In the 25th Jun 17 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
scientists have discovered a gene mutation responsible for long life.
·
The new
Israeli soft suit exoskeleton enables stroke patients to walk again.
·
Israel’s
new First Secretary to Turkey is a Muslim woman.
·
Israeli
scientists have discovered a support network used by trees.
·
Israeli
water technology is alleviating drought in Miami.
·
Israel is
to increase the disabled allowance by 60%.
·
Much
acclaim for Israeli actress Gal Gadot in “Wonder Woman” movie.
·
Part of a
2000-year-old column discovered from the Second Temple plaza.
·
Click here
to see the 4th June newsletter on IsraelSeen,
Ruthfully
Yours, Janglo
and United
With Israel, with special feature on Inclusive
and Global. Also (TY Sandra) in German
and (TY Karen) in Portuguese.
·
Click here,
to SEARCH the IsraelActive archives of
over 10,000 previous news articles.
·
Click
here, to donate a
small amount to help me expand the reach of VeryGoodNewsIsrael.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Gene mutation extends life by a decade. In a study of American male Jews
over the age of 100, University of Haifa researchers have discovered a genetic mutation
that affects the growth hormone receptor gene. Men with this mutation live on
average 10 years longer than those without it. http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Health-and-Science/Change-in-gene-adds-a-decade-to-the-lives-of-men-only-497162
Azerbaijan
deputy PM has heart surgery in Israel. (TY Hazel) Abid
Sharifov, Azerbaijan’s deputy Prime Minister, was flown to Israel after his doctors
determined his heart condition was life-threatening. Surgeons at Haifa’s Rambam
Medical Center unblocked an artery and fitted Sharifov with a pacemaker and
defibrillator.
EU loan for
flu vaccine trial. The European Investment Bank has
granted a 20 million Euro loan to Israeli biotech BiondVax to fund the Phase
III trials of its Universal Flu Vaccine.
Wrist-wearable
heart monitor.
(TY Dror) Israeli startup CardiacSense has developed a smartwatch heart
monitor which is almost as accurate as an ECG machine. Its revolutionary heart arrhythmia
detection measures blood pressure using a PPG (photoplethysmogram). Then touch
the wristband to get an ECG.
Chief of
Police donates bone marrow to save a life. Meir Pulver spends his days protecting
Israel’s population. He is Chief Superintendent of Israel’s Police Force.
Thanks to Israeli charity Ezer Mizion he donated bone marrow to save the life
of Chana, and give her the chance to see her seven grandchildren grow up.
Longer-lasting
treatment.
I’ve reported previously (here) on the deutetrabenazine
treatment for Huntington’s disease from Israel’s Teva. But the reason it is so
effective is because Teva replaced some of the hydrogen atoms with the heavier
isotope deuterium, so that more of it can resist stomach acids and reach the
intestines.
US approval
for spinal treatment software. I reported
previously (July
31) on the Mazor X guidance systems for spinal surgery from Israel’s
Mazor Its latest module X Align has just
received US FDA approval, allowing surgeons to create a 3D alignment plan that simulates
the impact of proposed surgery on the patient’s posture.
Two kibbutzniks
founded a NASDAQ biotech. Israelis Dror Ben-Asher
and Ori Shilo founded the biotech RedHill BioPharma – named after the earth-red
hill that the kibbutz overlooked. Now their company is successfully trialing
treatments to cure Crohn’s disease, Helicobacter pylori, stomach cancer and much more.
Soft suit exoskeleton for stroke patients. Israel’s ReWalk has unveiled
its prototype for a soft suit exoskeleton, to enable many of the millions with
lower limb disabilities to walk upright. Initially, the new “Restore” suits
will be used to assist stroke survivors, followed by multiple sclerosis
patients.
