A new study explores the relationship between democratic attributes and greenhouse gas emissions, using data from over 150 countries over the recent three decades. The findings reveal that Direct Popular Voting is the most effective democratic feature in reducing emissions, while Civil Society Participation also plays a significant role. The research highlights the complex interplay between democracy, economic development, and environmental outcomes, offering insights for designing climate policies that balance democratic principles and sustainability goals.

A new study introduces the Proteome-Wide Association Study Hub, an innovative and powerful tool designed to explore gene-disease connections across ninety-nine common diseases. Leveraging machine learning and statistical models, the platform (PWAS Hub) identifies genes linked to specific conditions, with separate analyses for male and female subjects as well as inheritance patterns. This accessible resource is set to advance personalized medicine by providing valuable genetic insights to clinicians, researchers, and the public.

New study reveals how monitoring atmospheric electric fields can enhance the prediction of severe weather events. The researchers found significant electric field changes during heavy precipitation by analyzing data from southern Israel. These findings suggest that electric field measurements can serve as early indicators for extreme weather, offering vital nowcasting capabilities, particularly in regions prone to flash floods and sudden shifts in weather.

A new study by researchers from Hebrew University has identified 12,000 years old spindle whorls — early tools used to spin fibers into yarn. This discovery, recovered from the Nahal-Ein Gev II dig site in northern Israel, provides the earliest evidence of wheeled rotational technology in the Levant, offering insights into the technological advancements of the Natufian culture during the important transition to an agricultural lifestyle.

A new study has developed an innovative approach to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by tagging them with a chimeric agent that activates the immune system towards them. This approach not only enhances immune response against evasive pathogens but also shows potential for targeting a broad range of microbial threats, offering a promising new direction for fighting drug-resistant infections and advancing antimicrobial therapies

A new study highlights the link between inflammation and depression, challenging traditional neurotransmitter-focused theories. An examination of decades of research suggests that immune system imbalances may trigger and sustain depressive symptoms, particularly in high-risk groups. This research paves the way for personalized treatments targeting inflammation, offering new hope for those unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Researchers have developed a model incorporating recreational freshwater ecosystem services like fishing and swimming into water allocation policies. The study shows that increasing demand for recreational services significantly impacts how water diversion should be distributed across different sources, balancing ecological preservation with human needs. This approach is vital in water-scarce areas where it's essential to balance the competing demands for water among agriculture, drinking, and recreation.

In an important discovery, archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan have uncovered a multi-layered archaeological site in the Zeravshan Valley, central Tajikistan, shedding rare light on early human settlement in the region. The findings from the site, known as Soii Havzak, provide crucial evidence that Central Asia played a vital role in early human migration and development.

The latest issue of Hebrew University's annual Scopus Magazine has been released and is now available online! 

Some dentists are pushing back against the overuse of X-rays, a practice that can expose patients to unnecessary radiation and cost them extra cash.

If you’ve ever sat in a dentist’s chair, weighed down by an unwieldy, yet oddly comfortable, lead apron, wondering if your sense of time has gone completely haywire—wait, wasn’t I just here, and isn’t it too soon for more X-rays?—take comfort. You may be entirely correct.