(Next newsletter 23rd Sep)
In the 9th Sep 18 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
In the 9th Sep 18 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
·
UK
children will receive leukemia treatment originally developed in Israel.
·
Israel has
built the first country club for Arab Bedouin.
·
Israeli
gynecologists saved a mother and baby in Myanmar.
·
An Israeli
smartphone app can analyze human stress levels.
·
Available
soon - your Israeli robot personal assistant.
·
New trade
agreements with Hong Kong, the Philippines and the Netherlands.
·
A new
Virtual Reality tour of Jerusalem.
·
Click here
to see the 2nd Sept newsletter on IsraelSeen,
Ruthfully
Yours, Janglo,
and United
With Israel, with extra features on Health
and Co-existence. Also (TY Sandra) in German
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·
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·
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·
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ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Alpha
radiation destroys solid tumors safely. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Alpha Tau Medical uses
alpha radiation to treat various types of solid tumors. Alpha DaRT (Dіffusіng
Alpha-emіtters Radіatіon Therapy), developed at Tel Aviv University, is to
begin clinical trials in Massachusetts USA.
Israeli leukemia treatment approved for UK children. The breakthrough CAR-T personalized leukemia therapy devised by
Professor Zelig Eshhar of Israel’s Weizmann Institute (see here)
is now available in the UK. The National
Health Service will fund Kymriah – the CAR-T treatment commercialized by
Novartis.
Good results
for colon capsule scan. Israeli biotech Check-Cap
announced positive interim results for its post-CE approval study of the C-Scan
system Version 3. Check-Cap’s capsule detects polyps (cancerous or
precancerous) in patients without them having to undergo a colonoscopy or even
any preparation.
Preventing hemorrhagic
shock. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University and
Hadassah Medical Center have developed software named VitalMiner to predict
blood pressure instability in intensive care patients. It can give several
extra hours’ warning of impending hypotension, where vital organs are starved
of oxygenated blood.
“Natural” protein to treat osteoporosis. Ben Gurion University scientists have discovered a natural protein
in the body that can be tailored to treat osteoporosis. The protein can be
modified to inhibit its standard bone destruction function, which avoids many
of the side effects common with current treatments.
Safer
transplants. I reported previously (see here) on Israel’s
Orgenesis which was developing a treatment for diabetes based on replacing
cells in the body. Ogenesis is now
working with Ben Gurion University to develop a cell transplantation process
that avoids being attacked by the immune system.
Auto-adjusting
orthopedic brace. Israeli startup OrthoSpin is
developing an electric brace to help with bone lengthening, setting complex
fractures, and correcting deformities. The system tunes the brace’s position from
pre-programmed instructions by an orthopedist who monitors progress remotely.
Eye drops to
correct far-sightedness. I reported previously (18th
Mar) that Israeli scientists were developing eye drops to improve vision.
Israeli startup Orasis is also working on eye drops to treat presbyopia - age-related
far-sightedness due to loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye.
Probiotics are
personal. Two studies by scientists at Israel’s Weizmann
Institute have turned knowledge about probiotics on its head. Firstly,
probiotics are only effective if your microbiome doesn’t resist the probiotics.
Secondly, using probiotics alongside antibiotics is ineffective in restoring
your natural microbiome.
UK-Israel
conference on aging. Nearly 80 leading Israeli
scientists joined their UK peers in London at two unprecedented academic
conferences over 3 days. Topics included the role of genetics and “precision
medicine” in age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
cancer and dementia.
Ezer Mizion’s
Mental Health Program. Newsletter readers know Ezer
Mizion is a charity that operates a life-saving Bone Marrow Registry. But that’s far from all it does, as this
mother found out when she sought respite from looking after her schizophrenic
husband. Ezer Mizion provides services to over 660,000 Israelis.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Education as a work of heart. (TY Leah)
Meled Jerusalem is an alternative high school for Jewish students who struggled
to fit into Israel’s mainstream religious school system. The school is led by its
founder, development psychologist Dr. Menachem Gottesman, and described in his book
“Not at Risk”.
2.3 million children start school together. Over 2,310,000 students
started the school year at some 5,000 Israeli schools. New educational
initiatives include innovative research equipment, extra staff at 6,000
kindergartens, smaller class sizes and expansion of studies in mathematics,
English and the Hebrew language.
Genesis Prize empowers Israeli women. The Genesis Prize Foundation and the Kahn Foundation has awarded $1
million in grants to 37 Israeli nonprofits. They represent Jewish, Arab, Druze
and Bedouin communities focused on socioeconomic opportunity, gender equality,
minority rights or violence prevention for women..
Training Haredim for civil service
leadership. (TY Sharon)
Israeli President Reuben Rivlin presented awards to Haredi graduates of the
“Influencers” program. The 19 strictly orthodox men will fill government roles
including the fields of economy, science, education and law.
