Weizmann Institute

Trees growing under simulated heat and drought conditions reveal that the negatives of increased atmospheric CO2 levels outweigh the benefits for plants

Environment

Study shows why trees won't benefit much from extra CO2 in the air

One argued silver lining of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is that plants will be better off. But a new study has found that the more extreme heat and drought brought on by climate change would cancel out most of the benefits for trees.

Researchers have evolved E. coli bacteria to eat carbon dioxide from the air

Biology

Directed evolution teaches bacteria to eat carbon dioxide

Researchers have created bacteria that can effectively eat air. By carefully directing the evolution of E. coli in the lab, the team managed to wean them off their preferred diet of sugar, and make the switch to carbon dioxide in the air around them.

The transplanted stem cells are seen on the left after six weeks, and on the right after 16 weeks

Medical

Research indicates that stem cells could be used to heal damaged lungs

Respiratory diseases are extremely prevalent, with more than 35 million sufferers in the US alone. Now, a team from the Weizmann Institute of Science has worked to create a new treatment for repairing damaged lung tissue, using the procedure for bone marrow stem cell transplantation as a template.

Researchers have developed a technique that could allow a baby to be created from the combination of two adults, no matter their gender (Photo: Shutterstock)

Medical

Stem cell breakthrough may allow same gender couples to create babies

Researchers are claiming a stem cell research breakthrough that would allow a baby to be created from the skin cells of two adults, no matter their gender. From this, scientists have produced precursor cells for sperm or ova that may allow same gender couples to produce offspring.

The research may point to new avenues in developing aids for the blind (Photo: Shutterstock)

Science

Rat-like whiskers could help blind “see” with their fingers

In an effort to enable blind people to navigate their surroundings more safely and effectively, researchers have turned to rat whiskers.

The Weizmann technique de-scatters light and makes frosted glass transparent

Science

Israeli scientists find way to see through frosted glass

Israeli scientists have developed a technology that can see through frosted glass and similar media.

The image was sharpened using bi-cubic interpolation on the left, and a super-resolution technique on the right. The SR image shows true details not directly recorded on the original (Photo: Weizmann Institute of Science)

Photography

It's all in the detail: Impressive new approach to super-resolution processing developed

The Weizmann Institute has announced a new approach to extracting image detail from low-resolution digital images.

Left: Natural control mechanism blocks the enzyme's zinc active site Right: Novel antibody works as effectively as the natural control mechanism (Image: Weizmann Institute of Science)

Medical

Scientists trick immune system to treat autoimmune disease in mice

Researchers of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science demonstrate experimental means to trick immune system to treat autoimmune disease in mice.

Inspiration from the fruit fly could simplify how wireless sensor networks communicate

Science

Fruit fly research could lead to simpler and more robust computer networks

Fruit fly are being used as inspiration for reshaping how computer networks communicate.

New research suggests that women's tears may be a chemo-signal that discourage sexual arousal in men (Image: OUCHcharley via Flickr)

Science

Tears tell men women aren't interested tonight

New research from scientists at the Weizmann Institute’s Neurobiology Department suggests that women's tears may be a chemo-signal that discourage sexual arousal in men.

Robotics

Rodent-like robots - BIOTACT attempts to mechanically replicate the impressive whiskers of the rat

The EU funded €5.4 million BIOTACT project is seeking to replicate the rat’s highly efficient whisker system, which can accurately determine the shape of objects and help capture prey.