Researchers found that rat whisker mechanoreceptors act as tiny calculators, computing whisker rotation and updating the brain. This discovery sheds light on the complex interactions between sensory organs and the brain.
A new estimate reveals that the ratio of bacterial to human cells in the body is closer to 1:1, with approximately 40 trillion bacterial cells and 30 trillion human cells. This revision challenges the long-held assumption that there are ten times more bacterial cells than human cells.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have created miniature 'flasks' that can accelerate chemical reactions by trapping molecules in a highly selective manner. The dynamic and reversible clusters can be reused multiple times, making them useful for applications such as drug delivery and industrial manufacturing.
Research suggests that symptoms of illness are not caused by direct infection but rather serve as a mechanism to isolate the infected individual and prevent further transmission. This 'selfish gene' hypothesis proposes that evolution has preserved such behavior over millennia.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that sperm utilize proteins from the visual system, known as opsins, to detect temperature differences in the fallopian tube. This allows them to navigate and orient towards the warmer egg location, ensuring successful fertilization.
Researchers have developed a mechanism to extract single photons from a stream, enabling practical applications in quantum communication. The discovery relies on a physical effect called single-photon Raman interaction, which allows for the selective capture of individual photons.
Researchers used a rare genetic childhood disease to reveal how cancer cells hijack a metabolic cycle to benefit themselves. The study found that silencing the ASS1 gene, which is lacking in some patients, can be beneficial for cancer growth and could lead to new treatments.
A recent study monitored 800 participants' blood sugar levels in response to over 46,000 meals, revealing highly individual responses to different foods. The researchers developed an algorithm predicting individualized responses based on lifestyle and microbiome analysis, which was successfully applied to new participants.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute discovered a subtype of immune cells that prevent metabolic syndrome by regulating inflammation-causing T cells. Mice lacking these cells became overweight and developed symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Researchers discovered the 'off' switch for starch production in plants, which rapidly shuts down production at night to prevent energy waste. The discovery suggests that the seemingly wasteful approach holds a clever adaptation strategy to adjust metabolism in response to fluctuating light intensity.
A newly discovered tumor suppressor gene, RASA2, has been found to affect melanoma survival. Restoring its function in melanoma cells caused them to stop growing and die.
Researchers found that polyamines, which decline with age, regulate the functioning of circadian clocks. Administering polyamine supplements restored clock function in older mice, suggesting potential clinical applications.
Scientists found that specific neurons, required for dopamine production, drive parental care in females while serving a different function in males. Elevating these neuron's activity enhances oxytocin levels and triggers maternal actions in female mice.
A team of scientists at the Weizmann Institute discovered that sea sapphires' colorful appearance is caused by photonic crystals, which enable them to control their visibility. The researchers found that the spacing between the crystal plates determines the color and can be adjusted to make the creature appear invisible or visible
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute create a method for getting nanoparticles to self-assemble, focusing on the medium in which they're suspended. This approach enables reversibly writing information and has potential applications in rewritable paper, water decontamination, and controlled drug delivery.
A new computational method suggests that analyzing the relative amounts of starting DNA and ending DNA can be translated into the growth rate for each strain of bacteria. This approach has been found to reveal intriguing links between bacterial growth rates and conditions such as type II diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
A team of ants uses a balance between individual direction and conformist behavior to move food towards their nest, making adjustments as needed. This cooperative behavior enables the group to optimize their movement, with well-informed individuals steering the load.
Scientists propose using embryonic stem cells to repair damaged lung tissue, with successful results in mouse models. The study overcomes a major obstacle by harvesting stem cells from the ideal time frame for lung regeneration.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute create a complex mathematical formula to determine individual olfactory fingerprints, which are unique patterns based on personal scent preferences. This breakthrough could lead to early disease detection, non-invasive organ matching, and personalized medical treatments.
Researchers have discovered a gene called SMOC-2 that plays a crucial role in the spread of colorectal cancer. Increased levels of SMOC-2 enable tumor cells to 'leave home' and metastasize, while blocking its activation inhibits metastasis. The gene's expression patterns also resemble those of healthy intestinal stem cells.
A collaborative project between Caltech and the Weizmann Institute of Science observed a unique radiation spike in ultraviolet range, supporting a giant companion model for white dwarf explosions. The findings highlight the importance of ultraviolet-range observations in understanding type Ia supernovae.
Researchers discovered that mutations in the AIRE gene can cause a milder form of Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1, affecting fewer organs and appearing later in life. This finding suggests that dominant AIRE-mutation autoimmune disease may be responsible for various autoimmune syndromes.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have developed a three-pronged approach to prevent lung cancer cells from developing resistance to chemotherapy. The new strategy involves targeting two main growth receptor siblings, HER2 and HER3, in addition to an existing anti-EGFR antibody.
Weizmann Institute researchers resolved the debate on lymphatic system origins, discovering that lymphatic cells grow from a niche within embryonic veins. They also identified a key gene, WNT5B, which prompts stem cells to differentiate into lymphatic cells.
Researchers discovered how bacteria differentiate between self and foreign DNA using the CRISPR system, which involves identifying rapidly replicating DNA and utilizing DNA repair processes to create immune memory.
