Hebrew University updates

Boosting Online Safety Through Behavioral Nudges : Delay, Remind, and Secure

27 August, 2024

New study reveals that giving internet users the choice to delay important security tasks, yet nudging them to commit to it later, makes them much more likely to complete these tasks. The study found that these nudges help people follow through without decreasing the rate at which they start the tasks right away. This offers a practical way to improve online security

In the face of rising cybersecurity threats, many internet users continue to neglect essential security actions, such as installing updates or changing compromised passwords. A new study led by Prof. Eyal Pe'er from the Federmann School of Public Policy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that offering users the option to delay these tasks, combined with commitment nudges and reminders, significantly increases the likelihood of users eventually completing these important actions.

The research, conducted through a series of online experiments funded by a NSF-BSF grant to Prof. Peer and Dr. Serge Egeleman (U.C. Berkely), focused on understanding how these “nudges” could affect users’ willingness to change a compromised password. The findings are promising: when given the option to delay the task, a considerable number of participants chose to change their password later, resulting in a higher overall compliance rate without considerably reducing the number of users who opted to change their password immediately.

The study found that participants who made a promise to change their password later or requested a reminder were much more likely to follow through on their commitment. The effect was further enhanced when participants were reminded of their previous commitment, leading to a net positive impact on cybersecurity behavior.

"Security tasks often interrupt users at inconvenient times, leading to procrastination or outright neglect," explained Prof. Pe'er. "Our research shows that by allowing users to delay these and commit to completing them later, we can significantly increase the rate at which users complete critical security actions. This approach offers a practical behavioral solution to a common problem in online security."

The implications of this study are far-reaching, offering a simple yet effective strategy to improve cybersecurity compliance among internet users. By incorporating delay options and commitment nudges into security protocols, online platforms and services can better protect their users from potential security threats.

The research paper titled ““Protect Me Tomorrow”: Commitment Nudges to Remedy Compromised Passwords” is now available at ACM Journals and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1145/3689038.

Researchers: Eyal Pe'er¹, Alisa Frik², Conor Gilsenan³, Serge Egelman^2,3

Institution:

The Federmann School of Public Policy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, USA
University of California, Berkeley, USA

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

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Elite Grave of Pre-Mongol Period Uncovered in Mongolia

21 August, 2024

A team of archaeologists led by Professors Gideon Shelach-Lavi from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Amartuvshin Chunaga from the National University of Mongolia and William Honeychurch from Yale University, has unearthed an elite grave dating back to the pre-Mongol period in Dornod Province, Mongolia. This finding, part of the Mongol-Israeli-American Archaeological Project, sheds new light on a poorly understood era on the Mongolian plateau, spanning the collapse of the Kitan Empire around 1125 CE to the rise of the Mongol Empire under Chinggis Khan in 1206 CE.

The Khar Nuur burial, as it is now known, was found within the enclosure wall of a Kitan-era frontier fortress. The grave, which likely postdates the use of the fortress, contains the remains of an older woman, suggesting she belonged to a prestigious lineage with significant political standing. This discovery provides crucial insights into the local communities, their networks, and their organization during the 12th century CE—a period marked by post-imperial destabilization and intense political competition.

Archaeological Context and Significance

The Mongol-Israeli-American Archaeological Project has been conducting surveys and excavations along Kitan frontier 'long-walls' in northeastern Mongolia since 2018. The discovery of the Khar Nuur burial is one of the most significant findings of the project, offering valuable evidence of the cultural and political shifts that occurred in the lead-up to the rise of the Mongol Empire.

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the choice of burial location:

1. The Khar Nuur steppe nomads may have perceived the abandoned Kitan fortress as part of their own history and indigenous territory, using it to affirm local identity and social memory.

2. The fortress may have held symbolic prestige, making it a fitting site for the burial of a leading community member.

3. The burial could have been a deliberate display of power and territorial possession amid the political competition of the time.

These theories, while not mutually exclusive, offer a combined explanation for the social and political processes taking place on the eastern steppe during the post-Kitan period. As imperial authority waned and steppe groups vied for control, the Khar Nuur burial stands as a poignant symbol of identity, memory, and power in a time of transition.

