential targets for immunotherapy, enabling immune T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more precisely.

How 'great' was the great oxygenation event?

Researchers found evidence of oxygen-using enzymes in ancient bacteria and archaea, dating back 3 billion years before the Great Oxygenation Event. This suggests that life forms already utilized oxygen long before the main event, which allowed for the evolution of humans and other oxygen-breathing organisms.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 1, 2021

Stress on every cell:

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science mapped the entire stress axis in detail, identifying 21,723 cells along the route. They found significant alterations in gene expression and cell changes, particularly in the adrenal glands, which play a crucial role in the stress response.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 1, 2021

Plastic is blowing in the wind

A study at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveals microplastics are swept up into the atmosphere and carried on the wind to remote parts of the ocean. The findings suggest these minuscule fragments can harm marine environment and affect human health through the food chain.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateDec 23, 2020