Professor Emeritus Michael Edward Stone, Founder of the Chair of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a distinguished figure in the field of Armenology, has been awarded the prestigious Medal of Gratitude by the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan. This esteemed award recognizes Prof. Stone's significant contributions to the development of Armenian studies and his long-term dedication to preserving Armenian culture and heritage.

Prof. Stone, a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, has authored and edited over 60 books, including numerous translations of Armenian sources. His extensive research also delves into Armenian-Jewish relations and the historical presence of Armenians in the Land of Israel, solidifying his reputation as a preeminent scholar in Armenian studies.

The Medal of Gratitude is one of Armenia's highest state honors, awarded for exemplary achievements in state, economic, social, scientific-technical, and public activities. It is also bestowed upon individuals who have made major personal contributions and demonstrated many years of devotion to promoting the spheres of health, education, and culture.

The award ceremony took place at the President's residence, where President Khachaturyan presented the medals to several distinguished scholars in the field of Armenology, including Prof. Valentina Calzolari Bouvier of the University of Geneva and Prof. Cristina Marantzi of Harvard University, alongside Prof. Stone.

In his address, President Khachaturyan expressed profound gratitude to the awardees for their invaluable contributions to Armenian studies, particularly during a time when the preservation of Armenian historical cultural heritage is of paramount importance. President Khachaturyan further emphasized the critical role that scholars like Prof. Stone play in representing Armenian history and culture on an international stage, ensuring that the world understands and appreciates Armenia's rich heritage.

Prof. Stone's receipt of the Medal of Gratitude underscores his exceptional impact on the field of Armenian studies and his unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge and cultural preservation. As a co-founder and honorary president of the International Association for Armenian Studies (AIEA), Prof. Stone has left an indelible mark on the academic community and continues to inspire future generations of scholars.

The Hebrew University continues to offer Armenian and Armenian cultural studies through its Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. This program provides students with the opportunity to explore the rich history, culture, and language of Armenia, fostering a deeper understanding of the Armenian experience in both historical and contemporary contexts.

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

 

 

 

 

A new study, published in Nature, led by an international team, including Dr. Naomi Habib and Gilad Green from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Philip L. De Jager and Dr. Vilas Menon from Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Dr. David Bennett from Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Dr. Hyun-Sik Yang from Harvard Medical School, has uncovered crucial insights into the cellular dynamics that contribute to brain aging and the cellular events leading to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By creating one of the biggest resources in the brain aging field, mapping over 1.65 million cells from 437 aging brains, and developing new machine learning (AI) algorithms, the research team has revealed distinct cellular paths in brain aging, providing a foundation for personalized therapeutic development targeting Alzheimer’s disease.

Mapping Brain Aging: A Closer Look at Brain Cells

This study took an in-depth approach to map the brain’s cellular environment, analyzing a unique dataset of 1.65 million single-nucleus RNA sequencing profiles from the prefrontal cortex of 437 older adults in the ROSMAP cohort at Rush University in Chicago, IL, USA. With this large dataset, researchers were able to pinpoint specific glial and neuronal cell groups linked to traits related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, the study zeroed in on the complex dynamics within the brain cells along the progression of aging and disease, using a new algorithm called BEYOND to model these dynamics. This approach revealed two distinct paths of brain aging, each marked by gradual coordinated changes in distinct groups of cells, which the researchers termed as “cellular communities” in the brain. Interestingly, they showed that one of these paths leads to Alzheimer’s disease, gradually leading to dementia – featured by memory loss and cognitive decline, while the other represents a healthier, non-Alzheimer’s form of brain aging. The researchers predict that these cellular changes, that start early – before any clinical signs of dementia – are actively determining the fate of the aging brain and the progression of the disease.

Important Discoveries in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by hallmark brain pathologies, with the classical Amyloid theory of AD describing the cascade of events thought to follow the progression of the disease – starting with the accumulation of amyloid-β plaques, which then lead to accumulation of toxic neurofilament tangles, eventually leading to substantial neuronal damage and symptoms of clinical dementia. Glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, are supportive cells that are critical for the correct function of the brain and of neuronal cells, yet have only been recently suggested to take part in the cascade leading to Alzheimer’s disease. For example, a previous article, published in Nature Neuroscience in 2023 led by the same team with Anael Cain a PhD student in the Habib lab, laid the scientific foundation for the findings on specific cellular communities and glial cells related to Alzheimer’s disease. A key discovery from this study is the identification of specific glial cells predicted to contribute to the progression of the disease. The current study uncovered two different subsets of microglial cells, both linked to altered lipid metabolism: one was predicted by the team to drive the buildup of amyloid-β plaques, the initial hallmark pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, while the other is predicted to drive the later buildup of neurofilament tangles. The team also highlighted a group of astrocyte cells that influence directly cognitive decline, shedding more light on the complex interactions between different brain cells in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and highlight the key role that glial cells are taking in the progression of the disease.