Historical Implications

The discovery adds a vital piece to the puzzle of Mongolian history, providing a deeper understanding of the events and communities that shaped the region before the rise of the Mongol Empire. It offers valuable insights into how local communities maintained their networks and organization during a period of significant change and political competition.

"The Khar Nuur burial represents a unique window into the complex social and political landscape of 12th century Mongolia," added Prof. Shelach-Lavi. "It demonstrates how local elites may have used symbolic connections to past empires to legitimize their own power and status, even as they navigated a rapidly changing political environment."

This remarkable find not only enriches our understanding of pre-Mongol Empire Mongolia but also highlights the importance of continued archaeological research in uncovering the nuanced history of the region. As further analysis of the burial and its contents continues, researchers anticipate gaining even more insights into this pivotal period in Mongolian and world history.

The research paper titled “An elite grave of the pre-Mongol period, from Dornod Province, Mongolia” is now available in Archaeological Research in Asia and can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352226724000382?via%3Dihub

Title: Excavated Burial Site

Description: Drone photo of Cluster 27 in northeastern Mongolia. A red circle marks the location of the excavated burial. The inset map shows the location of Cluster 27 in red and two other enclosure sites along the long wall (Clusters 23 and 24) in black.

Credit Dan Golan

Title: Gold Bracelet and Two Earrings

Credit: Tal Rogovsky

Researchers:

Amartuvshin Chunag^a, Gideon Shelach Lavi^b, William Honeychurch^c, Batdalai Byambatseren^a, Orit Shamir^d, Uuriintuya Munkhtur^a, Daniela Wolin^b, Shuzhi Wang^e, Nofar Shamir^f

Institutions:

^a Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

^b Department of Asian Studies, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

^c Department of Anthropology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

^d Department of Museums and Exhibits of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Jerusalem, Israel

^e Archaeological Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China

^f Department of Archaeology, Haifa University, Israel

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81^st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

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Preserving Ladino: Hebrew University Hosts First-of-Its-Kind Ladino Summer School

21 August, 2024

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has launched its first Ladino International Summer School, an intensive program designed to preserve the endangered Ladino language. The course attracted students from around the world, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Ladino language studies and connect with the rich Sephardic Jewish heritage.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce the successful completion of its inaugural Ladino International Summer School, an innovative academic program aimed at preserving the endangered Ladino language. This course is the first of its kind in Israel and possibly the world, offering an intensive educational experience dedicated to teaching Ladino, a language deeply rooted in the Sephardic Jewish heritage.

The two-week course brought together 28 students, with approximately half of them from Israel, and other from around the world, US, Europe and Asia. The participants, many of whom were drawn to the course by a desire to reconnect with their familial roots, engaged in daily studies focused on Ladino grammar, vocabulary, and cultural history. The immersive curriculum also included research visits to libraries with Ladino collections and guided tours of Jerusalem, where the echoes of Ladino-speaking communities still linger in the historic alleys and buildings.

Dr. Ilil Baum, a Ladino lecturer at the Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University, highlighted the significance of the course in the context of the language’s precarious state: "Ladino is classified as a language in a serious danger of extinction. The younger generations are no longer inheriting it, and today, it is mostly a language of nostalgia, associated with family traditions, cuisine, and folklore."

The course also offered students the rare opportunity to engage in direct conversations with veteran Ladino speakers, providing them with a deeper understanding of the language's living history. This interaction not only enriched the students' linguistic skills but also connected them to a broader cultural narrative that transcends borders.

This pioneering initiative reflects the Hebrew University’s ongoing commitment to the preservation and promotion of endangered languages. The success of the Ladino Summer Course has instilled hope among its organizers and participants that the Ladino language will continue to be spoken and cherished for generations to come.

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Breakthrough in Cost-Effective Production of Cultivated Meat

21 August, 2024

A groundbreaking study demonstrates the first cost-effective method for producing cultivated meat. The study shows that continuous manufacturing addresses the key challenges of scalability and cost, potentially making cultivated meat accessible to everyday consumers and contributing to a more sustainable and ethical food system.

