Latest news with #HebrewUniversityofJerusalem
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Chinese language proficiency competition held in Israel
JERUSALEM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Israeli university students concluded in Jerusalem on Thursday, featuring Chinese-language speeches and a variety of talent performances. Held under the theme "One World, One Family," the competition brought together eight students from several Israeli universities. Participants showcased their command of the Chinese language and their passion for Chinese culture through poetry recitations, calligraphy demonstrations, and performances of Chinese pop songs. Alon Shoval from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem won the contest, and will represent Israeli university students to compete in the annual international Chinese language contest to be held in China. In his speech, Shoval mentioned that he initially studied Chinese to improve his communication skills. "But as I dove deeper into the language, I realized that the true value of learning Chinese is not simply to say 'I can speak Chinese,' but to step beyond myself -- to connect with others on a deeper, emotional level," he said. At the event, Sun Chaoyang, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Israel, said that the competition serves as an important platform for people-to-people exchange and mutual learning between civilizations. He expressed hope that the competition would help young Israelis gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese language and culture, further strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historian Dan Diner receives Germany's Ludwig Börne Prize
German historian Dan Diner has been awarded the Ludwig Börne Prize for his research focusing on modern history. Juror Daniel Cohn-Bendit honoured the 79-year-old retired professor as a courageous intellectual who, in a time of great confusion, helps "us to constantly reflect on and understand our era." The Ludwig Börne Prize, named after author and essayist Ludwig Börne (1786-1837), has been awarded to German-language authors of essays, critique and reportage since 1993 and is endowed with €20,000 ($22,700). Previous laureates include former German vice chancellor Robert Habeck, who studied literature and has published a number of works, and popular author Daniel Kehlmann. Born in 1946, Diner studied law and social sciences at Frankfurt's Goethe University before he went on to complete his dissertion on martial law. He is professor emeritus of modern history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and served as the director of the Simon Dubnow Institute for Jewish History and Culture at Germany's Leipzig University. According to the Hebrew University, his research focuses on "the conceptualization of modern Jewish history and an interpretation of WWII observed from the periphery."
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Israeli researchers discovered stress in pregnancy affects baby's brain before birth
Jerusalem: Israeli researchers have discovered that stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy affects the foetus's brain. The discovery led by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) could pave the way for new treatments or interventions to support a baby's healthy development after birth, Xinhua news agency reported. Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the study revealed that maternal stress during pregnancy could "reprogramme" key molecular pathways in the foetus, particularly the cholinergic system -- a network of nerve cells responsible for regulating stress responses and inflammation. The researchers analysed blood samples from 120 newborns and their mothers collected at birth, focusing on small RNA molecules known as tRNA fragments (tRFs), many of which originate from mitochondrial DNA. These molecules play a critical role in regulating cellular functions and responses to stress. 'We found that even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their bodies manage stress themselves,' said Prof. Hermona Soreq, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The study also uncovered major differences between male and female infants. Baby girls showed a sharp decrease in specific tRFs, called CholinotRFs, which are involved in the production of acetylcholine -- a brain chemical crucial for memory and immune function. While baby boys showed elevated levels of an enzyme (AChE) that breaks down acetylcholine, suggesting a diminished capacity to manage stress. Using machine learning, the researchers determined with 95 per cent accuracy whether baby girls had been exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy based on their RNA profiles. This discovery may help explain why children exposed to stress in the womb are more likely to face mental health or developmental challenges later in life. The researchers said the findings could raise awareness and lead to better support for pregnant women under stress, even if they don't have a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depression.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Israeli researchers discovered stress in pregnancy affects baby's brain before birth
JERUSALEM, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have discovered that stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy affects the fetus's brain, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) said in a statement on Monday. The discovery could pave the way for new treatments or interventions to support a baby's healthy development after birth, the researchers noted. Published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the study revealed that maternal stress during pregnancy can "reprogram" key molecular pathways in the fetus, particularly the cholinergic system -- a network of nerve cells responsible for regulating stress responses and inflammation. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 120 newborns and their mothers collected at birth, focusing on small RNA molecules known as tRNA fragments (tRFs), many of which originate from mitochondrial DNA. These molecules play a critical role in regulating cellular functions and responses to stress. The study also uncovered major differences between male and female infants. Baby girls showed a sharp decrease in specific tRFs, called CholinotRFs, which are involved in the production of acetylcholine -- a brain chemical crucial for memory and immune function. While baby boys showed elevated levels of an enzyme (AChE) that breaks down acetylcholine, suggesting a diminished capacity to manage stress. Using machine learning, the researchers were able to determine with 95 percent accuracy whether baby girls had been exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy based on their RNA profiles. This discovery may help explain why children exposed to stress in the womb are more likely to face mental health or developmental challenges later in life. The researchers said the findings could raise awareness and lead to better support for pregnant women under stress, even if they don't have a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depression.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Biggest Financial Regrets of Older Americans — And How You Can Avoid Them
