Israel Active

Patients suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are now routinely given all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). This causes the cancer cells to return to their normal function – a therapy known as differentiation and helps cure 70% of all APL sufferers. Differentiation was discovered by Professor Leo Sachs of Israel’s Weizmann Institute.

Israel’s NasVax has announced success in the Phase IIa clinical trial of its oral anti-CD3 antibody for treating hepatitis C, a chronic disease, which disrupts the functioning of the immune system. The treatment also worked on patients who don’t respond to interferon – the current medication.

The latest research from Dr. Nurit Gronau, of Israel’s Open University, sheds new light on how our brains filter information, prioritize what we see and hear, and digest our surroundings. To avoid being flooded with stimuli, our brains process within a limited visual field, called the "field of attention."

A few years ago, Japanese scientists turned adult cells into stem cells. However, they were baffled why it happened and the process was unreliable. Weizmann researchers have now worked out the science involved and are confident of making a biomedical breakthrough.

Cochlear implants are electronic devices surgically implanted in the ear to help provide a sense of sound. Now Tel Aviv University researchers have proof that, in certain situations, two synchronised implants have the ability to salvage binaural sound processing for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Jews view saving life to be more important than the sanctity of the holiest day of the year. So Israeli doctors worked hard to perform eleven vital transplant operations on Yom Kippur, thanks to the donation of organs from three patients who died three hours before the onset of the festival.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Israel’s Vecoy Nanomedicines is developing a “virus trap” that lures viruses using their “cell-host recognition” mechanism. If the virus locks onto the trap, it is destroyed. If it mutates, then it can no longer attack cells and therefore cannot cause any damage.

NasVax, an Israeli company based in Ness-Ziona, has developed an oral treatment for people suffering from Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) commonly known as “fatty liver disease” which affects up to 15 million US citizens. It is undergoing trials and also conversion into a pill.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of third degree burns treatment NexoBrid, developed by Israel’s MediWound Ltd. NexoBrid is a gel made of enzymes that removes burnt tissue, reduces the risk of infection and shortens recovery time.

Dr Tal Hassner of Israel’s Open University found he had the perfect data to research people with ADD/ADHD - the university’s computer records of 9000 students (including 480 with ADD/ADHD) who viewed lectures on-line. The results could help screen for learning disorders.