Israel Active

Israeli biotech BiondVax has announced that its M-001 vaccine has been validated against all H7 virus strains, thus protecting against all avian (bird) flu variations.

In the last decade, mortality rates have plummeted, especially for cancer, strokes, respiratory disease and diabetes. Life is more healthy here than in the USA and Europe.

Nazareth based Alpha Omega has won the American-Israeli Chamber of Commerce’s Eagle Star Award for its medical device to treat neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. The sophisticated microelectrode technology allows doctors to stimulate and record the brain’s natural electrical impulses.

Formal US and European clearances have been granted to FLXfit, the world's first 3D expandable interbody cage, developed by Israel’s Expanding Orthopedics. The minimally invasive implant corrects spine deformities.

Israeli startup Convergent RNR has developed MercyBeam, to improve radiation therapy for patients. A patented lens collects most of the X-rays from any standard X-ray generator and focuses them at the tumor. It increases the therapeutic dose where it’s needed and not at surrounding tissue.

Researchers at Soroka University Medical Center and Ben-Gurion University have developed a simple way to identify clotting problems early in pregnant women. The team used a point system to determine a baseline to diagnose clotting disorders.

(Thanks to Michael H) Israeli researchers have discovered that consuming whey protein before a regular breakfast reduces blood sugar spikes after meals and also improves the body's insulin response. Thus whey protein could help diabetics control blood sugar.

(Thanks to NoCamels.com) Israeli Shlomi Aflalo developed HelpAround, a crowdsourcing application for people with diabetes and other chronic diseases. It allows them to communicate and get immediate help from people in the vicinity.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s Orgenesis is a pioneer in the field of “cellular trans-differentiation”, a process to transform a type 1 diabetic patient’s own liver cells into new insulin-producing cells. Orgenesis is partnering with Belgium’s MaSTherCell to scale up development.

Globes “startup of the week” is Israel’s Endobetix with its implanted device that traps bile fluids and diverts them to another part of the intestine. The result is lower blood sugar without drugs or major surgery; hence no more diabetes.