GOOD NEWS FROM AMAZING ISRAEL: MICHAEL ORDMAN
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Universal Flu vaccine gets EU and Japanese patents. The European Union and Japan have granted patents to the universal flu vaccine Multimeric-001 (M-001) developed by Israel’s BiondVax. The ex-Weizmann Institute technology already has patents in the United States, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Russia and Mexico.
US approval for Israeli ECG system. The US FDA has approved the innovative ECG system HyperQ Analyzer Rest developed by Israeli biotech BSP. HyperQ can test patients at rest, diagnosing early-stage heart disease without putting the patient under stress. It is less risky than alternative invasive and radioactivity tests.
Boost for GVHD treatment. The US FDA has given orphan status to Glassia from Israel’s Kamada, to treat Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). Preliminary studies indicate that Glassia may be able to treat and reduce the severity of GVHD, a key life-threatening complication of stem cell transplantation from another person.
Success with new treatment for Parkinson’s. Phase II trials of liquid levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) (ND0612L) by Israeli biotech NeuroDerm have shown improvements in patients with moderate to severe Parkinson’s disease.
App improves eyesight of Israeli pilots. The Israeli app GlassesOff has been tested successfully on 32 Israeli Air Force pilots. On average, a 35% improvement in visual acuity (sharpness and clarity) was achieved after 3 months of exercises for just 12-15 minutes, three times a week. GlassesOff improves the brain, not the eyes.
Leading the way on managing ADHD. (Thanks to Nevet – www.broaderview.org) Hadassah Hospital’s Neurocognitive Center has one of the world’s most innovative models for the management of ADHD. Hadassah’s diagnosis and therapy practices allow children to live normal lives with their families.
The world wakes up to WakeUp. WakeUp is the Israeli-developed natural beverage solution to post-lunch fatigue. WakeUp, from Israel’s Inno-Bev, won the 2014 SupplySide CPG Editors’ Choice Award in the Energy Drink category. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wakeup-post-lunch-drink-wins-cpg-editors-choice-at-supplyside-west-280505082.html http://west.supplysideshow.com/cpg-awards.aspx
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
The “All Children’s Park”. Israel has inaugurated another accessibility park for children. The ACP (All the Children’s Park) at Hod Hasharon contains playing devices that allow children with special needs (emotional, social, mental, physical, sensual disabilities) interact with ordinary children.
Women take to Crowdfunding. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have found that the proportion of women (35%) raising capital using the crowdfunding site Kickstarter was far higher than women using more traditional methods. The reason is that women have better on-line networking skills than men.
http://www.fromthegrapevine.com/innovation/how-crowdfunding-evens-playing-field-female-entrepreneurs
Azerbaijan. More on the emerging relationship between Israel and its majority-Muslim ally.
UN praises Israel’s work to combat Ebola. Wow! United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a letter to Israel’s envoy to the UN, Ron Prosor, commending the Jewish state for its efforts to combat the outbreak of the Ebola virus. Meanwhile, Israel’s Sys Technologies makes the inflatable isolation tents recently installed in Guinea. It also developed a stretcher that isolates those suspected of having contracted the virus.
Nursing sea turtles back to health. (Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Mikhmoret has nine patients. They include Mazel (Luck) who is blind and Hofesh (Freedom) with his artificial fins. They will stay and hopefully breed, but the other seven could eventually return to the sea.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Look what you can 3D print. The Israeli website Inside3DP aims to become the primary authority on the 3D printing industry, providing expert analysis of the technology in all its varied aspects.
Electrical circuits using DNA. An international scientific group led by Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Danny Porath has made electricity flow through long molecules of four DNA strands. This breakthrough in molecular electronics could lead to a new generation of simpler and cheaper computer circuits.
Helping California combat drought. Professor Eilon Adar, of Ben Gurion University’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR), is in California sharing technology and experience of working with scarce water resources. ZWIR specialties include desalination, hydrology, resource economics and water management.
Solar power from trees. (Thanks to Size Doesn’t Matter) The Ramat HaNadiv nature park in Northern Israel contains an unusual tree. The solar powered tree has a brown metal trunk and branches. Its seven broad leaves are solar panels that provide shade, plus energy for electric and USB outlets, chilled water fountains and wi-fi.
Silence on board. There has been quite a lot of “noise” recently about the ‘Quiet Bubble’ technology developed by Israel’s Silentium. It can create quiet zones around aircraft passengers’ heads. The system, based on Active Noise Cancellation, was demonstrated in California and Washington recently.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2783834/Silentium-Quiet-Bubble-technology-creates-quiet-zones-airplanes.html http://www.aircraftinteriorsexpo-us.com/en/Exhibitors/425630/Silentium-Ltd
Israel in global test of cosmic radiation. Israel is part of a 4-nation project to measure the ionization rate from cosmic radiation at various altitudes up to 35km. Scientists in Israel, England, Russia and Spain will release high-altitude balloons carrying cosmic ray detectors in the first international experiment of its kind.
