News

A new study shows that year-long home visits with older adults help first-year medical students build stronger communication skills, rethink assumptions about aging, and understand patient care beyond the clinic.

For many medical students, the earliest years of training are heavy on textbooks and light on real patient contact. But a new study suggests that meaningful clinical learning can begin much earlier, not in hospitals, but in people’s homes.

Medical errors remain one of the leading causes of death, yet healthcare systems continue to struggle to reduce them. A new perspective article argues that fear of legal consequences, institutional secrecy, and poor communication prevent healthcare from learning from failure. It calls for a cultural shift toward transparency, responsibility, and psychological safety, framing learning from mistakes as essential to saving lives and restoring trust in medicine.

A new Science paper challenges the idea that language stems from a single evolutionary root. Instead, it proposes that our ability to communicate evolved through the interaction of biology and culture, and involves multiple capacities, each with different evolutionary histories. The framework unites discoveries across disciplines to explain how the ability to learn to speak, develop grammar, and share meaning converged to create complex communication.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem held a special ceremony this week honoring the recipients of the Waldman Family Scholarship and the long-standing Yashinsky Prize.

Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University, joined Mr. Eyal Waldman, Israel Prize laureate and founder of Mellanox, and his brother Mr. Ofer Waldman, in presenting the awards to exceptional researchers from across the university.

State-funded five-star hotel stays may sound appealing for a weekend, but when thousands of Israelis were evacuated to hotels during the October 7th war, the experience quickly proved far from idyllic. A new study reveals how hotels- symbols of a “luxury experience”, can mirror the psychological pains of imprisonment during wartime, raising urgent questions about the complex experiences of displaced communities, even under seemingly ideal conditions.

A new experiment called QROCODILE, led by the University of Zurich and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has achieved record sensitivity in the hunt for light dark matter. Using superconducting detectors cooled to near absolute zero, the team set world-leading limits on how dark matter interacts with ordinary matter — opening the door to future breakthroughs in one of physics’ greatest mysteries.

A new study shows that a TXA autoinjector delivers lifesaving treatment for severe bleeding as effectively as traditional IV methods — but in under five minutes and without the need for medical expertise. This breakthrough could transform trauma care in emergencies, making rapid, easy-to-administer treatment available in settings ranging from battlefields to roadside accidents, where every second counts.

Bacteria aren’t just mindless microbes. New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that single bacterial cells can carry a “memory” of their past environments—passing it down through generations—before eventually forgetting. Using a new technique called Microcolony-seq, scientists uncovered hidden subpopulations inside infections, each with different survival strategies. The finding could explain why antibiotics and vaccines sometimes fail—and may point the way toward more precise treatments.

Researchers have discovered that a virus living inside the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus significantly boosts the fungus’s ability to survive stress and cause severe infections in mammals. Removing the virus made the fungus weaker and less virulent, while antiviral treatments improved survival outcomes. This finding reveals a hidden factor driving the deadliness of fungal infections and opens the door to potential new treatments that target the virus rather than the fungus itself.

A new cross-national study reveals that older adults with disabilities are significantly less likely to receive preventive care, such as flu vaccinations, eye exams, and dental checkups. This gap remains the same for eye exams and dental care but  is eliminated for flu vaccinations in countries that invest more in public healthcare.

In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks, many Israelis faced not only the trauma of war but also a surge of online hate. A new study from the Hebrew University finds that frequent exposure to such digital vitriol is linked to higher PTSD symptoms, especially for those who struggle to regulate their emotions, underscoring how today’s conflicts can wound both on the battlefield and on the screen.

ERC Honors Hebrew University Scientists for Pioneering Brain and Language Studies

When survivors of the October 7th attacks returned to what was left of their homes, many carried with them more than grief or post-traumatic stress. A new study shows that the trauma also fueled an unexpected surge in obsessive-compulsive disorder, offering the first direct evidence that acute trauma can trigger the disorder’s onset.

A new study from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem explores how the Israel–Gaza war is transforming religion and spirituality among young adults. Surveying over 1,200 students, the researchers found that half reported changes in their religiosity and/or spirituality, with increases more common than decreases. The findings show that cultural background and direct exposure to conflict shape whether people deepen their faith, turn to spirituality, or step away from religion.

