Author: Hilary

Why Sea Urchins Are Dying?

Written by Hilary on 16 November 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU meta-analysis finds pathogens, storms, and extreme temperatures are the leading causes of sea urchin mass mortality events.

Two pioneering studies by researchers from the School of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University, led by Dr. Omri Bronstein, have identified the primary drivers of sea urchin mass mortality events over recent decades: pathogens, storms, and extreme temperatures. In addition, Dr. Bronstein and his team have developed an innovative method for genetic sampling in marine environments – using a swab similar to a COVID-19 test — to enable rapid and non-invasive monitoring of marine animals and underwater disease outbreaks.

The first study, published in the journal Biological Reviews, presents a meta-analysis of all 110 scientifically documented mass mortality events (MMEs) among sea urchins recorded between 1888 and 2024. Dr. Bronstein and PhD student Lisa Schmidt conducted a comprehensive review of the history of these events, showing that most reported MMEs originate in the Northern Hemisphere — particularly in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan — where the majority of research and funding are concentrated. The Tel Aviv University researchers classified five main causes of these events and found that 33% were caused by pathogens, 25% by catastrophic events such as storms and oxygen depletion, 24% by extreme temperatures, 11% by algal blooms, and 7% by human activity, such as pollution and habitat destruction.

Left to right: Mai Bonomo & Dr. Omri Bronstein holding sea urchin and sample tube

“This is a meta-analysis of all scientific literature on the subject,” says Dr. Bronstein. “For each mass mortality event, we mapped where and when it occurred, which species were affected, and most importantly — what the causes were. After filtering out hundreds of publications who lacked sufficient credible data to be included in our analyses, ee found that pathogens are the leading cause of mass mortalities among sea urchins. This finding aligns closely with what we are seeing today in the modern wave of die-offs — from the Caribbean to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. There is a tendency to attribute everything to global warming, but that is not always accurate. In many cases, mortality is not directly related to heat, as some affected sea urchin species naturally live in even warmer environments. These temperatures may not be optimal, but they are not lethal for these species. The problem is that warming influences many other environmental factors, which can combine into a deadly mix. For example, warmer waters tend to have lower dissolved oxygen and higher pathogen activity.”

A Global Sea Urchin Pandemic

In 2023, Dr. Bronstein identified a mass mortality event of long-spined sea urchins (Diadema setosum) along the Red Sea coast. He subsequently found that the same pathogen — a ciliate parasite — responsible for wiping out a related Caribbean species was also to blame. Since that discovery, the outbreak has spread to the Indian Ocean, reappeared in the Caribbean, and is now considered a global pandemic threatening sea urchin populations worldwide.

“Sea urchins are vital to coral reef health,” explains Dr. Bronstein. “They are the ‘gardeners’ of the reef: they feed on algae and prevent it from overgrowing and suffocating the corals competing for sunlight. In 1983, the most dominant Caribbean sea urchin species, Diadema antillarum, died in vast numbers from an unknown reason at the time; algae proliferated uncontrollably, shaded the corals, and the entire ecosystem shifted from coral reefs to algal fields. Even 40 years later, the sea urchin population — and the reefs — have not recovered. We fear that the same process may now occur in other parts of the world where mass die-offs are happening, mainly among the long-spined sea urchin, a relative of the Caribbean species — the black urchin with long spines familiar to everyone. Until recently, it was one of the most common reef urchins in Eilat; today it has almost disappeared from large parts of the Red Sea. This is a very violent event: within less than 48 hours, a healthy population turns into disintegrating skeletons. In some sites in Eilat and Sinai, mortality reached 100%. Later, mass deaths were recorded on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, and we are now investigating three additional mass mortality events in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and even the Mediterranean Seas. What began as a local mortality event has become regional and then global, posing a threat to coral reefs everywhere.”

Close-up of hand swabbing sea urchin underwater tank

The Challenge of Genetic Sampling Underwater

To address one of the major challenges in marine genetic sampling, graduate student Mai Bonomo and Dr. Bronstein published a separate study in Molecular Ecology Resources, developing a new, inexpensive, and non-invasive method for collecting underwater genetic samples at scale.

