What the microbiome has taught us
Dr Elan Elinav and Prof Elan Segal of Israel’s Weizmann Institute have made many medical discoveries from microbiome (gut bacteria) research. They include artificial sweeteners’ link to obesity / diabetes and gut microbes’ impact on ALS. There are 40 scientists in their research lab.
Positive results in human trial of ALS treatment
As reported previously, the stem cell ALS therapy developed by Israel’s Kadimastem showed promise in the lab. Now, early results from human trials at Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem show that it has significantly slowed down disease progression without major side effects.
Revolution in the operating theater
As reported previously, the Virtual Reality (VR) systems from Israel’s Surgical Theater are changing the nature of surgery. Now installed at 15 US hospitals, they have been used in thousands of life-saving operations.
Helping doctors focus on treatment
Israel’s Maverick Medical AI has developed software for reading patient notes to analyze chronic conditions and risk factors. US Health Systems (USHS), in partnership with Arizona Complete Health, is to deploy Maverick’s software within its organization.
Blocking bone cancer in children
Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have had promising results in the lab with experimental treatments for Ewing sarcoma – a bone cancer common in teenagers with a specific defective gene. Mifepristone - a glucocorticoid receptor blocker - stopped the cancer spreading to other organs.
Another early warning of Alzheimer’s
As reported previously, there are at least two signs of the early advance of Alzheimer’s disease. Now doctors at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center have developed Clara – an AI chatbot that questions the patient and compares the answers to a baseline. It is 95% accurate.
New blood center takes shape
Excellent article on the progress of the new blood center being constructed in Ramle. It also describes why it is being built. Existing facilities are unprotected. And although they provide for Jews and all minorities, they were built for an Israeli population of 5 million – not the current 9 million citizens.
Defending Israel’s health
The Rosh Hashana edition of the newsletter from the American Friends of Soroka Medical Center describes how medical staff at the hospital have saved many lives. It also describes opening the new Autism center, building new departments, Friends events in NYC, 2020 mission to Israel and much more.
Renewing the cycle of life
Israel’s Bio-Technology General (BTG) develops therapies for reproductive health, endocrinology (growth hormones), orthopedic (knee lubricant), ophthalmology and arthritic pain relief. BTG has just inaugurated a new production line to enable expansion at its Be’er Tuvia site.
NYC symposium – Breaking the Barriers of Brain Science
Three of Israel’s top brain scientists from Ben Gurion University of the Negev will be presenting at a symposium in New York City on Sun 27th Oct. Their subjects - Processing Face Recognition, Combating Autism and Treating Head Trauma. Tickets just $18.