Cigarette smoke causes cancer primarily by damaging the DNA. A new study that mapped the DNA damages caused by smoking, reveals that the way our DNA is organized and chemically modified can influence how cigarette smoke damages it, how well the damage is repaired and how many mutations will form. Specifically, areas of DNA that are more open and active are more prone to damage but also better at repairing themselves, which helps to prevent mutations.

FOOJI – HUJI Center for Sustainable Food Systems in collaboration with GFI Israel, Tnuva, The Kitchen Hub, Aquacultech, Facultech, HUJI Innovate and Food Tech Nation held the first annual Brian Y. Davidson Food Systems Conference on Building Food Systems for Efficiency and Sustainability in a Changing World

Researchers have uncovered how egg cells prepare for the creation of life. Their work reveals the secrets of the Balbiani body, a remarkable structure that organizes essential molecules to guide early embryonic development. Using zebrafish models and cutting-edge imaging, the team discovered how this structure transforms from liquid droplets into a stable core, laying the groundwork for life itself. This discovery sheds light on the extraordinary precision of nature’s reproductive process. 

This January 7-9, 2025, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is hosting an international conference celebrating 100 years since the establishment of its Institute of Jewish Studies. The conference, titled “Jewish Studies Between the Past and the Future,” will bring together leading scholars, policymakers, and public figures to reflect on a century of achievements and envision the future of Jewish Studies.

A new study reveals that typically developing twins consistently take on the dominant role over their nontypically developing siblings, even after developmental gaps are resolved. By highlighting how parental perceptions shape these dynamics, the research offers fresh insights into the delicate balance of twin relationships and the importance of fostering equality to support both children’s growth. 

Dear academic and administrative staff and students,

The new academic year is set to begin this week, while our country is still engaged in a difficult war. Over 100 hostages have yet to return home to their families, tens of thousands of northern residents have not yet returned to their homes, more than a thousand of our students are still serving in the reserve duty, and many others have only recently finished their military service or are soon to be called up again.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates five of its esteemed researchers for receiving prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants. These grants, each valued at approximately 1.5 million euros, are awarded to young researchers at the early stages of their careers, specifically those with 2-7 years of research experience since completing their PhDs.

Professor Emeritus Michael Stone, Founder of the Chair of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been awarded the prestigious Medal of Gratitude by the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan. The award recognizes his significant contributions to Armenian studies and his dedication to preserving Armenian cultural heritage.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has climbed five places this year, now ranking 81st among the top 100 universities worldwide according to the 2024 Shanghai Ranking.

For the second consecutive year, three Israeli universities are ranked among the top 100 institutions globally. Alongside the Hebrew University, ranked 81st, are the Technion (85th) and the Weizmann Institute (69th). This is an outstanding achievement for Israeli academia and especially for the Hebrew University. 

Medical errors remain one of the leading causes of death, yet healthcare systems continue to struggle to reduce them. A new perspective article argues that fear of legal consequences, institutional secrecy, and poor communication prevent healthcare from learning from failure. It calls for a cultural shift toward transparency, responsibility, and psychological safety, framing learning from mistakes as essential to saving lives and restoring trust in medicine.

A new Science paper challenges the idea that language stems from a single evolutionary root. Instead, it proposes that our ability to communicate evolved through the interaction of biology and culture, and involves multiple capacities, each with different evolutionary histories. The framework unites discoveries across disciplines to explain how the ability to learn to speak, develop grammar, and share meaning converged to create complex communication.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce the establishment of a new International Research Center on Democracy, Security and Human Rights, in collaboration with the Max Planck Society, Germany’s leading organization for basic research.

A new study analyzing spontaneous speech in 48 languages reveals that human beings across the globe structure their speech into rhythmic units at a remarkably consistent rate of one every 1.6 seconds. This low-frequency rhythm is stable across cultures, ages, and languages, suggesting a universal cognitive mechanism of human communication. The findings shed new light on how the human mind structures language in time. This may have implications for neuroscience, language learning, and speech technology.

A new study introduces a machine learning tool that combines satellite imagery and weather data to monitor chickpea crop health. The system accurately estimates Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Leaf Water Potential (LWP) across commercial fields, helping farmers make smarter irrigation decisions and improve yields. This research marks the first large-scale application of such technology in chickpea farming.

