Israel Active

Researchers at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University have discovered that the gene ZNF750, essential for forming healthy skin, also supports Langerhans immune skin cells that are the frontline defense against infection. The discovery aids research into skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Research by Weizmann Institute scientists finds genetics may explain 50% of the human lifespan, over twice previous estimates which should have ignored accidents, infections and other external reasons for death. The study opens doors to therapies targeting aging itself.

On a Lufthansa flight to Israel a 64-year-old passenger suffered a cardiac event. She was saved by two Israeli doctors, Dr. Mohammad Badarna, a senior endocrinologist at the Galilee Medical Center in Poriya, and his wife, family physician Dr. Miriam Mafra Badarna.

King Solomon wrote “there is nothing new under the Sun”. In the 12th century, Rambam (Moses ben Maimon – a.k.a. Maimonides) wrote about a healthy diet. Follow his 10 rules and while you might not live to 120 (Rambam was only 69 when he died) but you will never put on weight.

2,000 kidney donors gathered at a Matnat Chaim (Gift of Life) event in Jerusalem, joined by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, to celebrate life, selflessness, and a world-record-setting achievement. And the Guinness Book of World Records reversed its previous decision of refusing to include it.

A two-year Israeli clinical study at Assuta Medical Centers and Sheba Medical Center proved that specialized lenses significantly slowed worsening nearsightedness in children. The lenses used a peripheral defocus technology known as Myoslow. Young children benefited most.

Iranian Amir Heshmatpour, CEO of NeOnc Technologies, is to start trials of his brain cancer treatment at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky (Ichilov) hospital. Nasally-administered NeOnc bypasses the blood-brain barrier. Trials will include stage 3 and 4 patients. 24 patients are in remission.

Bar-Ilan Prof Rachela Popovtzer has been awarded her third European Research Council (ERC) grant. The Proof of Concept grant supports development of her GOLDEN-RT nanotechnology platform for more precise, effective, and safer cancer treatment,

Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have generated, in lab tests, live, harmless bacteria that produce fragile therapeutic proteins directly inside the body, and not destroyed in the stomach. Using microneedle patches they could treat war wounds, cancer, diabetes, and many other diseases.

Israel’s Renewal Bio, a startup spun out of Israel’s Weizmann Institute, is turning skin cells into stem cells that can be grown into replacement organs for cancer patients or to cure rare orphan diseases. They simulate embryonic development – and even employ a womb-like incubator.