More on Krembo Wings. I reported previously (12
Aug) that Israeli NGO Krembo Wings had been awarded special advisor status
to the United Nations for its work integrating disabled children with other
children. Here now is a new video that
highlights the work of the organization.
Country club for Bedouin
Arabs. (Y
Hazel) The Israeli government has built a country club in the Bedouin city of
Rahat in Southern Israel. It includes a fitness center, saunas, sports
facilities and the first swimming pool in a Bedouin settlement in Israel. The
club will serve many thousands of Bedouin Arabs from the Negev area.
The quality of life for Israeli Arabs. (TY UWI)
This article describes excellently the unprecedented advancements during the
last decade in the quality of life for Israel's Arab citizens. It covers
health, education, communities, employment and business development. http://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/what-apartheid/
First ever visit by a Philippines President.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and
his 400-person delegation to Jerusalem. The two countries signed agreements, in
trade, science and caregiving. Mr Duterte praised the work conditions of the
30,000 Filipino care workers in Israel.
CPR training
for Kenya. A team from Haifa’s Rambam Medical
Center conducted an advanced resuscitation skills course for local medical and
nursing staff in Nakuru, Kenya. The course was conducted with cooperation of Israel’s
Technion and included lectures, simulations and individual training.
Saving lives in
Myanmar. (TY Hazel) Two top gynecologists from Tel
Aviv’s Ichilov hospital spent two weeks in Pindaya, Myanmar, helping train
local doctors. On their first day they saved two lives. Infant mortality in
Myanmar is 40.1 deaths per 1000 live births. The OECD average is 5.9; In Israel
it is 2.9.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Bringing companies into the digital age. (TY WIN)
Israeli software company CodeOasis has been quietly transforming company
systems for 13 years. Solutions for the likes of IsraCard, Super-Pharm, Wix,
Strauss and SodaStream, CEO Amir Golan was interviewed on ILTV about CodeOasis’
innovative services.
Drink me. Dehydration
results in over 1.5 million outpatient visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and
300 deaths in the US per year. Israeli startup Water.io has developed “Reminder”
- an IoT (Internet of Things) smart cap and sensor for disposable water bottles
that blinks, vibrates or sounds an alarm when you need to take a drink.
Smartphone analyzes mental state.
Israeli 3D imaging company Mantis Vision has just acquired Israeli AI (Artificial
Intelligence) startup BrainVu. BrainVu uses machine vision (e.g. of eye
dynamics and blood flow) to identify the mental state (e.g. stress levels) of a
person from images captured by a smartphone camera.
SkyTrain for
Netanya. My local council has just approved plans
for Israel's first skyTran pod cable car rapid personal transit system. The 600-meter
line is designed to overcome traffic congestion and link-up Netanya's
residential and industrial areas. Each skyTran 2-person pod will operate using
magnetic levitation.
A drone to
save you from drowning. (TY Hazel & UWI)
Israeli startup Blueskimmer developed drones to thwart firebombing kites and
balloons from Gaza. Now the drones have been adapted to release floats to
rescue people at risk of drowning. The drones are controlled by lifeguards and have
a public address system.
Israeli summer
school for science students. 73 international high school graduates came
to Israel this summer to participate in a hands-on scientific research program
at the Weizmann Institute of Science. More than 3,000 students (Jews and
non-Jews) have attended the 4-week course over the years.
Untold News on
Buzzfeed. One of my favorite NGO’s Untold News has
published another article on Buzzfeed highlighting 10 Israeli futuristic
innovations. 300,000 saw their last article and this one is well worth reading.
Syte is so
cool. (TY Atid-EDI) Gartner has
named Israel’s Syte in its 2018 Cool Vendors in AI for Retail report. Syte
provides Artificial Intelligent image search technology and in-store solutions
to track social media and create a more seamless shopping experience. Customers include UK’s Marks & Spencer,
Intu and Boohoo.
https://www.syte.ai/gartner-lp/ https://www.youtube.com/embed/X6XnXSVB8V4?rel=0
https://www.syte.ai/
Your personal Israeli robot. (TY Atid-EDI) temi is
an Israeli-developed personal robot that aims to become an essential addition
to every home. temi traverses the home
without colliding with furniture, providing a host of services. Another Israeli
startup, Newsight Imaging will provide the sensors for temi’s 3D visual system.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
The best universities for entrepreneurs. Seattle-based market research company Pitchbook rated Tel Aviv
University at number eight (up from nine) in its list of global undergraduate
programs that produce venture capital-backed entrepreneurs. Israel’s Technion
came 14th and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was 35th.
Financial Tech agreement with Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s
Finance Minister Paul Chan visited Israel with a delegation of 20. He signed an
agreement with Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to promote cooperation in
the field of Fintech. Other initiatives explored included the areas of Artificial
Intelligence and Biotech.
