This week I am focusing on how Israeli technology, innovations and humanitarian work touches the lives of young and old and everyone in between.
A new report published by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics states that the average life expectancy in Israel, has increased by 2.6 years over the last decade. Israeli males can now expect to live to the age of 80 and females to 82.6 - both being two years longer than the OECD average. Almost every day there is news of another Israeli treatment that promises to extend life even further.
Cancer is now the biggest threat to
longevity. The IceSense3 tumor-freezing
technology from Israel’s IceCure is already destroying breast cancer and
clinical trials will test if this can be extended
to lung cancer tumors New treatments for blood
clots and strokes will also save millions of lives, so we eagerly await
the outcome of new Phase II tests of THR-18 from Israel’s D-Pharm. In a groundbreaking development, scientists
at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have effectively reversed time by being the
first in the world to transform
adult cells into the earliest form of stem cells. Stem cells have been re-engineered
previously but those were limited to be specific to certain parts of the
body. The new Israeli stem cells have
been completely “reset” and have the potential to be grown into any organ
whatsoever.
The “age
of innovation” makes it possible to manage patients’ health more
effectively by using technology such as digitized health records and distance
medicine. These were among many
solutions discussed at the Mobile Health Israel Conference in Tel Aviv. One innovation in this space is the Tyto, a personal diagnosis device that
can gather information straight from a patient’s mouth and throat, eyes, ears,
heart, lungs, and skin. It includes a camera and microphone to take
measurements, uploading the results to a doctor or health management
organization.
Wounded Syrians of all ages have been
brought to Israeli hospitals for treatment.
Ziv Medical Center in Safed treated a 9-year-old
boy injured in his eyes as the result of an explosion. Also two
Syrians were brought to Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya in
moderate and critical condition, with head, chest and limb injuries. Also in the Galilee, Israelis are fostering
coexistence between young
Arab and Jewish citizens. Nazareth is to be the site of a new campus of
Texas A&M University to be known as the "Peace University". Meanwhile, Israel’s Technion is a key member
of the iPodia Alliance, which is implementing a new age
of learning. This new video
describes the aims of “Classrooms without borders” – i.e. learning together for
a better world.
Israel is full of young talent. One of the latest innovations from the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem has just been commercialized. It is a clay-based mineral developed by Dr
Yael Mishael. The mineral is
modified with polymers to
absorb organic polluting chemicals and is even better than active
carbon. Multinational companies have
been quick to recognize Israeli business opportunities. Facebook’s Vice President Nicola Mendelsohn
told Israel’s President Peres, “It was a momentous decision for Facebook to
open its first Research & Development center outside the US. We chose Israel in the knowledge that the
best talent is found here.” AOL
is also hiring
employees for its Israeli development center. And IKEA
is assembling its 3rd Israeli site, near Haifa. No wonder Israel’s
unemployment rate fell again to 6.1% in the third quarter, from 6.8% in
the second quarter. Participation in
the workforce went up, as did the percentage of full-time employees.
Even the international celebrities visiting
Israel recently crossed the age spectrum, comprising Rihanna,
Paula
Abdul and the ageless Tom Jones
who treated the baby-boomers
in the audience to a rendition of “My
Yiddishe Momme” during his two concerts at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.
Rounding off our journey through the ages,
thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, last week
to celebrate the festival of Sigd that links their historical connection to the
Jewish State. The
Biblical holiday was originally observed in Ethiopia 50 days after Yom
Kippur to repent for sins, pray for their return to Jerusalem, the coming of
the Messiah and a Third Temple. On a
lighter note, an Israeli entrepreneur has conceived an original and
entertaining use of our heritage to attract young and old. Grant Crankshaw is
using Crowdfunding to raise funds to build a Bible-themed mini-golf
park in Raanana. You apply for
discounted tickets and your contribution is only collected if the campaign
reaches its investment target.
Finally, in a young, modern State it is
recommended to listen to those wise old heads that have had an excellent track
record. Aged 78, Dr.
Eli Fischer doesn’t plan to retire any time soon. He is a scientist,
successful industrialist, philanthropist and head of the international “Dr
Fischer” brand. Having just published his autobiography, he now wants to do
more in the area of anti-aging. His most important tip - “Do not stand still.
You will learn all the time and even if things look pretty good, still strive
to improve.”
Timeless advice that we should all
follow – whatever our age.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly
newsletter containing Good News stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to
michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com
