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Surgeons performed
the first operation using Israeli 3D holographic imaging.
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An Israeli
test can find the right antibiotic in 4 hours.
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Even the
partially-sighted participated fully in another Israeli democratic election.
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Israel’s Moon
mission will continue – Beresheet 2 has just been announced.
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Beijing
airport will use an Israeli system to keep runways clear of debris.
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New air services
boost Israel’s record-number of tourists.
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Madonna is
to perform (twice) at Eurovision in Tel Aviv.
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Click here
to see the 7th April newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo and United With Israel with extra feature on Medical. Also (TY Sandra) in German. Also (TY Marlene) Hebrew translation of articles from 7th April newsletter by Middle school students at
the Reali School in Haifa. Please pass on these links to German and Hebrew-reading contacts. Also (TY
Esty) please visit and “like” / “follow” the www.facebook.com/VerygoodnewsIL Facebook page.
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here, to donate (a small or large amount) to help me expand the reach of VeryGoodNewsIsrael.
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ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
First live op using holographic imaging. Surgeons at Toronto General Hospital performed the first live medical
procedure using real-time holographic imaging developed by Israel’s RealView
Imaging (see here). The 3D images allowed the surgeons to see inside the heart prior
to a mitral valve replacement procedure.
First ever vein transplant from living donor. Avi Yavetz from Modi’in
suffers from peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and a leg amputation was imminent.
However, his son, 27-year-old Snir donated a long vein, which was implanted
into his father in a first of its kind operation. Two weeks later and both are
doing fine.
http://hadassahinternational.org/first-ever-vein-transplant-from-living-donor-son-saves-fathers-leg/
Brain monitoring in real time. I
reported previously (Mar 2015) on the computer interface device from Israel’s Neurosteer used to monitor
brain activity. The three-strip wearable device is now in clinical trials in
Israel, Europe and the United States and proving far simpler and more useful
than EEG and fMRI alternatives.
US approval for surgical mesh. (TY Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Apr 2017) on the innovative FasTouch fixation system from Israel’s Via Surgical
for hernia repairs. The company has just announced that it has received US FDA
approval for the system. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/via-surgical-receives-fda-clearance-for-its-fastouch-absorbable-fixation-system-300813799.html http://viasurgical.com/science/
European approval for aortic arch repair system. (TY Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Apr 2018) when Israel’s Endospan received the CE mark for its Horizon stent graft
system to treat Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. It now also has received the CE mark
for its Nexus Stent Graft System to treat Aortic Arch Disease.
Fast test to identify the right antibiotic. I’ve reported previously (see here) on the many Israeli
innovations that are trying to prevent antibiotics from becoming ineffective.
Now Israeli startup Nanosynex offers a 4-hour test to determine which antibiotic
will be effective and what dose to use to prevent it developing resistance.
Smart migraine patches heading for US. (TY
Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Oct 2016) on the Nerivio Migra smart patch from Israel’s Theranica to provide
migraine relief. Since then, Theranica has successfully completed a 12-center pivotal
study of the patch and has raised $35 million for US FDA approval and beyond.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/theranica-announces-results-from-pivotal-study-of-device-for-treating-acute-migraine-832012898.html https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/theranica-raises-35m-to-bring-innovative-migraine-device-to-the-usa-300813846.html
Successful trials of pregnancy monitor.
(TY Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Jun 2015) on the PregSense wearable fetal monitor from Israel’s Nuvo. Renamed
Invu,,multi-center trials produced fetal and maternal heart rates comparable to
existing standalone cardiotocographs (CTGs). US FDA review is in progress.
Good trial results for NASH treatment. (TY
Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Oct 2014) that the Aramchol treatment from Israel’s Galmed for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
(NASH) had been fast-tracked by the US FDA. Latest trials show that twice-daily
dosages of Aramchol significantly increased blood plasma levels.
Hope for flu sufferers. The 3rd episode
of Israel’s Weizmann in Focus, highlights that, since October, 7.3 million
Americans have been sick with the flu virus with over 80,000 hospitalized. Weizmann
Professor Ruth Arnon’s work has led to the development of the Universal Flu Virus,
being trialed by Israel’s BiondVax.
