The growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics worries doctors and researchers around the world. Now, an international study led by a team at Hadassah-University Medical Center and the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem shows the potential effectiveness of PASA16 bacteriophage therapy in coping with dangerous Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

The study paves the way for future clinical trials and encourages further exploration of phage therapy as an alternative and auxiliary approach against antibiotic-resistant infections, the authors suggested.

Ran Nir-Paz, an associate professor of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases at Hadassah, who also works at Hebrew University and Hadassah’s Israeli Phage Therapy Center, and Dr. Ronen Hazan, from the bioresearch institute at the university’s dental school, headed the team that published the study in the journal Clinical Advances. It was entitled “Refractory Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections treated with phage PASA16: A compassionate-use case series.”

How can viruses be used to help where antibiotics can't?

The use of specific antibacterial viruses against infections has aroused much attention as a critical addition to conventional antibiotics, although there have been few clinical trials to test phages on patients. This was the largest study of its kind, and so far it has produced an impressive 86.6% success rate.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria found in the environment – in soil, water, and plants – and as part of bacteria in humans. It is both a pathogen and opportunistic bacteria, causing infections in patients with weakened immune systems or underlying chronic illnesses.

Before the treatment began, all Pseudomonas aeruginosa samples from patients were tested, and treatment was personalized in those who were found to be sensitive to the PASA16 phage.

During the PASA16 phage treatment, only minor and manageable side effects were observed. Remarkably, 13 out of 15 patients with available data had a favorable clinical outcome. The duration of treatment spanned from eight days to six weeks, with one- to twice-daily regimen

This highlights the potential of combining PASA16 phage with antibiotics as a promising approach for patients with previously unsuccessful treatments.

“We are elated by the promising results of our study using phage PASA16 to treat tough Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections,” wrote the Israeli researchers, who were joined by colleagues in Israel, the US, and Australia. “This groundbreaking research offers hope for patients with persistent infections and highlights the potential of phage therapy as a valuable alternative to conventional antibiotics in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens.”

Bacteriophage, also called phage or bacterial virus, belong to a group of viruses that infect bacteria. They were discovered independently by Frederick Twort in Great Britain in 1915 and Félix d’Hérelle in France in 1917. D’Hérelle coined the term bacteriophage, meaning “bacteria eater,” to describe the agent’s ability to destroy bacteria.

Thousands of varieties of phages exist, each of which may infect only one type or a few types of bacteria. Like all viruses, phages are simple organisms that consist of a core of genetic material (nucleic acid) surrounded by a protein capsid. The nucleic acid may be either DNA or RNA and may be double-stranded or single-stranded.

Phages have been used since the late 20th century as an alternative to antibiotics in the former Soviet Union and Central Europe, as well as in France. They are regarded as a possible therapy against multi-drug-resistant strains of many bacteria.

The authors said their work highlighted the potential of combining PASA16 phage with antibiotics as a promising approach for patients with previously unsuccessful treatments.

“By outlining potential clinical protocols, this study paves the way for future trials,” they wrote. “The success observed encourages further research and exploration of phage therapy as an alternative and complementary approach to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.”

These bacterial infections can range from mild to severe, affecting various body parts, including the lungs, urinary tract, skin, and wounds. It is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in patients with weak immune systems or those using mechanical ventilation or invasive devices.

The pathogen’s ability to form protective biofilms hinders treatment, sometimes necessitating the combination of antibiotics and alternative therapies such as phage therapy. Strict infection-control measures in healthcare facilities are essential to combat its persistence.

The phage, which was provided pro bono by the US phage company Adaptive Phage Therapeutics, was given using various methods, including intravenous, local application to the infection site, and topical use.

Link to the publication: www.jpost.com

 

 

 

 

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is currently the third leading cause of death from heart disease after myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and stroke. Early diagnosis is essential as a staggering one in three deaths occur within the first few hours compared with only 7% of deaths in properly diagnosed and treated cases.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is a procedure that involves delivering low doses of medication directly into the pulmonary arteries using a catheter. However, due to the lack of comprehensive research on its safety and efficacy, treatment guidelines for CDT vary because of this uncertainty.

