Israel Active

Israeli start-up Alcobra set out to develop a pill that would reduce blood alcohol but came up with a treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder. Alcobra claims metadoxine has all the benefits of Ritalin, Concerta, and Strattera without their drawbacks.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is running a conference this coming week to analyze how Israel eliminated malaria from pre-State Palestine. Lessons learned could help remove the scourge of malaria prevalent currently in Africa.

Researchers at the Hebrew university of Jerusalem and Israeli startup TyrNovo have discovered that a unique compound, named NT219, selectively inhibits the process of aging in order to protect the brain from neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s.

In May, Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that too much of the “bad” protein Tomosyn led to Alzheimer’s disease in mice. Now they have identified lists of microRNA molecules that regulate proteins that are either good or bad for brain performance.

At Haifa’s Rambam hospital, the first Israeli has been cured of essential tremor using ExAblate Neuro – the non-invasive focused ultrasound treatment from Israel’s InSightec. Also a recent BBC program featuring the treatment, but no mention of the name of the equipment, or that it is Israeli.

Israeli start-up Qure has developed a smartphone app that allows doctors worldwide to locate and communicate with their fellow professionals. Qure maps physicians globally with a navigation tool to find a particular expert. It then provides a closed network for private communications.

Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom in Jerusalem has introduced unique ICU motorcycles. These are fully equipped with rescue and ICU capabilities so that MDA paramedics can get to patients faster and stabilize them until ambulances arrive to evacuate them to hospital.

Israel is a pioneer of the medical properties of cannabis / marijuana. A study by scientists at Tel Aviv University and Kfar Saba’s Meir Hospital has shown it to give Crohns’ disease sufferers significant relief from their symptoms. Some of them said the disease went into remission. An estimated 0.3 percent of the general population suffers from Crohn's disease.

Another Israeli medical products mentioned last week is the UNFO foot brace. The device is worn below the ankle and rectifies infant foot deformities (metatarsus adductus or metatarsus varus) within six weeks. It is far superior, safer, and less stressful than a cast or full leg braces.

Tel Aviv University researchers have found a way to control overactive eosinophil white blood cells - a disorder that can lead to allergies and autoimmune diseases. In lab tests they have located and regulated the two cell receptors PIR-B and PIR-A that protect or shut down the oesinophils.