Competition to
diagnose cervical cancer. (TY Eli) I reported previously about Israeli
startup MobileODT (was
MobileOCT) that uses smartphones to detect
cervical cancer. Now Intel is offering a $50,000 prize to the best algorithm and
Artificial Intelligence that can diagnose cancer from MobileODT’s smartphone
images.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Social impact hackathon week. The Israel Advanced
Technology Industries (IATI) organization brought together 35 programmers to
make people’s lives better. The event lasted a week and solutions included
healthy eating at restaurants, supporting parents with autistic kids, making
education more accessible and safer driving.
We’re all connected. This article describes what
happened when a mother with three children in hospital contacted Ezer Mizion’s
“Linked to Life” What’s App program.
The first female Muslim
Israeli diplomat.
Muslim women in Israel are doctors, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, bus drivers,
judges, IDF soldiers, etc. (see here and here). Now Israel gets its
first Muslim, female diplomat, when Rasha Atamny from Baqa al-Gharbiya becomes first
secretary at the Israeli embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Mossad’s rescue of Ethiopian Jews. Israel is the only country
ever to have brought blacks out of Africa to freedom. At the Israel
Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC) ex-Mossad agents
describe the rescue of thousands of Ethiopian Jews via Sudan. The first article contains recently
discovered films of those secretive events. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4949368,00.html
Photography brings Jews and Arabs kids together. (TY Hazel) One of many
Roots’ co-existence projects brings Palestinian Arab children together with religious
Jewish children living in Judea and Samaria to take photographs and learn more about
each other. https://www.friendsofroots.net/projects/
Giving Arab
kids the gift of hearing. (TY Jake) Due to genetics, the Bedouin town
of El Sayed, in Israel’s Negev desert, has the highest proportion of deaf
people in the world. They have even developed a unique sign language. A new
documentary looks at the impact of Israeli doctors giving the children cochlear
implants so that they can hear. Also, a new video to enhance previous (26
Feb) report on implants for Palestinian Arab kids.
IDF medics treat Syrians nearly every day. The treatment of wounded Syrians by IDF medics is continuous, and
is carried out on a near-daily basis. It started with one injured Syrian who
came to the border four years ago, asking for medical help. Since then over 2,800 injured Syrians have
entered Israel for treatment.
First non-African leader to address
ECOWAS. Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Liberia, where he was the first
non-African head of state to be invited to speak to the members of ECOWAS – the
Economic Community of West African States.
Israel’s capital recognized. Jerusalem has been formally
recognized as the capital of Israel by the US Senate, the Czech Republic,
Estonia and Vanuatu.
Israel is America’s unique ally. The Israel-US relationship is
a bilateral bond from which both sides derive considerable benefit. https://www.youtube.com/embed/O-I08LBB_ZY?rel=0
New York goes blue and white. Thousands of marchers generated
a sea of blue and white flags along New York City’s Fifth Avenue for the annual
Celebrate Israel parade. Minister of Internal Security Gilad Erdan represented
Israel. He also launched a new anti-BDS campaign called “4IL”.
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/New-campaign-provides-global-platform-to-fight-Israel-delegitimization-494868 https://worldisraelnews.com/nyc-turns-blue-white-honor-israel-parade/
Conserving birdlife in Turkey. I reported previously (here) about Israel’s Champions
of the Flyway bird race, that raises funds to stop illegal trapping of song
birds in the Middle East. This year’s race raised over $60,000 to end the
illegal practice of hunting and trapping songbirds in southern Turkey.
Israeli global agricultural training in
2016. This
article lists just some of the work of Israel’s overseas development agency
MASHAV last year. Countries benefitting from Israeli agro-tech included Kenya,
India, 11 Latin American states, Paraguay, seven former Soviet states and five
African states.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Trees interact with
each other.
Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have proved that mature spruce
trees take up carbon molecules in their top branches and pass them down through
the soil to nearby beech, larch and pine trees. These travel through
underground highways formed by connected root fungi.
How jellyfish sting. Researchers at Israel’s
Technion and the University of Haifa have explained for the first time the
unique mechanism by which the most common jellyfish attack their enemies. They inject toxic material from thousands of
microscopic syringes, resembling poisoned arrows, located on each of their
arms.