Impact on Personalized Treatment Development

"The insights from this research provide a fresh understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops, from the very early stages, which was not possible to measure without our large dataset and unique algorithmic approach", said Dr. Habib, "by identifying the specific cells involved in each unique path of brain aging, Alzheimer’s and alternative aging, we paved the way to early identification of people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and for creating targeted treatments for each form of brain aging to promote healthy aging". The findings lay a cellular foundation for understanding the different paths leading to Alzheimer’s. This knowledge is vital for developing personalized treatments that can act at the cellular level, potentially changing the course of the disease.

The research paper titled “Cellular communities reveal trajectories of brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease” is now available at Nature and can be accessed at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07871-6

Nature. 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07871-6

Researchers:

Gilad Sahar Green¹, Masashi Fujita², Hyun-Sik Yang^3,4, Mariko Taga², Anael Cain¹, Cristin McCabe³, Natacha Comandante-Lou², Charles C. White⁴, Anna K. Schmidtner¹, Lu Zeng², Alina Sigalov², Yangling Wang⁶, Aviv Regev^3,8, Hans-Ulrich Klein², Vilas Menon², David A. Bennett⁶, Naomi Habib¹, Philip L. De Jager^2,4

Institution:

1. Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston
4. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
5. Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
6. Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from Hebrew University have found that marmoset monkeys use specific vocal calls, called "phee-calls," to identify and communicate with each other. This ability to vocally label others has only been seen in humans, dolphins, and elephants until now.

Naming of others is a highly advanced cognitive ability observed in social animals and, until recently, was known to exist only in humans, dolphins, and elephants. Interestingly, our closest evolutionary relatives, nonhuman primates, appeared to lack this ability altogether.

In a new study published today in Science, a team of researchers from the Hebrew University, led by Dr. David Omer from the Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), made a groundbreaking discovery: for the first time, they found that marmoset monkeys use specific calls, called "phee-calls", to name each other.

To uncover this, the researchers, led by graduate student Guy Oren, recorded natural conversations between pairs of marmosets, as well as interactions between monkeys and a computer system. They found that these monkeys use their “phee-calls” to address specific individuals. Even more interestingly, the marmosets could discern when a call was directed at them and responded more accurately when it was.

“This discovery highlight the complexity of social communication among marmosets,” explains Omer. “These calls are not just used for self-localization, as previously thought— marmosets use these specific calls to label and address specific individuals”.

The study also revealed that family members within a marmoset group use similar vocal labels to address different individuals and employ similar sound features to code different names, resembling the use if names and dialects in humans. This learning appears to occur even among adult marmosets who are not related by blood, suggesting that they learn both vocal labels and dialect from other members of their family group.

The researchers believe that this vocal labeling may have evolved to help marmosets stay connected in their dense rainforest habitat,

where visibility is often limited. By using these calls, they can maintain their social bonds and keep the group cohesive.

“Marmosets live in small monogamous family groups and take care of their young together, much like humans do,” says Omer. “These similarities suggest that they faced comparable evolutionary social challenges to our early pre-linguistic ancestors, which might have led them to develop similar communicating methods.”

This research provide new insights into how social communication and human language might have evolved. The ability of marmosets to label each other with specific calls suggests they have developed complex brain mechanisms, potentially analogous to those that eventually gave rise to language in humans.

The study opens up exciting avenues for further research into how our own communication abilities may have evolved and what we can learn from these social nonhuman primates.

The research paper titled “Vocal Labeling of Others by Nonhuman Primates” is now available in Science and can be accessed at DOI: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp3757

 

 

Title: Barak | Credit: David Omer Lab

 

 

Title: Baby Bareket  | Credit: David Omer Lab

 

 

Funding:

European Research Council (ERC—SYG—OxytocINspace) Grant Agreement: No. 101071777, OxytocINspace

Israel Science Foundation (ISF 915/22)

Researchers:

Guy Oren¹, Avner Shapira¹, Reuben Lifshitz¹, Ehud Vinepinsky¹, Roni Cohen¹, Tomer Fried², Guy P. Hadad², David Omer¹

Institutions:

1. Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brains Sciences (ELSC), Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, 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 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

 

 

 

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:

1. The Federmann School of Public Policy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
2. International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, USA
3. 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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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. Zachor^3,4, Yael Armony⁴, Ella Daniel⁴, Esther Dromi⁴

Institutions:

1. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. University of Cambridge
3. Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center
4. 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

 

 

 

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:

1. Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. 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

 

 

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:

1. Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
2. Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
3. 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

 

 

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:

1. Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. 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

 

Microscopic Syringes and AI: Scientists Uncover New Bacterial Weapons

In a novel study, featured on the cover of August 2024 volume of Molecular Systems Biology journal, researchers have unveiled new secrets about a fascinating bacterial weapon system that acts like a microscopic syringe. Led by Dr. Asaf Levy from the Hebrew University and collaborators from the Hebrew University and from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaine, the team has made significant strides in understanding the extracellular contractile injection system (eCIS), a unique mechanism used by bacteria and archaea to inject toxins into other organisms.