In an extraordinary stride for cellular agriculture, Professor Yaakov Nahmias, founder of Believer Meats, and a multidisciplinary team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the cultivated meat industry unveiled a pioneering continuous manufacturing process for cultivated meat. This innovation tackles the industry's critical challenges of scalability and cost-effectiveness.

The study, "Continuous Manufacturing of Cultivated Meat: Empirical Economic Analysis," published in Nature Food, demonstrates the use of tangential flow filtration (TFF) for the continuous manufacturing of cultivated meat. The new bioreactor assembly permits biomass expansion to 130 billion cells per liter, achieving yields of 43% weight per volume. The process was carried out continuously over 20 days, enabling daily biomass harvests. Additionally, the research introduces an animal component-free culture medium, priced at just $0.63 per liter, which supports the long-term, high-density culture of chicken cells. In other words, this continuous manufacturing method could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of cultivated meat production, potentially bringing it closer to everyday consumers.

"We were inspired by how Ford’s automated assembly line revolutionized the car industry 110 years ago,” stated Prof. Nahmias. "Our findings show that continuous manufacturing enables cultivated meat production at a fraction of current costs, without resorting to genetic modification or mega-factories. This technology brings us closer to making cultivated meat a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional animal farming."

Bruce Friedrich, President of The Good Food Institute, expressed his support, stating, “GFI applauds the spirit of openness that continues to characterize cultivated meat researchers like Dr. Koby Nahmias and his colleagues, who understand that showing the scientific potential of cultivated meat will benefit all scientists working in the field.”

This research represents a significant advance in the economic feasibility of cultivated meat, addressing previous concerns about high costs and low yields. Utilizing this empirical data, the team conducted a techno-economic analysis of a hypothetical 50,000-liter production facility. The analysis indicates that the cost of production of cultivated chicken could theoretically be reduced to $6.20 per pound, aligning with the price of organic chicken.

Dr. Elliot Swartz, Principal Scientist at Cultivated Meat, The Good Food Institute emphasized the significance of the study’s findings, stating “This important study provides numerous data points that demonstrate the economic feasibility of cultivated meat. The study confirms early theoretical calculations that serum-free media can be produced at costs well below $1/L without forfeiting productivity, which is a key factor for cultivated meat achieving cost-competitiveness.” Dr. Swartz added that “Empirical data is the bedrock for any cost model of scaled cultivated meat production, and this study is the first to provide real-world empirical evidence for key factors that influence the cost of production, such as media cost, metabolic efficiency, and achievable yields in a scalable bioprocess design.”

While the authors acknowledged that various other factors would affect the final market price of cultivated meat, this research underscores the potential of continuous manufacturing to significantly lower production costs, making cultivated meat more accessible to consumers and competitive with conventional meat products.

This study not only highlights the promise of cellular agriculture in meeting the global demand for animal products but also aligns with broader environmental and ethical objectives by reducing reliance on traditional livestock farming.

The research represents the first demonstration of cost-efficient manufacturing of cultivated meat and the first empirical economic analysis based on solid data. It is a collaborative effort involving engineers, biologists, and chemists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and ADM-funded Believer Meats, which is currently building the world's first large-scale industrial production facility for cultivated chicken.

As global demand for animal protein is expected to double by 2050, cellular agriculture offers a solution to meet this demand, especially as resource-intensive livestock production reaches its peak capacity. Despite recent FDA approvals for cultivated meat production, large-scale production of cultivated meat has yet to become a reality. Previous techno-economic analyses suggested economic challenges, ranging from factory to raw materials costs, casting doubt about the viability of cultivated meat production.

This work presents groundbreaking solutions, including novel filter stack perfusion that reduced factory costs, an animal component-free medium that reduced raw material costs, and continuous manufacturing that increased factory capacity, projecting an annual production of 2.14 million kg of cultivated chicken at cost parity with USDA organic chicken even for a small 50,000-liter facility.

This technological advancement could have a profound impact on animal welfare, food safety, and food security, addressing the needs of a global population increasingly affected by climate change. The study is expected to generate significant interest across multiple disciplines and resonate in popular media due to its implications for the future of humanity.

