Oyster mushroom molecule kills cancer cells
Israeli researchers have discovered that extracts inside the edible Oyster mushroom contain molecules that bind themselves to cancer cells and kill them.
Fighting infectious diseases
The Israel Ministry of Health has designated the Sanford Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem as Israel’s National Laboratory for Leishmaniasis – a parasitic disease affecting an estimated 12 million people worldwide.
Smartphone apps to keep you healthy
Israeli smartphone apps demonstrated at Tel Aviv’s (Innovations in Cardiovascular Interventions) event included Healarium – an information and incentive system, Mobile-CliniQ from Aerotel – transmitting data from sensors to hospitals, and Dario from Labstyle Innovation - a portable glucose meter for diabetics.
A database for ALS treatment
Israeli non-profit organization Prize4Life seeks to accelerate the discovery of treatments and a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). It has set-up a database called PRO-ACT that will help develop viable Phase II and Phase III treatments for ALS.
Fighting lung infections with Nitric Oxide
Israel’s Advanced Inhalation Therapies (Beyond Air) is to begin two clinical trials using nitric oxide (NO) to treat infectious lung diseases. Immune systems of the young are very sensitive to viral infections. Nitric oxide gas could help toddlers and infants with pulmonary infections due to bronchiolitis.
Using ice to heal
The UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper has reported on an innovative treatment for breast cancer (and maybe other cancers) using a super-cooled needle to inject balls of ice into the tumor. At the end of the fifth paragraph they finally mention that IceCure - the company that developed the system – is Israeli.
Terrorist victim regains sight
In November, Gaza terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF jeep, seriously wounding Sergeant Shimon Alankri. Doctors at Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva saved his sight and celebrated with Shimon last week when he managed to light Hanukkah candles.
DNA robots to deliver medication
Israeli biologist Ido Bachalet is part of the Harvard team that designed a microscopic machine of DNA nano-robots that can carry anti-bodies direct to tumours. First they make a basket-shaped truck, then add the payload which is released when the truck meets the key of the tumour.
Beyond the cutting edge
This video begins with the latest Israeli developments in focussed ultrasound surgery. It then moves on to describe the Technion’s goal of using technology to eliminate many of the hundreds of thousands of medical mistakes made around the world by overstretched human doctors and nurses.
Now wash your hands
Doctors and nurses at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek are piloting an innovative digital bracelet that prompts use of an anti-bacterial hand-wash following contact with a patient. It then repeats the reminder if the solution hasn’t been applied or if insufficient time was spent rubbing it into the hands.