In a comparative analysis of different treatments for pulmonary embolisms, Israeli researchers have made a significant breakthrough. The study found that CDT was associated with a 55% decreased risk of death as well as lower risks of major bleeding and brain bleeds among 65%, when compared to other treatment options.

Dr. Bruria Hirsh Raccah, Clinical pharmacist in the cardiology department at the Hadassah Medical Center and researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a co-author of the study, cautions that "further research is necessary before drawing definitive conclusions. However, the findings indicate that CDT should be considered the preferred treatment among eligible patients, given its safety and effectiveness, especially when compared to the higher toxicity of systemic thrombolysis.”

“Although this study should be interpreted as hypothesis generating, our findings suggest that, among patients eligible for CDT and where facilities exist, CDT should be the preferred treatment, given its safety and effectiveness, and given the higher toxicity of systemic thrombolysis” writes Dr. Bruria Hirsh Raccah, a researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel, with coauthors.

The study was part of Stav Yanko’s dissertation at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The study was co-authored by Bruria Hirsch Raccah, Stav Yanko and other researchers from Hadassah Medical Center.

“Mortality and safety assessment of catheter-directed thrombolysis compared with systemic thrombolysis and anticoagulation in patients with intermediate or high-risk pulmonary embolism: systematic review and network meta-analysis” was published June 19, 2023. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/993506?src=

 

A new study found that brain stimulation combined with cognitive training can improve symptoms of ADHD.

“ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children across the world,” Ornella Dakwar-Kawar, a post-doctoral researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said in a press release. “Treating the condition with medication improves a child’s attention span and overall mood, however … there can be side effects including headache and a loss of appetite,” Dakwar-Kawar added. “There is, therefore, a pressing need for developing and testing novel, non-pharmacological interventions for ADHD.”

ADHD symptoms include trouble paying attention, overactivity, and impulsive behaviors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that 6 million children in the US ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. The condition is usually treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. Researchers at the University of Surrey and the Hebrew University conducted a clinical trial with 23 children ages 6 to 12 who were unmedicated. The researchers administered a non-invasive brain stimulation with a mild electrical current running through two electrodes. Cognitive treatment included problem-solving and reading comprehension. After two weeks, 55% of the children showed significant clinical improvements in their ADHD symptoms, as reported by their parents, in comparison to 17% of children in the control group who received placebo brain stimulation. The improvements were maintained at three weeks post-trial, with 64% reporting positive effects from the treatment compared to 33% in the control group. The study, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, also found that participants had changes in their brain electrical activity patterns, even three weeks after treatment. “I believe that the scientific community is duty-bound to investigate and develop ever more effective and longer-lasting treatments for ADHD,” said Roi Cohen Kadosh, co-lead of the study and professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Surrey.

“The findings we demonstrate in our study suggest that a combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tRNS), which is shown to be safe with minimal side effects, has the potential to transform the lives of children and their families,” Kadosh added. “The results from this proof-of-concept study, together with previous results we received using tRNS, increase our confidence that in the future non-invasive brain stimulation may be able to provide an alternative to medication as a treatment pathway for children,” Kadosh continued. “However, our important test will be the results from a multi-center clinical trial with a larger sample that we will start soon.” Scientists noted that further research and trials would need to be done to make brain stimulation a practical therapy for children with ADHD.

“This is an important first step in offering new therapeutic options for ADHD. Future studies, with larger and more varied samples, should help establish this as a viable therapy for ADHD, and help us understand the underlying mechanisms of the disorder,” said Dr. Mor Nahum, co-lead of the study and head of the Computerized Neurotherapy Lab at the Hebrew University.“If the results will be replicated in future larger studies we will be able to offer a novel, promising non-invasive, and safe treatment to large number of children and their families not only in the field of ADHD but in other neurodevelopmental disorders,” said professor Itai Berger, co-lead of the study.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to the publication: nypost.com

In a major breakthrough, a collaborative team of Israeli researchers has unveiled a miniature human heart model that could potentially transform drug testing and cardiovascular research, providing alternatives to animal testing. The self-paced multi-chambered human heart model – no larger than a grain of rice – promises to revolutionize the way the heart and its functions are studied.

