Israel Active

A non-invasive handwriting analysis technique developed at the University of Haifa and Rambam Medical Center can detect the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Changes in handwriting occur years before a clinical diagnosis can be made. Much safer than current tests.

(Thanks to NoCamels.com) Dr. Sarit Larisch of the University of Haifa has discovered a protein called ARTS that triggers cell death. It is found to be lacking in cancerous tissue. The research can lead to a pre-cancer marker and development of similar molecules that can stop tumors forming.

Israeli biotech Gamida has successfully transplanted just its manipulated NiCord stem cells into patients with blood cancer. The impact is to reduce recovery times even further from the two years achieved from using NiCord combined with non-manipulated stem cells.

The United States FDA has granted orphan drug status to Israeli biotech BioLineRX’s BL-8040 treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Because there are limited alternatives, BioLineRX will now receive US Federal support, financial assistance and market exclusivity.

Israeli biotech KAHR Medical plans to trial KAHR-102, one of its groundbreaking Signal Converting Proteins (SCP), for the treatment of lymphatic cancer.

Researchers at Israel’s Technion have developed an antioxidant 1-FE that lowers cholesterol. It also eliminates oxygen free radicals that cause organs and tissues to age. The compound could be an important alternative to statins in the fight against heart disease.

Active Implants, whose R&D center is in Netanya Israel, is looking for patients in Israel and Europe willing to join the trial of its NUsurface Meniscus Implant. The novel, composite polymer implant is for osteoarthritis patients who have pain and disability but are too old or young for a total knee replacement.

Magen David Adom used its technology and skills to save a 3-month-old baby. First, MDA’s sophisticated C4I dispatch system allocated the closest first-responder to the call. Then the dispatch operator advised the responder on CPR for the baby. All telephone operators are medics or paramedics.

(Thanks to Israel21c) I reported on Regenecure in June when it was promoting its safe dental bone augmentation procedure. But it appears that the company’s BoneCure membrane has been healing animals for some time and is working on a similar product for humans.

Dr. Nizam Razack successfully performed the world’s first deep brain stimulation (DBS) using Renaissance robotic guidance system from Israel’s Mazor Robotics, at Celebration Health Hospital in Orlando, Florida.