The research paper titled “Continuous Manufacturing of Cultivated Meat: Empirical Economic Analysis” is available in Nature Food and can be accessed at https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-01022-w

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01022-w

Researchers:

Laura Pasitka¹, Guy Wissotsky², Muneef Ayyash^1,2, Nir Yarza², Gal Rosoff², Revital Kaminker2, Yaakov Nahmias^1,2,3

Institutions:

1) Grass Center for Bioengineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

2) Believer Meats; Rehovot

3) Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

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2024 Shanghai Ranking: Hebrew University Rises to 81st, Showcasing Academic Excellence

14 August, 2024

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.

Professor Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, stated: "The presence of three Israeli universities in the list of the top 100 universities globally is an exceptional achievement in such a challenging and complex year. The Hebrew University's rise to 81st place in the world's most prestigious academic ranking is a testament to the groundbreaking research and commitment to excellence that we uphold as a way of life. We take pride in and extend our gratitude to the university's researchers, academic staff, and administrative team, who continue to promote excellent research daily. We will continue to be the most important civilian institution for the city of Jerusalem, the State of Israel, and a source of international pride."

Professor Tamir Sheafer, Rector of the Hebrew University, added: "For nearly 100 years, the Hebrew University has remained committed to excellence in research and teaching. Thanks to our outstanding researchers, we are at the forefront of the global scientific stage, making a decisive impact on humanity's progress towards a better future. We recently concluded the academic year amidst the longest war since the establishment of the State of Israel. Through the united efforts and unwavering dedication of our academic staff, who have earned us a place among the top 100 universities in the world, we provided academic, financial, and social support to all the Hebrew University students serving in the reserves, ensuring that each and every one of them could complete the year without being left behind."

The Shanghai Ranking, published annually, is considered one of the most reliable academic rankings globally. The rankings evaluate the quality of research at academic institutions, based on various indicators, including the number of faculty members and alumni who have won Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, as well as the quantity and quality of publications in leading journals. The ranking includes approximately 2,500 universities. Among the top 100 institutions, 38 are in the United States, 14 in China, 8 in the United Kingdom, 5 in Australia, 4 in France, 4 in Germany, 3 in Canada, and 3 in Israel.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

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Sibling Secrets: Autism's Impact on Family Ties

14 August, 2024

New study reveals that sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with autism share significant similarities with those in families with typical children from the children's perspectives, showing no major differences in warmth, conflict, rivalry, or relative power. However, mothers perceive unique challenges, reporting less warmth and closeness but also less conflict among siblings. This discrepancy between children's and mothers' views highlights the need for a holistic approach in supporting these families, addressing both the typical-like experiences of siblings and the nuanced challenges perceived by mothers, to ensure comprehensive and empathetic support.

A recent study led by Dr. Yonat Rum from the Seymour Fox School of Education at the Hebrew University and the University of Cambridge with Professors Ella Daniel and Esther Dromi along with student Yael Armony from Tel Aviv University and Prof. Ditza A. Zachor, Head of the Autism Center at the Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center and Tel Aviv University provides fresh insights into the dynamics of sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with autism. This research explores the unique perspectives of both mothers and siblings, unveiling fascinating findings on how these relationships compare to those in families with typical children.

The study included twenty-nine children, with an average age of 8.78 years, who have younger siblings diagnosed with autism, along with their mothers. This group was compared to forty-six children, averaging 9.12 years of age, with younger typical siblings, and their mothers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, both groups completed the Sibling Relationship Questionnaires and participated in interviews, offering a comprehensive view of their sibling dynamics.

According to the children's reports, sibling relationships across both groups showed remarkable similarities. There were no significant differences in overall warmth, conflict, rivalry, or relative power between siblings, regardless of the presence of autism. This suggests that, from a child's perspective, having a sibling with autism may not drastically alter the fundamental aspects of their relationship.

The mothers' perspectives revealed a different layer of complexity. Mothers of children with autism reported less warmth and closeness between their children and, surprisingly, less conflict compared to mothers of typical children, highlighting nuanced challenges and decreased involvement in these sibling relationships.

