ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTSEarly warning for secondary cancer. Israel Technion’s Assistant Professor Dr. Daphne Weihs has developed a unique biomechanical method for the early detection of metastatic (secondary) cancer – a cancer that has already spread. It can also identify where the cancer has spread to and enable early treatment.
New imaging method for gallbladder removal. BioDesign students at Hadassah Medical Center / Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Dr. Muhammad Adileh, have developed “CholeVision” – a fiber-optic illumination system to reduce injuries caused during laparoscopic (keyhole) procedures to remove gallbladders.
Successful trial of foot ulcer treatment. (TY Atid-EDI) Biotech Izun successfully completed a Phase II trial of its Israeli-developed IZN-6D4 to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in 82 patients at seven centers in Israel. DFU is responsible for 84% of diabetes-related lower-leg amputations. http://izunpharma.com/izun-
How proteins grow. (TY Michelle) A team of Israeli and US researchers has mapped out the fundamental dynamic that explains the production and distribution of proteins in a cell. http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-
The world’s 6th healthiest country. Israel is the sixth-healthiest country in the world and is the only Middle Eastern country in the top 10, according to recent world health rankings by media outlet Bloomberg. Singapore was first, followed by Italy, Australia, Switzerland and Japan. The UK is 21st and the US 33rd.
25% of blood donations are from IDF soldiers. A total of 68, 500 units of blood – 25 percent of the total donated to Magen David Adom last year – were given by soldiers. Whilst handing out certificates, MDA blood services director Eilat Shinar said “You officers and soldiers are an example for pure and significant giving”.
FDA approves focused ultrasound treatment. (TY Atid-EDI) The US FDA has approved the next generation Exablate system from Israel’s InSightec to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Exablate uses focused ultrasound plus MRI, which is used to guide the ultrasound waves to the specific target tissue. Also (TY UWI) a video of Israeli doctors using InSightec’s Exablate Neuro ultrasound to cure Essential Tremor.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
New lightweight satellites. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel Aerospace Industries has built a new communications satellite, weighing only 1.5-2 tons – less than half a regular communications satellite. AMOS E will provide communications services including TV broadcasts and broadband Internet. IAI is also building 400kg EROS C.
Catching fraudulent behavior. Another article about Israel’s BioCatch (featured here) which can detect someone trying to hack into your on-line bank account even when they use the right password.
An app to learn to play piano. (TY SDM) Here is another innovative app from Israel’s JoyTunes. Place your iPhone or iPad on the piano and the Simply Piano app will teach you how to play it. It’s like going to a music teacher. http://www.ynetnews.com/
Israel’s first hi-tech kindergarten. Israel’s first Science Kindergarten opened in Beersheba, equipped with advanced computer equipment, Lego sets to develop motor skills, robotics activities, and activities to stimulate interest in space matters. Skills that the 5-year-olds will learn include physics, astronomy, and math.
Nano Bible donated to Smithsonian. (TY Michelle) Peretz Lavie, President of Israel’s Technion, has presented the world’s smallest Bible to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Technion scientists engraved the Nano Bible’s 1.2 million letters on a gold-plated silicon chip the size of a sugar grain.
China-Israel water city project begins. Israel and China have signed an agreement with China’s Greatwall Enterprise Institute (GEI) for the $200, 000 planning phase of the Shouguang, China Water City project. GEI will consult with Israeli partners Tefen and work involving Israeli water companies could commence mid-2016.
http://israelnewtech.com/2015/
R&D agreement with Colorado. Israel has signed a deal with the US state of Colorado to further increase R&D cooperation. Under the agreement, start-ups and veteran firms will receive funding from either or both governments for research and development projects in areas including energy, agriculture and cybersecurity.
Seeing is believing. (TY Michelle) This reporter from The Hindu visited Israel and saw Oranges and Jojoba plants growing straight out of desert sand.
