Israel Active

We know that Israelis are always having brainwaves, but now researchers at Tel Aviv University have studied them in detail. They found that alpha-beta waves (10 to 30 Hz) are not emitted during sleep or unconscious states. This can help detect if coma patients are aware of external sounds.

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have adapted a technique called quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (qMRI) to reveal biological changes in the cellar tissue of the striatum an organ in the brain which is known to deteriorate during the progress of Parkinson's disease.

A study of some 40,000 elderly Israelis shows that the fourth COVID-19 vaccination reduced coronavirus death rates among the most vulnerable Israelis by 72%. It also slashed infection rates in that population by 60% and hospitalizations by 34%.

Israel has successfully rolled out its polio vaccine to children between the ages of six weeks and 18 months – the age most at risk of contracting the disease. The vaccination rate was only 81% in March, when the first case of the virus in 34 years was detected. The rate is now 99%.

Researchers from Haifa’s Bnai Zion Medical Center and Israel’s Technion Institute have developed semaphorin 3A - a molecule that maintains the balance of the immune system. It can help treat autoimmune or inflammatory diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, MS, and IBD.

Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have engineered nano-sized hybrid biological components at room temperature. These fast-growing proteins, enzymes, and other biological compounds can be used to develop new, safer medicines and improved fuels that do not exist in nature.

A mystery illness caused 41-year-old Nir’s muscles to deteriorate and eventually Nir collapsed, paralyzed. At Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, Nir was quickly diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome. A transfusion and plasma replacement restored Nir’s life.

RISE is the innovation arm of Assuta – Israel’s leading private chain of hospitals. RISE already partners with 30 Israeli startups and has just added five more. , , , and MaveriQx – the only startup not previously reported in this newsletter.

"The Future is in HealthTech” was one of a new series of meetings sponsored by Calcalist and Start-Up Nation Central. It highlighted the pandemic-induced rise of telemedicine, Zoom meetings, and virtual reality.

Israel’s Maolac (see previously) has progressed from just producing an alternative to mother’s milk for babies. It is now using one ingredient for an anti-inflammatory product to help athletes recover after exercise. And another, to make a probiotic that reduces stress in the gut.