All Hebrew University of Jerusalem articles
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NewsWarm temperatures disrupt spider sex-changing bacteria in dwarf-spiders across generations
A new study reveals that exposing dwarf spiders to a brief period of warm temperatures can disrupt a phenomenon where internal bacteria normally force genetic males to develop as females.
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NewsSea anemone flips a human antiviral strategy on its head
A new study has uncovered a previously unknown antiviral defense mechanism in sea anemones, revealing that animals may have evolved more than one way to fight viral infections.
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NewsFungus-powered farming: Bigger harvests, better taste
Researchers have identified a natural, eco-friendly way to significantly increase agricultural yields while also improving the quality and taste of produce. The study focuses on an extract derived from the yeast-like fungus Pseudozyma aphidis.
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NewsIntestinal stem cells can fight back against salmonella scientists discover
Researchers have shown that intestinal stem cells can directly sense intracellular Salmonella enterica bacteria and activate an inflammasome-dependent response. Following infection, the stem cells differentiate into antimicrobial Paneth cells, which secrete molecules that help limit bacterial persistence in the intestinal crypt.
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NewsMalaria’s mRNA: Messages that mess with the immune system
A new study uncovers the malaria parasite’s RNA strategies – mechanisms that could inspire unexpected applications for RNA-based tools in multiple areas of medicine.
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NewsHow bacteria outsmart the immune system: Two-pronged strategy revealed
A team has uncovered how a common bacterial pathogen uses a single protein to quietly undermine the human immune system, by both shutting down key warning signals and blocking the cell’s ability to restore them.
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NewsMalaria: Newly identified ‘crown’ stage controls parasite reproduction
Researchers studying Plasmodium falciparum have found that the parasite relies on a brief but essential stage, nicknamed the “Crown” stage, to make sure a crucial internal structure is passed on correctly when it divides.
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NewsHow bacteria learned to target numerous cell types, revealed
A new study shows how bacteria adapted a virus-derived injection system to recognize and attach to many different types of cells. By identifying thousands of rapidly evolving receptor-binding proteins, the researchers explain how these systems can be retargeted in nature by swapping the part that binds to cells.
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NewsEarly warning for wine spoilage glows in the dark
Researchers have built a living biosensor made of bacteria that lights up when it detects acetic acid, the main chemical signal that wine is starting to spoil. It works in real time, even in high-alcohol conditions, so wineries can catch problems early, before flavor and quality are damaged.
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NewsA coral reef’s daily pulse reshapes microbes in surrounding waters
A new study shows that coral reefs don’t just provide a home for ocean life, they also help set the daily “schedule” for tiny microbes living in the water nearby. Over the course of a single day, the quantity and types of microbes present can shift dramatically.
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NewsCracking leishmaniasis: new DNA test to track infection
A new study offers an innovative way to track the spread of leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease affecting both animals and humans. Researchers developed a fast, reliable method to identify sand fly species, detect Leishmania parasites, and determine the source of their blood meals from a single sample.
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NewsScientists can decode wildlife movement to predict the next pandemic
By equipping wildlife with biologging devices that track movement and behavior in near-real-time, researchers can detect early signs of illness, monitor disease spread, and inform public health interventions before outbreaks reach crisis levels.
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NewsBee and frog proteins: nature’s double defense against farm superbugs
A new study reveals that combining natural antimicrobial peptides can significantly slow the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. Using two peptides together prevents harmful bacteria from mutating as quickly, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.
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NewsNew drug combo outperforms Tamiflu in fighting flu (and chocolate is the key)
Scientists have unveiled a new drug pairing - including a compound found in chocolate - that outperforms Tamiflu, the most widely used anti-influenza medication, against even the deadliest flu strains, including avian and swine flu.
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NewsReviving 80-year-old fungi offers new clues for sustainable agriculture
Researchers who revived 80-year-old fungal pathogens from a museum collection found that these pre-Green Revolution strains differ significantly from modern ones, revealing how decades of pesticide use and intensive farming have reshaped plant pathogens.
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NewsSARS-CoV-2 protein found to spread between cells, triggering immune attack on healthy cells
A new study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein can spread from infected to uninfected cells, triggering an immune response that mistakenly targets healthy cells.
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NewsA hidden control center: How bacteria regulate their attack strategies
Researchers have discovered that a key bacterial protein, CsrA, gathers in a droplet-like structure inside cells to control when and how bacteria activate their disease-causing genes.
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NewsSpinning into resistance: the flagella’s hidden role
New research uncovers a direct connection between the rotation of bacterial flagella—structures used for movement—and the activation of genes that enable bacteria to transfer DNA to one another.
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NewsSmall milk fat globules promote good bacteria, study reveals
A study reveals that the structure of milk fat globules, rather than their chemical composition, plays a key role in their interactions with bacteria. Small globules promote the growth of beneficial bacteria like Bacillus subtilis, while larger ones trigger biofilm formation.
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NewsScientists uncover structure of hemezoin crystals crafted by malaria parasite
A new study reveals in unprecedented detail the structure of crystals that the malaria parasite builds in order to survive. The new findings could lead to improved antimalarial medications.