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Israeli scientists

Body 'rhythms' determined by activity

Thu, 09/16/2010 - 09:14 by Prince damin

Washington -- Israeli scientists say honeybees removed from their usual hive roles quickly and drastically changed their biological rhythms, behaviors and internal clocks.

Researchers at The Hebrew University say the findings indicate social environment has a significant effect on the physiology and behavior of animals, a Society for Neuroscience release reported Tuesday.

In people, disturbances to the biological clock are known to cause problems for shift workers and new parents and for contributing to mood disorders, scientists say.

Circadian rhythm, the body's "internal clock," regulates daily functions, but how that clock is affected by -- and affects -- social interactions with other animals is unknown, they say.

Study looks at how we 'identify' faces

Thu, 07/29/2010 - 02:14 by Prince damin

Tel Aviv, Israel -- Israeli scientists say they are making discoveries about a particular area of the brain responsible for recognizing faces and interpreting facial expressions.

In a "Face Lab" at Tel Aviv University, researchers are trying to understand the mechanisms at work in an area of the brain called the "fusiform gyrus," a university release said Wednesday.

We are better able to recognize faces when we regularly see and interact with them in meaningful settings, the study found, and additions to a face, such as a beard or glasses, are incorporated into the face recognition activity of the brain, while visual elements that are irrelevant to facial recognition, such as a chair a person is sitting on or the clothes they're wearing, are ignored.

Light may help bacteria invade produce

Tue, 09/29/2009 - 23:23 by surajdogra

Tel Aviv, Israel -- Israeli scientists say they've discovered light exposure and possibly photosynthesis might be helping bacteria to become internalized by lettuce leaves.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Israel's Agricultural Research Organization said such internalization would make disease-causing bacteria impervious to washing.

In the study, researchers examined the role light and photosynthesis might play on the ability of salmonella bacteria to infiltrate lettuce leaves via stomata -- small pores through which gases and water vapor can pass.

Stem cells may treat neurodegeneration

Fri, 08/21/2009 - 00:31 by surajdogra

Tel Aviv, Israel -- Israeli scientists say they have shown the viability of using bone marrow stem cells to treat such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Tel Aviv University researcher Yoram Cohen said he has proven the viability of the innovative stem cells, called mesenchymal stem cells, using in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging. Cohen said he tracked the stem cells progress within the brain, and initial studies indicate they can identify unhealthy or damaged tissues, migrate to them and potentially repair or halt cell degeneration.