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The Hebrew University

Prof. Zvi Piren. Photo: Noam Chai

For the first time, Israeli researchers will participate in a black hole and neutron star research group

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Professor Zvi Piren, the holder of the Schwartzman Chair at the Rakah Institute of Physics at the Hebrew University and Professor Amir Levinson from Tel Aviv University will take part in a research group of the prestigious Simmons Foundation as part of an international cooperation in mathematics and physical sciences for the study of neutron stars and black holes
Caption: Above, azobenzene is a molecule that can change its shape with light. An azobenzene molecule switches between two forms under the influence of light. In the lower figure: a molecular cage containing the molecules of the photosensitizer azobenzene. The new mechanism is based on a supramolecular approach in which the molecules of azobenzene and the photosensitizer are locked together in a molecular cage. The limited space accessible to the caged molecules allows only the E-form, but not the Z-form of azobenzene, so this molecule is pushed out of the cage. Credit: Jonathan R. Church

Publication in Science magazine about a new discovery: using harmless light to change the shape of an azobenzene molecule within a supramolecular complex

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Azobenzenes are versatile compounds with many potential uses, such as advancing technology through the production of tiny machines, as well as creating light-activated drugs. These molecules can be found in two different forms called "E" and "Z" which can be exchanged between them through irradiation. However, under irradiation conditions both forms are in equilibrium, which prevents optimal utilization for different applications
Credit - the research group of Prof. Aviv Metzer and Dr. Tal Shahar

MRI scans can provide information about the iron balance in the brain to help monitor and diagnose various diseases, in a non-invasive manner

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This new measurement method, developed by PhD student Shir Filo and Prof. Metzer, will allow the extraction of precise biological values ​​on the brain, so that it will be possible to derive from an MRI test similar indicators to those obtained from a blood test or from a brain biopsy
Tamar Stein. Credit - Uri Stein

The Hebrew University is a leader in entry-level ERC grants. Ten researchers will receive 17 million euros for five years 

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The number of wins by male and female Hebrew researchers places the university in first place among universities in Israel in terms of success rate among applications, with an increase of 5.5% compared to last year and it has the highest number of winners
A specific and particularly successful phage named PASA16 discovered by the Israeli center treated 16 patients, most of them severe, and it demonstrates the high potential effectiveness of treatment in dealing with challenging and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Photography: Ronen Hazan

Innovative treatment with phages in antibiotic-resistant infections has over 80% success rate in Pseudomonas infections

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A new international study on treatment using the PASA16 phage (a virus that only kills bacteria), showed a success rate of over 80% and gives hope for a beneficial treatment for resistant infections
optical network. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Hebrew University researchers have created the smallest color switch in the world

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The quick color switch allows an immediate change of the emitted color. The discovery has implications for diverse technologies in which fast color adjustment is required, such as display screens, quantum communication and miniaturized light sources
Prof. Elon Vadia at the Israeli chip club meeting, 23/6/14. Photo: Shmuel Oster

All brain researchers at the Hebrew University signed a letter: to excel in science, curiosity and freedom of thought are required and these are in danger from the dictatorship

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Forty male and female researchers, the entire staff of the Multidisciplinary Center for Hebrew Brain Research express fear of limitations that will be imposed on freedom of thought and the politicization of higher education, which will result in limitations on research that may upset the government and deteriorate the quality of research as in Hungary
Stem cells. Illustration: depositphotos.com

For the first time, human skin cells can be directly transformed into cells of a placenta

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A research team led by Prof. Yossi Buganim from the School of Medicine of the Hebrew University succeeded in reprogramming human skin cells into functional placental cells so that there is no need to extract stem cells from embryos
Map of Judea and Philistia in the days of David. From the study

New research reveals: these were the borders of David's kingdom and Rehoboam's kingdom

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The research from the Hebrew University determines for the first time, through archaeological and historical means, the boundaries of the kingdom of King David and his grandson, King Rehoboam and resolves the long-standing debate about the very existence of the kingdoms and their urban boundaries
A pot dealer in Nepal. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Connections between human societies as a key to cultural wealth

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Hebrew University researchers offer a simple solution to the enigma that has occupied cultural researchers: how did small human societies manage to create and preserve complex cultures? The secret is in rare but important cultural interactions
Opioid and cannabinoid receptors are involved in pain sensation, mood, appetite and memory. Agonists are strong pain relievers: endorphin (red) and tetrahydrocannabinol (green). Illustration: depositphotos.com

New research reveals a brain component that regulates the urge to consume opiates

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Research from the Hebrew University reveals the identity of an area of ​​the brain that can moderate and balance the urge to consume the drug, and therefore may contribute to reducing addiction. The study provides a glimmer of hope that the ongoing battle with opioid addiction can be won
A new study by Prof. Ofra Bani from the School of Pharmacy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Sharon Marims - dermatology specialist and senior physician at the dermato-oncology clinic at the Hadassah Medical Center and the Hadassah Cancer Research Institute, published in Science Translational Medicine courtesy of the Hebrew University

