University of Haifa

September 25, 2009  Examiner

A recent study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology by researchers, Gil Luria and Sara Rosenblum at the University of Haifa, with the aid of a system called ComPET (Computerized Penmanship Evaluation Tool) which is a piece of paper on a computer tablet with a pressure-sensitive wireless pen, discovered that people who are writing lies press harder on the paper and produce taller letters than those who tell the truth.

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September 26, 2009  Wall Street Journal

Israeli officials and analysts said the disclosure that their country’s No. 1 foe was covertly building a uranium-enrichment plant strengthened its claim that Tehran seeks nuclear weapons and bolstered the case for tough action. . . . “If they don’t have military intentions with their nuclear program, then why do they need a secret plant?” asked Dan Schueftan, the director of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa.

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The University of Haifa mourns the passing of Zev Jalon, member of the Board of Governors and a dear friend of the University of Haifa. Mr. Jalon was 84. For many years he was Chairman of the University’s Committee for Physical Development and was a central partner in the physical development of the University as a public representative. Continue Reading »

L-R: Dr. Michael Dan, Mrs. Amira Dan, Mr. Amos Gaver, Dr. Karen Mock, Ms. Susan Wowk, Mr. Harold Niman

The Canadian Friends of Haifa University held a Campaign Launch at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto ahead of a Tribute Dinner that will take place on November 15. Distinguished guests and more than 80 members of the Tribute Dinner committee attended the Campaign Launch.

Read article in Shalom Toronto (p. 38)

“The Lehman Bankruptcy will go down in history as one of the worst mistakes ever made by the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury,” said Steve Forbes, Editor and Chief of Forbes, and American businessman Leon Charney. Both were panelists at an economic forum that was held in New York and hosted by the American Society of the University of Haifa. Continue Reading »

September 22, 2009  Live Science, InTech (ISA), Global Warming Effects

On new research by Prof. Simcha Lev-Yadun of the University of Haifa and Jarmo Holopainen of the University of Kuopio in Finland:

A team of researchers has a new idea as to why the autumnal colors differ between the continents, one that involved taking a step back 35 million years in time.

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September 17, 2009  Daily Mail

Researchers at the University of Haifa, Israel, asked 34 volunteers to write two short paragraphs, one recalling a real memory, the other a fictitious event. The volunteers used a wireless electronic pen with a pressure-sensitive tip to write their memories and lies on paper placed on a computer tablet, which monitored and
analysed their writing style.

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August 28, 2009  USA: News Guide, Medical News Today, Physorg, Breaking News 24/7; Germany: Wissenschaft-aktuell, Shortnews, Netzeitung, Welt Online, Berliner Morgenpost; Hungary: Hirado; Brazil: Estadao; Italy: Tiscali; Ethiopia: Ethiopian Review; Botswana: Mmegi

For ages experts and laymen have been analyzing and trying to crack the code of handwriting characteristics, in order to detect an individual’s personality traits, or in most cases, gauge their innocence in the case of a crime. Although this science has often gone the way of pseudoscience, researchers are now discovering that with the aid of a computerized tool, handwriting characteristics can be measured more effectively. The research, headed by Gil Luria and Sara Rosenblum at the University of Haifa, is published in an upcoming issue of Applied Cognitive Psychology. The researchers utilized a computerized tablet that measured the physical properties of the subject’s handwriting, which are difficult to consciously control.

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The U.N. report examining Israel’s conduct during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza has prompted extensive debate on how war crimes can be defined. Prof. Michael Gross, Chair of the Department of International Relations at the University of Haifa, discusses the U.N. report examining Operation Cast Lead, and the definition of war crimes and of  fighting asymmetrical warfare.

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September 21, 2009  Science Centric, n-tv (Germany)

A rare and surprising archaeological discovery at Tel Dor: A gemstone engraved with the portrait of Alexander the Great was uncovered during excavations by an archaeological team directed by Dr Ayelet Gilboa of the University of Haifa and Dr Ilan Sharon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. ‘Despite its miniature dimensions - the stone is less than a centimetre high and its width is less than half a centimetre - the engraver was able to depict the bust of Alexander on the gem without omitting any of the ruler’s characteristics’ notes Dr Gilboa, Chair of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Haifa. ‘The emperor is portrayed as young and forceful, with a strong chin, straight nose and long curly hair held in place by a diadem.’

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