the brain

Great fin whale - rich language. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Whale song has a structure similar to human language

New research from the Hebrew University shows that the song of the fin whale has a statistical structure identical to that found in all the world's languages, a discovery that provides new insights into the evolution of communication.
A unique figure in a puzzle icon for autism.

Scientists debunk a key myth about autism

A new study refutes the belief that the mother's health during pregnancy causes autism.
An artistic illustration of the brain's "speed limit" – we think, process, and decide at a slow rate of 10 bits per second. Credit: J. Zheng

The surprising limit to human thinking speed – only 10 bits per second

The paradox is that sensory input processing is done at a speed 100 million times faster than the speed of thought * Principal Investigator: "At any given moment, we extract only 10 bits out of a trillion that our senses perceive and use."
Using CHATGPT for psychological help. Illustration: Dr. Roy Tsezana

How Chat-GPT is changing the face of emotional support

New research reveals how artificial intelligence can help mental health professionals, along with the benefits and challenges of using this advanced technology.
Prof. Ilana Gozes. Photo: Tel Aviv University spokesperson

Women respond differently than men to drug treatment for Alzheimer's

"In women, the experimental drug delayed the deterioration significantly, protected the brain and even reduced symptoms of depression, all in accordance with the mechanism of action," says Prof. Ilana Gozes, who headed the study
The relationship between ADHD and suicidality in children. Illustration using DALEE

A new study reveals: an alarming link between hyperactivity and suicidal risk among children

A joint study by the University of Haifa and the Schneider Center for Pediatrics reveals that hyperactivity symptoms are associated with a significant increase in the risk of suicidal behaviors among children aged 7-12
The connections between the neurons in the brain. Illustration: depositphotos.com

When the Subconscious Meets the Conscious: Human Creativity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Prof. Rafi Malach from the Weizmann Institute reveals how fast bursts and slow waves in the human brain are the basis for conscious and creative processes, and offers ways to utilize the brain's capabilities in the technological age

Ants vs. Humans: The Maze Challenge

Group decision making makes ants smarter. With humans, on the other hand, sometimes it is better to be alone
Alzheimer's. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Women respond differently than men to drug treatment for Alzheimer's

Significant differences were found between the reactions of the two sexes to an innovative drug for brain degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease
Professor Hussam Haiq. Photo: Technion spokespeople

Towards an early diagnosis of schizophrenia: a consortium led by Prof. Hussam Hayek of the Technion won a grant of 8 million euros

The VOLABIOS group, which combines advanced technologies and multi-omic analysis, is expected to improve the accuracy in diagnosing mental illnesses and provide innovative tools for the treatment and monitoring of schizophrenia worldwide
language learning. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Children learn a language from the whole to the details

A new study led by the Hebrew University reveals a process that is often neglected in language learning: children often begin by understanding complete sentences and only then recognize their separate components
loss Illustration: depositphotos.com

A new method for therapeutic intervention to prevent suicide in teenagers

Researchers have discovered biological and psychological characteristics that increase the risk of suicidal behavior among teenagers and have developed an application that helps with mental coping
Illustration of the relationship between air pollution and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Credit: Dr. Rahaitham Amal

Research at the Hebrew University links common pollutants in the air to autism

"Different types of neurological disorders, including disorders on the autism spectrum, may be related to this environmental factor," explains Prof. Haitham Amal from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, senior author of the study
Prof. Boaz Barak and PhD student Inbar Fisher from the Segol School of Neuroscience and the School of Psychological Sciences at Tel Aviv University. Photo credit: Shahar Shahar, spokeswoman for Tel Aviv University

A new discovery from Tel Aviv University reveals brain mechanisms involved in genetic autism

The researchers revealed vulnerabilities in the brain support system. The research offers hope for new gene therapies to improve brain cell function
The beta amyloid protein. Image: depositphotos.com

Breakthrough: Freezing the progression of Alzheimer's disease by stopping amyloid fibers

Researchers from Japan have discovered a way to stop the development of amyloid β fibers, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease, using an antibody that makes it possible to stop or delay the development of the fibers. This breakthrough may help develop new treatments
According to the Washington Post, during his four years as president, Trump made 30,573 false or misleading statements.

Why does Donald Trump tell such blatant lies? 

When it comes to lies in politics, Donald Trump is in a league of his own, says UK psychology professor
Color medical imaging reviews of anatomical structures with bilateral symmetry.