“The main tools used today to identify both animals and pathogens are genetic,” says Dr. Bronstein. “But molecular ecology faces a fundamental problem: there’s no simple way to sample DNA from live marine animals underwater. As a result, many studies rely on invasive methods that harm the animal or even require sacrificing it completely to bring it into the lab. Therefore, research in this field is heavily regulated, weighing each case’s scientific value against environmental ethics. For example, sampling is prohibited in marine nature reserves, there are restrictions and bans on shipping samples abroad — including corals — and every scientific publication must present the official permits for each sample it reports. Our need to overcome this bottleneck arose from the sea urchin pandemic. Today, there are only two ways to detect diseased urchins: visually — which is too late, as the animals are already dying — or through genetic tools that can detect disease before symptoms appear. But if detecting disease requires removing the animal from the sea, it makes no difference whether it’s sick or not — we end up sacrificing it.”

A Simple New Tool for Rapid, Non-Invasive Sampling

To overcome this challenge, Tel Aviv University researchers developed a specialized underwater genetic sampling kit that is durable, reliable, inexpensive, and easy to use — and it is already being adopted by research groups worldwide, especially in remote or sensitive areas.

“We developed a new tool for underwater DNA sampling that resembles a COVID-19 test,” explains Dr. Bronstein. “At the end of a special tube filled with a preservation liquid is a membrane preventing water penetration, sealed with a clip-cap — much like some toothpaste tubes. Just like a COVID test, the researcher gently swabs the surface of the marine animal, without harming or moving it. There’s no need to collect mucus as in humans — just a light swipe is enough. The swab is then inserted into the tube, piercing the membrane that protects the preservation liquid inside, and the cap is locked to secure the sample. That’s it. A single researcher can collect dozens of samples in one dive, under almost any environmental or depth conditions.

The kit has already been tested in challenging environments, including field expeditions to Djibouti and Réunion Island, and the results are very promising: samples remained exceptionally well-preserved for months without refrigeration before arriving at our lab, and still allowed for sensitive genetic analyses. In a large-scale trial we conducted in the Gulf of Eilat, we collected genetic material from hundreds of echinoderms — the group that includes sea urchins and starfish — within just a few months, and performed the most extensive genetic analysis ever conducted on these species in the region. This led to the discovery of several new species and the reclassification of others previously unknown to science. This is a simple and elegant solution to one of the most persistent technical challenges in marine molecular ecology.”

Why Do We Tip? TAU Study Challenges Common Assumptions

Written by Hilary on 29 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

New research reveals that tipping is driven more by social conformity than genuine appreciation, offering only weak motivation for better service, yet pushing tipping rates ever higher.

What makes us tip? A new study explores two main motives: genuine appreciation for the service and conformity with social norms. Those who truly value the service tend to tip above the standard rate, while conformists usually align with them — leading to a gradual rise in average tipping rates over time.

The study, published in Management Science, was conducted by Dr. Ran Snitkovsky of the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University, together with Prof. Laurens Debo of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Their theoretical model sheds light on the complexity of tipping and its economic and social implications.

“Tipping is a phenomenon that is difficult to explain using classical economic tools,” explains Dr. Snitkovsky. “The ‘homo economicus’, who is only interested in their own material wealth, has no reason to tip once the service has been provided.”

He adds that earlier research suggested tipping ensures better service in the future — but this doesn’t explain why people tip even when they are unlikely to meet the same service provider again, such as a taxi driver abroad. “Another common argument is that tipping provides an incentive for servers to give better service. Whether this is true or not, a self-interested customer would prefer others to tip and maintain good service quality while avoiding the expense himself. The conclusion is that to understand this phenomenon in depth, we must examine psychological and behavioral considerations.”

A recent study reported by USA Today revealed that the average American spends nearly $500 annually on tips in restaurants and bars, and that the tipping system in the U.S. generates over $50 billion each year, providing a primary source of income for millions of servers.

“We used a mathematical model and tools from game theory and behavioral economics to understand the motivations behind tipping,” says Dr. Snitkovsky. “Into this model we fed the two main reasons people report for tipping: the first is to express gratitude to the service provider, and the second is conformity —doing what everybody else does.”