Dutch Prince seeks hi-tech investment. Prince Constantijn van Oranje of the Netherlands,
head of Dutch innovation organization StartupDelta, is in Israel with a
delegation of Dutch investors. His aim is to attract Israeli hi-tech startups
to Holland and to learn how to establish technology and innovation centers.
Japan opens Israeli startup accelerator. The Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO) – a government
agency - is opening a business center and accelerator program for Israeli
startups to help them expand of their business to Japan.
More multinational investment. Over the last 18 months, 16 multinational financial firms started
operating in Israel, or increased previous business through strategic
partnerships and investments. Newcomers include AXA SA, Bank of Montreal,
Fosun, TD Bank, AmTrust, and Mastercard. The attraction? - Israeli technology.
Plus two video reminders of the 4 multi-billion-dollar exits so far in 2018.
Award-winning Proof of Concept. I reported previously (see here) about Israeli
startup prooV and its service that allow companies to perform Proof of Concept
(PoC) testing on new technology. The Business Intelligence Group has now named
prooV a 2018 Stratus Award winner, for its unique cloud technology solution.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Rare chance to see Worms Mahzor. For the first time in 30
years, and ahead of the High-holidays, the Worms Mahzor - a famous 13th-century
prayer book - will go on display at the National Library of Israel. The
exhibition, “Our hearts responded in ancient prayer…” features many beautiful
medieval Hebrew manuscripts.
Vibrations are still good for Brian
Wilson. Beach Boys founder and composer Brian
Wilson performed at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv. Two years
after his Israeli debut, Wilson and his 10-piece band played through an
outstanding songbook of classics. At 76, how does he do it? The answer is in
the video.
Virtual Reality tour
of Jerusalem. (TY Sharon)
I’ve reported previously (see here) on several
VR (Virtual Reality) tours where you can step back in time to see ancient
Israel. Now the Tower of David Museum is launching “Step into History” - a VR
tour of Jerusalem as it looked 2000 years ago.
Hiking in Israel. (TY Erez) There is a new English website for foreign tourists, dedicated
to nature and hiking in Israel. It is great news for the traveler who wants to explore
Israel independently but doesn’t speak Hebrew. The descriptions are accompanied
by high-quality hiking maps, GPS track files and transport links.
THE JEWISH STATE
The
Jewish foundations under Mount Zion. (TY WIN)
Mount Zion, South West of Jerusalem’s Old City, sits on top of thousands of
years of history. Archeologists recently discovered evidence of Hasmonean
construction from the time of the Second Temple. https://www.youtube.com/embed/SP_iuw5JKLE?rel=0
Uncovering
the City of David.
Doron Spielman, of the City of David Foundation, was interviewed on ILTV about
the latest findings in the 4,000-year-old city of King David that was only re-discovered
a few years ago. Layers have been peeled away like an onion to reveal the
Pilgrimage Road leading up to Temple Mount.
1,020 ancient clay seals discovered. Archeologists have uncovered a
trove of 1,020 clay seal impressions dated from the Maccabean era, over 2,100
years ago. They were found in a newly discovered 7-room cave complex at the
ancient city of Maresha, part of the Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park in
central Israel.
The US-Israeli
pilot who stopped Egyptian army. US citizen Gideon Lichtman, who
died recently aged 94, made history in 1948 when he volunteered for the emerging
Israeli Air Force and shot down its first enemy plane. His Machal 101 squadron
prevented the Egyptian army from capturing Tel Aviv.
Jerusalem
prepares for New Year. (TY Sharon) In Israel’s capital,
people are extremely busy. Activities include an update for Sacher Park,
musical events in the streets and synagogues. One “unique” photo shows the
candidates for position of the next Mayor of Jerusalem dancing together. And
the first Sukkah (tabernacle).
A
country, not a cause. I reported previously (28th
Jan) about The Israel Innovation Fund (TIIF). Founder Adam Bellos urges
American Jews to look beyond the politics and to come to Israel, learn the
language, meet the people, listen to the music, drink the wine and enjoy the
country. Israel has so much to offer.
Ancient
tree may help cure diseases. On Kibbutz Katura, I saw Methuselah - a Judean date palm that scientist
Elaine Solowey planted on Tu Bishvat from 2000-year-old seeds discovered by
archeologists at Masada. Now scientists believe that the tree’s ancient genetic
properties could have major medical benefits.
Free-gift
at Ben Gurion airport. (TY Janglo)
To prevent the importing of diseases, Israel’s Agriculture Ministry has banned
passengers from bringing 3 of the set of 4 species (palm branch, myrtle,
willow) required to be used during the Sukkot (Tabernacles) holiday. A free set will be given to those passengers
who want one.