The team was led by Yaakov Nahmias, a bioengineering professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and included scientists from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, and Rehovot-based Tissue Dynamics Ltd., which is devoted to animal-free drug development.

Their discovery marks “a new era in cardiovascular research, multi-chambered, self-paced miniature heart model, holding the key to saving lives and enhancing patient outcomes,” they said in the study.

 

Sensors also revealed a new mechanism of cardiac arrhythmia not found in small animals, promising alternatives to animal testing.

This study, just published in the prestigious Nature Biomedical Engineering, was entitled “Electro-metabolic coupling in multi-chambered vascularized human cardiac organoids.”

Cardiovascular diseases remain – together with cancers – the leading causes of death around the world, underscoring the critical importance of their pioneering work.

Nahmias and his team embarked on an intricate effort to create an accurate replica of the human heart, using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The resulting model comprises multiple chambers, pacemaker clusters, epicardial membrane, and endocardial lining, all meticulously designed to mimic the structure and functions of the human heart.

One of the most significant features of this heart model is its ability to provide real-time measurements of essential parameters, such as oxygen consumption, extracellular field potential, and cardiac contraction. This capability made it possible for the scientists to gain unprecedented insights into heart function and diseases.

What are the implications for future medical practice?

The research team has already made groundbreaking discoveries that were previously unattainable using conventional methods. The tiny heart model presented a new form of cardiac arrhythmia that is distinct from those observed in traditional animal models, thus offering new paths for studying human physiology.

The implications of this discovery extend to the pharmaceutical industry, as it allows researchers to gain invaluable insights into the precise effects of pharmaceutical compounds on the human heart. The heart model’s response to the chemotherapeutic drug mitoxantrone, which is commonly used to treat leukemia and multiple sclerosis, was carefully tested.

Through these experiments, the researchers pinpointed how mitoxantrone induces arrhythmia by disrupting the heart’s electro-mitochondrial coupling. They also discovered a potential solution by administering the common diabetes drug metformin, which showed promise in mitigating some of the drug’s adverse effects.

Nahmias, who is the director of Hebrew University’s Grass Center for Bioengineering and a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, stressed the significance of their work.

“The integration of our complex human heart model with sensors allowed us to monitor critical physiological parameters in real-time, revealing intricate mitochondrial dynamics driving cardiac rhythms,” he said. “It is a new chapter in human physiology.”

The scientists partnered with Tissue Dynamics, which focuses on reducing research and development costs for drugs by 30% to 80% by providing groundbreaking drug toxicity and efficacy tools for the pharmaceutical industry. Its proprietary screening platform uses tissue-embedded microsensors in a micro-physiological environment to monitor changes in tissue function in real-time.

The Nachmias team developed a robotic system that can screen 20,000 tiny human hearts in parallel for applications to drug discoveries. The potential applications of this micro-physiological system are huge, promising to enhance our understanding of heart physiology and speed up the discovery of safer and more effective pharmaceutical interventions and leading to a healthier future for all.

 

By offering unparalleled accuracy and insights into cardiovascular diseases, this advanced human heart model has the potential to revolutionize drug-testing methodologies. With this tiny heart model, researchers are poised to make significant strides in developing safer and more effective medications for patients worldwide, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes.

The miniature heart model also presents an ethical advantage, as it offers a viable alternative to animal testing. This breakthrough could mark a turning point in the pharmaceutical industry, reducing reliance on animal models and minimizing potential harm to animals in the pursuit of medical advancements.

The scientists concluded that their tiny heart represents a monumental achievement with far-reaching implications for medical research.

“This miniature-yet-sophisticated human heart model has the potential to reshape drug testing practices, advance our understanding of cardiovascular diseases, and ultimately contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future,” they wrote".

 

 

 

 

Link to the publication: www.jpost.com

 

A “significant breakthrough” in color switching for nanocrystals that unlocks exciting possibilities for a simple, energy-efficient display design and for tunable light sources for many technologies has been achieved by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU).

