Exploring the Physical World
Although over the centuries we have learned much about our physical world, from the earth below to the stars above, there are still many mysteries to uncover.
With curiosity and a thirst for knowledge as the drivers of Weizmann Institute scientists, they are working hard to unlock the doors to these answers.
Weizmann archaeologists were the first to find a way to precisely identify and analyse prehistoric ashes and discovered a pure, well-preserved DNA source in fossilised bone.
Weizmann material scientists and structural biologists also revealed that shell and bone form in a similar way and its astrophysicists for the first time watched a massive star – estimated to be a mass of 200 suns – turn supernova to black hole.
Weizmann hydrologists work towards aiding the development of sound environmental policies by providing models of how groundwater moves. Overall, Weizmann is looking at the past to understand the future of our planet and universe works.
Facts
First to watch a star turn supernova then black hole
Helped prove in 1957 that ‘gluons’ – responsible for natures strongest force – exist
Showed that 50% of the mineral dust feeding the Amazon is from one small African valley
Calculated that when holding up one grain of sand to the sky, the part it covers contains 10,000 galaxies
Weizmann Institute of Science joins Giant Magellan Telescope
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Selected achievements
Seeking to unlock the doors to secrets hidden in our lost worlds
Fossilised DNA was found that it could be preserved and less prone to contamination with modern DNA, allowing DNA fragments held in crystal aggregates within fossilised bone to be isolated and studied. This Weizmann science by Professor Steve Weiner and colleagues is increasing insight into our past as well as our future.
Seeking understanding of why Amazon rainforests are so abundant
Over half the mineral dust carried through the air to settle in the Amazon basin was discovered by Weizmann’s Professor Ilan Koren to come from one small valley in the African Sahara. When measured using satellite images, this dust provides the wonderful Amazon rain forest with its nutrients.
Seeking the strongest force in nature
Gluons are the force that holds the nucleus of an atom together and Weizmann scientists were part of research in 1957 that proved they existed. As atoms are part of all beings and structures, gluons are therefore the strongest force in nature.
Exploring the Physical World Related Articles
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A Simple Explanation for a Cosmic Puzzle
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Grabbing a Model by the Throat
Modelling a tiny worm’s feeding process at the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the power of mathematics and computer science when exploring the complexity of biological organisms. The throat of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans might seem like an odd...
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