“The first reason relates to my personal valuation of the service I received or the server-customer interaction, and can stem from wanting to reward the server for doing their job or showing empathy towards them,” he continues. “The second reason is tied to how I perceive myself in society — my interaction with other customers. In other words, we can distinguish between ‘appreciators’ and ‘conformists’.”

Why Tipping Rates Keep Rising

The researchers found that in societies with stronger social pressure, where people feel a greater need to comply with the norm, average tip amounts tend to rise over time.

Dr. Ran Snitkovsky, Photo credit: Israel Hadari, Tel Aviv University

“The process is inherently driven by appreciators pulling the conformists upward, but not the other way around,” says Dr. Snitkovsky. “This might explain why tipping rates in the U.S. few decades ago were around 10% and are now closer to 20%. Those who appreciate the service are willing to tip well above the average, while those who wish to comply with the customary practice ‘chase’ the average. Additionally, rising tipping rates may also reflect growing economic inequality — a hypothesis proposed by another researcher from Tel Aviv University, Prof. Yoram Margalioth of the Buchmann Faculty of Law, and supported by our model.”

A Weak Incentive for Better Service

The study also explored whether tipping provides an effective incentive for servers to improve their performance. The model shows that while tips can encourage servers to exert effort, it is a relatively weak motivator, since many customers are conformists who will tip the standard amount in any case.

“If a server knows most customers are conformists, there’s little reason to put in extra effort since they will tip the customary amount anyway,” explains Dr. Snitkovsky. “This is indeed the situation in countries like the U.S.”

“In an imaginary world where all customers are appreciators, unaffected by each other’s tipping rates, tipping would serve as a much stronger incentive. On the other hand, in such a world where tips only reflect appreciation, businesses might conclude that customers are willing to pay more for the service experience and charge higher prices upfront. This may trigger customers to adjust their expectations and reduce the tip percentage accordingly.”

The ‘Tip Credit’ System

The researchers also examined the ‘tip credit’ regulation applied in most U.S. states. This law allows employers to pay less than the minimum wage for tipped professions, covering the difference with tips. For instance, if the minimum wage is $8 per hour and the state has set the sub-minimum wage at $3, employers may pay servers only $3 and use tips to cover the $5 difference. Only if tips fall short of the minimum wage are employers required to make up the gap. If a server makes more than $8 after tips, they can keep the difference.

“We see that a higher tip credit allows businesses to reduce prices — because they rely more on tips to finance labor,” says Dr. Snitkovsky. “Consequently, they can increase supply and serve more customers. This suggests an element of economic efficiency, but the efficiency in this case comes at the expense of the individual server’s earnings. So essentially, tip credit is a mechanism allowing employers to cut into tips that ostensibly belong to servers, using them to pay wages.”

A Complex Social Phenomenon

As for his personal view, Dr. Snitkovsky admits he dislikes tipping. “I came to this study with a bias. Personally, I don’t like this practice, and I wanted to understand what drives it. First of all, tipping puts customers in an uncomfortable position. Studies have shown that tipping can encourage sexist behavior toward female servers – who may refrain from setting boundaries to avoid losing tips. Other studies demonstrate that people tend to tip more generously when a server is of their own ethnicity, introducing an element of racism. It’s easy to find good reasons to do away tipping, but the custom also has some positive effects, making it a complex phenomenon.”

He adds: “Ultimately, tipping allows those willing to pay more for the service to do so, thereby subsidizing the service for others. That’s a positive aspect. Additionally, tips do seem to encourage servers to provide better service, even though this effect is very limited. In my opinion, in the 21st century business owners have better tools to assess server performance, such as online reviews and even in-house cameras.”

When Bats Confront Rats: The Seasonal Struggle for Survival

Written by Hilary on 26 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers reveal how fruit bats adjust their behavior, from caution to confrontation, in the competition for food.

A new study from the School of Zoology at Tel Aviv University reveals that fruit bats employ a variety of strategies in their competition with other animals for food. The research team examined bat behavior in the presence of black rats, which vie for the same food sources. They found that the bats’ behavior changes with the seasons and food availability: in winter, bats tend to avoid and act cautiously toward rats, while in summer, when competition is more intense, the bats are sometimes not afraid to engage in conflict — even at the risk of injury. The researchers note that the study, conducted over seven months and documented in a semi-natural bat colony, provides a rare glimpse into the way animals balance the dangers of predation with the need to compete for resources.