Hold back the desert. (TY UWI)
To mark United Nations' World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June
17, here is a video showing how Israel is one of the leading countries fighting
desertification, that threatens global hunger, disease, and poverty. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NdNCUwUaLfg?rel=0
Terminal 1 renovated. My son was one of the first
passengers using the refurbished Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion airport. Passengers of low-cost airlines now check-in,
shop for duty free and board planes all from Terminal 1 without being bused to
Terminal 3. The terminal handles 33
flights a day and 1.4 million passengers a year.
Keeping kids safe on their smartphones. Israel’s SafeMobile is a
simple-to-install app that will protect children from unsuitable and malicious
content when using their smartphones.
CEO Yuval Rapaport was interviewed on ILTV.
What on earth is that flower? I reported previously (July
2011) about Israeli app “Bar-Code Flower,” that allows you to take a
picture of a flower with your mobile phone, and then tells you its species. Now
FlowerzBot from Israeli startup Cnature identifies 1000 flowers and
wildlife. Currently in Hebrew, but soon also in English.
If the shoe fits… Israeli startup Invertex has digitized the way we buy shoes. It
uses 3D imaging and artificial intelligence, enabling smartphones to scan feet
in shoe shops or at home and suggest the best buys in-store or on-line. Invertex has just received $2 million of seed
funding.
Protection against drones. At the Paris Air Show,
Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveiled its new laser-interception
system designed to provide air defense against micro- and nano- unmanned air
vehicles (UAVs). The “Drone Dome” system detects, identifies, tracks, and neutralizes
hostile drones using laser beams.
Cleaning up Brazil’s sewage. (TY Hazel) Brazil is to clean
up its sewage problem using the system from Israel’s Paulee CleanTcc for
transforming human waste into odor-free, sterilized farm fertilizer. Currently,
60% of the 6.8 million liters of daily sewage sludge generated in Brazil gets
dumped back into nature untreated.
Producing water from
Miami air. Much
was reported about Israel’s Water-Gen, demonstrated by Professor Alan
Dershowitz at AIPAC (see
Apr 30). Now the Florida suburb of Miami Gardens is partnering with
Water-Gen in a pilot project to extract water from airborne humidity and
dispense clean drinking water to residents.
VR brings ancient Jerusalem to life. (TY Bennett) A new virtual
reality (VR) app brings ancient Jerusalem to life. Available on Google Play: http://tinyurl.com/grwmck6 or on the App
Store: http://tinyurl.com/zys24pp
Power if your aircraft engine fails. Israel’s Ashot Ashkelon unveiled HYSKY 60 - its emergency aircraft hybrid
engine at the Paris Air Show. The 20kg
propulsion unit will provide up to 15 minutes of extra time for light aircraft whose
main engine stops working. The system can also add power to assist the plane in
taking off.
Permits for driverless cars on Israeli
roads.
Israel’s Transport Ministry has granted permits for both GM and Mobileye
to test their autonomous cars on Israeli roads. GM Israel general manager Gil
Golan said, “What we are developing today in Israel could contribute to and
influence the future of transportation, lifestyle and culture generally." http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-gm-to-test-autonomous-cars-on-israels-roads-1001192727
The future of AR. (TY Estee K) Apple's Israeli PrimeSense team has developed a 3D
camera system intended for Augmented Reality (AR) use. It features a light beam
for optical 3D mapping and depth sensing. Connected to Apple’s AR glasses, it can
interact with a hovering holographic interface, just by moving your hands.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Israel to join World bond index. (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli
Government bonds will be even more highly desirable shortly, when Israeli bonds
are included in the Citigroup World Government Bond Index (WGBI). Financial
institutions will then be required to buy Israeli bonds to track the WGBI for
their customers.
Unanimous agreement to
raise disabled allowance. Government and opposition parties have
jointly agreed to the raising of the allowance for disabled Israelis from the
current NIS 2,500 to NIS 4,000 in three stages.
