ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

Experts from Tel Aviv University, working with physicians from Sheba Medical Center, played a role in expanding Israel’s national genetic-screening policy. Their advocacy helped bring preimplantation genetic testing for BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome carriers into the country’s public health system. The change allows families with high-risk genetic mutations to reduce the likelihood of passing these conditions to future generations.

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University and NVIDIA have developed a technique that improves how AI image-generation systems interpret spatial instructions. The method enables models to follow directions such as “above,” “below,” or “next to” with greater accuracy. The advance could improve the reliability and controllability of AI-generated images in fields such as design, education, and human-computer interaction.

A new Passover Haggadah by a scholar from Bar-Ilan University brings ancient Egyptian imagery and archaeology into the traditional Seder narrative. The book, written by biblical scholar Joshua Berman, pairs artifacts, inscriptions, and historical images with passages from the Exodus story. The approach offers readers a deeper historical perspective on the Exodus story and its cultural context in the ancient Near East.

Archaeologists from Tel Aviv University propose a new explanation for mysterious cone-shaped clay vessels found at many sites near the Dead Sea. The vessels, known as “cornets,” were used as candles during ceremonial processions in the Chalcolithic period. Participants likely filled them with beeswax and later deliberately smashed them as part of ritual practices.

A long-term study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev finds that repeated cycles of weight loss and regain may still provide lasting health benefits. Participants who repeatedly rejoined weight-loss programs maintained healthier abdominal fat levels and improved metabolic markers over time. The results suggest that lifestyle changes can leave a lasting “cardiometabolic memory,” meaning health improvements may persist beyond changes on the scale.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University find that early-life experiences play a major role in shaping how bats behave as adults. In the study, Egyptian fruit bats raised in more dynamic environments later showed greater exploration in the wild, traveling farther and using larger foraging areas than those raised in stable conditions. The results suggest that conditions during early development can strongly influence animal behavior later in life.

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science suggests that looking at water availability, the balance between rainfall and evaporation, may explain climate impacts better than rainfall alone. By analyzing global ecosystem data and climate models, researchers found that water loss from land and plants has a relatively stable upper limit across climates, meaning even small changes in rainfall can lead to much larger shifts in available water. The findings suggest that dry regions may reach ecological stress more quickly, while wetter regions could face greater flood risks as climate change intensifies the global water cycle.

A new study from the School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Biophysics at Tel Aviv University shows that turtles possess a sophisticated visual processing ability once thought to exist only in mammals. By recording brain activity in turtles, scientists found that their brains can recognize unexpected changes in the environment even when the animal moves its head or eyes. The findings suggest that key mechanisms of the cerebral cortex may have evolved more than 300 million years ago, offering new insight into the early evolution of complex brains.

At Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a new study suggests that the human brain processes language in ways that resemble advanced AI language models. Using electrocorticography data from participants listening to a narrative, the research shows that deeper AI layers align with later brain responses in key language regions such as Broca’s area. The findings challenge traditional rule-based theories of language comprehension and provide new data for studying how the brain constructs meaning.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem examine how ESG rating agencies have created a solution to greenwashing and a new regulatory risk in sustainable finance. By comparing regulatory approaches in the European Union and the United Kingdom, the study shows that policymakers rely on “enhanced self-regulation,” combining public oversight with industry-led rules. The key insight is that building trust in ESG markets requires regulating not only the activities of rating agencies but also the intermediaries themselves.

A collaborative study by the Weizmann Institute of Science and Hadassah Medical Center highlights the role of gut microbes in supporting the immunity among people living with HIV. The study shows that shifts in the gut microbiome may help offset some of the immune damage caused by the virus. These microbial changes appear to sustain immune activity even as CD4 immune cells decline.

Israeli startup Tavily, a developer of search tools that allow AI agents to access real-time information from the web, has been acquired by the Dutch AI cloud company Nebius. The company’s technology helps autonomous AI systems retrieve and verify online information more effectively while performing complex tasks. The deal reflects growing demand for infrastructure that enables AI agents to interact reliably with live web data.

