The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates two of its esteemed researchers for receiving prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grants. These grants, each valued at approximately 2 million euros, are awarded to researchers leading innovative projects and join a long tradition of Hebrew University scholars who have been recognized with this honor in previous years.

The recipients from Hebrew University are:

 A new study reveals an often-overlooked process in language learning: children frequently begin by grasping whole phrases and only later identify the individual components within them. This “whole-to-part” approach suggests that children have an inherent bias toward holistic learning, challenging the traditional view that language is usually acquired by assembling smaller parts into larger structures. The findings shed light on the flexibility and resilience of language acquisition across diverse contexts, including situations where formal language input is limited.

 “Tasting Upside-Down - An Unusual Sensing Mechanism was Found in Human Bitter Sensing” A new study revealed that some bitter molecules target their sensor through binding simultaneously at two distinct locations, one outside the cell, and the other inside it. This discovery is fascinating because bitter taste receptors are expressed in extra-oral tissues and the new study shows the potential of our cells to sense not only external but also internal signals, opening up new possibilities for drug design, including asthma and inflammation.

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