Gene therapy in an improved recipe

An innovative treatment for Gaucher's disease shows promising results in mice and gives hope to patients after decades of research
Shaking hands may allow humans to communicate through the sense of smell. Illustration courtesy of the Weizmann Institute

Shaking hands may allow humans to communicate through the sense of smell

Research has shown that people sniff their hands often, and that they do so for a longer period of time after shaking someone else's hand.
memory. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Humans or machine: Who is better at evaluating memories?

Research from Ben-Gurion University reveals that humans can assess the veracity of others' memories at the same level as language processing models, and in some cases even better than them.
The cover of the book - ants, neurons of consciousness.

Book: ants, neurons, consciousness

The book presents an interdisciplinary overview of the evolution of consciousness in man by Uzi Ben Zvi, Philosophy and Science series, Attic Books and Yediot Books
From the right: Prof. Yuval Nir, Dr. Michal Teper, Omer Ben Barak-Dror, Prof. Israel Ganot. Photo credit: Tel Aviv University

A technological breakthrough will help identify clinical reactions of patients under anesthesia

For the first time: tracking through closed eyes could be used to detect arousal, awareness, and pain during sleep
Behumi and Bell mother and daughter credit David Omer's laboratory

Monkeys mark each other with names and open a new window for understanding the development of human language

Groundbreaking research reveals that marmosets mark each other by name using unique calls, an ability that until now was thought to be the exclusive preserve of a limited number of species. The findings provide new insights
New research suggests that the brain creates at least three copies of each memory. This also includes those encoded by early-formed neurons, which appear purple in a microscope cross-section of a mouse hippocampus. (Image credit: Biozentrum, University of Basel)

The brain stores at least three copies of each memory 

New research in mice suggests that the brain creates multiple copies of memories, allowing it to regulate their change over time
Alzheimer's. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The combined vaccine for shingles: a breakthrough in reducing the risk of dementia

While the live shingles vaccine has already shown signs of protection against dementia, the new combined vaccine offers even more promising results, with far-reaching public health implications
From the right: Dr. Shagit Meir, Dr. Eva Heinig, Dr. Nikolai Kuzmich, Prof. Assaf Aharoni, Dr. Shirley Berman, Dr. Yoav Peleg, Hila Hart and Dr. Ilana Rogchev (photographed in the nursery Regev)

Hallucinations of cacti

The secrets of the production of mescaline have been revealed - a natural hallucinogenic drug with therapeutic potential * The drug extracted from the extinct peyote cactus has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. Its effect on serotonin receptors in the brain
A diverse group of people. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Genetically diverse groups are smarter

The study, led by researchers from the Hebrew University and Columbia University, suggests that genetic diversity can significantly improve decision-making processes in a group, something that has profound implications for organizational management, innovation and understanding the role of biodiversity
Histological section of the nasal cavity and turbinates of a mouse that received a nasal vaccine

The immune cells discovered under the nose

The scientists of the Weizmann Institute of Science have discovered antibody-producing cells in the bone tissue of the nasal concha and thereby plant hope for the development of more effective nasal vaccines and new treatments for allergies and neurological and autoimmune diseases
recognition. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Is consciousness continuous or composed of "eureka moments"?

A new research method proposes to analyze changes in behavior and leaps in learning to study consciousness, using sudden increases in learning - "eureka moments" - to identify conscious thought processes and study the mechanisms
Ozmpic slimming shot. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The weight loss drugs also cause a decrease in alcohol and drug consumption

We can expect a new generation of drugs that can effectively influence behavior and help us "become the best version of ourselves". To break free from addictions and urges that we don't want - and to be healthier and happier
[:he]Guess the name of the person photographed by his face courtesy of the researchers[:]

New research: names may shape facial appearance over time

A new study led by researchers from the Hebrew University reveals that a person's name may affect the appearance of his face over time. The study found that adults' faces can be matched to their names with higher accuracy
Electrodes in different areas of the brain reveal brain activity in real time. The colored dots show the locations of all electrodes in all patients, color coded by brain region. The red dots in the lower images show the electrode locations in the DMN. From the study.