New research from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that engineered immune cells originally developed for cancer therapy can help clear Alzheimer’s-related plaques in the brain. In a mouse study, scientists programmed T cells to target amyloid-beta proteins, leading to a significant reduction in plaque buildup and brain inflammation. The results show a potential new immunotherapy approach for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Scientists at Bar-Ilan University are developing a brain–computer interface that can track emotional states in real time. The system combines virtual reality environments with physiological signals such as EEG, heart rate, and eye movements. Machine learning models analyze these signals to identify patterns linked to emotional states. The goal of the research is to lay the technological groundwork for a new generation of mental health tools.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that oxytocin levels measured in hair may reflect the emotional bond between parents and young children. Hair samples from mothers and children showed correlated hormone levels. Higher maternal oxytocin was associated with more sensitive and supportive interactions during observed play sessions. The findings suggest that hair oxytocin could serve as a long-term biological marker for studying caregiving and parent-child relationships.

A new Red Book for Butterflies, compiled by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in collaboration with KKL-JNF, Tel Aviv University, and the Butterfly Enthusiasts Association, reports a sharp decline in butterfly populations across Israel. The report finds that many of the country’s 156 butterfly species are now endangered or extinct due to habitat loss, pesticides, invasive species, and climate change. Researchers warn that butterfly declines are a key indicator of wider ecosystem damage and call for stronger conservation measures.

Israeli-founded cybersecurity startup Upwind Security has raised $250 million in a funding round that values the company at $1.5 billion. The company focuses on identifying and managing hidden security risks across enterprise attack surfaces, and the new investment will support product development and global expansion. The funding milestone reflects strong investor confidence in Israel’s role in advanced cyber and security technology.

Researchers and engineers from Boeing and the Technion are collaborating to develop new clean aviation fuel technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions from aircraft. The partnership combines Boeing’s aerospace expertise with the Technion’s research in sustainable energy and chemical engineering. The work could help cut the aviation industry’s carbon footprint by making low-emission fuels more practical for commercial use.

New research from the Weizmann Institute of Science suggests that Jupiter is slightly smaller and less massive than earlier estimates suggested. The team reexamined spacecraft data and refined measurements of the planet’s size and internal structure. The results improve models of how Jupiter formed and offer broader insight into the evolution of giant planets in our solar system and beyond.

A new Israeli study by researchers from the University of Haifa and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that sexual and gender minority adults report significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than heterosexual participants. Based on an online survey of 465 adults conducted between 2022 and 2023, the study also found lower overall well-being, greater difficulties with emotion regulation, and a more central role of depression in the mental-health network of sexual minorities. The researchers stressed the need for more representative data and targeted mental-health interventions for these populations.

Professor Rachela Popovtzer of Bar-Ilan University has received her third European Research Council (ERC) grant. The grant supports GOLDEN-RT, a nanotechnology-based platform designed to improve the precision and effectiveness of systemic radiotherapy for cancer, including microscopic metastases. The research builds on earlier ERC-funded studies that developed gold nanoparticle systems for targeted drug delivery and gene therapy, expanding their application to cancer treatment and CRISPR delivery to the brain.

From NBC News - A study led by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that genetics’ role in how long people live may be as high as 55%, which is much higher than previously studied. The researchers arrived at this very different figure by separating deaths from external factors and those caused by internal biological factors. The result offers new directions for research into aging and the biological mechanisms that regulate lifespan.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that a common sea urchin species is now functionally extinct in parts of the Mediterranean due to environmental changes including warming waters and overfishing of its predators. The decline of this urchin disrupts local reef ecosystems because it plays a key role in controlling algae and supporting biodiversity. The findings highlight how human-linked environmental pressures can ripple through marine food webs and alter ecosystem balance.

Bar-Ilan University announced that Professor Shulamit Michaeli has been awarded the 2025–2026 Israel Prize in Life Sciences for her pioneering contributions to RNA research. The work revealed key RNA-based mechanisms that allow parasites to survive and adapt, reshaping how scientists think about gene regulation beyond DNA. These insights open new possibilities for targeting parasitic diseases and for broader applications in molecular and RNA biology.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that people’s justifications for memories remain consistent over time, even when the memories themselves change. In experiments, participants continued to defend the accuracy of altered recollections rather than updating their explanations. The findings shed light on how memory and reasoning interact and may help explain why people confidently hold inaccurate recollections.

