A Healthy and Good News Year (Part 2)

I have made 12 major predictions regarding major Israeli medical achievements that will happen in the new Jewish Year of 5776.  Three of those predications have been described in detail in Part 1 of this blog.  Part 2 contains the detailed links for my remaining 9 medical predictions.

Here is the summary list of all 12 predictions.  Part 2 predictions are in RED.

1. There will be numerous major breakthroughs by Israelis in the search for a cure for cancer.

2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases.

3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes.

4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients.

5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases.

6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria

7. Israelis will pursue treatments for rare diseases and conditions.

8. Israeli doctors will personally intervene to save the lives and limbs of thousands of non-Israelis.

9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people.

10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain.

11. New Israeli devices and techniques to diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker.

12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions.

2. There will be huge Israeli advances in the treatment of brain diseases. 

In the past year, Israel’s Avraham Pharmaceuticals has been successfully testing its ladostigil treatment that slows the progression to Alzheimer’s; Israel’s Kadimastem had successful pre-clinical trials of its stem-cell treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s disease); Israeli biotech Pharma Two B had positive results in its trials of P2B001 for the treatment of early stage Parkinson’s disease.

More of last year’s Israeli advances in brain disease treatments can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/two-israeli-arabs-develop-app-to-treat-adhd/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/brain-disease-mechanism-discovered/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/brain-neurons-study-can-help-fight-alzheimers/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/the-nose-to-brain-express-route/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/als-treatment-trial-shows-success/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/parkinsons-treatment-trials-success/

3. New Israeli treatments will be found for diabetes. 

5775 saw Israeli researchers working to isolate the active ingredient of the Israeli shrub Chiliadenus iphionoides that increases sugar absorption and reduces blood sugar levels; Israel’s TouchéMedical is developing the world’s smallest, cheapest and smartest patch pump, for patients with diabetes; Kadimastem’s stem cells (see above) can also generate pancreatic cells that secrete insulin.

More of last year’s new Israeli treatments for diabetes can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/hope-for-millions-of-diabetics/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/diabetic-technology-goes-global/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/an-artificial-pancreas-implant/

4. Israeli innovations and research will give heart to cardiology patients. 

Israel’s Eximo has developed a catheter connected to a pulsed laser system, for the treatment of blocked arteries associated with Peripheral Artery Disease;

More of last year’s Israeli cardiology innovations and research can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/light-stimulated-genes-may-replace-pacemakers/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-traffic-light-pacemaker/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/treating-sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease-2/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/pomegranate-juice-and-dates-for-healthy-arteries/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/heart-muscle-re-grown-after-heart-attack/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/device-to-prevent-heart-failure/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/an-even-bigger-heart/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/understanding-irregular-heartbeats/

5. Israelis will make major discoveries about the immune system and auto-immune diseases. 

Last year’s Israeli immunology-related discoveries can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/pluristem-stem-cells-control-the-immune-system/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/new-smart-anti-inflammatory-protein/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/how-the-lymphatic-system-forms/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/bacteria-use-dna-memory-to-stop-viruses/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/arthritis-treatment-can-stop-hair-loss/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/vaccines-from-your-own-cells/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/immunotherapy-to-fight-cancer/

6. Israelis will find new ways to fight resistant strains of bacteria. 

Last year’s Israeli work to fight resistant bacteria can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/bacteria-or-virus/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/protection-against-microbial-infections/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/fighting-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/successful-trials-for-treatment-of-gastric-infections/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-virus-that-kills-resistant-bacteria-infections/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/preventing-hospital-infections/

9. New Israeli medical innovations will improve the lives of disabled people. 

Last year’s Israeli medical innovations for the disabled can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/calming-autistic-children/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/new-center-for-autism-in-jerusalem/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/rewalk-makes-paraplegics-healthier/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/6000-disabled-kids-can-now-walk-tall/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/the-blind-can-see-sounds/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/kids-in-sync-physically-and-socially/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/beit-issie-launches-disabilities-tech-center/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-smartphone-for-the-disabled/

10. There will be new Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain. 

Last year’s Israeli medical treatments for the relief of pain can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/high-pressure-oxygen-to-treat-fibromyalgia/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/success-for-treatment-of-back-pain/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/successful-trials-for-novel-treatment/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/revolutionizing-the-management-of-pain/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/apostherapy-marches-on/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/treatment-to-stop-pain/

11. New Israeli devices and techniques to diagnose disease and injuries earlier and quicker. 

Last year’s new Israeli diagnostic devices can be found by clicking on these links.

The genetic mutation tests of Israel’s Rosetta Genomics to detect lung cancer;

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/non-invasive-test-for-bladder-cancer-2/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/blood-test-detects-early-colon-cancer/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/internet-tool-to-analyze-genes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/early-detection-of-colon-and-uterine-cancer/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/eilat-coral-can-help-cancer-research/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/micro-antenna-to-treat-gastro-cancer/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/cancer-detection-proven/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/tb-skin-patch-wins-gates-award/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-sniff-test-for-autism/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/an-app-to-detect-adhd/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/app-can-diagnose-adhd-2/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/voice-monitoring-to-diagnose-brain-disease/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/monitoring-mental-illness-by-smartphone/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/one-device-to-check-them-all-anywhere/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/simple-test-for-smoke-inhalation-damage/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/diagnosing-malaria-in-only-3-minutes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/bacteria-test-in-minutes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/test-your-dog-for-diseases-in-minutes/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/new-devices-to-diagnose-pneumonia/

12. New Israeli medicines, devices and techniques will save and change lives and give hope to millions. 

Last year’s Israeli life-changing medical news can be found by clicking on these links.

