ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

New research from the Weizmann Institute of Science has identified how permanently shadowed “cold traps” on the Moon control the buildup of water ice over billions of years. Using orbital data and simulations, the study shows that not all shadowed craters are equally effective, and that regions that became cold traps earlier have accumulated significantly more ice over time. The findings suggest new ways to pinpoint the most promising locations for lunar ice and hold promise for guiding future missions seeking water resources for exploration and potential habitation.

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science, with contributions from Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have discovered that malaria parasites can manipulate RNA to evade the human immune system. The study shows that the parasites send their own RNA into immune cell nuclei, disrupting normal cellular signaling and weakening the body’s ability to detect infection. The findings suggest new molecular targets for malaria treatment and offer insight into how pathogens hijack host-cell machinery to survive.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed VertINGreen, a web-based platform that transforms indoor green walls into smart, data-driven environmental systems. The platform combines remote sensing, hyperspectral imaging, and machine learning to predict how plant walls will perform and to monitor their health and impact in real time. The system suggests a new way to integrate nature into buildings, with the potential to improve air quality and reduce energy use while making green infrastructure more reliable and scalable.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences propose a new framework suggesting that the brain’s reward system is driven by energy regulation rather than pleasure. In this model, motivation arises from rising physiological needs, while reinforcement reflects the gain when those needs are resolved. The findings suggest that motivation and learning are rooted in maintaining metabolic balance and offer new insight into conditions such as addiction, depression, and metabolic disorders.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have used climate models and geological evidence to reconstruct rainfall patterns during the Last Interglacial, a warm period around 129,000–116,000 years ago. The study shows that the Levant experienced brief but intense rainfall events, with key weather systems delivering significantly more precipitation than today. The findings suggest that even in a warmer climate, localized extreme rainfall can reshape environments and may have helped enable early human migration, offering insight into future climate dynamics.

Prof. Avraham Rivkind of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) has been awarded the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement for transforming trauma care in Israel. The Israel Prize is the country’s highest civilian honor. Prof. Rivkind is a pioneer in developing an innovative trauma treatment system spanning field response and hospital care, which is recognized as one of HU’s 100 most significant contributions. This pioneering approach to trauma care has substantially reduced mortality rates across all levels of injury.

The Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a new AI algorithm, EvORanker, that can significantly speed up the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases. The system analyzes evolutionary patterns across more than 1,000 species to uncover hidden relationships between genes, allowing it to identify disease-causing genes even when they have not previously been linked to a condition. The results suggest a way to shorten the long “diagnostic odyssey” many patients face and hold promise for enabling faster and more targeted treatments.

A study co-led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the National University of Singapore has uncovered a two-pronged strategy used by bacteria to evade the human immune system. The study shows that bacteria not only resist immune attacks directly but also actively manipulate immune responses to improve their survival inside the body. The findings suggest new directions for combating bacterial infections and hold promise for developing therapies that target both defense and immune evasion mechanisms.

A new study from the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed how weaver ants build complex nests by linking their bodies together as living tools. Using high-resolution imaging, the team showed that ants form structures such as “chains,” “zippers,” and “weights” to pull leaves together and stabilize their constructions, solving mechanical challenges collectively. The findings suggest that sophisticated problem-solving and coordination can emerge from group behavior, offering new insights into collective intelligence and inspiring future swarm robotics systems.

Researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed an AI-powered app that delivers real-time psychological first aid immediately after traumatic events. The system provides step-by-step and case-specific guidance within seconds, using clinical protocols to help bystanders or first responders support individuals experiencing shock or anxiety. Targeting the critical “psychological golden hour”, the approach suggests a scalable way to reduce the long-term risk of PTSD through early and accessible intervention.