How Medical Research Is Revitalizing Natural Killer Cells in Cancer Treatment

Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital part of the human immune system, responsible for fighting cancer and viral infections. However, within the tumor microenvironment, these powerful defenders often become exhausted and lose their ability to attack cancer cells effectively.

The world as a whole, and Israel in particular, has experienced a series of tumultuous crises in recent years - from the Corona pandemic, through various natural disasters, to the "Iron Swords" war that affects all our lives. Crisis points naturally create upheaval in societies and provoke renewed thinking on the best way to prepare for upcoming challenges.

The Science Behind the Mind-Body Connection

The placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon in which people experience real symptom relief after receiving a treatment with no active ingredients. Dr. Liron Rozenkrantz, head of the Laboratory for Psycho-Biology of Beliefs at Bar-Ilan University’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, is leading groundbreaking medical research into how beliefs and expectations influence our health.

D-ID's platform enables the creation of lifelike digital personas based on uploaded images and customized text. The university's Learning and Teaching Division, recognizing the potential of this technology, initiated a pilot program under the guidance of Tzofia Simkovich and Dr. Auria Eizen Enosh.

In a remarkable archaeological find, researchers have uncovered a tiny piece of red-dyed textile in the Judean Desert, providing the earliest known evidence of scarlet coloration mentioned in the Bible. This 3,800-year-old fragment, measuring less than 2 cm, was discovered in the Cave of Skulls and has shed new light on ancient dyeing techniques and trade networks.

Binat Schwarz was the head of the Planning Administration, no one expected the new chapter in her life: medical studies and a specialization at Abu Kabir, which she will complete at retirement age. In a special interview originally published on Globes, she talks about the fulfilling work with the deceased, the advantages of a late second career, and why it's all about karma: "I discovered that I come from a family of gravediggers."

In an extraordinary display of dedication and resilience, Shai Ben-Ami, a 31-year-old doctoral student at BIU's Faculty of Engineering, has proven that even the harsh conditions of war cannot dampen the pursuit of academic excellence.

Ben-Ami wrote his research proposal in the confines of a tank during his extended military service in Gaza. This unique backdrop for academic work has now culminated in a remarkable achievement: Ben-Ami has been awarded the prestigious Azrieli Fellowship for advanced studies.

A newly-published study, conducted in the midst of last year's widespread protests in Israel, has uncovered extreme polarization in public opinion regarding the judicial reform introduced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The study, published by researchers at Bar-Ilan University, highlights the significant role of motivated reasoning in shaping people's views on this controversial issue.

In the home where MK Yuli Edelstein, Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, grew up, there was no need for wallpaper because the walls were covered with books. He was convinced there were more books in his house than in any other – until he saw the massive collection of more than 40,000 volumes at the home of his friends, Isi and Naomi Leibler.

Six students enrolled in the Empowerment Project at Bar-Ilan University's Faculty of Education became the first ever adult cohort with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in Israel to receive their bachelor's degree.