www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com
http://blogs.jpost.com/users/just-look-us-now
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Israeli neurologist discovers positive side effect. A study by Israeli neurologist Dr. Rivka Inzelberg has identified that patients taking dopamine-stimulating medication (to control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease) have contracted artistic or literary creative skills. Reducing the medication suppresses these new skills.
http://israel21c.org/health/parkinsons-treatment-may-boost-creativity/
Calcium control prevents brain diseases. Hebrew University researchers have discovered that the protein Calphotin regulates the amount of Calcium contained in the body’s cells. Loss of Calphotin (e.g. due to aging) causes Calcium levels to rise and accelerates cell death. In the brain this leads to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=127280&CultureCode=en
Approval for Israeli tumor test. The US Food and Drugs Administration has approved the MarginProbe breast cancer test from Israel’s Dune Medical. Surgeons performing lumpectomy operations use MarginProbe to ensure that the whole tumor has been removed, thus avoiding the need for further operations.
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000811270&fid=1725
More power to the brain. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Max Planck Society of Germany are to build a 3 million euro Brain Research Center on the Hebrew U’s Givat Ram site in the nation’s capital. It is hoped that the research will lead to improved treatment for destructive neurological diseases.
http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=298114
New vaccine for dogs. (From Israel21c) Two Hebrew University veterinary scientists have developed the first vaccine effective against canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), a sometimes fatal tick-borne disease in dogs.
http://israel21c.org/environment/israeli-vets-formulate-new-vaccine-for-dogs/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
More help for educating minorities. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is creating a program for students from minority backgrounds to encourage access to higher education. To lead these efforts, the University has appointed Prof. Nayef Jarrous as the Minority Affairs Advisor to Hebrew U President Menahem Ben-Sasson.
http://www.huji.ac.il/cgi-bin/dovrut/dovrut_search_eng.pl?mesge135703497705872560
Penny gets Queen’s honor for the Queen’s English. (Thanks to Israel21c) English-born teacher, lecturer and writer Penny Ur from Moshav Amnon has just been awarded the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for her work promoting English language-teaching methodologies. Penny made Aliya in 1967.
http://israel21c.org/news/queen-to-honor-israeli-professor/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsHM6db99jQ
Asperger’s Birthright tour. 20 young North American Jews with Asperger’s Syndrome have just experienced Israel together on a special Taglit-Birthright tour. They also met Israelis with Asperger’s at Shekel, an umbrella organization for Israelis with special needs.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/aboard-the-aspergers-bus-a-quirky-mishpocha/
Arab states love Israeli produce. A major Lebanese supermarket chain is selling Israeli goods, contrary to the 64-year-old Arab boycott of the Jewish State. Amazingly, according to a Tel Aviv University report, Israel’s exports to Middle Eastern markets in 2011 were over $6 billion, about 13 percent of overall Israeli exports.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=298200
Only Israel. Excellent article that sums up the upside-down world we live in.
http://frontpagemag.com/2013/ronn-torossian/the-sickening-double-standard-applied-to-israel/
Israel is one with Newtown. The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School invoked much empathy from Israeli leaders and organizations. Both President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu sent condolences. Israel Humanitarian Aid donated boxes of fresh food to first responders in Newtown. And Hadassah has raised funds to plant a grove of 3,000 trees in Beersheva River Park, Israel, in memory of the 26 victims.
http://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-condemns-newtown-massacre-and-offers-assistance/
http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/12/31/3115736/3000-trees-to-be-planted-in-israel-to-memorialize-newtown-victims
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Two Israeli apps are among Apple’s “Best of 2012”. Two Israeli applications have made the Apple App Store’s Best of 2012 list. Any.Do allows users to manage a task list using voice commands or touchscreen technology. GroupShot allows group photos to be edited so that everyone looks their best.
http://sizedoesntmatter.com/technology/israeli-apps-make-apples-best-of-2012-list/
Israel introduces “perceptual computing”. Using a unique platform developed at Intel’s Haifa center, it will soon be possible for computers to anticipate the needs of their owners. Intel is offering developers $1 million in prizes to come up with the software of tomorrow, in the Intel Perceptual Computing Challenge.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/intel-offers-a-million-bucks-for-app-game-changers-using-tech-developed-in-haifa/
Waze can help reduce accident numbers. Ben Gurion University researchers have analyzed data from Israeli GPS navigation application “Waze “to highlight traffic trouble spots where police can be deployed more effectively. The data highlighted slow police response times and unmonitored busy intersections.