A Rare Glimpse into Animal Competition

The research was conducted by the laboratory team of Prof. Yossi Yovel at Tel Aviv University’s School of Zoology, Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, author of The Genius Bat. It was led by PhD students Xing Chen and Adi Rachum, with the assistance of Liraz Attia and Dr. Lee Harten. The findings were published in the journal BMC Biology.

Prof. Yovel explains that over the course of hundreds of hours of video documentation, more than 150,000 bat landings near a food source were analyzed. The researchers found that when rats were present, the number of bats’ landings dropped dramatically due to fear of confrontation and rat attacks. In addition to competing for food, rats are known to prey on bats, especially on young bats. The bats that did land near food sources displayed heightened vigilance — pausing to scan their surroundings for long periods before approaching the food. This reduced their success in obtaining food by about 20%. Moreover, in some cases rats were observed attacking landing bats, underscoring the real threat they pose.

Prof. Yossi Yovel

From Fear to Boldness

“We learned that the interactions between bats and rats are diverse and vary with the seasons, depending on food availability,” says Prof. Yovel. “In winter, when rats were relatively scarce, the bats behaved more cautiously — they avoided landings and showed constant vigilance. In contrast, in spring, with the sharp increase in food abundance (which also meant more encounters with rats), the situation changed, and the bats sometimes even attacked the rats. This behavior apparently improved their foraging success rate, which rose to 60% in summer compared to only 35% in winter.”

Prof. Yovel concludes: “We tend to describe relationships between different species in simplistic terms — either as competition or predation. This study shows how complex such relationships can be and how animals are able to adapt their response strategies to changing circumstances. Because observations in nature are scarce, this complexity is usually difficult to quantify. What we achieved in this study therefore provides another example of the adaptability and intricate lives of wild animals in urban environments.”

A Letter from TAU President Welcoming the 2025–26 Academic Year

Written by Hilary on 26 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

To the University Community,

Wishing a successful and fruitful academic year to our thousands of students and to our academic and administrative staff!

A special greeting goes out to the students beginning their first year at Tel Aviv University. The University management, academic staff, and administrative staff will do everything in their power to make your study experience both beneficial and enjoyable. You are invited, beyond class attendance, to spend time on the lawns and in the cafeterias, and to enjoy everything our campus has to offer. You will find here a microcosm of Israeli society, where people of all religions and nationalities, from Israel and from around the world, study, teach, research, and meet. This rich human tapestry is what creates the unique community of our University.

The academic year opens after two years of war, which appears to have ended about two weeks ago. The living hostages returned home, and we all experienced a few days of collective uplift. We pray for the swift return of all the fallen hostages and for better and quieter days ahead. The end of the war leaves us with many challenges, first and foremost, providing support for bereaved families and assistance to those who have been physically or emotionally wounded. During the past two years, Tel Aviv University has granted numerous scholarships to support our students who served in the reserves, or whose family members did so, in addition to broad academic assistance. This year, too, we will continue to offer such scholarships. Our debt to the reservists is immense, and the least we can do is help them complete their studies successfully.

Unfortunately, the end of the war does not also end the deep internal rift that has been tearing Israeli society apart since the beginning of the judicial overhaul. This division threatens us to no lesser degree than the external dangers we face. I am sure that each of you holds your own opinions about its causes and about the ways we might overcome this grave social crisis – the most severe one our country has faced since its founding. We expect all members of our University community, including our students, not to hesitate to express their views on this crucial matter, which is vital to our continued existence. We encourage active citizenship, value social engagement in all its forms, and are committed to maintaining a safe and democratic campus where everyone’s freedom of expression is protected.

Finally, I would like to update you about changes in the University’s leadership. A few weeks ago, our Rector, Professor Mark Shtaif, completed a very successful five-year term, during which he led a dramatic transformation in teaching and learning methods. At the same time, Vice Rector Professor Eyal Zisser also concluded his term, after having made an immense contribution to the University’s academic management. Professor Noga Kronfeld-Schor of the Faculty of Life Sciences, who until recently headed the New Environmental School, has succeeded Professor Shtaif as Rector. I wish to express my deep gratitude to Mark and to Eyal for their devoted service to the University, and to extend my best wishes to Noga for much success in her important new role.

