Israeli medical researchers continually
uncover vital new information about our complex biological makeup. Technion Professor Itai Yanai has been
studying the on-off status of each of the 20,000 genes in a cell for nearly 3
years and his discovery of embryonic
development sequences could help understand how cancer develops. Meanwhile, scientists at Israel’s Weizmann
Institute have demonstrated that brains of mammals (including humans) contain a
3D compass. It explains
conditions such as vertigo and disorientation.
Moving into the medical treatment
development pipeline, positive results of trials of ND0612H from Israel’s
NeuroDerm, may mean that severe
Parkinson’s disease patients could avoid surgery - the only current
alternative. Almost simultaneously,
Israeli biotech BioLineRX has announced successful Phase I/II trials of its
BL-7010 co-polymer for the treatment of celiac
disease, for which there is currently no cure or formal
treatment.
Other recent Israeli developments include a
new MRI technique from Israel’s Ben Gurion University that can detect damage to the
brain much earlier than previously, when it is still treatable. Also, Israeli biotech Efranat Ltd. is
developing a novel immunotherapy
treatment for cancer. Meanwhile
at Tel Aviv University, scientists have developed a new technique for detecting
hazardous particles in the lungs.
The test can be used in emergencies such as fire rescues or as a warning
of high pollution levels. Finally, on
Dec 3rd (International Disabilities Day) Beit Issie Shapiro launched its
Technology Consulting Center, to share its expertise in the field of disabilities and technology.
Israel continues to be a world leader in
the development of medical devices.
Israel’s Novocure has
announced that its NovoTTF-100A portable scalp device extends the life
of brain tumor patients. The day
when the blind can see comes even closer thanks to scientists at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. They have developed a
wireless, light-sensitive, flexible implantable film that mimics the function
of the photosensitive cells in the retina and could
potentially form part of a device to replace a damaged retina. The Israeli 3D printing company Stratasys is
accelerating its expertise in building
medical devices using 3D printed injection molding. With 3D printing, device prototypes can be
produced in 95% less time and at 70% less cost compared with traditional
aluminum molds.
So many of Israel’s latest hi-tech
innovations could make a huge positive impact on society. In fact, Israel even
has an organization called “Tech
for Good,” that promotes technology development to solve social
problems. So it was unsurprising that the Israeli winners of the inaugural Untold
News Awards in New York included Professor Dan Peer, who developed the
"Cancer Bullet" (an inject-able form of chemotherapy) and Professor
Idan Tobis, who invented a metal ligament prosthesis that reduces recovery time
dramatically. Then when Ben-Gurion
University held a 28-hour “wearable technology” development marathon, the
three winners were a student feedback system, a wearable locator device
and a real-time translator.
Israel’s LifeBEAM has announced two more wearable innovations. The first is its new “smart” baseball
cap that measures vitals such as heart-rate, calorie usage and walking
posture. It complements Lifebeam’s
cycling helmet, which has been available since 2013. LifeBEAM’s technology is also providing the
technology to power Samsung’s answer to the Apple Watch. LifeBEAM’s sensor algorithms are embedded in Samsung’s
Simband, measuring pulse, temperature, blood flow, skin conductivity
and more.
Here are three recent Israeli innovations
that can assist those involved in saving lives on a massive scale. Firstly, Israeli startup Kalisaya, which has
developed the KaliPAK – a portable
renewable power solution. It
generates solar energy that can be used as an emergency
backup generator in case of natural disasters. Staying with the disaster theme, Tomer Simon,
a Ph.D. student at Ben Gurion University’s Department of Emergency Medicine,
has developed TwitterMate
- a tool for filtering Twitter for only those tweets connected with a
particular incident or subject. And the
development of the pocket printer by Israel’s ZUtA Labs moves forward with its
latest prototype – enabling computer printing in challenging conditions.
Finally, to those readers who traditionally
at this time of year make a resolution to lose weight. Israeli technology has arrived to help you
succeed. Israel’s BitBite
literally will whisper a word in your ear about your diet and provide you with
real-time data to help you change
your eating habits. BitBite is
an app and an earpiece containing a microphone, Bluetooth chip and other
sensors that track what you eat, how much and how quickly you eat.
Stay healthy in 2015 – with Israeli
technology.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly
newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to
michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com