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/protection-against-future-flu-strains/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/fooling-the-malaria-parasite/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/doctors-revive-mother-with-amniotic-embolism/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/doctors-remove-tumor-from-womb-of-pregnant-woman/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/sealing-up-after-surgery/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/robotic-needle-steering/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/medical-aid-for-taipei-burns-victims/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/patent-for-lung-disease-treatment/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/50-young-spines-straightened/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/10000-operations-for-spinal-surgery-guidance-system/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/trials-for-dry-amd-treatment-begin/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/a-cure-for-addiction/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/cupid-prevents-falling/

http://israelactive.com/israels-medical-achievements/and-baby-makes-three/

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com and a searchable archive www.IsraelActive.com

For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

How Lucky is Israel?

Last week, Ben Gurion University researchers made an “accidental” discovery, when testing an experimental anti-inflammatory drug, that could signify a breakthrough in the treatment of deadly infections.  My immediate thought was how “lucky” the BGU scientists were - but in reality, the discovery followed the proscribed use of methodical testing procedures and meticulously careful observations.  Here are some further recent cases of where Israelis definitely do not rely on “luck” when it comes to vital innovations and activities.

Traditional cancer chemotherapies depend on the laws of chance in that sufficient numbers of cancer cells will be destroyed alongside the (unwanted) death of normal, healthy cells.  Several Israeli companies, however, are working on removing this random, “splatter-gun” approach.  One of these, Quiet Therapeutics, has developed the “GAGomer,” a new class of nano-particle that specifically targets tumors and blood cancers.  Another Israeli biotech, Compugen, has announced positive initial experimental results for two Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) treatments.  ADC therapy uses antibodies to target proteins present at high levels in cancer cells, releasing a toxic payload to kill the cells.

Some say that those who inherit a high risk of cancer are simply “unlucky”.  That may indeed be the case, however with genetic screening, it no longer needs to be a question of luck as to whether the onset of cancer is detected and treated early enough to save their lives.  So it is fortunate that researchers at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem have discovered a genetic mutation that can identify those at risk of colon and uterine cancers.  Similarly, doctors and researchers no longer need to rely on luck when examining patients for the early onset of Parkinson’s disease.  Patients can now be monitored continuously, using smart watches linked to smartphones. The data is then transmitted to an advanced analytics platform developed by Intel Israel that can handle 300 observations per second from each patient.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJX9f8goIq8#t=139 

On a Syrian street, a 23-year-old man was unfortunate to have been hit by a bullet that shattered his lower jaw and blew his teeth to bits.  Luckily for him, he was rushed across the Israeli border and taken to Haifa’s Rambam hospital where doctors implanted a custom-made 3D-printed titanium jaw in a pioneering operation. One day after surgery, the patient was eating and speaking.  Meanwhile, a Palestinian Arab baby with heart problems suffered a heart attack whilst on his way to Jordan for treatment.  Luckily for him, IDF medics arrived to resuscitate him and evacuated him and his grateful parents to Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQvH5Saw5ZA 

Many Israeli children were “lucky” to enjoy a couple of days playing in the snow that fell across the country.  Following a request by the Palestinian Authority, the IDF have been helping to clear snow blocking roads to the PA city of Ramallah, helping to clear flooding in Tulkarem and pushing a not-so-lucky Palestinian Arab taxi driver out of frozen mud.  Overseas, the Philippines has been very unlucky with the weather, as typhoon Hagupit (Ruby) has just devastated a country still reeling from last year’s typhoon Haiyan.  Luckily, an IsraAID emergency response team has again responded quickly with medical relief and humanitarian aid.

Anyone unlucky enough to have lost their water supply due to a burst water main will appreciate the monitoring systems from Israel’s TaKaDu.  The water utilities that have engaged TaKaDu’s services don’t wait for a lucky phone call from a dutiful member of the public and instead are saving billions of liters of water otherwise lost through leaking pipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDsmIhhmE3U 

Having proved that Israelis don’t rely on luck, I will conclude with two recent news stories where fortune (or something else) must have been involved.  First, it was lucky that art historian Nirit Shalev-Khalifa stopped to answer her cell phone when she was driving away from Jerusalem.  The tour guide that called her had just happened to be visiting Jerusalem’s Ades “Great” Synagogue and seen someone begin some very amateurish restoration work.  Nirit made a quick “U” turn, just in time to save the Stark Murals – an early 20th Century masterpiece of Jerusalem’s Syrian Jewry.

Finally, a baby faun in Hebron had a lucky escape from being eaten by poachers.  Israeli police were busy uncovering a weapons and drugs cache when they heard noises coming from inside a barrel.  Instead of dismissing the noise as just rats, they checked the barrel and found the faun (a protected species in Israel) chained up inside it.  The faun was transferred to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo for medical treatment.

Put your trust in Israeli ingenuity - you won’t believe your luck.

Michael Ordman writes a free weekly newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.

www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com

For a free subscription, email a request to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com