Wishing you all a productive academic year and better days ahead,

Yours,

Ariel Porat
President of the University

Israel’s Mediterranean: A “Green Treasure” Beneath the Waves

Written by Hilary on 22 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers conduct Israel’s first ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey, revealing a natural hotspot of resilient, nutrient-rich species.

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) has conducted the first comprehensive ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey in Israel. Their findings suggest that the unique ecological conditions along the Israeli Mediterranean coast—warm, sunny, and dynamic—create a natural habitat that supports the growth of distinctive and resilient seaweeds (macroalgae) rich in nutritional and health-promoting compounds. The researchers believe these properties could serve as a foundation for groundbreaking innovations in food, health, and biotechnology.

Tel Aviv University researchers have completed Israel’s first ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey, uncovering a natural “green treasure” growing along the country’s Mediterranean coast. Their findings reveal that the region’s warm, sunny, and dynamic conditions nurture exceptional seaweeds rich in nutritional, medicinal, and biotechnological potential — from sustainable superfoods to eco-friendly cosmetics and pharmaceutical innovations.

Mapping Israel’s Underwater Laboratory

The pioneering study, led by Dr. Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi of Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR), was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Avigdor Abelson from TAU’s School of Zoology and Prof. Álvaro Israel from IOLR Haifa, in collaboration with Dr. Eitan Salomon of the National Center for Mariculture in Eilat.
Additional contributors included Prof. Félix L. Figueroa and Dr. Julia Vega of the University of Málaga, Spain, Guy Paz, head of the laboratory at IOLR, and Dr. Shoshana Ben-Valid. The study was published in Marine Drugs.

Over several years, the researchers collected nearly 400 specimens, identifying 55 seaweed species—predominantly red, alongside brown and green seaweeds. In contrast to earlier reports suggesting two annual peaks in seaweed productivity, this study indicates a single productive period in springtime, strongly suggesting an ecosystem shift likely driven by global warming.

A New Source of Sustainable Nutrition

Seasonal analysis revealed dramatic biochemical differences. During winter, local seaweeds reached exceptionally high protein levels — several tens of percent of their dry weight — making them a promising alternative protein source for both human and animal consumption.
In spring, antioxidant compounds surged by nearly 300% in some species, positioning these seaweeds as a potent source of health-promoting and anti-aging compounds.
High concentrations of phenolic compounds and natural UV filters also highlight their potential for eco-friendly cosmetics and therapeutic uses.

Nature’s Own Biotech Factory

“Israel, located at the easternmost edge of the Mediterranean Sea, offers unique environmental conditions,” Dr. Doron Ashkenazi explains. “a subtropical climate with year-round sunlight, rocky shores with small tidal fluctuations, and relatively high salinity and irradiance. Together, these factors stimulate the development of seaweeds with unique chemical traits that act as natural ‘biological factories,’ producing bioactive compounds in remarkable concentrations.”

He adds: “We believe that this study, together with the growing seaweed research field, can place Israel at the forefront of global marine biotechnology. In addition to being ‘a land flowing with milk and honey,’ Israel has also been blessed with a unique and life-giving sea — the Israeli Mediterranean.”

From Ecology to Economy

Prof. Álvaro Israel emphasizes: “This study provides valuable insights into the environmental factors that influence seaweed growth and quality, allowing us to translate this knowledge into practical aquaculture methods. Seaweed offers immense environmental benefits—they require no arable land, generate oxygen, capture carbon, and purify water from pollutants. They stand at the forefront of sustainable aquaculture, merging environmental advantages with economic opportunities.

Dr. Eitan Salomon adds: “Our findings illustrate the untapped biotechnological potential of seaweeds for the future of humanity – from functional foods and pharmaceuticals to a variety of advanced health applications.”

