ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Google announced an expansion of their strategic collaboration in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The renewed partnership will support joint research, development, and educational initiatives across BGU’s engineering and computer science faculties and Google’s global teams. As part of the agreement, BGU and Google will fund new projects, offer student training and internships, and explore applications of AI and cyber resilience in national infrastructure and industry.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Antiquities Authority say a newly identified species of giant tortoise, unearthed from a 4,500-year-old tomb in southern 2The fossil shows unique shell features distinguishing it from modern tortoise species, suggesting it belonged to a previously unknown species. The discovery implies that climate and human impact over millennia dramatically transformed Israel’s wildlife. The team plans further study to learn more about the ancient tortoise’s habitat, behavior, and reasons for extinction.

A joint study led by Professor Yair Bar-Haim of Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps and the United States Department of Defense, found that a short computer-based attention training program can significantly reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder in combat soldiers. In a large study involving more than 500 infantry soldiers, those who completed the training showed more than a 50 percent reduction in PTSD symptoms. Bar-Haim recently presented this work during his visit to Northwestern University.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) recently hosted an international coral-restoration course at their Eilat campus, bringing together students and experts from Israel, Mexico, and Australia. Over the course of the week, participants learned advanced reef restoration techniques, carried out field work on the Red Sea coral reef, identified coral species, and practiced building artificial reefs using 3-D printing and other technologies. As part of the program’s global outreach and its commitment to marine conservation, ten Mexican students received full scholarships covering travel, lodging, and tuition. Participants completed the course with practical restoration skills that they can apply in coral-conservation work in their home regions.

A study by Ben Gurion University of the Negev, in collaboration with multiple Israeli medical centers, analyzed more than 51,000 singleton births and found that persistent thyroid hormone imbalance throughout pregnancy may raise the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children. The increased risk appeared strongest when the hormone imbalance lasted across several trimesters, rather than being limited to before pregnancy or a single trimester. The researchers observed a dose-response pattern: the longer the imbalance persisted, the higher the autism risk. When thyroid disorders were adequately treated and hormone levels kept stable, the elevated risk was not observed.

A food-tech startup in Israel is preparing to launch “cow-free” milk produced in a lab rather than from animals. The product is made using dairy proteins created through fermentation and is designed to match conventional milk in taste and texture. It contains no lactose, cholesterol, antibiotics, or growth hormones. The milk is expected to appear first in cafés and restaurants, with retail rollout in supermarkets planned for early 2026.

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have discovered how certain heat-loving microorganisms survive extreme temperatures by chemically modifying their ribosomal RNA. These so-called hyperthermophiles live in environments above 80 °C, such as volcanic craters and hot springs, and the team found they adjust dozens of RNA modification types to stabilize the cell’s protein-production machinery. The hotter the environment, the more extensive the RNA modifications, helping the organisms maintain function under extreme heat. The findings challenge the assumption that the core machinery of life is fixed across species and environments. The new insights may inform advances in RNA-based medicine, biotechnology and industrial applications.

TAU’s student team won a gold medal at the 2025 iGEM synthetic biology competition in Paris for a novel therapeutic strategy targeting metastatic lung cancer. Their project also reached the finals for Best Oncology Research and Best Model. Under professor-led mentorship, students from engineering, life sciences and medicine designed a DNA–antibody construct aimed at silencing cancer-related genes and delivering treatment directly into tumor cells. After the win, the team filed a patent application and began preparing a scientific paper.

A recent study from Bar-Ilan University finds that the COVID-19 pandemic is linked to rising skepticism toward routine childhood vaccines in Israel. Researchers found that 6.6 percent of parents who vaccinated an older child chose not to vaccinate a younger one, a drop large enough to help trigger the current measles outbreak. Many parents cited fear of side effects and a loss of trust in health guidance after COVID-19 as reasons for their decision. The findings show how a small shift in parental behavior can quickly undermine herd immunity and revive once-rare diseases. The authors warn that rebuilding public confidence will require clear communication and reliable vaccine programs.

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and collaborating institutions report a breakthrough in understanding human language development. Their interdisciplinary study combined linguistics, psychology, genetics, neuroscience and animal communication to trace the origins of human speech ability. The results suggest that language may have deep biological roots shared across species, radically reshaping how we think about the evolution of communication. The findings open new directions for research in child development, cognitive science and the design of more natural-sounding artificial intelligence.