Housing assistance will also be raised, from NIS 770 to NIS 1,000.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-coalition-opposition-agree-nis-4000-disabled-allowance-1001193795
Beit Shemesh to double in size. The city of Beit Shemesh is
expected to double in size in the coming years. Approval has been given for 17,000
new apartments plus 530 dunams of land for businesses, companies, and hotels.
In addition, the city will construct infrastructure and improve the city's
parks and public transportation.
Innovating diamond technology. The Ramat Gan Diamond Exchange has applied to establish a
technology innovation center, to be called Diamond Tech. Its aim is to nurture
Israeli and foreign startups in the early stages of the development of technology
to be used primarily in the diamond sector.
Connecting tourists to tour guides. Dani Gadayev, co-founder and
CEO of Israeli start-up TopGuides, describes the company’s online platform to
connect tourists with tour guides, eliminating the need to pay commission to an
agency. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pXy-tS6tuQc?rel=0
Frutarom expands into Vietnam. Israeli flavors and fine
ingredients company Frutarom has purchased a majority stake in Vietnamese
company Western Flavors Fragrances Production (WFF). Frutarom intends to build
a modern new flavors plant in Ho Chi Minh City and to expand its activity in
Vietnam and the region.
Bringing Israeli startups to China. (TY Atid-EDI)
Israel’s Bank Leumi and Ping An, China’s largest insurance group, agreed to
promote and integrate Israeli hi-tech companies into the Chinese market. The agreement was signed as part of Israeli
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to China.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Israeli Opera Festival in Akko. The Israel Opera (Aug 3-5) is
performing a new production called Giulio Cesare in Egitto, created especially
for the Crusaders Court in Akko. Its singers will also perform the greatest and
most popular songs of the late Arik Einstein – one of Israel’s most famous
singer-song writers.
Tel Aviv White Night. Tel Aviv White Night (Laila Lavan) is the cultural all-nighter
of the year in ‘the city that never sleeps’. On 29th June, amazing events will
take place throughout the night across the city, from beach concerts and
parties, to special exhibitions and tours.
Wonder Woman is a hit. The movie “Wonder Woman”,
starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot, has received high acclaim from critics and record
receipts at the box office. The film has now passed the $600 million mark for worldwide
takings. And (TY
IsraPundit) it is an inspiring film for many reasons.
Let’s do brunch. Israel is famous for its
mouth-watering brunches which include an array of fresh vegetables, local
cheeses, Mediterranean omelets, healthy salads, deserts, and of course coffee.
With delicious options like these and good company, your weekend's about to get
a whole lot better.
THE JEWISH STATE
Ethiopia’s biblical link with Israel. In Jerusalem, President Reuven Rivlin told Ethiopia’s Prime
Minister Hailemariam Desalegn “Your connection with Jerusalem is something that
goes to the roots of the Bible, and the connection between our people is not a
matter of years, it is a matter of centuries, back to the visit of the Queen of
Sheba”. https://unitedwithisrael.org/continuing-biblical-connection-ethiopian-pm-visits-jerusalem/
New Israeli stamps. (TY Jacob Richman) Beautiful Israeli stamps issued in April and
June included commemoration of the re-unification of Jerusalem, Judea &
Samaria, the Golan, Passover haggadot, safe cycling, General Allenby, the 30th
Maccabiah and famous Israeli songs.
Column found from 2nd
Temple plaza.
The Temple Mount Sifting Project has discovered the capital of a column
that formed part of the double colonnade that surrounded the Temple Mount plaza
in Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. Josephus described the style of
the column in his book "The War of the Jews".
Bar Mitzvah for 115 orphans. I reported previously (Mar
2013) that Kollel Chabad held a Bar Mitzvah celebration for 111 orphans in
Jerusalem on the 111th birthday of the late Lubavicher Rebbe. Now on his 115th birthday Kollel Chabad held
another Bar Mitzvah celebration, for 115 orphans.
Stand with Jerusalem. On the 50th
anniversary of the re-unification of Israel’s capital city, take this opportunity
to see it for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/embed/dV4NGgjRaVI?rel=0
