Israel Active

This article gives a comprehensive insight into Israel’s largest volunteer organization – Yad Sarah (see previously). The range of medical and social services that Yad Sarah provides is truly amazing, including to help rehabilitate wounded IDF soldiers.

Scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University have identified new types of fat cells in the body and described their purpose – e.g. to control appetite. Their research findings, part of the international Human Cell Atlas project, could pave the way for personalized medicine in obesity.

Yuval Kutz is founder and President of Israel’s online Happiness Studies Academy, which uses scientific research to educate leaders about how to find and share happiness. Kurtz says, “Research shows you will be more productive, more resilient, more efficient, and that you’ll live longer” if you’re happy.

Tel Aviv University scientists have greatly increased the success rate of IVF from 34% to 65% by a precise and advanced method for selecting the highest-quality sperm cells. Their innovative imaging system analyzes internal sperm morphology, motility, and DNA fragmentation.

Tel Aviv University Professor Uri Ben-David shares insights regarding cancer biology and treatment strategies, including precision medicine. His specialty is aneuploidy, the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in cancer cells (see previously).

Tel Aviv University researchers are able to encode cell therapy to target specific diseases without causing toxic side effects on the liver. Their first example encapsulates mRNA nanoparticles in lipids that are only absorbed in the intestine, telling it to generate IL-10 for curing colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Israel’s Pepticom (see previously) is to accelerate the development of its oral IL-17 inhibitor program, targeting improved treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute found that lack of a sense of smell often leads to depression, anxiety and other health issues which link to a reduced lifespan. They also discovered that sighing every 5 minutes or so helps prevent the collapse of alveoli in the lungs.”

ART 100 cardiopulmonary bypass systems from Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see previously) are to be deployed in hospitals on the US East Coast. The system takes over the functionality of the heart and/or lungs in critical care patients.

Prof. Yoram Weiss, director general of the Hadassah Medical Organization, saved a man having a heart attack during an El Al flight to Miami. Weiss administered oxygen, provided medication, and had the flight diverted to Athens. The passengers applauded in appreciation.