Israel Active

Kids Kicking Cancer, founded by Detroit Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, has now expanded to five Israeli hospitals. Children who have life-threatening diseases are taught martial arts in order to help them cope with the aftermath of the disease. The pool of instructors includes both Jews and Arabs.

Israel’s BiolineRx has reported positive results from Phase II trials of its BL-8040 treatment in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML). It had a triple positive effect on the leukemic cells only two days after a single cycle of therapy.

The US FDA has approved the Chameleon from Israel’s AV Medical Technologies. Chameleon is the world’s first and only angioplasty balloon catheter that allows for simultaneous balloon inflation and intravascular injection of fluids while maintaining guidewire access. Over two million angioplasty balloon catheters are used annually worldwide to maintain dialysis access.

On the anniversary of Chaim Weizmann’s death, KKL-JNF awarded the Blumberg Outstanding Medical Research Scientist Prize to Weizmann Professor Michal Schwartz for her groundbreaking research into the connection between the brain and the immune system.

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have uncovered a key gene responsible for ovary development. Four members of the same family had mutated Nup107 genes causing infertility. The discovery has widespread implications for research in cell biology.

BioDesign students at Hadassah Medical Center / Hebrew University of Jerusalem, led by Arab surgeon Dr. Muhammad Adileh, have developed “CholeVision” - a fiber-optic illumination system to reduce injuries caused during laparoscopic (keyhole) procedures to remove gallbladders.

Biotech Izun successfully completed a Phase II trial of its Israeli-developed IZN-6D4 to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) in 82 patients at seven centers in Israel. DFU is responsible for 84% of diabetes-related lower-leg amputations.

A team of Israeli and US researchers has mapped out the fundamental dynamic that explains the production and distribution of proteins in a cell.

Israel is the sixth-healthiest country in the world and is the only Middle Eastern country in the top 10, according to recent world health rankings by media outlet Bloomberg. Singapore was first, followed by Italy, Australia, Switzerland and Japan. The UK is 21st and the US 33rd.

A total of 68,500 units of blood - 25 percent of the total donated to Magen David Adom last year - were given by soldiers. Whilst handing out certificates, MDA blood services director Eilat Shinar said “You officers and soldiers are an example for pure and significant giving”.