Israel Active

The US FDA has approved the use of the WatchPAT Sleep Apnea device from Israel’s Itamar Medical being extended to adolescents of twelve years old and above.  Previously, WatchPAT was only approved for use on those aged seventeen and above.

Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered in laboratory tests that the molecule Urocortin-3 acts as a “social switch”.  High concentrations the molecule increases social interactivity, but blocking the molecule turns the subject into reclusiveness.

Very uplifting article by Paul Alster on the trials at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center of stem cell treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) and potentially other brain diseases and strokes.

Israel’s Aspect Imaging develops small, affordable and innovative MRI scanners.  Its non-claustrophobic WristView scans limbs (e.g. wrist and hand) and Embrace scans newborns.  WristView has just received the European CE Mark, to add to its existing US FDA approval.

Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have stimulated the feel-good center in mice and discovered that their immune cells were able to kill twice as much bacteria than those of non-stimulated mice.  The results, published in nature medicine, could explain the placebo effect.

Israeli founded Cleveland Diagnostics (CDX) is developing a technology and test kit that can eradicate inconclusive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. CDX says it will save the $4000 cost per negative biopsy, currently necessary in 70% of current testing.

Israel’s Micromedic Technologies (part of Israel’s Bio-Light Life Sciences) reported positive results in a trial of its prostate cancer diagnosis solution.  Its CellDetect technology was used to diagnose samples from 18 patients and healthy subjects, and both groups were accurately diagnosed.

Almost a year ago Tel Aviv University researchers found what triggers melanoma cells to become malignant tumors in the brain.  Now they have uncovered an early warning of that event by detecting the brain’s inflammatory response to microscopic invading tumor cells.

Israel’s Mazor Robotics has launched FDA-approved Mazor X, “a transformative platform for spine surgeries”.  Mazor’s current range guides surgeons in spine operations. The new platform also helps planning through to verification.  Israel’s Medtronic has already bought 15.

Israel’s Origene Seeds is developing a range of snack vegetables which aim to replace fast food snacks.  The “Sweet Drops” mini-size cucumbers and peppers have a long shelf-life and will be marketed in special packets as "Finger Food" for work, school or leisure.