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 future of humanity.
Dec 06, 2023... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—December 6, 2023— The images of Israeli child hostages being freed from Hamas captivity are heartwarming, but for most of these children, the release is just the start of a long rehabilitation process. Countless studies have shown that exposure to warfare, abuse and other traumatic events at a young age significantly raises the risk of ill health, social problems and mental health issues later in life. Now, a new study by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science published in Science Advances provides a reason for optimism. In research conducted on mice, a team headed by Prof. Alon Chen discovered brain mechanisms that go awry as a result of exposure to trauma in infancy and showed that these changes may be reversible if treated early.
Dec 21, 2023... REHOVOT, ISRAEL—December 21, 2023—All land mammals have tear glands in their eyes, but, until recently, the human tearing experience was considered unique. After all, humans are the only animals to shed tears while watching Beaches. Now a new Weizmann Institute of Science study reveals that human tears have much more in common with those of other animals than previously thought: Just as with the tears of mice and blind mole rats, they contain chemicals that reduce aggression in others. The study, published today in PLOS Biology, showed that sniffing women’s tears lowered brain activity related to aggression in men, reducing aggressive behavior.
Jan 21, 2024... Women’s tears can reduce male aggression, new study claims
Apr 26, 2024...
Mental and physical disorders caused by chronic stress are constantly on the rise, putting a significant strain on society. They affect both men and women, but not necessarily in the same way. A new study at Weizmann reveals in unprecedented detail how the brains of males and females respond differently to stress.
Researchers from Prof. Alon Chen’s joint laboratory at Weizmann and the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich discovered that a subcategory of brain cells responds to stress in a totally different manner in males and females. The findings could lead to a better understanding of health conditions affected by chronic stress, such as anxiety, depression, and even obesity and diabetes. The continued work of scientists at Weizmann could also pave the way toward personalized therapies for these disorders in men and women.