Cracking the Bacterial Code with Artificial Intelligence

The eCIS is a 100-nanometer long weapon that evolved from viruses that previously attacked microbes (phages). During evolution these viruses lost their ability to infect microbes and turned into syringes that inject toxins into different organisms, such as insects. Previously, the Levy group identified eCIS as a weapon carried by more than 1,000 microbial species. Interestingly, these microbes rarely attack humans, and the eCIS role in Nature remains mostly unknown. (Geller et al. 2021). However, we know that it loads and injects protein toxins.

The specific proteins injected by eCIS and their functions have long remained a mystery. Before the study we knew about ~20 toxins that eCIS can load and inject. To solve this biological puzzle, the research team developed an innovative machine learning tool that combines genetic and biochemical data of different genes and proteins to accurately identify these elusive toxins. The project resulted in identification of over 2,000 potential toxin proteins.

"Our discovery not only sheds light on how microbes interact with their hosts and maybe with each other, but also demonstrates the power of machine learning in uncovering new gene functions," explains Dr. Levy. "This could open up new avenues for developing antimicrobial treatments or novel biotechnological tools."

New Toxins with Enzymatic Activities against Different Molecules

Using AI technology, the researchers analyzed 950 microbial genomes and identified an impressive 2,194 potential toxins. Among these, four new toxins (named EAT14-17) were experimentally validated by demonstrating that they can inhibit growth of bacteria or yeast cells. Remarkably, one of these toxins, EAT14, was found to inhibit cell signaling in human cells, showcasing its potential impact on human health. The group showed that the new toxins likely act as enzymes that damage the target cells by targeting proteins, DNA or a molecule that is critical to energy metabolism. Moreover, the group was able to decipher the protein sequence code that allow loading of toxins into the eCIS syringe. Recently, it was demonstrated that eCIS can be used as a programmable syringe that can be engineered for injection into various cell types, including brain cells (Krietz et al. 2023). The new findings from the current paper leverage this ability by providing thousands of toxins that are naturally injected by eCIS and the code that facilitates their loading into the eCIS syringe. The code can be transferred into other proteins of interest.

From Microscopic Battles to Medical Breakthroughs

The study's findings could have far-reaching applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. The newly identified toxins might be used to develop new antibiotics or pesticides, efficient enzyme for different industries, or to engineer microbes that can target specific pathogens. This research highlights the incredible potential of combining biology with artificial intelligence to solve complex problems that could ultimately benefit human health.

"We're essentially deciphering the weapons that bacteria evolved and keep evolving to compete over resources in Nature" adds Dr. Levy.  “Microbes are creative inventors and it is fulfilling to be part of a group that discovers these amazing and surprising inventions”.

The study was led by two talented students: Aleks Danov and Inbal Pollin from the department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, the Institute of Environmental Sciences, and was performed in collaboration with Prof. Tommy Kaplan (School of Computer Science and Engineering) and Dr. Philippos A Papathanos (Department of Entomology) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in collaboration with Prof. Brenda A Wilson from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

The research paper titled “Identification of novel toxins associated with the extracellular contractile injection system using machine learning” is now available in Molecular Systems Biology and can be accessed at https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.1038/s44320-024-00053-6

The cover of Molecular Systems Biology featuring eCIS injecting toxins that were predicted by AI. Artwork by Dr. Yitzhak Yadegari

Funding:

The study was funded by the Israeli Science Foundation, Israeli Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Volkswagen Foundation, and a joint seed grant between the two universities.

Researchers:

Aleks Danov¹, Inbal Pollin¹, Eric Moon², Mengfei Ho², Brenda A Wilson², Philippos A Papathanos³, Tommy Kaplan^4,5 and Asaf Levy¹

Institutions:

1. Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois
3. Department of Entomology, Institute of Environmental Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
4. School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
5. Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, 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

A new study led by Prof. Shoham Choshen-Hillel and Mika Guzikevits from the Hebrew University, Dr. Alex Gileles-Hillel from Hebrew University- Hadassah Medical Center, Dr. Tom Gordon-Hecker from Ben-Gurion University, and an international team of researchers from Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Center, the University of Missouri, and Marshall University has uncovered a concerning sex bias in pain management decisions at emergency rooms. The research, published in the journal PNAS, analyzed over 21,000 patient records across the United States and Israel and found that female patients are consistently less likely to receive pain medication prescriptions compared to male patients with similar complaints.