Israelis have lowest diet-related deaths. An analysis of dietary data has shown that Israel has the lowest
rate of diet-related deaths in the world. The Global Burden of Disease study, published
in UK’s The Lancet, reported that in Israel, just 89 people out of every
100,000 die each year in deaths related to poor-quality diet.
Probiotic chew for women. Israel’s Anlit
has launched a probiotics chew targeting women's health. Feminine Probiotics
contains a blend of six different strains of live probiotic bacteria plus
cranberry extract to support genitourinary tract health. It comes as a vanilla-cranberry
flavored chew that melts in the mouth.
https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/feminine-probiotics-in-a-delicious-format-300823754.html
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Democratic and visionary. (TY WIN) Israel’s OrCam provided its MyEye2 device to enable many visually
impaired to vote in Israel’s general election. Escorts helped others to vote. 22,000
of Israel’s 6.3 million voters are legally blind plus another 100,000 have
visual impairments.
Hi-tech professionals give back to society. At the NGO Israel’s Society Labs, high-tech professionals volunteer
their knowledge and technology to support social change.
Global women entrepreneurs come to Tel Aviv. I reported last week on the inaugural Forbes 2019 Under 30 Global Women’s
Summit that took place in Tel Aviv. Here
is a video by ILTV of the event.
From Ethiopia to Jerusalem. Sigal
Kanotopsky, head of the charity Olim Beyahad, recalls her family’s extraordinary
exodus from Ethiopia to Israel in a secret operation called Shiur Moledet. Olim
Beyahad has integrated about 900 Ethiopian Israeli university graduates into
suitable jobs through its programs.
Israeli president’s military secretary is Druze. The IDF has promoted Colonel Ala Abu Rukan to Brigadier General. The
Druze officer will be the new Military Secretary to the Israeli President Reuben
Rivlin and take responsibility for liaison between the President and the IDF,
intelligence services, police and prison services.
World Health Day. On 7th April, Israel joined the world in
marking World Health Day. Israeli is
working to provide better universal health around the world by helping developing
countries, technologies (e.g. water), field hospitals after natural disasters, battling
epidemics and training health professionals.
International Sports and Peace Day. Israel
marked International Sports and Peace Day on 7th April. Hundreds of children
from all across Israeli society participated in a special event in the city of
Ramla. They took part in the martial arts karate, taekwondo and capoeira. They
also played soccer, table tennis and tennis.
US resolution lauds Israeli-Americans. A
resolution introduced by three Republican senators states that “the Israeli-American
community has contributed immensely to the society and culture of the United
States; and condemns all forms of discrimination that aim to marginalize or
disenfranchise members …..”.
More University courses for English speakers. (TY Jacques) The Israeli Council for Higher Education has approved
7 undergraduate courses and 19 master’s degrees in the English language. They aim
to double, by 2022, the current 12,000 international students studying in
English at Israeli Universities and Colleges.
How IsraAID helped children in Paradise.
This video highlights the work of the IsraAID NGO following the fires that
destroyed the California town of Paradise. The Israelis helped many of the
children of the community recover from the trauma of that tragic event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOCGSSNawfk
Kurdish delegation visits Israel. (TY Hazel)
A Kurdish delegation from Iraq and Syria visited Israel as guests of the Safadi
Center and the Kurdistan-Israel Friendship Association. They visited Jerusalem,
the Golan, Judea and Samaria and Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, which is
treating over 15 children from Kurdistan.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
So close. SpaceIL’s spacecraft was just a few kilometers
from the Moon when engine failure caused Beresheet to crash land. However, Israel
is one of only 7 countries to put a spacecraft into Moon orbit - and the
Israeli flag is on the Moon! SpaceIL subsequently won a $1 million Google Lunar
XPRIZE in recognition of "a new era in space exploration." Finally, breaking
news - primary sponsor Morris Kahn has just announced Beresheet 2.