A new study reveals that combining natural antimicrobial peptides can significantly slow the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. The research shows that using two peptides together prevents harmful bacteria from mutating as quickly, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. These findings could lead to safer, more sustainable disease control in livestock and agricultural settings.

Would you trade the ability to climb a flight of stairs for the assurance that your country is protecting democratic freedoms? A new study asked Americans to weigh surprising tradeoffs—health versus dignity, income versus rights, convenience versus environmental quality. The answers revealed consistent patterns in how people value very different aspects of life, offering a practical way to compare “apples and oranges” in policy decisions. The approach could help governments, hospitals, and other institutions design choices that reflect real human priorities.

A surprising new drug combo—including a compound found in chocolate—has outperformed Tamiflu in fighting the flu, according to a study published in PNAS. The mix of Theobromine and Arainosine proved far more effective against a range of flu strains, including drug-resistant versions of bird and swine flu. By targeting a key viral weakness, this breakthrough could lead to stronger, longer-lasting treatments—not just for the flu, but potentially for other viruses as well.

A new study reveals that oil extracted from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) has potent anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells. The research found that a modified version of the oil can suppress harmful inflammatory signals while supporting metabolic health. The findings offer exciting potential for sustainable, natural feed additives that support animal immunity and reduce reliance on synthetic drugs.

Researchers have revived 80-year-old fungal pathogens from a museum collection and found that these pre-Green Revolution strains differ significantly from modern ones, revealing how decades of pesticide use and intensive farming have reshaped plant pathogens. By comparing the old and new fungi, the team uncovered critical insights into the evolution of fungicide resistance, environmental adaptation, and plant disease dynamics, paving the way for more sustainable, informed strategies in modern agriculture.

Researchers have discovered a way to make the immune system’s T cells significantly more effective at fighting cancer. By blocking a protein called Ant2, they were able to reprogram how these cells consume and generate energy—essentially rewiring their internal power supply. This shift makes T cells more active, resilient, and better at attacking tumors. The findings open the door to new treatments that could strengthen the body’s own immune response, offering a smarter, more targeted approach to cancer therapy.

A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a low-cost, non-invasive method to estimate total leaf area in dwarf tomato plants using 3D reconstruction from standard video footage. The study applies structure-from-motion techniques and machine learning to predict plant growth with remarkable accuracy. This innovative approach eliminates the need for expensive sensors or destructive sampling, making precision agriculture more accessible. The method holds promise for scaling crop monitoring across greenhouses and open fields alike.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce a new international agreement with the Faculty of Dentistry at the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science, Tokyo. This agreement marks the beginning of a collaborative partnership focused on research, and the mutual exchange of students and academic staff.

The Tokyo institute is globally recognized for excellence. Its Faculty of Dentistry holds an impressive 4th place in QS 2025 Subject Rankings!

With a Constant Renewal of Cell Vitality in Diseased Tissues, This New Drug Will Hopefully Lead to the Treatment or Prevention of Diseases, Such As Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Archaeological Excavations Near Temple Mount Also Unearth Pool Built by Soldiers From Rome’s 10th Legion and Byzantine Lamp Inscribed “The light of Christ Shines for All”

2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities Ranks Hebrew University 17^th Worldwide in Mathematics and Communications, and #1 in Israel in Earth Sciences, Food Sciences, Water Resources, Economics, and Public Policy

New Deans at the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and the School of Education

(Jerusalem, July 12, 2022) The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has announced the appointment of four new deans who will take up their posts at the beginning of the upcoming academic year in October 2022.

On Eve of 4 Month Anniversary of Russian Invasion, Zelenskyy Asks the World, “How Can You Not Help the Victims of Such Aggression?”

Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) in a live speech from Kiev. The speech was broadcast on the university’s social media channels and followed by Q&A with students and staff.

In honor of Jerusalem Day, a special session of Israel’s Knesset, headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, was held at the Hebrew University (HU)’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC) at the Edmond J. Safra Campus in Jerusalem.

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino received an honorary degree--“Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa”--from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) at a festive ceremony during the 85^th Board of Governors (BOG) meeting.