Neurologists have identified the origins of creativity in the brain

Creativity is a unique brain function. Local damage to the brain as a result of a stroke can lead to changes in creative ability—both positive and negative. This discovery suggests that the neurological basis of creativity can be narrowed down.
Empathy and artificial intelligence. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Beyond algorithms: The role of human empathy in artificial intelligence-enhanced care

A new study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem investigated the balance between artificial intelligence and human therapists in mental health care, with an emphasis on the role of empathy
Parents talking to their children. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The parents adapt the way of speaking with the babies to their development

Researchers from the Hebrew University and their partners around the world have discovered that parents repeat words more often when talking to young babies, and use a more varied vocabulary as the children get older
Prof. Jose-Alain Sahl from France, 2024 Wolff Medicine Prize winners. Photo courtesy of the Wolff Prize Foundation

Wolf Prize in Medicine 2024 for Ophthalmology Specialists for "Rehabilitation of Vision in the Blind Using Optogenetics"

The two, Jose-Alain Sahl from France, and Boutonde Roske from Switzerland promoted the field of genetic medicine for eye diseases, prevented blindness and restored sight to the blind
Parkinson's disease. Illustration: depositphotos.com

New insights about Parkinson's disease - and the meaning for medicine

In recent years it turned out that long before the first symptoms of Parkinson's appear, it is possible to find a change in the population of intestinal bacteria of the patients
A baby's brain. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Scientists discover amazing similarities between baby brains and artificial intelligence

Recent research shows that babies use their period of helplessness to develop cognitive models, similar to the early training of artificial intelligence (AI), challenging old theories about the immaturity of the infant brain and even
Dr. Patricia Mora-Raymondo receiving the award. Credit: EuroTech Universities Alliance

The Trojan Horse of the Hamlin Piper

Dr. Patricia Mora-Raymondo of the Technion won a prestigious European award for developing a method to treat Parkinson's disease with the help of music
Individual and group influence. Courtesy of Dr. Hila Rimer

Joy, sadness and everything in between

Researchers examined how personal and group emotion, combined with positive and negative emotions, affect attitudes
The mechanism of the connection between depression and anxiety and the male sex hormone, testosterone, was discovered. Courtesy of Prof. Shira Knafo

The circle of influence of testosterone

The mechanism of the connection between depression and anxiety and the male sex hormone, testosterone, was discovered
Identical twins. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Identical twins, one has schizophrenia and the other is healthy. The difference in gene expression is already in the embryonic stage

This was found in a new study conducted at the University of Haifa and published in the prestigious journal Molecular Psychiatry from NATURE
autism. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The prevalence of autism in the present and in the future

A new study reveals a significant increase in the rate of people with autism in the community in Israel, which requires appropriate preparation
Link to the image of the spinal cords (photo: Dr. Linor Alfahal, from the journal Cell (Reports Medicine. On the left - a section of the spinal cord of a mouse expressing the disease without treatment, and on the right a section of the spinal cord of a mouse expressing the disease and treated with MIF:

An innovative approach to ALS disease: increasing MIF protein levels in nerve cells

An international study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in collaboration with colleagues from Germany, the USA and Canada, delved into the potential of increasing protein levels (MIF) as a new approach to dealing with muscular dystrophy (ALS). The findings of the innovative study have been published
Artificial intelligence and social networks could worsen the climate crisis. The image was created using DALEE and is not a scientific image

Researchers claim that artificial intelligence and social networks may exacerbate the climate crisis

The Canadian researchers argue that generative artificial intelligence - including large language models such as chatGPT - and social networks can divert attention from pressing global issues, foster feelings of lack
Fish trip. Figure: The knowledge site using DALEE. The image is for illustration only and should not be considered a scientific image

Fish trip

The institute's scientists have developed a method for detecting the neurological effects of psychedelic drugs. Middle: Zebrafish on hallucinogenic mushrooms. The goal: to pave the way for more effective treatments for depression and other mood disorders
Social hierarchy in mice. The image was produced using DALEE and should not be considered a scientific image

The race to the top of the wild mouse

Research in field mice under conditions simulating a natural environment reveals the different strategies used by females and males in creating social hierarchies
feelings of others. Image prepared using DALEE for illustration only. It should not be seen as a scientific picture

feelings of others

A study found that people who were exposed to emotional images reacted according to the reactions of others and judged harshly those who did not react like everyone else
Children's theater. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Research on the stage

Theater researchers examined the reception of the Haifa International Festival for Children's Plays
Smoking and ultraviolet radiation end the effects of aging. Credit: The Science website via DALEE

The cause of aging: cumulative damage from factors such as radiation and smoking causes low expression of long genes

Dutch researchers found that this process happens all the time and damages all genes, but the longer the genes, the more likely they are to be damaged because they have more sites. Especially the big damage is
Brain diseases. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Neurological morbidity is the world's number 1 cause of morbidity and disability, with over 3 billion people with brain diseases

Neurological morbidity is the world's number 1 cause of morbidity and disability, with over 3 billion people with brain diseases * according to an article published this weekend in the Lancet. The scope of morbidity and disability has grown since then