Moovit to the voting station. Israel public
transportation app Moovit operated a special service to encourage voting in
Tuesday’s National Election. It helped users navigate their way to their
polling station and reminded them to go out and vote. All interurban public transportation
was free from 8pm Monday until end Tuesday.
Smart transportation research center. Israel’s
Technion Institute and Bar-Ilan University have won the Israeli government’s
tender to jointly build a new National Center for the Promotion of Smart
Transportation Research. It will bring Israeli and overseas researchers together
to work on smart transportation ventures.
Super intelligent with less power. (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startup Brodmann17 has developed technology that can process
artificial intelligent (AI) algorithms on low powered computer chips. Meanwhile
Israel’s Run:AI has also developed software that automatically optimizes computer
resources for deep learning processes.
The HR platform of the future workplace.
(TY Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Mar 2017) on Israel’s Hibob when it was developing a computer system for UK
insurance giant Aviva. Now it is focused on building the first HR platform for
the workplace of the future and has raised $20 million in funding. https://www.hibob.com/
Security for gas pipelines. (TY Atid-EDI) I briefly mentioned previously (2nd Mar) Israel’s Prisma Photonics and its fiber sensing system. Prisma has
just won the Israeli Government (GCA) Challenge for detecting unauthorized activities
along the 700 km of pipelines of the Israeli Natural Gas Lines.
Israeli radar system to protect Beijing airport. (TY Nevet) Beijing Capital International Airport has selected foreign object
detection (FOD) technology from Israel’s Xsight Systems (see here). The system will be installed
on the airport’s east runway, protecting take-offs and landings from debris,
birds, and other hazardous objects.
https://www.jpost.com/Jpost-Tech/Business-and-Innovation/Beijing-airport-selects-Israeli-radar-technology-to-protect-runway-585765 https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3759705,00.html
Predicting failures in electronic systems. Three co-founders of Israel’s Mellanox have founded ProteanTecs.
The new company develops technology that will allow devices to report their health
and warn of failures. Its markets include enterprise IT and autonomous
vehicles. (See also EcoPlant, Augury, 3DSignals and Opgal)
Robotraffic competition attracts 1,000 students. Many of the participants in the Nadav Shoham Robotraffic
Competition at Israel’s Technion Institute were too young to drive. Yet they were building autonomous cars. The 1,000
students came from Israel (Jews & Arabs), the US, Argentina, Russia,
Mexico, and Ukraine.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
New record
for currency reserves. Israel’s reserves of foreign
exchange at the end of March stood at a new all-time-record of just over $118 billion.
Indian
accelerator to invest in Israeli startups. India’s Anthill Ventures is to open a startup
accelerator in Tel Aviv. Anthill has recently raised $10 million to fund the accelerator
and is looking to invest up to $1 million per company in Israeli startups with
the potential of successfully entering Asian markets.
Japan
invests in Israel.
Involvement by Japanese companies in Israel have surged recently. In 2018 Japanese
firms’ investments and acquisitions relating to Israeli startups and tech firms
totaled some $791 million in 28 deals. https://www.timesofisrael.com/japanese-investment-in-israel-blossoms-as-firms-scout-for-tech/
Everyone
wants Israeli companies. (TY OurCrowd) Nvidia’a CEO Jensen Huang
celebrated his company’s takeover of Israel’s Mellanox with an event at Tel
Aviv port. He declared, "One of the things I've learned about Israeli
companies is that everyone wants them.”
Israel’s air tourists. This
article highlights the surge in visitors to Israel, from 2.9 million in 2016 to
4.1 million last year. New airline services are announced almost weekly. E.g. El
Al will soon add Las Vegas, San Francisco and Chicago to its direct routes from
New York, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles and Toronto.
TAP Portugal flies daily from Tel Aviv to Lisbon. TAP (Transportes Aéreos
Portugueses) Air Portugal has launched a direct daily flight service from Tel
Aviv to Lisbon.
Discounted
shopping at Dead Sea mall. A new mall at the Dead Sea offers both Israelis and tourists products at
prices less the Value Added Tax amount. The cost of the rebate will be footed
by the developer of the mall. Overseas tourists
will be able to claim a double discount as they can still get a VAT rebate on
many items.