Colored light and its tunability are the basis of many essential modern-day technologies from lighting and displays to fast optical fiber-communication networks. 

The discovery also has potential applications for sensitive sensors of various substances, including biological and neuroscience uses and advancements in quantum-communication technologies. This nanomaterial breakthrough holds the promise of inspiring exciting innovations in the future, the team said.

 

They published their findings in the prestigious journal Nature Materials under the title “Electric field induced color switching in colloidal quantum dot molecules at room temperature.” 

While nanocrystals offer color tunability and are used in various technologies, achieving a variety of colors requires using different nanocrystals for each color and dynamic switching between colors has not been possible. 

 

Overcoming nanocrystal tech barriers

A team at HU’s Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology including graduate student Yonatan Ossia with seven other members and led by Prof. Uri Banin, have now come up with an innovative solution to this problem. By developing a system of an “artificial molecule” made of two coupled semiconductor nanocrystals that emit light in two different colors, fast and instantaneous color switching was achieved. 

Banin said that “our research is a big leap forward in nanomaterials for optoelectronics. This is an important step in our exposition of the idea of “nanocrystal chemistry” launched just a few years ago in our research group in which nanocrystals are building blocks of artificial molecules with exciting new functionalities.

Being able to switch colors so quickly and efficiently on the nanoscale as we have achieved has enormous possibilities. It could revolutionize advanced displays and create color-switchable single photon sources.” 

When taking color-emitting semiconductors to the nanoscale (a nano is one-billionth of a meter, 100,000 times smaller than a human hair), an effect called quantum confinement comes into play. Changing the size of the nanocrystal modifies the color of the emitted light, so bright light sources can be obtained covering the entire visible spectrum.

 

Because of the unique color tunability of such nanocrystals and their easy fabrication and manipulation using wet chemistry, they are already widely used in high-quality commercial displays, giving them excellent color quality along with significant energy-saving characteristics.

But until now, achieving different colors such as needed for the different RGB pixels (composed of red, green and blue subpixels that light up at different intensities to create different colors and use in electronic displays like TVs, computer monitors, lighting, and digital cameras) required the use of different nanocrystals for each specific color. However, dynamic switching between the different colors was not possible.

Although color tuning of single colloidal nanocrystals which behave as “artificial atoms” has been studied and implemented in prototype optoelectronic devices, changing colors actively has been challenging because of the diminished brightness inherently accompanying the effect that produced only a slight shift of the color. 

The research team overcame this limitation, by creating a novel molecule with two emission centers in which an electric field can tune the relative emission from each center, changing the color, yet, without losing brightness.

The artificial molecule can be made such that one of its constituent nanocrystals is tuned to emit “green” light, while the other “red” light. The emission of this new dual color emitting artificial molecule is sensitive to external voltage inducing an electric field – one polarity of the field induces emission of light from the “red” center, and switching the field to the other polarity, the color emission is switched instantaneously to “green”, and vice versa.

This color-switching phenomenon is reversible and immediate, as it does not include any structural motion of the molecule. 

Link to the publication: www.jpost.com

 

 

"We are immensely proud of Professor Adam Lefstein on his well-deserved recognition as a Fellow of the British Academy. This prestigious honor not only acknowledges his exceptional achievements but also underscores the significant impact his research has had on society," stated Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University.

Prof. Lefstein's research in the field of education has greatly advanced our understanding of the intricate nature of classroom practice, while simultaneously bolstering the teaching profession and improving teacher learning processes. As a result, educational outcomes have improved, leading to expanded opportunities for countless individuals. His appointment as a Fellow of the British Academy further reinforces the Hebrew University's unwavering commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences.

"Prof. Lefstein's accomplishments reflect the dedication and intellectual rigor demonstrated by our esteemed faculty members, further solidifying the Hebrew University's position as a leading institution of higher learning," added Prof. Cohen.

The Hebrew University extends its heartfelt congratulations to Professor Adam Lefstein on this well-deserved recognition and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. They mobilize these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. They invest in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas, engage the public with fresh thinking and debates, and bring together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy for the benefit of everyone.