Additionally, the study found more disagreement between mothers and children in the autism group than in the typical group. Both mothers and children in the autism group reported less intimacy and fewer quarrels between siblings. Interestingly, the qualitative analysis showed that siblings tended to focus on their present experiences, while mothers considered the broader processes in sibling relationships. Discussions in the autism group often referenced various specificities without explicitly mentioning “autism.”

Dr. Yonat Rum emphasizes the importance of these findings, stating, "Our research sheds light on the nuanced experiences of siblings and mothers in families where autism is present. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for providing better support and resources to these families."

Autism spectrum conditions affect a significant portion of the population, with recent estimates indicating that 1 in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism. This translates to millions of families worldwide grappling with the unique challenges that come with raising a child on the autism spectrum. The impact of autism extends beyond the diagnosed individual, affecting the entire family unit. Studies have shown that parents of autistic children often experience higher levels of parental stress compared to parents with typically developing children and siblings of autistic children were also studied mainly as at risk for various psychological outcomes. At the same time, research has shown that for autistic children, growing up with typically developing siblings is associated with better social-communicational skills and that growing up as a sibling of an autistic child has a positive effect on the development of cognitive empathy. For autistic children and their families, siblingship is, thus, an essential and meaningful resource, and it is important to learn about the quality of this meaningful relationship

This study underscores the understanding of these widespread effects and the need for a holistic approach in supporting families with autistic children, considering the diverse experiences and perspectives within these families. It highlights the importance of understanding both the typical-like experiences of siblings and the unique challenges perceived by mothers, ensuring comprehensive support for these families.

Methodology: Data was collected in Israel from Hebrew-speaking participants, and initial findings were published in Hebrew in 2020 as part of graduate and post-graduate works at Tel Aviv University. Further analysis and synthesizing the qualitative and quantitative findings in a mixed methods approach resulted in the current paper published in JADD this year. The mixed methods (quantitative AND qualitative analysis) multi-informant (mothers’ reports AND children’s reports) examination of what is similar and different in the relationships of autistic children and their siblings compared with typical siblingships has added to the literature by revealing not only differences and similarities in the sibling relationships but also in mothers' and children's perspectives.

Data/Statistical Analysis

The research paper titled “Sibling Relationships in Families of Autistic and Typical Children: Similarities and Differences in the Perspectives of Siblings and Mothers” is now available in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06222-0.

Researchers:

Yonat Rum^1,2, Ditza A. Zachor³^,4, Yael Armony⁴, Ella Daniel⁴, Esther Dromi⁴

Institutions:

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
University of Cambridge
Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center
Tel Aviv University

Funding

This project is supported through the generosity of the Azrieli Foundation, by an Azrieli Fellowship to Y.R.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/e

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Ticks’ Secret Allies: Bacteria's Hidden Hand in Tick Survival

12 August, 2024

A New Mechanism for Animal Food Caching Behavior Discovered

8 August, 2024

New research at Hebrew University proposes a novel, non-memory-based mechanism for how animals cache and retrieve food. Instead of relying on memory, the researchers suggest that animals use a neural mechanism similar to hash functions in computing, which allows for efficient storage and retrieval of cache locations. This is important because it challenges long-held beliefs about animal cognition and offers a more efficient explanation for how animals can manage thousands of food caches without overtaxing their memory systems. The proposed mechanism could have far-reaching implications for our understanding of animal behavior, brain function, and even the development of new artificial intelligence systems. By providing a simpler and more scalable model for information processing in the brain, this research opens up new avenues for exploring cognitive processes in both animals and humans.

Researchers Dr. Oren Forkosh and Sharon Mordechay from the Department of Cognition and Brain Sciences and The Department of Animal Sciences at Hebrew University have proposed a new theory about how animals store and retrieve cached food. Their study, published in Scientific Report, challenges traditional views on animal caching behavior by suggesting a non-memory-based mechanism.

Revolutionizing Understanding of Caching Behavior

Contrary to the long-held belief that scatter-hoarding animals rely on memory to retrieve cached food items, Forkosh and Mordechay propose a static mechanism similar to hash functions used in computing. Hash functions in computing are algorithms that convert input data of any size into a fixed-size string of characters, which typically represents the data in a unique and efficient manner.