As one continues down the road of life, it's a journey filled with unique experiences, challenges and opportunities for growth, shaping who you are and what you become. Enjoying the adventure isn't without its difficulties, however, and many can't help but regret the things they didn't do along the way. Regrets might be inevitable, but you can't let them consume you. It's always best to get a head start and avoid things you feel could come back to haunt you when you're older. But even if you're already 'up there' in age, it's never too late to practice sound financial strategies. Be Aware: Try This: Business Insider asked over 1,000 Americans between the ages of 48 and 90 their views on retirement regrets, and their insights shed light on how challenging retirement and planning for it can be. People retire at different ages and for different reasons, but here's what Business Insider and others had to say about five common financial retirement regrets, starting with under-saving for their retirement years. Not surprisingly, not having enough money to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in retirement was the biggest regret most retirees have, according to not only Business Insider but the 2022 working paper 'Financial Regret at Older Ages and Longevity Awareness,' published by Abigail Hurwitz (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and Olivia S. Mitchell (University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School). Not saving more was the biggest regret for 52% of Hurwitz's and Mitchell's survey respondents. Saving early and consistently through your working years is the smartest course of action, but it's really never too late to get started learning and earning. If you're retired, you can try to play the market and up the risk in your investment portfolio, but it might be a better idea to adjust your spending and find ways to increase your income. Find Out: Assuming it still exists when the time comes for you to retire, Social Security is one of the steadiest income streams and inflation hedges you can have later in life. However, unless you have serious financial or health difficulties or expect to live a shorter life, starting Social Security early decreases the amount of benefits you'll get over your lifetime. According to Transamerica's 24th annual retirement survey, the median age at which retirees began receiving benefits is 63, and nearly three in ten retirees began receiving benefits at age 62, the earliest age available, resulting in a significantly reduced payment. Only 4% of retirees waited until age 70 to receive benefits. If you're nearing the age where you can start claiming Social Security, holding off until you're 70 should be a goal you take very seriously. Many respondents to Business Insider's survey expressed regret about not pursuing education and were uniformed of the benefits of education in planning for retirement. While many Americans believe a college degree isn't worth the financial burden, education still matters when it comes to earning more at any age. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest jobs report, Americans with a bachelor's degree or higher had an unemployment rate of 2.6% in March 2025, while those with only a high-school diploma had an unemployment rate of 4.1%. The unemployment rate of those with less than a high school diploma was 5.8%. While a college degree is a significant expense, it might be worth the investment to advance your career. Look into scholarships for nontraditional students and consider starting with community college to decrease the cost. The quote 'complacency is a slow death' is most often attributed to motivational speaker and author Rasmus Ankersen and is used as a cautionary tale for any aspect in one's life, from relationships to health to career choices. Regarding the latter, complacency in your job can be a killer. If you've been stagnating for years, or even decades, recognizing it is the first step — doing something about it is the second. According to Business Insider's survey, many respondents regretted not aggressively pursuing higher-paying positions and promotions and building marketable skills and networks. To avoid the pitfalls of complacency, adopt a mindset of continuous learning and improvement by taking on stretch assignments, embracing change and staying engaged. If honing your skills doesn't get you ahead in your current company, find another that will appreciate your efforts. Many retirees regret not having a transition plan for when they stop working. Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute, told Yahoo Finance, 'Many of today's retirees lacked the awareness, know-how and access to resources needed to successfully prepare themselves for retirement.' Retirement is a significant life adjustment that can trigger positive and negative changes. To live a comfortable life for decades after you retire takes real financial planning and knowing how to maintain your wealth when the unexpected happens. If things like how your income will change when a spouse dies or if you're retiring with too much debt are long-standing elephants in the room, you need to finally address them. More From GOBankingRates 5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early 7 Tax Loopholes the Rich Use To Pay Less and Build More Wealth This article originally appeared on 5 Biggest Financial Regrets of Older Americans — And How You Can Avoid Them Sign in to access your portfolio