 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's premier academic and research institution. With over 25,000 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 received over 11,000 patents. The university's faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 77th according to the Shanghai Ranking, making it the top-ranked Israeli institution. To learn more about the university's academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of California, Berkeley, have made progress in understanding the puzzling affliction known as unilateral neglect, where stroke victims lose conscious awareness of half of what their eyes perceive. The scientists have identified a region in the brain where sustained visual images are retained for a few seconds. By recording brain activity from electrodes placed on patients' brains, they discovered that visual areas of the brain retain information about a perceived object at a low level of activity for an extended period, suggesting a neural basis for stable perception. The prefrontal and parietal cortexes become active when something new is perceived, while the occipitotemporal area of the visual cortex maintains a sustained but low level of activity. These findings provide insights into the difference between perceiving something and being consciously aware of perceiving it, which could have implications for coma patients and the development of treatments for consciousness disorders.

 

More than a quarter of all stroke victims develop a bizarre disorder — they lose conscious awareness of half of all that their eyes perceive.

After a stroke in the brain's right half, for example, a person might eat only what's on the right side of the plate because they're unaware of the other half. The person may see only the right half of a photo and ignore a person on their left side.

Surprisingly, though, such stroke victims can emotionally react to the entire photo or scene. Their brains seem to be taking it all in, but these people are consciously aware of only half the world.

This puzzling affliction, called unilateral neglect, highlights a longstanding question in brain science: What's the difference between perceiving something and being aware or conscious of perceiving it? You may not consciously note that you passed a shoe store while scrolling through your Instagram feed, yet you started searching online for shoe sales. Your brain records things that you don't consciously take note of.

Neuroscientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of California, Berkeley, now report that they may have found the region of the brain where these sustained visual images are retained during the few seconds we perceive them. They published their findings last week in the journal Cell Reports.

"Consciousness, and in particular, visual experience, is the most fundamental thing that everyone feels from the moment they open their eyes when they wake up in the morning to the moment they go to sleep," said Hebrew University graduate student Gal Vishne, lead author of the paper. "Our study is about your everyday experience."

While the findings do not yet explain how we can be unaware of what we perceive, studies like these could have practical applications in the future, perhaps allowing doctors to tell from a coma patient's brain activity whether the person is still aware of the outside world and potentially able to improve. Understanding consciousness may also help doctors develop treatments for disorders of consciousness.

"The inspiration for my whole scientific career comes from patients with stroke who suffer from unilateral neglect, where they just ignore half of the world," said senior author Leon Deouell, a Hebrew University professor of psychology and member of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for brain research. "That actually triggered my whole interest in the question of conscious awareness. How is it that you can have the information, but still not acknowledge it as something that you're subjectively experiencing, not act upon it, not move your eyes to it, not grab it? What is required for something not only to be sensed by the brain, but for you to have a subjective experience? Understanding that would eventually help us understand what is missing in the cognitive system and in the brains of patients who have this kind of a syndrome."

"We are adding a piece to the puzzle of consciousness — how things remain in your mind's eye for you to act on," added Robert Knight, also a senior author and a UC Berkeley professor of psychology and member of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute.

The brain has a transient and a sustained response

Deouell noted that for some six decades, electrical studies of the human brain have almost solely concentrated on the initial surge of activity after something is perceived. But this spike dies out after about 300 or 400 milliseconds, while we often look at and are consciously aware of things for seconds or longer.

"That leaves a whole lot of time which is not explained in neural terms," he said.

In search of longer-lasting activity, the neuroscientists obtained consent to run tests on 10 people whose skulls were being opened so that electrodes could be placed on the brain surface to track neural activity associated with epileptic seizures. The researchers recorded brain activity from the electrodes as they showed different images to the patients on a computer screen for different lengths of time, up to 1.5 seconds. The patients were asked to press a button when they saw an occasional item of clothing to ensure that they truly were paying attention.

