ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed a small molecule that targets an RNA structure used by some cancers to sustain growth. The molecule recognizes the folded shape of the RNA and recruits the cell’s own enzymes to break it down. In laboratory tests on cancer cell lines, reducing this RNA slowed cell growth. The work demonstrates a strategy for drug development that focuses on RNA targets rather than proteins, offering a possible direction for future cancer therapies.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a model examining how climate change may affect the insurance industry. They found that increasing storm frequency and severity could significantly reduce profitability if insurers rely only on raising premiums or limiting coverage. The study suggests that insurers could instead invest part of their long-term capital in emissions-reduction initiatives to help reduce future climate risk. The approach positions the insurance sector as a potential contributor to climate mitigation rather than solely a responder to its effects.

A study from Tel Aviv University suggests that tipping is influenced as much by social norms as by service quality. The researchers found that people may tip to align with expected behavior, even when the service does not vary. In societies with strong tipping cultures, average tips gradually rise as generous tipping shapes the perceived standard. The findings indicate that tipping functions partly as a social practice rather than purely a reward mechanism.

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute compared how much humans move across the planet to the movement of wild animals and found that human movement is now vastly greater. They also reported a sharp decline in the biomass of wild mammals over the past two centuries, alongside major increases in human and livestock biomass. The team introduced a method that combines body mass and annual travel distance to compare species’ ecological impact. The results highlight the scale at which human activity now shapes global ecosystems.

Researchers at the Technion have developed a surgical adhesive inspired by how mussels cling to wet surfaces. The gel binds firmly even on bleeding or moving internal tissues, offering a potential alternative to stitches or staples. The material has shown promising results on heart and liver tissue in laboratory and small animal tests. The team is now preparing for trials in larger models.

Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified a medieval water tunnel system beneath Gan Hashlosha National Park that once powered sugar mills in the Mamluk period. The tunnels were carved into soft rock to direct water to paddle wheels that crushed sugarcane in the 14th and 15th centuries, reflecting careful adaptation to the valley’s geology. Dating of the site, supported by construction features and a Mamluk oil lamp, confirms its use in sugar production. The mill was later converted for flour grinding in the Ottoman period, showing how the same infrastructure shifted with changing economic needs.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that Egyptian fruit bats adjust their behavior when competing with black rats for food. In winter, when resources are limited, bats tend to avoid direct encounters, but in spring they become more assertive and challenge rats for access to fruit. The study shows that the bats’ competitive strategies shift with environmental conditions. This flexible response highlights how animals adapt to changing pressures in shared habitats.

Researchers at the University of Haifa have developed a blood test that may help identify bipolar patients at high risk of suicide. By analyzing genetic patterns in blood samples, the team built a model that predicts vulnerability to severe depressive episodes. The approach could allow earlier intervention and closer monitoring for those at elevated risk. The researchers emphasize that further clinical trials are needed to validate the test across broader populations.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a “green treasure” in the Mediterranean Sea, identifying 55 species of seaweed along Israel’s coast with remarkable nutritional and medicinal potential. The researchers found that protein levels are highest in winter, while antioxidant compounds peak in spring. These seasonal changes suggest applications in food production, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The findings position the Israeli coastline as a valuable site for marine biotechnology and sustainable resource development.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have identified a protein that acts as a brake on myelin production in the nervous system. The findings suggest that enhancing myelin production could offer a new therapeutic direction for conditions involving myelin damage, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Further research will focus on translating the approach into clinical treatments.