The study revealed that female patients are prescribed fewer pain relief medications than male patients, even after considering the levels of pain reported and other variables such as age, medical history, and the type of complaint. This suggests a systemic issue where women's pain may not be taken as seriously or treated as aggressively as men's pain.

By analyzing electronic health records from American and Israeli healthcare systems, the researchers present evidence that a female patient discharged from the emergency department is less likely to receive treatment for a pain complaint compared to a male patient. Specifically, datasets from emergency departments in the US and Israel, with a total sample size of 21,851 discharge notes, revealed that female patients are less likely to receive a prescription for any type of analgesic medication, both opioids and non-opioids, compared to male patients.

Female patients with pain complaints are less likely to receive analgesics for every pain score and at every age group and receive less analgesics from both male and female physicians. In addition, female patients stay an additional 30 minutes at the emergency department, and their pain score is 10% less likely to be recorded by triage nurses. In a controlled experiment involving 109 nurses, pain was rated as less intense if the patient was said to be female rather than male, suggesting that the bias is driven by gender stereotypes. According to the authors, the under-treatment of females’ pain bears immediate implications for the healthcare system and broad implications for society’s attitude toward female pain.

Interestingly, the study found that this disparity in prescribing pain medication exists regardless of whether the treating physician is male or female. Both male and female doctors are less likely to prescribe pain medication to women, indicating that the bias is pervasive and not limited to one sex of healthcare providers.

The research also highlighted that nurses are 10% less likely to record pain scores for female patients compared to male patients. This lack of documentation can contribute to underestimating the severity of women's pain and result in inadequate treatment. Additionally, the study found that female patients spend an average of 30 minutes longer in the emergency department than male patients. This delay could be due to a variety of factors, including potentially being taken less seriously when they report pain or symptoms.

In a controlled experiment, nurses judged female patients' pain as less intense than male patients' pain when presented with identical clinical scenarios. This suggests that there may be a subconscious bias in how healthcare professionals perceive and assess pain based on the patient's sex..

"Our research reveals a troubling bias in how women's pain is perceived and treated in emergency care settings," said Prof. Choshen-Hillel. "This under-treatment of female patients' pain could have serious implications for women's health outcomes, potentially leading to longer recovery times, complications, or chronic pain conditions."

Recommendations: The study argues that these findings reflect a systemic under-treatment of women's pain in medical settings. The researchers call for urgent policy interventions to address this bias and ensure equal pain treatment regardless of sex. They recommend training programs for healthcare professionals to recognize and counteract sex biases and suggest that pain management protocols should be revisited and standardized to ensure fair and adequate treatment for all patients.

This research highlights the critical need to address unconscious biases in healthcare to provide fair and effective treatment for all patients. The full study, "Sex Bias in Pain

Management Decisions," is published in PNAS and can be accessed at: 10.1073/pnas.2401331121

Illustration Credit: Avi Blyer

Discrimination Against Women in Pain Management in Emergency Rooms

Researchers

Mika Guzikevits^{MA 1,2*}, Tom Gordon- Hecker^{PhD 3*}, David Rekhtman^{MD 4}, Shaden Salameh^{MD 4}, Salomon Israel^{PhD 5}, Moses Shayo^{PhD 2,6}, David Gozal^{MD 7,8}, Anat Perry ^{PhD 5}, Alex Gileles-Hillel^{MD 9,10**}, Shoham Choshen-Hillel^{PhD 1,2**}

Affiliations:

¹Hebrew University Business School, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Jerusalem, Israel.

²Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Jerusalem, Israel.

³Department of Business Administration, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Be’er-Sheva, Israel.

⁴The Department of Emergency Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

⁵Psychology department, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Jerusalem, Israel.

⁶Economics department, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Jerusalem, Israel.

⁷The University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA

⁸ Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA

⁹ Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah, Medical Center

¹⁰The Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Jerusalem, Israel.

*Equal first authorship

**Co-senior authorship

Funding

Israel Science Foundation grant 2824/22 (AGH)

Israel Science Foundation grant 354/21 (AP, SCH)

Recanati Fund at the Hebrew University Business School at the Hebrew University (SCH)

Azrieli Fellowship of the Azrieli Foundation (AP)

National Institutes of Health grant AG061824 (DG)

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