Most methods used to record neural activity in humans, such as functional MRI (fMRI) or electroencephalography (EEG), only allow researchers to make detailed inferences about where brain activity is happening or when, but not both. By employing electrodes implanted inside the skull, the Hebrew University/UC Berkeley researchers were able to bridge this gap.

After analyzing the data using machine learning, the team found that, contrary to earlier studies that saw only a brief burst of activity in the brain when something new was perceived, the visual areas of the brain actually retained information about the percept at a low level of activity for much longer. The sustained pattern of neural activity was similar to the pattern of the initial activity and changed when a person viewed a different image.

"This stable representation suggests a neural basis for stable perception over time, despite the changing level of activity," Deouell said.

Unlike some earlier studies, they found that the prefrontal and parietal cortexes in the front of the brain become active only when something new is perceived, with information disappearing entirely within half a second (500 milliseconds), even for a much longer stimulus.

The occipitotemporal area of the visual cortex in the back of the brain also becomes very active briefly — for about 300 milliseconds — and then drops to a sustained but low level, about 10% to 20% of the initial spike. But the pattern of activity does not go away; it actually lasts unaltered about as long as a person views an image.

"The frontal cortex is involved in the detection of something new," Deouell explained. "But you also see an ongoing representation in the higher-level sensory regions."

The sequence of events in the brain could be interpreted in various ways. Knight and Vishne lean toward the idea that conscious awareness comes when the prefrontal cortex accesses the sustained activity in the visual cortex. Deouell suspects that consciousness arises from connections among many areas of the brain, the prefrontal cortex being just one of them.

The team's findings have been confirmed by a group that calls itself the Cogitate Consortium. Though the consortium's results are still awaiting peer review, they were described in a June event in New York City that was billed as a face-off between two "leading" theories of consciousness. Both the Cell Reports results and the unpublished results could fit either theory of consciousness.

"That adversarial collaboration involves two theories out of something like 22 current theories of consciousness," Deouell cautioned. "Many theories usually means that we don't understand."

Nevertheless, the two studies and other ongoing studies that are part of the adversarial collaboration initiated by the Templeton Foundation could lead to a true, testable theory of consciousness.

"Regarding the predictions of the two theories which we were able to test, both are correct. But looking at the broader picture, none of the theories in their current form work, even though we find each to have some grain of truth, at the moment," Vishne said. "With so much still unknown about the neural basis of consciousness, we believe that more data should be collected before a new phoenix can rise out of the ashes of the previous theories. "

Future studies planned by Deouell and Knight will explore the electrical activity associated with consciousness in other regions of the brain, such as the areas that deal with memory and emotions.

Edden Gerber is also a co-author of the paper. The study was supported by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (2013070) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (R01 NS021135).

In the pursuit of justice, law enforcement agencies heavily rely on forensic evidence, with DNA testing constituting the cornerstone of modern investigations. While the scientific and technological advancements in DNA testing have been extensively studied, there is scant evidence regarding how the availability of DNA evidence influences prosecutors’ decisions to move cases forward.

To address this knowledge gap, the research team created a unique database by combining data from the Forensics Division of the Israel Police, which documented the presence or absence of DNA profiles in criminal cases (n = 9862), with data on each case’s subsequent indictment decision from 2008 to 2019.

This extensive dataset’s analysis yielded significant insights into the impact of DNA evidence on criminal prosecutions. The researchers discovered that roughly 15% of all criminal cases presented to the prosecutor’s office were ultimately prosecuted. In stark contrast, the criminal justice system advanced approximately 55% of cases with DNA profiles. This effect demonstrates the significant influence DNA evidence has on the decisions of prosecutors.

The findings highlight the significance of using a scientific approach to prosecute offenders, recognising the value DNA evidence brings to the criminal justice system. However, the researchers caution against the indiscriminate use of DNA evidence and emphasise the necessity of prudence. DNA evidence is a potent tool, but it is not infallible; therefore, its use in the legal system must be carefully considered. The study encourages a balanced approach that harnesses the benefits of DNA evidence while acknowledging its limitations.

This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the role of forensic evidence in criminal investigations, specifically highlighting the impact of DNA profiles on prosecution decisions in Israel. The findings have implications for law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and policymakers involved in the pursuit of justice.

