Israel Active

Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers have discovered how bacteria spores retain vital genetic information during dormancy and activate when revived. The RNA polymerase, inside the spores, initiates copying processes. The knowledge could help research into controlling pathogens.

Israel’s BioBeat (see previously) is integrating its wearable devices for remote patient monitoring into the Current Health home care platform offered by Best Buy Health in the US.  The devices monitor 13 parameters, e.g., blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, pulse rate and respiratory rate.

Israel’s QuantHealth (see previously) has upgraded its platform for simulating clinical trials. Its new product, called Katina, simultaneously simulates hundreds of thousands of combinations of each element in a clinical trial to maximize the probability of success when real human trials begin.

A few weeks ago (see previously) the ElliQ empathic robot from Israel’s Intuitive Robotics was being offered free to seniors in two areas in South Florida.  It is now being offered to seniors in New York State. The pilot shows a 95% reduction in loneliness.  

On Chanukah, Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund (SICF) launched its campaign, “Bring Back the Light.” for children scarred by terror.  SICF uses individual and group therapies, both traditional and alternative, administered by a team of skilled social workers, psychologists, and specialty therapists.

Research led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has discovered that the impulse for motivation is generated by the balance in the striatum area of the brain of simultaneous wavelike patterns of two neurochemicals – dopamine and acetylcholine. The team used advanced genetic tools and imaging.

Maj. Or, an officer from the Givati Brigade, survived a life-threatening injury in Gaza by being one of the first patients in the world to receive a fresh blood dose on the battlefield. Listen to the article for details of this historic event.

Following Oct 7, Israeli NGO Magen David Adom urgently needed new ambulances. They called Yoav Halper who ships ambulances by sea from the USA. On Friday afternoon, a Boeing 747 landed at Ben Gurion Airport containing the first batch of 17 ambulances donated by Americans.

Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see previously) has now partnered with Israel’s Ennocure and its infection prevention solutions, to directly oxygenate the blood for people who struggle to breathe alone. It will accelerate the development of Inspira’s ART’s intubation device.

Israel’s BiomX (see previously) has reported positive initial results from its clinical trials of BX004. The treatment relieves chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. BiomX now plans to initiate a larger Phase 2/3 trial.