About Us
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science develops philanthropic support for the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and advances its mission of science for the benefit of humanity.
Jun 13, 2022... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—June 13, 2022—They say that where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and Weizmann Institute of Science researchers are working hard to investigate that claim, or at least elucidate what constitutes “smoke.” In an article published today in PNAS, the scientists reveal an advanced, innovative method that they have developed and used to detect nonvisual traces of fire dating back at least 800,000 years – one of the earliest known pieces of evidence for the use of fire. The newly developed technique may provide a push toward a more scientific, data-driven type of archaeology, but – perhaps more importantly – it could help us better understand the origins of the human story, our most basic traditions, and our experimental and innovative nature.
Jun 17, 2022... Over the last quarter-century, artificial intelligence (AI) has made the leap from science fiction to everyday life. A world leader in computing since the 1950s, the Weizmann Institute of Science remains at the forefront of progress with its Artificial Intelligence Enterprise for Scientific Discovery. In this webinar, Prof. Roee Ozeri provided an overview of this growing flagship initiative and shared insight on how AI can help every scientist, in every discipline, on the Weizmann Campus. Prof. Yaron Lipman of the Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics later joined the session to discuss how AI is already beginning to transform daily activities – such as driving, computer graphics, and artwork – before elaborating on how Weizmann scientists are using this knowledge to accelerate progress in other applications, including cardiac ultrasounds and other health care needs. After the presentation, Prof. Lipman answered questions from webinar participants.
Sep 08, 2022... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—September 8, 2022—Blood tests – simple, noninvasive and economically feasible – promise to become the next major milestone in cancer diagnosis. However, most of these tests, dubbed liquid biopsies, are currently not reliable enough for widespread use. A new, multiparameter approach developed at the Weizmann Institute of Science may lead to a blood test that will diagnose cancer with unprecedented accuracy. This research is being published today in Nature Biotechnology.
Nov 18, 2022... Dr. Sivan Refaely-Abramson of the Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science department at the Weizmann Institute shares a story about sunlight. She explains how, through the amazing world of materials, the power of the sun can transform quantum particles and be used as a main energy source. Dr. Refaely-Abramson’s research in materials science is dedicated to designing intelligent energy conversion in order to consume energy in a way that is clean, green, and unlimited. “Understanding materials and the way particles interact within them allows for new and smart ways to harness sunlight, leading us to a cleaner greener future.”
Nov 21, 2022... Weizmann Scientist, Prof. Yonina Eldar of the department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, explains how Artificial Intelligence can be used to improve signal processing. Signal processing is a crucial component that enables many of the devices we use today including hearing aids and medical imaging equipment, like MRI, CT and X-ray, which can all greatly benefit from better imaging and resolution. Prof. Eldar’s specializes in developing algorithms for signal processing, and for the representation and transmission of information using advanced mathematical techniques. Her lab develops AI tools and to acquire and extract information and combine them with other modes like physics or medicine to pave the way to new technologies that can see, hear, and communicate beyond existing limits. Prof. Eldar’s innovations have helped to make ultrasound devices smaller, cheaper, and uploadable to the cloud; optimize MRI scans for medical imaging, improve data storage and communications, create super-resolution microscopy, and support computational biology.
Dec 05, 2022...
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the two chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that cause flareups of abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and even malnutrition.
Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon, while Crohn’s can attack any part of the digestive system.
Although scientists debate whether IBD is an autoimmune disorder, they agree that the painful inflammation is caused by an abnormal immune response to lifestyle triggers (such as diet) and environmental triggers (such as bacteria).
https://www.weizmann-usa.org/news-media/in-the-news/2022-breakthroughs-of-the-year/
Dec 08, 2022...
Today, The Atlantic reveals its inaugural 10 Breakthroughs of the Year. The accomplishments span every station of life, from birth to death, and every component, from our cells to the stars. They include a drug that revives the organs of dead animals; an embryo created without sperm or egg; a telescope to see the universe’s first moments; and an AI that conjures award-winning art.
One theme of this year’s list is the principle of “twin ideas”—the tendency for major breakthroughs to have more than one author. The telegraph was invented by Charles Wheatstone and Samuel Morse in the same year, 1837, and patents for the telephone were filed by Elisha Gray and Alexander Graham Bell on the same day in 1876. Accordingly, many of this year’s breakthroughs are group efforts rather than individual awards. We didn’t just get one mind-blowing generative AI app this year; we got several in the span of a few months. We didn’t just get one “unheard-of” cancer breakthrough; we got several in one year. In this golden age of new vaccine technology, many different companies are building off the success of the COVID shots to deliver new antiviral weaponry for humankind.
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