The study, titled “ The role of DNA in criminal indictments in Israel" was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1556-4029.15327

The research team consisted of Esther Buchnik, Institute of Criminology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Prof. Barak Ariel Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, Prof. Avi Domb Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Criminology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Nir Treves Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Ron Gafny, Division of Identification and Forensic Science, Israel Police.

 

Methodology: The records examined were from 2008-2019. Over the study period, the average rate of indictment in all cases was approximately 15.1%, with a relatively stable variance [standard deviation (SD) of 0.8%]. However, 45.9% of criminal cases with DNA were subsequently indicted, with a steady yet clear increase over time (from 26.3% to 53.6% in 2019; SD = 11.8%).

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 80 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 received over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 77th according to the Shanghai Ranking, making it the top-ranked Israeli institution. 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 inflammatory response is indispensable for protective immunity, yet microbial pathogens often trigger an excessive response, ‘cytokine storm’, harmful to the host. Despite recent advances in our understanding of inflammatory signaling, how to prevent a cytokine storm remains a challenge. A groundbreaking study has uncovered exciting possibilities for treating inflammatory disorders and preventing cytokine storms, which can be damaging to the body and even lethal. Scientists have discovered that: particular domains within key mediators of our immune response, called B7 and CD28 receptors, have a crucial role in enabling the inflammatory response and can be targeted with man-made molecules to manage immune responses and inflammation, saving lives. These findings bring us one step closer to developing effective treatments for inflammatory diseases.

 

A team of researchers at the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, conducted this study with the aim of understanding how our immune system works and why it sometimes goes into overdrive during severe infections and autoimmune diseases. They created small copies of specific domains within the B7 and CD28 receptors, called mimetic peptides, to investigate how these affect the production of inflammatory molecules.

The study's results showed that these mimetic peptides successfully reduced the interaction between B7 and CD28 receptor proteins and thereby lowered the production of inflammatory molecules in human immune cells. This suggests that they could be used to develop treatments for inflammatory disorders, for example, in bacterial infections, in severe sepsis, and in viral infections involving lung injury such as influenza and corona.

Excitingly, when tested on mice, these mimetic peptides provided significant protection against lethal toxic shock caused by a harmful bacterial toxin that kills by eliciting an inflammatory cytokine storm. Even at exceedingly low doses, the specific B7-1 and CD28 mimetic peptides showed remarkable effectiveness in preventing the harmful effects of the toxin and protecting from death. "Our findings demonstrate for the first time the critical role played by these B7 and CD28 receptor domains in controlling immune responses and inflammation," said Prof. Raymond Kaempfer, of the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "By selectively reducing inflammation yet without completely stopping it, we may be able to protect against cytokine storms associated with severe infections and autoimmune diseases."

This research opens up new possibilities for developing targeted therapies that can balance immune activation needed to protect from pathogens yet prevent excessive inflammation. By regulating the interaction between B7 and CD28 receptors, we may be able to fine-tune the immune response and prevent harmful inflammatory reactions.

Funding: This work was supported by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grants UC1AI067231 and 2U54AI057168, grant DM170164 from US Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and the Milgrom Family Foundation to R. Kaempfer.

The research team consists of: Prof. Raymond Kaempfer, Dr. Andrey Popugailo, Dr. Ziv Rotfogel, Michal Levy, Orli Turgeman, Dalia Hillman, Dr. Revital Levy, Dr. Gila Arad, Dr. Tomer Shpilka – The Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School.

Link to the publication: https://rdcu.be/dfCLm 

The doctorates were presented in the presence of senior figures from the public and business sectors, leading researchers at the University, the president of the Hebrew University, Prof. Asher Cohen, and the rector of the Hebrew University, Prof. Tamir Sheffer.

Prof. Asher Cohen, president of the Hebrew University, congratulated the awardees: “The Hebrew University is proud of the outstanding team of recipients of honorary doctorates for 2023. This team includes scientists, researchers, social and public figures, and leaders in their respective fields. Their academic excellence and contribution to the community and to society are an inspiration, and they serve as a model for academic flourishing and groundbreaking research.”