A Model for Climate Resilience

Prof. Avigdor Abelson concludes: “The Israeli Mediterranean Sea is a unique natural laboratory. It can serve as a model for understanding the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and help predict which species may thrive in a warming world. Beyond its scientific value, seaweeds represent a strategic national and global resource that can help address future challenges in food security, health, and the environment.”

From TAU’s Film School to the Red Carpet in New York

Written by Hilary on 21 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

It’s not every day that a film student gets to live every creator’s dream — to walk the red carpet, hear the applause in a glittering New York theater, and win one of the most coveted prizes in the film world.
Meyer Levinson-Blount, a graduate of Tel Aviv University’s Steve Tisch School of Film and Television, did exactly that when he won second place in the narrative category of the Student Academy Awards for his film Butchers’ Mark.

“At the end of the evening, we found ourselves sitting in a restaurant, trying to understand what had just happened,” Levinson-Blount recalls. “And what happened is simple: thanks to Tel Aviv University, we got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime evening — something not everyone gets to have.”

The Oscar was waiting for them. Meyer Levinson-Blount and Oron Caspi

A Global Stage for Emerging Filmmakers

The Student Academy Awards, granted annually by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, aim to nurture the next generation of filmmakers around the world.
The competition is considered one of the most prestigious and influential in the field, with thousands of films submitted each year from academic institutions worldwide. Winners are selected for artistic quality, originality, and creative courage, and the award is widely regarded as a gateway to the international film industry.

Like the Halls of TAU’s Film Department — Only with a Tuxedo

Levinson-Blount says he truly grasped the significance of the moment only when he arrived at the ceremony at New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom:
“There was a red carpet at the entrance, journalists interviewing the winners, and inside a big open bar and a giant Oscar statue for photos,” he shares. “The night before, we stayed up late working on the speech — I even prepared a pitch document with a QR code for our next productions. At the event, we met filmmakers, producers, and academics — it felt like home, just like the corridors of TAU’s Film Department, only with tuxedos.”

The film’s plot, inspired by Meyer’s experience working at a supermarket in the fall of 2023, follows Samir, an Arab butcher in Tel Aviv accused of removing posters of the hostages, who sets out on a journey to prove his innocence.
The film explores themes of suspicion and racism in the wake of the October 7 events, portraying their complexity from a human, sensitive, and thought-provoking perspective.

From the film Butchers’ Mark. Actor Omer Samir

Gratitude and Partnership

Levinson-Blount, who immigrated to Israel from the United States about a decade ago, expressed heartfelt thanks to his creative partners after the win:
“I’m overjoyed for this opportunity — I prayed a lot for this moment,” he said. “Thank you to Oron Caspi, the film’s producer, and Omer Samir, the lead actor — I couldn’t have done it without you.”

New Biological Mechanism Boosts Myelin Production in the Brain

Written by Hilary on 20 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

TAU researchers discover how to increase myelin production — a finding that could aid treatments for Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University have discovered a new biological mechanism that enhances the production of myelin — a substance essential for proper brain function and nerve communication. “Our findings may serve as the basis for developing innovative treatments for severe neurological disorders involving myelin damage, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain neurodevelopmental syndromes,” the researchers note.

The study was conducted in the laboratory of Prof. Boaz Barak of the Sagol School of Neuroscience and the School of Psychological Sciences at Tel Aviv University and led by Dr. Gilad Levy. The lab collaborated with researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Tel Aviv University, and Germany’s Max Planck Institute. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

Releasing the Brain’s “Biological Brakes”

Prof. Barak explains: “Damage to myelin is associated with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease in which the body itself attacks the myelin), as well as neurodevelopmental syndromes like Williams syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. In this study we focused on the cells that produce myelin in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Specifically in these cells, we investigated the role of a protein called Tfii-i, known for its ability to increase or decrease the expression of many genes crucial for cell function. While Tfii-i has long been linked to abnormal brain development and neurodevelopmental syndromes, its role in myelin production had not been studied until now.”

Prof. Barak’s team discovered that the Tfii-i acts as a ‘biological brake’ that inhibits myelin production in the relevant cells. Based on this finding, the researchers hypothesized that reducing Tfii-i activity in myelinating cells might increase myelin output.