Israel: The Water Exporters. (TY Nevet) Recent video of how India can learn from Israeli water recycling and desalination expertise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
If Israel can do it, why can’t California? (TY Michelle) California is still facing a huge water crisis. The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit conducted a 3-month investigation on Israel, a country that faced its own water crisis about a decade ago. Now Israel has more fresh water than it can use.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Israel’s budget deficit lowers again. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s aggregate budget deficit in the past 12 months (October 2014-September 2015) amounted to 2% of GDP. The deficit from Jan to Sep 2015 was NIS 3.8 billion compared to NIS 10.9 billion in the same period of 2014.
Israel’s impressive economy. (TY Michelle) I just had to include this link to a very positive review of Israel’s economy. http://www.insidesources.com/
An Israeli rival to iTunes and Google Play Music. Israel’s TriPlay has acquired eMusic – one of the first digital music services – and its 25 catalog of songs. eMusic can be accessed on over 14 platforms via the web and apps. http://www.timesofisrael.com/
The best bar in the Middle East (again). (TY Atid-EDI) The Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar, on Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Street won the title of best bar in the Mideast and Africa for the second year running, beating out Zuma in Dubai. Also, Tel Aviv’s Tasting Room won the Middle East & Africa Bar category at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. http://www.ynetnews.com/
The best hotel in the Middle East. Jerusalem’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel took the top spot in the Middle East and seventh place worldwide in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Tel Aviv fashion week successful. (TY SDM and Michelle) Over 1200 people attended each of the eight fashion shows on every day of Tel Aviv fashion week. Even shows by relatively unknown young Israeli designers were fully booked. There was also publicity for Israeli fashion tech startups such as Julbox, WiShi, Donde and Nettelo. http://www.ynetnews.com/
MassChallenge to set up in Jerusalem. MassChallenge, the world’s largest start-up accelerator, is setting up shop in Jerusalem – the only other foreign location other than London chosen for the honor. “Israel is an outstanding and growing hub for entrepreneurship, ” said MassChallenge founder and CEO John Harthorne.
Invest in a drone. Israeli startup Pixtier offers an opportunity for owners of drones (UAVs) to upload 2D photographs taken, to the Cloud where Pixtier’s software will turn them into 3D maps. These are then available to real estate agents, city planners, researchers, etc. who pay a fee that Pixtier share with drone owners.
“Silicon Valley in the Sky”. (TY Michelle) El Al’s “Cockpit” startup incubator has just been voted “Best Achievement in Passenger Experience 2015” by the Airline Passengers Experience Association (APEX). Some of the ideas and partnerships generated by the program include the SmartCover blanket and Shopnfly.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Teaching top math skills to deprived kids. Israel’s Tovanot B’Chinuch program enrolls volunteers from hi-tech, the IDF, and business to help kids learn math and develop study habits. The program focuses on children from poorer families, even providing sandwiches to ensure they have sufficient nutrition to concentrate.
Abbas’s brother-in-law gets life-saving heart surgery in Israel. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s brother-in-law underwent life-saving heart surgery at the Assuta Medical Center in northern Tel Aviv’s Ramat Hachayal neighborhood. The surgery was successful and he was said to be recovering in intensive care.
Jordanian plane makes emergency landing in Tel Aviv. A Royal Jordanian Airbus 320 from Dubai in the UAE to Amman made an emergency landing at Ben-Gurion Airport due to poor weather and low fuel. The UAE has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Airport staff gave passengers snacks while they waited to take off.
Israeli medics help Romania treat fire victims. Specialist Israeli doctors are in Romania to help treat some of the 140 victims of burns sustained in a Bucharest nightclub fire that killed at least 27 others. The Israeli team brought a product called NexoBrid, which replaces surgery in severe burn cases.
Tel Aviv and Berlin sign game-changing agreement. (TY SDM) The cities of Tel Aviv and Berlin have launched a startup exchange program. They will be offering free co-working spaces, advice on visas, regulations and legal issues as well as one-on-one mentoring assistance for interested startups.
Israe21c launches in Spanish. ISRAEL21c has launched its new Spanish-language site, ISRAEL21c Español. Some 400 million people speak Spanish, and it’s important that they also hear about Israel’s extraordinary accomplishments. Please pass this site onto any Spanish-speaking friends, relatives and colleagues.