Key Findings

Hippocampal Spatial Cells: The researchers' mathematical model aligns with the activity of hippocampal spatial cells, which respond to an animal's positional attention. The remapping ensures that these cells activate consistently across subsequent visits to the same area but differ between areas.

Persistent Hash Functions: This remapping, combined with unique cognitive maps, generates persistent hash functions that can aid both food caching and retrieval.

Neural Network Architecture: The study presents a simple neural network architecture capable of producing a probabilistic hash unique to each animal, providing a virtually boundless capacity for encoding structured data.

Innovative Neural Framework

The proposed framework involves a biologically plausible realization of hashing through a neural network. The input layer encodes key environmental landmarks, while the output layer designates food cache locations. Both layers are arranged in a two-dimensional grid, with each cell corresponding to a specific location. The cache site is determined by the activity level of the output neurons, known as the cache score.

Implications and Future Research

This innovative approach offers a new perspective on animal behavior and cognitive processes, suggesting that animals may use non-memory-based mechanisms for complex tasks such as caching. The findings could have broader implications for understanding brain functions and developing artificial intelligence systems.

The research paper titled “A non-memory-based functional neural framework for animal caching behavior” is now available in Scientific Report and can be accessed at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-68003-8#Sec2

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68003-8

Illustration

Title: “Caching Bird”

Description: A minimalist and geometric illustration featuring a bird, possibly a woodpecker or jay, carefully tucking away a small acorn or berry into the ground.

Credit: AI-generated image using DALL-E

Researchers:

Dr. Oren Forkosh^1,2 and Sharon Mordechay²

Institutions:

Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Department of Animal Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/e

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Genetically Diverse Crowds are Wiser

7 August, 2024

New study demonstrates that genetically diverse groups make more accurate collective judgments than genetically homogeneous groups, providing the first empirical evidence of genetic diversity's role in enhancing collective intelligence. This finding is crucial as it suggests that genetic diversity can significantly improve group decision-making processes, which has profound implications for organizational management, innovation, and our understanding of biodiversity's role in adaptation and resilience

A new study led by Dr. Meir Barneron from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that genetically diverse groups make more accurate collective judgments compared to genetically homogeneous groups. This research, published in Personality and Individual Differences, provides new insights into the origins of the ‘wisdom of crowds’ phenomenon, emphasizing the role of genetic diversity in enhancing collective intelligence.

Past studies have suggested that combining individual judgments can improve accuracy, especially when individuals differ in background, education, and demography.

However, Dr. Barneron's research takes this a step further by proposing that genetic diversity itself contributes significantly to the accuracy of combined judgments.

The study involved 602 identical and fraternal twins, who participated by making numerical judgments in pairs. These pairs consisted either of co-twins (related pairs) or non-related individuals (unrelated pairs). The results revealed that judgments made by unrelated (i.e., heterogenous) pairs were more accurate than those made by related (i.e., homogeneous) pairs. Theoretically, however, this finding could emerge either from environmental or genetic factors.

In order to distinguish between environmental and genetic factors, the study compares the performance of related and unrelated pairs, separately among identical and fraternal twins. This comparison is relevant as genetic influences make identical twins more similar to one another compared to fraternal twins because the former share virtually 100 percent of their genetic variance, whereas fraternal twins share, on average, 50 percent of the genetic variance.

The findings revealed that the superior performance of unrelated versus related pairs was evident for the identical twins. This underscores the impact of genetic relatedness on collective judgment.

Dr. Barneron's research is the first empirical demonstration of the benefits of genetic diversity for collective judgments. The findings suggest that genetic diversity enhances the collective cognitive abilities of groups, providing a deeper understanding of how diverse crowds can achieve wiser outcomes. By uniquely highlighting the genetic aspect, this research adds a new dimension to the ‘wisdom of crowds’ phenomenon.

"These findings highlight the significant impact genetic diversity can have on collective decision-making, underscoring the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms to enhance our cognitive abilities and tackle complex challenges more effectively." - Dr. Meir Barneron, Hebrew University

Utilizing a sample of identical and fraternal twins, the study effectively isolates genetic diversity, allowing for a clear comparison between genetically homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, and providing robust evidence for the hypothesis. This empirical evidence supports the broader theory that diversity enhances decision-making, with significant implications for organizational management. It suggests that diverse teams may be better equipped to tackle complex problems and innovate effectively.