Prof. Boaz Barak

Testing the Hypothesis

To test this, the team used advanced genetic engineering in model mice: Tfii-i expression was selectively eliminated only in myelin-producing cells, while remaining unchanged in all other cells. These genetically modified mice were compared to normal mice in a wide variety of measures, including levels of myelin proteins, structure and thickness of the myelin sheath surrounding axons, speed of nerve signal conduction, and even motor and behavioral performance.

Dr. Gilad Levy explains: “We found that in the absence of Tfii-i, the myelin-producing cells generated higher amounts of myelin proteins. This resulted in abnormally thick myelin sheaths, which enhanced the conduction speed of electrical signals along the neural axons. These improvements resulted in a significant enhancement of the mice’s motor abilities, including better coordination and mobility, along with other behavioral benefits.”

Prof. Barak concludes: “In this study we demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to ‘release the brakes’ on myelin production in the brain and peripheral nervous system by regulating the expression of Tfii-i. This study is among the few to identify a mechanism for increasing myelin levels in the brain. Its results may enable the development of future therapies that suppress Tfii-i activity in myelin-producing cells, to restore myelin in a wide variety of degenerative and developmental diseases in which myelin is impaired — including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Williams syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders. We believe this fundamentally new approach holds great therapeutic potential.”

Most Massive Stars in the Early Universe Were Born in Pairs

Written by Hilary on 20 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

A new TAU study offers the first strong evidence that most massive stars in the early universe formed as binary systems — pairs of stars orbiting closely together.

A study led by Dr. Tomer Shenar from TAU’s School of Physics and Astronomy, Dr. Hugues Sana of KU Leuven University in Belgium, and Dr. Julia Bodensteiner of the University of Amsterdam reveals that the earliest massive stars were likely born in pairs, similar to those seen in our own galaxy. The findings were published in Nature Astronomy.

The researchers estimate that this discovery provides the first convincing evidence that massive binary stars were common in the early universe. Such systems, they explain, influence the universe on many scales — from forming black holes of all sizes, to powering energetic supernovae, and enriching galaxies with the elements that make life possible.

Binary Systems Across Time

The researchers explain that massive stars, those with at least ten times the mass of the Sun, are responsible for a variety of cosmic phenomena. A single massive star can emit more energy energy than a million Sun-like stars. Massive stars shape the structure and properties of their host galaxies, produce most of the universe’s heavy elements, and end their lives in powerful supernova explosions, leaving behind the most mysterious objects we know: neutron stars and black holes.

In our galaxy, the Milky Way, it is well established that most massive stars are born in “binary systems”, pairs of stars in orbits so close that they exchange matter and sometimes even merge during their lifetimes. These interactions fundamentally alter the evolution and fate of the massive stars.

Massive stars — those with at least ten times the mass of our Sun — drive many of the universe’s most powerful phenomena. A single massive star can emit more energy than a million sun-like stars. They shape galaxies, create heavy elements, and end their lives in supernova explosions that leave behind neutron stars or black holes.

In our Milky Way, it is well established that most massive stars form in binary systems, orbiting so closely that they exchange matter and sometimes even merge. These interactions profoundly affect how such stars evolve and die.

Simulating the Early Universe Nearby

A key question is whether this “binarity” also characterized the massive stars that formed shortly after the Big Bang. The James Webb Space Telescope has detected early galaxies filled with massive stars, but their great distance makes it impossible to directly study their stellar systems.

Dr. Shenar explains: “To overcome this limitation, we developed an observational survey designed to study massive stars in a relatively nearby galaxy that mimics the chemical conditions of the early universe. As part of the survey Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM), we carried out a two-year observing campaign with the VLT in Chile, during which we obtained spectra of about 1,000 massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud—a neighboring galaxy with a low metal content, resembling the composition of the young universe.”

Finding Stellar Companions

Dr. Shenar adds: “Spectral analysis of the data enables measurement of periodic motions of stars, thereby revealing the presence of stellar companions. From detailed analysis of 150 of the most massive stars, we found that at least 70% are part of close binary systems. This constitutes the first direct and convincing evidence that massive stars commonly existed in binaries even under the conditions of the early universe, perhaps even more frequently than today.”