A study conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University, the Technion, and Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital have provided the first evidence that the brain can actively influence how well a vaccine works through a measurable, specific neural mechanism. The study suggests that activating the brain’s reward system before vaccination can enhance antibody production. The study also highlights substantial individual differences in the extent to which reward-system activation influenced immune responses. Beyond vaccination, the findings may have implications for other areas of medicine, including cancer treatment and chronic illness.

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that rats use complex neural processing to prevent their own whiskers from triggering false touch sensations. Their experiments showed that the brain filters out self-generated whisker movement signals so the animal can accurately sense external contacts. The results provide new insight into how sensory systems distinguish between self-produced and outside stimuli, with implications for understanding perception and neural computation.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that coral reefs influence the daily rhythms of microbial communities by pulsating oxygen levels through their photosynthesis and respiration cycles. The study shows that these regular chemical changes help structure when different microbes grow and interact in reef waters. The findings provide new insight into how coral reef activity helps shape the surrounding ecosystem’s microscopic dynamics.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that allows skin cancer cells to evade the immune system and continue spreading. The study shows how changes in cancer cell behavior help tumors avoid immune attacks, contributing to melanoma progression. The findings could guide new strategies to improve immune-based treatments for skin cancer.

Israeli cybersecurity startup Wiz saw its valuation triple to $9 billion within a year amid rapid growth in demand for AI-driven security solutions. The company’s expanded market reach and investment support reflect the increasing global need for advanced tools to protect cloud and enterprise systems. The surge highlights Israel’s growing role in the global cybersecurity and AI security sectors.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that genetic risk for ADHD is largely determined at birth and remains stable throughout life. Their study showed that inherited genetic factors explain most of the variation in ADHD risk, while environmental influences played a smaller role than previously thought. The findings could help refine early screening and intervention strategies for individuals at high risk.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that people’s sense of certainty about what they know can shape how they update beliefs and make decisions. In experiments, the team showed that when participants felt more confident in their prior knowledge, they were less likely to revise incorrect beliefs even in the face of new evidence. The findings add insight into how confidence and cognition interact, which could have implications for education, decision-making, and belief formation.

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that tiny particles produced in space may play a role in how memories form in the brain. Their study suggests that these particles interact with neural processes involved in memory consolidation, linking cosmic phenomena and biological function in a surprising way. The findings open new questions about how environmental factors beyond Earth might influence brain activity.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that the human brain begins interpreting facial expressions before we consciously decide how we feel. Using behavioral tests and brain recordings, they showed that neural responses to faces occur rapidly and shape later emotional judgments. The findings offer new insight into how perception and emotion interact, which could inform understanding of social cognition and disorders that affect face processing.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University developed light-activated “smart plastics” that can change their chemical properties when exposed to specific wavelengths. These materials respond to light by altering their shape, stiffness, or function, offering potential for adaptive coatings, reusable materials, and advanced manufacturing. The work may lead to new applications in responsive materials and environmentally friendly technologies.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University’s Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences uncovered a biological mechanism that enables breast cancer cells to spread to the brain, one of the deadliest forms of metastasis. They found that the loss of a region on chromosome 17, including the gene p53, helps cancer cells adapt to the brain’s environment and grow there. This insight could help doctors identify patients at high risk of brain metastases earlier and guide more tailored monitoring and treatment.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have advanced an AI-driven virtual cell staining technique that can identify cellular structures without traditional chemical dyes. The method uses deep learning to reconstruct stained cell images from unstained microscopy data, reducing the time, cost, and potential toxicity of standard staining procedures. This approach may streamline laboratory workflows and enhance imaging for research and clinical diagnostics.

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are leading a new project to examine how sleep disturbances affect autistic individuals’ health and daily functioning. The study will investigate links between disrupted sleep patterns and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes in people on the autism spectrum. By improving understanding of these connections, the research aims to inform better support and interventions for sleep-related challenges in autism.

Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Haifa, and the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat found that coral reefs strongly influence the daily rhythms of microbial life in nearby waters. The study shows that reefs shape when different microbes grow and interact, helping regulate local marine ecosystems. Changes in the daily patterns of reefs could indicate early warning signs of stress caused by pollution, warming oceans, or coral bleaching.