Scientists from the Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities.

The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities received a generous grant from the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation to continue its outstanding research and training in the field of brain science and early learning. The University is extremely grateful to the Foundation for its continued support and confidence in the Center's scientific contributions to the field. Prof. Tami Katzir recently became Director of the Center, replacing Prof. Asaid Khateb whose many years of dedicated leadership contributed to its success.

(l-r) Adrian Teper, Isaac Fridman and President Ron Robin.

Mr. Isaac Fridman, a longtime supporter and member of the Mexican Friends of University of Haifa, dedicated a new computerized classroom on the Mt. Carmel Campus. During his visit, Mr. Fridman met with President Ron Robin and toured the Mt. Carmel and City campuses with Adrian Teper, Director of the Latin American Desk.

Through the new partnership, researchers from  University of Haifa and La Trobe University will collaborate on three projects: the relationship between artificial intelligence, social media and alcohol consumption; cultural dynamics of aging families and the care of family members with developmental disabilities; and employment related social barriers for people with autism. The collaborations will be funded by the Government of Victoria County, Australia as part of the Study Melbourne Research Partnerships project. The studies will be led by Prof. Eynat Gal and Prof. Naomi Schreuer (Department of Occupational Therapy), Dr. Carmit-Noa Shpigelman (Department of Community Mental Health) and Prof. Sharon Sznitman (School of Public Health).

Dr. Adar Ben-Eliyahu has been appointed Academic Head of the International School. She will be responsible for the promotion of the University's international programs in collaboration with the Office of the Rector and the new VP for Internationalization and Sustainability. Dr. Ben-Eliyahu (Faculty of Education) is a developmental-educational psychologist and researcher, who earned her PhD at Duke University and completed post-doctoral fellowships at University of Pittsburgh (Learning Research and Development Center) and UMass Boston (Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring). Since joining the University in 2014, she has held a number of senior positions including Academic Chair, Teaching Certificate in Psychology. As a member of the National Knowledge and Research Center for Emergency Readiness, she established a task-force to investigate learning during disaster and emergency situations.

Why are women colder than men?

An evolutionary phenomenon may explain why women and men have different temperature preferences. According to a new study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography, this phenomenon is not unique to humans. Studies of bird and bat habits reveal that males tend to prefer cooler climates, while females like warmer climates. Yosef Kiat, a Ph.D. student in the Animal Flight Group Lab (Faculty of Natural Sciences), was a co-author on the study led by researchers from Tel Aviv University.

Extreme weather may cause low birthweight

A new international study has found a link between low birthweight and extreme temperatures during pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Low birthweight increases the risk of morbidity in early childhood and adulthood. In the face of rising temperatures and extreme weather, these insights are becoming more relevant for populations exposed to both cold and hot temperatures. Dr. Lisa Rubin (School of Public Health) was a co-author on the study published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

*Credits: Getty Images

The degree of cultural optimism (on the country level) and level of situational optimism are important factors for success when working from home. A recent study led by Prof. Michal Biron (School of Business Administration) with researchers from ORT Braude College and Ramat Gan College, found that employees from countries with high optimism scores, like Israel, adapted more quickly to working from home during the pandemic. The research, recently published in Sustainability Journal, may prove especially useful for policymakers as well as managers of global organizations when developing country-specific work from home policies. 

Prof. David Roe (Department of Community Mental Health) is at the forefront of promoting improved mental health services and combating damaging stigmas that people with mental health issues face on a regular basis. Prof. Roe's research advocates a personal recovery-oriented approach that focuses on helping people return to their lives, rather than narrowly treating their psychiatric syndromes. He and his colleagues are responsible for pioneering the implementation of several recovery-oriented programs to the mental health system in Israel. "The mental health consumer, whose life is most directly influenced, must receive center stage," asserts Roe. His work was highlighted in an interview conducted with the American Society of the University of Haifa for World Mental Health Day.  

Public health expert, Prof. Manfred Green (School of Public Health), discussed the ongoing implications of the Covid-19 pandemic with the American Society of the University of Haifa. According to Prof. Green, Israel may be heading into a fifth wave since millions have still not received their third booster shot. He also predicts that the debate over vaccinations for children ages 5-11 is set to heat up in response to FDA recommendations.