A new way to solve side effects of cancer treatment

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Researchers at the Hebrew University and the Hadassah Medical Center have developed an ointment to treat the severe side effects of targeted cancer treatment and significantly improve the quality of life of patients.
Reconstruction of the Ethiopian wolf from Melaka Wakana. Credit: Saverio Bartolini-Lucenti

The Hebrew University: The first and unique fossil of the Ethiopian wolf was found

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The unique finding provides insights into understanding the species' resistance to environmental changes that took place during its existence in Ethiopia and emphasizes the urgency of the need for a conservation policy of its ecological environment in light of climate change in the near future and its being in danger of extinction
Prof. Hermona Sorek (right). Photo: Yosef Edst, courtesy of the Hebrew University

Breakthrough in Alzheimer's research among women

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Professor Hermona Sorek, one of the world's leading researchers of gene expression in the brain, was able to find, in collaboration with her research colleagues, a molecular mechanism that occurs in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, which does not occur in men and which explains the acceleration of cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer's patients
The jar from the kingdom of Sheba. Credit: Dr. Daniel Weinstaub

A Shebaite inscription on a pottery jar in Jerusalem from the First Temple period has been deciphered

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A Shebaite inscription was deciphered on a clay urn that contained incense and was discovered less than 300 meters from the site of the temple as part of the Ofel excavations in Jerusalem. The inscription on the urn indicates a connection between King Solomon's Israel and the kingdom of Sheba which was in the territory of today's Yemen
Pancreatic cancer. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A breakthrough in the study of deadly pancreatic cancer

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Hebrew University researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism that allows pancreatic cancer to metastasize and become fatal. The discovery offers new treatment methods for the first time
Illustration: depositphotos.com

Israeli researchers have developed a smart microscope capable of measuring individual atomic layers

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A team of researchers from the Hebrew University has developed a device that is able to easily and quickly measure the properties and thickness of surfaces 35 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The method is expected to significantly optimize the production of solar cells, flat screens and a variety of futuristic technologies
the human brain. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A grant of about one million dollars to a team of researchers who will try to find out why the human brain is stronger than other organisms

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Researchers at the Hebrew University and the University of Kentucky believe that a specific type of protein, which has not been studied before, substantially increases the molecular complexity in the brain and improves its function. "Such a discovery may have implications for the study of neurological diseases such as schizophrenia, epilepsy and autism"
Summer at the beach in Tel Aviv. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The forecast: continuous and deadly heat waves throughout the summer

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New research points to an alarming future increase in extreme heat waves, which could increase mortality tenfold. "One heat wave is expected to cause excess mortality equal to the number of deaths in road accidents in a year"
sugary drinks. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Global public health experts: Abolishing the tax on sugary drinks will harm scientific research

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In an official letter, published on Thursday 02.02 in the leading medical journal The Lancet, a list of senior researchers and experts in the world in the fields of public health, health economics and nutritional sciences, express deep concern in view of the decision to cancel the tax on sugary drinks
Flying during pregnancy. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Flying pregnant? An increased risk of blood clots was found on long flights

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The Hebrew University and Ichilov Hospital researchers found that pregnant women have a 40% increased chance of developing a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs and lungs following a flight. This risk is found in a period of time of up to two months from the flight
A barn whose roof is covered with solar panels. Now it will also be possible to place them over agricultural fields. Illustration: depositphotos.com

New development: a selective solar cell that produces green electricity and enables agricultural production under it

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The new development will reduce the cost of energy per kWh in Israel by 75%; covering half of the greenhouses in Israel with the new cell will produce electricity that will exceed the national goal set for 2050
The cellular signaling system. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A team of Israeli researchers has mapped the way in which DNA is marked in all the cells of the human body

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The database also includes thousands of new biomarkers that will make it possible to detect cell death and to diagnose in the early stages a variety of diseases in the most important systems of the human body, through a blood test
A Canaanite comb with the oldest Canaanite inscription was discovered at Tel Lachish. Photo courtesy of the Hebrew University

The earliest sentence written in the alphabet was discovered at Tel Lachish

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Hebrew University researchers have uncovered a rare archaeological find from the Middle Canaanite period. This is the first complete sentence found and written in the alphabet.
Erfurt, Germany, a place where the first Ashkenazim lived. Illustration: depositphotos.com

In-depth genetic research at a Jewish burial site in Germany sheds light on the Ashkenazi communities from the 14th century

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The study, published this week in the prestigious journal CELL, analyzed DNA from 33 members of the Jewish community who were buried in the 14th century in the city of Erfurt in Germany. Prof. Shai Karmi from the Hebrew University, the leader of the study, found that there was a genetic sequence between the Ashkenazi Jews from the Middle Ages to the present day
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