Moreover, the research contributes to our understanding of genetic diversity as a fundamental aspect of biodiversity, highlighting its crucial role in adaptation, resilience, and the long-term survival of populations in the face of environmental changes.

The research paper titled “Genetically-diverse crowds are wiser” is now available at Personality and Individual Differences and can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/personality-and-individual-differences

Researchers:

Meir Barneron^a, Ilan Yaniv^b, Lior Abramson^{b c}, Ariel Knafo-Noam^b

Institution:

Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, United States

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

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Shaping Dairy Farm Vaccination Decisions: Social Pressure and Vet Influence

6 August, 2024

A new study has identified key factors influencing vaccination intentions among Israeli dairy farmers. By comparing five diseases affecting dairy cattle, the research highlights the significant impact of social pressure and underscores the need for improved communication between veterinarians and farmers to optimize voluntary vaccination programs. These findings are crucial for enhancing epidemic control and ensuring the health and productivity of dairy farms.

A new study by Prof. Eyal Klement and PhD Student Michal Morgenstern from the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University, in collaboration with Dr. Jaap Sok from the Business Economics Department at Wageningen University and Research, has unveiled key factors influencing vaccination intentions among Israeli dairy farmers. The research, crucial for optimizing voluntary vaccination programs, compared five diseases affecting dairy cattle: Botulism, Bovine Ephemeral Fever, Brucellosis, Lumpy Skin Disease, and Rabies.

Effective vaccination is vital for epidemic control, especially in voluntary vaccination contexts. Despite its importance, there is limited understanding of how veterinarian communication and disease-specific traits impact farmer vaccination intentions. This study fills that gap by analyzing responses from 340 Israeli dairy farmers through questionnaires grounded in the theory of planned behavior. Veterinarians overseeing these farms also provided insights into their opinions and perceived influence on vaccination decisions.

The findings revealed varying levels of farmer vaccination intention, with Botulism (a deadly bacterial induced intoxication) showing the highest and Bovine Ephemeral Fever (an arthropod-borne viral disease) the lowest. Social pressure significantly influenced farmers' vaccination decisions, with distinct patterns emerging across different diseases. Notably, veterinarian opinions had the highest influence only for Lumpy Skin Disease (an arthropod-borne viral pandemic), while other factors played critical roles for other diseases. Interestingly, there was no correlation between veterinarians' recommendations and farmers' perceptions of these recommendations.

Prof. Klement emphasized the need for tailored interventions to optimize voluntary vaccination programs. "The study highlights the multifaceted influences on farmers' vaccination intentions, particularly the prevailing impact of perceived social pressure," he said. "However, variations exist across diseases, and there is a notable disconnection between veterinarians' opinions and how they're perceived by farmers. This discrepancy suggests potential communication breakdowns."

Regulations, laws, and guidelines regarding livestock vaccinations vary by country and region, often combining mandatory and voluntary programs to safeguard animal health and food safety. For instance, the European Union and Israel have specific vaccination protocols, while organizations like RUMA in the UK provide non-binding guidelines. However, understanding the influences on farmers' decision-making processes beyond these rules—such as social pressures and veterinarian recommendations—is crucial. These factors significantly impact the effectiveness of voluntary vaccination programs, as farmers' choices are shaped by a complex interplay of social norms, trust in veterinarians, and perceived cost-benefit analyses. Recognizing these influences can lead to more tailored and effective vaccination strategies, enhancing overall livestock health and productivity. The study advocates for the pivotal role of veterinarians in guiding vaccination choices due to their medical expertise. It underscores the necessity of improving communication between veterinarians and farmers, with an emphasis on effective risk communication training.

The research paper titled “Would you bet on the vet? Influences on dairy farmers' vaccination choices, with a spotlight on the Veterinarian impact” is now available in Preventive Veterinary Medicine and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106262.

Researchers:

Michal Morgenstern¹, Jaap Sok², Eyal Klement¹

Institutions:

Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Business Economics, Wageningen University and Research (WUR)

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

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