New center for crop protection. Israel’s Evogene has opened dedicated Research & Development facilities at its Rehovot facility to support the company’s product programs focusing on fungus, insect and weed control.
Shelf life extended by 1500%. An invention by Israel’s Pimi Agro could see the end of world hunger. Pimi has developed a fungicide, based on hydrogen peroxide with additives, that keeps fruit and vegetables fresh for up to 10 weeks. It will prevent the current wastage of one-third of all agricultural produce.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
A $ billion company in the making. Israeli start-up ThetaRay uses complex maths for the early detection of security breaches, enabling the shutdown of systems before damage can be done. Its customers and investors include GE, Hapoalim and Citi. It is in talks with Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley and has big ambitions.
Building up ties with Philadelphia. Eleven Israeli startup companies are in Philadelphia, attending Philadelphia’s first Israel Technology Conference, hosted by Drexel University. Philadelphia is a perfect gateway for Israeli companies, thanks to its abundance of higher education and healthcare institutions.
The Chinese Go4Israel. Hundreds of European and Asian investors looked to Israel for business partnerships at the twelfth annual Go4Europe/Go4Israel conference in Tel Aviv’s Hilton Hotel. This year’s conference focused specifically on strengthening ties between Israel and China.
Good news for startups. Investment in Israel startups during the 3rd quarter of 2014 was 6% higher than the same period in 2013. Over $700 million of funding capital was invested in Israeli hi-tech from Jul-Sep 2014.
DNA test for your family tree. Israel-based ancestry research company MyHeritage has joined up with 23andMe, the biotech company that sells personal DNA kits, to enable people to discover their heritage based on genetics testing and documented family history.
Reinventing the used car marketplace. (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israel startup Beepi is transforming the buying and selling of used cars by providing inspection, financing and delivery, all through its digital platform. It sounds too good to be true, but it has raised $60 million from investors who like the idea.
http://nocamels.com/2014/10/reinventing-the-used-car-marketplace-one-year-old-startup-beepi-raises-60-million/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAsy74HbDqE
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Things to do in Israel in November. Many tourists enjoy visiting Israel during November. The temperatures are much more comfortable than during the heat of the summer.
Worth listening to. I’ve just heard about the fascinating Jerusalem Stories Radio, which produces regular short features of what’s creative and interesting about Israel: it’s people, art, history, culture, religion…life. Please visit the site and hear the stories.
Tel Aviv is one of the world’s top culinary cities. The prestigious American food and lifestyle magazine Saveur rated Tel Aviv-Jaffa “Outstanding” in its annual rankings of the world’s best food destinations in the category of cities with a population of under 800,000. Tel Aviv-Jaffa has 4,536 eating establishments.
Chinese student represents Israel. Lechao Tang is studying for a master’s degree in Bible and the Ancient Near East, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is also representing the university (and Israel) on China’s highest rated game show “Who’s Still Standing”.
25,000 in Tel Aviv Night Run. More than 25,000 participants ran through Tel Aviv – the “City that Never Sleeps” – in its sixth annual 10 km urban night race.
Europe’s youth chess champion. Israeli 17-year-old high school student Avital Boruchovsky is the 2014 European Youth Under 18 Chess Champion, after winning a four-hour game against his Spanish opponent Jaime Santos Latasa at the championships in Georgia.
World bridge champions. Israel’s Ehud Friedlander and Inon Liran won the open pairs world championships at the 14th Red Bull World Bridge Series in Sanya, China. The margin of victory was an impressive 3% over the runners-up from Poland. Also, Israel’s Ronnie Barr and Eldad Ginossar won the mixed pairs B final by 3%.
THE JEWISH STATE
$13.2 million aid to Southern Israel residents. The Jewish Agency for Israel has developed a $13.2 Million aid package to help the communities of Israel’s south recover from this summer’s hostilities, thanks to contributions from the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Kayesod-UIA, and other donors.
From Hezbollah terrorist to Israeli rabbi. How did a Shia Muslim and Hezbollah commander become Rabbi Avraham Sinai of Tzfat? You have got to believe that anything is possible, when you read this amazing story.
Bringing Israel’s message to the World. “People2People Diplomacy” tells the truth, through worldwide speaking engagements and specialized tours of Israel. What is the truth? As the only democracy in the region, Israel’s highly educated and innovative population is a blessing to the world!
“From The Grapevine”. This excellent website features original articles highlighting the inspiring, beautiful and innovative side of the Jewish State. It also includes some stunning photography to accompany positive Israeli stories that cover Innovation, Health, Nature, the Arts, Food and Lifestyle.
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