 

Prof. Jeffrey Ullman, Stanford W. Ascherman Professor of Engineering (Emeritus) at Stanford University—in recognition of his outstanding contribution to computer science research, and his commitment to the advancement of science.

Prof. Barbara Engelking , one of the pioneers of sociological research on the Holocaust, of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Polish Academy of Sciences—in recognition of her research of the testimonies of Polish Jews, establishing the Polish Center for Holocaust Research, and founding the only scientific journal in Poland about the Holocaust.

Mr. Arthur Gutterman—in recognition of his tireless dedication to Jewish communities around the world and his contribution to the security and prosperity of the State of Israel; his and his family's commitment to the teaching of the Holocaust in South Florida.

Prof. Sonia Livingstone OBE, professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science— in recognition of her research into the impact of media policy in the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally; of her efforts to enable children around the world to exercise their rights to safe access to the internet; and of her critical role in drafting the 25th amendment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), relating to internet access.

Dr. Eric Steven Lander, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University—in recognition of his contribution to the advancement of science around the world, particularly the mapping and sequencing of the human genome and the establishment of the Broad Institute, which offers a new and groundbreaking model based on collaboration and interdisciplinary efforts to address scientific challenges; and of the relationships he has fostered between the scientific communities in the United States and Israel.

Prof. Leon Mann AO, of the Department of Psychology at the University of Melbourne—in recognition of his groundbreaking research in the field of decision-making; of the translation of his academic findings into a curriculum that has formed part of the training for IDF officers and of other educational programs in Israel; and of his dedication to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, including the Hebrew University, where he founded the Phillip Mann Prize in memory of his late brother and the Mann Family Prize for Brain Science Research.

Mr. Yitzhak Manor—in recognition of his great contribution to strengthening trade relations between Israel and France, for which he received the highest civil honor in France and was sworn in to the Légion d’honneur; of his loyal service to the Hebrew University, where he served for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors and has now served for over a decade as a member of the Board of Governors; and of his generous contribution to the advancement of science at the University in a range of subjects.

Prof. Dr-Ing. Reimund Neugebauer, president of the Fraunhofer Society in Germany—in recognition of his outstanding academic career and founding the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology; and of his partnership with the Hebrew University, together with which he has chosen to establish two Fraunhofer research centers in Jerusalem, one for cybersecurity and the other for drug research.

Prof. Robert T. Knight, professor of psychology and brain science at the University of California in Berkeley and professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the University of California in San Francisco—in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements in cognitive brain science and in psychology; of his clinical work with patients and his efforts to make information accessible to the broader public, including by founding the journal Frontiers for Young Minds; and his role in ensuring the establishment of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences.

Mr. Yehoshua Sobol, one of the most important and outstanding artistic figures in Israel—in recognition of his storied career as a playwright, author, poet, and director, whose works provide a remarkable reflection of the Israeli experience; of his work to promote humanist values and social justice; and of his commitment to education, as manifested in his teaching at universities and colleges throughout the country, including the Hebrew University, where he devotes time to writing and to enriching the activities of the University’s Israel Institute for Advanced Studies.

Dr. Raymond F. Schinazi, of the Emory University School of Medicine—in recognition of his medical research, which has affected the lives of millions of people through the discovery of effective medicines for diseases that were previously considered untreatable; of his commitment to making medicines available to people in the country of his birth, Egypt, from which he fled as a boy, and in Georgia; and of his involvement in training the next generations of medical researchers via the initiative he founded with the Hebrew University and Hadassah School of Medicine.

The Samuel Rothberg Prize for Jewish Education was awarded to Rabbi Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Lau, one of the most prominent figures in Israeli society today, who has dedicated his life to making Judaism more accessible to the wider Israeli public in various ways. Rabbi Dr. Lau is one of the most outspoken voices calling for the institution of the rabbinate to be adapted to modern times, including by updating ceremonies in the Jewish life cycle such as marriage and conversion, as well as the participation of women in religious worship.