OurCrowd
fund for medical innovation. (TY Atid-EDI)
Israel’s OurCrowd has launched the OurCrowd Medtech Fund. The $50m fund will
focus exclusively on investing in disruptive medical technologies and
therapeutics with the potential to transform global healthcare delivery and
patient outcomes.
Elbit
has vision. Elbit,
one of Israel’s largest companies, is acquiring the night vision business of
American technology company Harris Corporation for $350 million. The night
vision unit generates annual sales of $150 million to $160 million. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3759889,00.html
Silicon
Shtetl. Seven
Haredi startups (Camdoc, YieldsApp, Ideeza, Emerj, Menivim, TakeOver and LiST).will
take part in Calcalist’s New York conference on April 10-12. They are all members
of an accelerator program run by non-profit KamaTech, working to integrate
Israel's ultra-Orthodox population into its tech industry.
Share
a ride to the airport. El Al has launched Taxipool - a free smartphone service that allows
passengers of any airline to share taxis when they reach their destination,
including in Israel. Passengers register and are matched with others on the
same flight and then directed by text or email to a secure anonymous chatroom.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Exhibit
to honor IDF reservists. Artist and sculptor Chen Winkler served for 30 years as a major-general
in the IDF reserves. He has prepared an exhibit in appreciation for the
exceptional service of all IDF reservists. It can be seen until 28th April at
the Amiad Gallery in the Jaffa Marketplace - free of charge.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/appreciating-israels-reservists-idf-and-art-meet-in-remarkable-exhibit/
Madonna to star at Eurovision. Madonna will perform live at the Eurovision
grand finale in Tel Aviv on May 18. She will arrive with a 65-person staff, including
dozens of backup dancers. The cost of bringing the international superstar to
Israel will be covered by Israeli-Canadian billionaire philanthropist Sylvan
Adams.
New
baby rhino. I reported previously (Feb
2017) when Rihanna the rhino had her first calf at Ramat Gan safari. Her second has just been born and has been named
Rainy-Rafiki. Rafiki means “friend” in Swahili. “Rainy”, because of Israel’s
good rains. She is the 32nd rhino to be born at Ramat Gan – a European record.
The
world’s oldest pro-soccer player. 73-year-old Israeli Isaak Hayik has just set a new world record as the
oldest person to play in a professional soccer match. Hayik was goalkeeper for Ironi
Or Yehuda and made some good saves despite his team’s 5-1 defeat to Maccabi
Ramat Gan. https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israeli-soccer-star-becomes-worlds-oldest-player-breaks-Guinness-record-585886
THE JEWISH STATE
Growing
avocado trees on the Gaza border. Now that the winter rains have subsided, Israeli farmers on the Gaza
border are starting their Spring Planting. Many are making the desert grow and
thrive by planting new avocado trees. Despite the missiles from Gaza recently,
they continue to develop the Negev.
Israeli
farm of blessings.
In Israel’s Gush Etzion region, Beit Bracha Mitzvot Farm offers Jews visiting
Israel the opportunity to fulfill Biblical commandments than can only be performed
within the boundaries of the Land of Israel. They include planting wheat and olive
trees, tending to vineyards, and taking the proper tithes.
A
model seder for foreign diplomats. The Israel branch of the World Jewish Congress held a model Passover
seder at the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv in honor of 30 foreign ambassadors and
journalists stationed in Israel. The Ambassador of Honduras found the afikoman and
was given a souvenir depicting Jerusalem as his prize.
Passover
in Israel. During
the Jewish festival of Passover, many museums and events will be free of
charge. Try Jerusalem’s Gazelle Valley
Park or Botanical gardens or Pharaoh Mania at the Bible Lands Museum. 40 Israeli
museums have free entrance thanks to sponsorship from Bank Hapoalim.
Israeli democracy is the winner. Israeli
citizens went to the polls to vote for their 21st Knesset in the 71-year history
of the Modern State of Israel. It was an
exciting event without any hint of violence despite the closeness of the result.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-netanyahu-celebrates-as-israel-hands-him-a-fifth-term/
