Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Did you know coral reefs actively set the daily schedule for microscopic life in the ocean? 🌊

A recent study led by Dr. Herdís G. R. Steinsdóttir and Dr. Miguel J. Frada from our Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour, alongside Dr. Derya Akkaynak, reveals that reefs are far from passive. By tracking microbes hour by hour, the team found that reef waters undergo dramatic shifts from midnight predator peaks to midday surges in coral partners.

These consistent daily pulses could serve as a new way to monitor reef health in a changing climate. On World Oceans Day, we celebrate the vital research conducted at the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences in Eilat.
www.cfhu.org

🧠 New research from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that collective trauma doesn't just hurt mentally; it triggers immediate cravings for to***co and cannabis.

Drs. Vera Skvirsky and Uri Lifshin, alongside researchers Maayan Yacubovitz and Hila Avnitat, found that simply being reminded of a national tragedy causes a measurable spike in substance cravings among regular users.

The reason? It's a psychological defence mechanism — the brain's rapid response to suppress thoughts of mortality and vulnerability. As Dr. Lifshin noted, the urge to smoke in these moments isn't just a habit. It's a reflexive act of self-protection.

With collective trauma becoming an increasingly global experience, this research has never felt more timely.

🔗 Full study now available in the Journal of Health Psychology.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who help shape the next generation.
Whether it's helping with homework, reading one more bedtime story, cheering from the sidelines, teaching life lessons, or simply encouraging curiosity, fathers play an important role in helping children learn and grow.
Education happens everywhere—not just in classrooms. It happens through conversations, shared experiences, guidance, and the example set every day.
Today, we celebrate the fathers and mentors who inspire confidence, foster a love of learning, and help young people reach their full potential.
Happy Father's Day! 💙📚
www.cfhu.org

What happens inside the body as Type 2 diabetes develops over time?
Now, a new study published in Nature Metabolism, led by Dr. Dana Avrahami-Tzfati of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) with Dr. Elisabetta Manduchi and Prof. Klaus Kaestner of the University of Pennsylvania, reports how the body’s insulin-producing cells adapt across a lifetime and how this adaptive response is altered in Type 2 diabetes.

The study suggests that Type 2 diabetes may not begin with sudden beta-cell failure but rather through a gradual loss of function after years of sustained adaptation.
By understanding how these cells respond to aging and stress, researchers hope to support future therapies that preserve beta-cell resilience and slow disease progression.

Everyone knows Bamba is the undisputed king of Israeli snacks, but your online classes deserve a little variety. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite picks to keep you fueled while you’re stuck behind a screen.

Which one is your go-to study snack? Let us know in the comments!

We’re proud to share a historic milestone from the Faculty of Medicine at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center. A first-of-its-kind medical delegation has officially begun operating in Kenya, combining hands-on clinical training for senior medical students with direct support for local emergency and pediatric trauma teams.

“Medicine is not only about scientific excellence, but also about responsibility, compassion, and the ability to serve communities facing profound challenges,” said Prof. Eli Pikarsky, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

Initiated and coordinated by 6th-year medical student Shimon Olitsky, this "Humanitarian Elective" is the first stage of a permanent academic track designed to integrate global health and humanitarian medicine into medical education.

The link to read the full story is in the comments.

Photo credit: www.makueni.go.ke
https://www.jns.org/wire/the-hebrew-university-of-jerusalem/new-humanitarian-elective-sends-israeli-medical-students-to-kenya

What if one of the hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease is actually part of the brain's defence system?

New research led by Professor Eran Meshorer of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences - ELSC found that protein clumps associated with diseases such as Huntington's may help protect neurons from damage rather than cause it, opening new possibilities for future treatments.

Learn more here: https://international.huji.ac.il/news/WhenBadProteinsDoGoodThings

Have you ever walked through the Botanical Garden and heard that loud, rhythmic “ribbit” between classes?

Those are our Levant Water Frogs! They aren’t just here for the campus vibes; their presence is actually a great sign that our garden’s pond is clean and the ecosystem is healthy!

Next time you need a break from the books, head over to the garden and listen for the campus chorus!
Shabbat Shalom!

We’re proud to share new research from Prof. Joshua Goldberg of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Joshua Plotkin of Stony Brook University. Their study helps explain why compulsive behaviours in OCD can be so hard to stop and points toward the possibility of more targeted treatments in the future. A meaningful example of U.S.-Israel scientific collaboration advancing our understanding of the brain and human behaviour.

Researchers found that a small group of brain cells can directly trigger serotonin release in the striatum, a brain region linked to habits and action control.

These acetylcholine-releasing cells were already known to affect dopamine, but scientists were surprised to discover they can also directly influence serotonin, a key regulator of mood and behaviour targeted by many OCD medications.

In mouse models of OCD-like behaviour, unusually high acetylcholine activity caused major serotonin surges, potentially explaining why compulsive behaviours become so difficult to stop.

The discovery may also open the door to more targeted treatments that focus on specific overactive brain circuits, rather than altering serotonin activity across the entire brain.