Considering the threat on the lives of academics and university students in Ukraine, and in a show of solidarity, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) has offered academic hosting for Ukrainian academic staff and students.  To date, 18 such refugees have been accepted to continue their studies at the University and 10 have already arrived at our Jerusalem and Rehovot campuses. 

Israel’s academic cooperation with Morocco hit a high point this week with the visit of a senior delegation from Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI).

Seeking to establish a medical school and school of pharmacy, the UM6P representatives met with Professor Dina Ben Yehuda, Dean of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, to learn how HUJI prepares its future doctors for a medical career based on computational medicine and AI, while maintaining humanity and compassion for their patients.

(Jerusalem, March 17, 2022)—Moshe Shenfeld, a computer science PhD candidate at Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU)’s Rachel and Selim Benin School of Engineering and Computer Science has been selected as an Apple Scholar in AI/Machine Learning for 2022.  Shenfeld is one of only 15 awardees worldwide, the other Israeli recipient is from Tel Aviv University.  The PhD fellowship in Machine Learning and AI was created by Apple “to celebrate the contributions of students pursuing cutting-edge fundamental and applied machine learning research worldwide”.

Plus Teaching Posts, Stipends and Studies for Fleeing Ukrainian Academics and University Students

In a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) and HU Student Union hoisted the Ukrainian flag on its campus on Mt. Scopus.  The University and its students seek to send a message of support and encouragement to Ukraine, which is now suffering the second week of a brutal invasion by the Russian military.

New Hebrew U. Survey Finds 53% of Israelis Expect Situation to Worsen for Jews in Europe; France Now Tied with Poland as Europe’s Most Antisemitic Country, According to Israelis

Among 2,000 universities surveyed worldwide, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) ranked 90^th in the 2021 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)’s evaluation of higher education institutions.  This marks HU’s best showing since 2016.

Smoking among young teens has become an increasingly challenging and costly public healthcare issue.  Despite legislation to prevent the marketing of tobacco products to children, tobacco companies have shrewdly adapted their advertising tactics to circumvent the ban and maintain their access to this impressionable—and growing—market share. 

The Technion and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have signed a partnership agreement with IBM Research to advance artificial intelligence capabilities and applications in Israel. The collaboration was announced this week at a conference held by IBM in Tel Aviv to mark 50 years since the establishment of the IBM Research Lab in Israel.

A $650,000 grant from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation will support a new partnership between UCLA and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) focused on developing school violence prevention strategies that turn campuses into safe and welcoming places for children worldwide.

Whether in photosynthesis or in a photovoltaic system: If you want to use light efficiently, you have to absorb it as completely as possible. However, this is difficult if the absorption is to take place in a thin layer of material that normally lets a large part of the light pass through.

 Despite advances in increased food production, half of all world’s harvested food is lost due to rot caused by microorganisms.  Plants emit various volatile organic compounds into their surrounding environment, which can be monitored for early detection of plant disease and prevent food loss.

When it comes to the world’s climate, in the past decade, planet Earth keeps sending us its summer siren’s call. According to NASA, nineteen of the hottest years have occurred since 2000, with 2016 and 2020 tied for the hottest on record. This summer is already making worldwide headlines, with England scorching beyond 40 degrees Celsius.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) climbed 13 places to rank 77^th among the world’s top universities and number one in Israel, according to the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), published today (Monday).  Topping the list were Harvard, followed by Stanford, MIT, Cambridge, and UCLA Berkeley.  Two other Israeli universities placed in the top 100, as well—the Technion and Weizmann Institute both shared the 83^rd spot.  This is a major achievement for Israel’s higher education at large and for Hebrew U., specifically.

As the world grapples with the cataclysmic events associated with climate change, it is increasingly important to have accurate climate models that can help predict what might lie ahead. 

The Innovation Centers of the Hebrew University and of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have won 2 of the world’s most prestigious prizes in higher education entrepreneurship.

(Jerusalem, June 21, 2021)—In recent years, the use of medical cannabis to treat sick kids is on the rise, although questions remain about the benefits and safety of such treatments. Now, a team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) has completed a first-ever meta-analysis of pediatric patients treated with medical cannabis to understand better the risks and benefits of cannabis use among young patients.