Israel Active

Another terrific video from Israel’s InSightec, which is using non-invasive ultrasound surgery to cure Parkinson’s and essential tremors, to destroy tumors and fibroids and perform hysterectomies. InSightec’s founder Dr Kobi Vortman learnt many of his skills at Israel’s Technion.

Delegates at the Israeli Advanced Technology Industries’ June 2013 Biomedical Conference chose the topics in advance. Participants of the Israeli Life Science industry’s premier event sent in their suggestions, voted, and the top 250 subjects formed the program.

In the 1980s, Zelig Eshhar, an immunologist at the Weizmann Institute in Israel, conceived a cure for cancer: combine monoclonal antibodies with T cells in the immune system. Today, the treatment has cured 20 cancer patients in Pennsylvania and at other US centers.

Scientists from Sheba Medical Center and Bar-Ilan University have discovered how chemotherapy destroys the ovaries. They have also developed a medication (under trials) called AS101, which protects the ovaries and should maintain fertility of women undergoing cancer treatment.

(Thanks to NoCamels) Doctors at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem noticed that cell tissue transplanted into the left atrial appendage of the heart in mice developed into local heart muscle tissue. The phenomenon – similar to that of embryonic stem cells – has major implications for cardiology.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Professor Solomon Wasser of Haifa University has patented a medicinal product derived from a fungus found in Israeli forests. In animal trials, the Cyathus striatus drug appeared effective against pancreatic cancer.

(Thanks to Israel21c) A team from Israel, Spain, Greece and PA-administered Nablus is developing a database revealing the science behind the medicinal benefits of thousands of plants they’ve been gathering and analyzing since November 2011 – including many native to Israel.

Israel’s Chief Scientist has awarded biotech Cell Cure Neurosciences a $1.5 million grant to help develop their cell-based OpRegen treatment for macular degeneration. The dry form of age-related macular degeneration is estimated to afflict over 7.3 million people in the US alone.

To mark Skin Cancer Awareness Week, approximately 300 Israeli health fund clinics are providing free checks by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Early diagnosis, helped by the Israel Cancer Association’s awareness campaigns, has reduced the toll from skin tumors.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University believe they may have uncovered the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. They injected the protein Tomosyn into the brains of mice, and produced Alzheimer-like syndromes. Tomosyn exists in the brain but excess damages inter-cell communication.