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully regenerated heart cells in adult mice using a previously unknown signaling pathway. By activating ERBB2, a protein that plays a role in heart development, researchers were able to induce cardiac cell renewal and regeneration without excessive growth or scarring.
Weizmann Institute scientists identified a potential drug molecule that stops cancer cells from getting their 'mail' by blocking communication with the nucleus. This method could treat various cancers and have fewer side effects than current treatments.
A 55,000-year-old human skull found in Israel provides key evidence that humans and Neanderthals coexisted in the region. The combined dating methods confirm the age of the skull, which is now believed to be from around 55,000 years ago.
A new theoretical model proposes that heart muscle cells don't necessarily beat as a single entity, but rather as a bundle of contractile units. The alignment of these bundles is predicted to depend on the elasticity of the extracellular matrix and can affect the beating strength of the cell.
A new study found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder tend to display uniquely individualistic brain organization patterns. The researchers suggest that these idiosyncrasies may be a result of disrupted interactions with the environment.
Scientists at Weizmann Institute and Cambridge University successfully created human primordial germ cells, the earliest precursors of sperm and ova, in a lab. The breakthrough method could help address fertility issues and potentially enable new reproductive technologies.
Researchers have identified neurons in the hippocampal formation that sense the direction of an animal's head and enable 3D navigation. This discovery supports the idea that these cells serve as a 3D neural compass.
Phytoplankton, tiny photosynthetic organisms, play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's carbon content. A new study reveals that viruses can rapidly wipe out blooms, fixing large amounts of organic carbon in the process.
The Weizmann Institute of Science has developed a novel, highly active interferon variant called YNSalpha8. PASylation technology extended its half-life in the body, resulting in improved protection from disease progression in a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis.
A new study published in Cell reveals that our biological clocks work in tandem with the populations of bacteria residing in our intestines. The findings show that mice and humans with disrupted daily wake-sleep patterns exhibit changes in gut bacteria composition and function, increasing their risk for obesity and glucose intolerance.
Weizmann Institute researchers found that cancer grows faster during the day and is suppressed at night due to hormonal fluctuations. Administering treatments in sync with the body's natural day-night cycle may improve their effectiveness.
Researchers found a unique signature of aging in the choroid plexus, which separates blood from cerebrospinal fluid, and discovered that interferon beta has a negative effect on the brain. Blocking this protein's activity restored cognitive abilities in older mice.
Researchers found that artificial sweeteners can induce glucose intolerance by changing the composition and function of the gut microbiota. The study used mice and human data to show that certain bacteria in the gut react to artificial sweeteners, leading to inflammation and metabolic changes.
Researchers design a network-like cell system that reproduces dynamic behavior of protein synthesis, allowing for control over genetic content and protein production. The system enables the study of gene network design and emerging protein dynamics, potentially paving the way for controlling protein synthesis for various applications.
Weizmann Institute scientists have created twisted, rope-like structures from cube-shaped nanoparticles, demonstrating the power of self-assembly in nanomaterials. The findings reveal how competing forces like magnetism and van der Waals forces can align particles into complex shapes.
Scientists have identified key DNA sequences and regulatory proteins controlling blood stem cell fate, revealing a more dynamic process than previously thought. The discovery has implications for developing diagnostic tools, personalized medicine, and regenerative therapies.
Researchers propose a solution for the rapid growth of ancient quasars, where small black holes zigzagged through dense gas streams, pulling in material and feeding on it rapidly. This mechanism allowed the black holes to grow at an exponential rate, eventually leading to massive growth rates.
Scientists have created a new mouse strain that restores the ability of wild-derived mice to exhibit normal aggression and maternal instinct towards pups. This breakthrough allows researchers to explore the biological roots of aggressive behavior in females, including their reaction to pheromone signals.
Research by Weizmann Institute scientists found that suppressing interferon activity can have devastating consequences in fighting HIV infection. The study revealed that a short period of blocked interferon activity can lead to permanent damage and disease progression.
Physicists at Weizmann Institute of Science measure magnetic interaction between two single electrons by binding their spins in opposite directions. The measurements reveal that the electrons interact like regular bar magnets, with north poles repelling and rotating until they draw near.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science discover that genetic mutations affecting only half the population, like those causing male sterility, occur twice as often as those affecting males and females equally. This finding has implications for understanding causes of genetic diseases and developing targeted treatments.
The study found that beef is the most costly to the environment, followed by dairy and poultry, while pork and eggs are relatively similar. The researchers developed equations to calculate the environmental costs per calorie and protein unit, providing a comprehensive picture of the ecological impact of various foods.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a photonic router – a quantum device based on an atom that enables routing of single photons by single photons. This achievement brings closer the goal of building quantum computers, which rely on superposition and photonic communication to process data in parallel.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute identify microRNA molecule miR135 linked to serotonin system and its role in depression and anxiety disorders. Higher levels of miR135 found in healthy mice resistant to chronic stress, while low levels associated with depressed behavior and weaker response to antidepressants.
A study by Weizmann Institute researchers found that human activities have altered the types of clouds over pristine ocean areas, leading to increased cloud height and rainfall. The team's model accurately predicted these changes using satellite images and aerosol data, suggesting a significant impact on global climate patterns.