The team concludes that these results change our understanding of how the universe evolved — from the formation of black holes and the nature of supernova explosions, to the enrichment of galaxies with heavy elements essential for the formation of stars, planets, and life itself.

TAU Visiting Professor Joel Mokyr Awarded Nobel Prize in Economics

Written by Hilary on 19 October 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

Radio Telescopes Could Reveal Dark Matter in the Early Universe

Written by Hilary on 29 September 2025. Posted in Newsroom.

A new TAU study predicts that radio waves from the cosmic dark ages can help uncover the properties of dark matter, offering astrophysicists a new observational tool.

A new study from Tel Aviv University has predicted, for the first time, the groundbreaking results that can be obtained from detecting radio waves coming to us from the early Universe. The findings show that during the cosmic dark ages, dark matter formed dense clumps throughout the Universe, which pulled in hydrogen gas and caused it to emit intense radio waves. This leads to a novel method to use the measured radio signals to help resolve the mystery of dark matter.

The study was led by Prof. Rennan Barkana from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy and included his Ph.D. student Sudipta Sikder as well as collaborators from Japan, India, and the UK. Their novel conclusions have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Astronomy.

The researchers note that the cosmic dark ages (the period just before the formation of the first stars) can be studied by detecting radio waves that were emitted from the hydrogen gas that filled the Universe at that time. While a simple TV antenna can detect radio waves, the specific waves from the early Universe are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere. They can only be studied from space, particularly the moon, which offers a stable environment, free of any interference from the Earth’s atmosphere or from radio communications. Of course, putting a telescope on the moon is no simple matter, but we are seeing an international space race in which many countries are trying to return to the moon with space probes and, eventually, astronauts. Space agencies in the U.S., Europe, China and India are searching for worthy scientific goals for lunar development, and the new research highlights the potential of detecting radio waves from the cosmic dark ages.

Colored computer simulation showing the temperature map of cosmic gas.

Looking Back Further Than Ever Before

Prof. Barkana explains: “NASA’s new James Webb space telescope discovered recently distant galaxies whose light we receive from early galaxies, around 300 million years after the Big Bang. Our new research studies an even earlier and more mysterious era: the cosmic dark ages, only 100 million years after the Big Bang. Computer simulations predict that dark matter throughout the Universe was forming dense clumps, which would later help form the first stars and galaxies. The predicted size of these nuggets depends on, and thus can help illuminate, the unknown properties of dark matter, but they cannot be seen directly. However, these dark matter clumps pulled in hydrogen gas and caused it to emit stronger radio waves. We predict that the cumulative effect of all this can be detected with radio antennas that measure the average radio intensity on the sky.”

This radio signal from the cosmic dark ages should be relatively weak, but if the observational challenges can be overcome, it will open new avenues for testing the nature of dark matter. When the first stars formed a short time later, in the period known as cosmic dawn, their starlight is predicted to have strongly amplified the radio wave signal. The signal from this later era should be easier to observe, and this can be done using telescopes on Earth, but the radio measurements will be more challenging to interpret, given the influence of star formation with all of its complexity. In this case, though, a great deal of complementary information is potentially available from large radio telescope arrays that will attempt to produce a complete map of the radio waves on the sky, looking for patterns of strong and weak emission that should also reveal the presence of the same dark matter clumps. Prof. Barkana is part of the largest such international collaboration, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which includes a massive array of 80,000 radio antennas currently being rolled out in Australia.

From Cosmic Dawn to Radio Maps

The researchers assess that the findings may be very significant for the scientific understanding of dark matter. In the present Universe, dark matter has had billions of years to interact with stars and galaxies, making it more difficult to decode its properties. In contrast, the pristine conditions in the early Universe offer a potentially perfect laboratory for astrophysicists.

Opening a New Window

Prof. Barkana concludes: “Just as old radio stations are being replaced with newer technology that brings forth websites and podcasts, astronomers are expanding the reach of radio astronomy. When scientists open a new observational window, surprising discoveries usually result. The holy grail of physics is to discover the properties of dark matter, the mysterious substance that we know constitutes most of the matter in the Universe, yet we do not know much about its nature and properties. Understandably, astronomers are eager to start tuning into the cosmic radio channels of the early Universe.”

Author: Hilary

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