Scientists search for the Peres gene
Galilee Genetics Analysis (GGA) Laboratories in the Golan has taken a sample of DNA from the saliva of Israeli President Shimon Peres to try to find out the secret of his longevity and mental clarity.
Let’s collaborate
A new open-access online medical journal seeks to promote intellectual interactions between scholars in Israel and abroad. All work on the journal (including editing and peer reviews) is voluntary and unpaid. It will deal with all aspects of health care and aims to help develop health policy globally.
Nausea drug success
Israel’s Redhill Biopharma announced success in Phase III trials of RHB-102 – a once-a-day pill for the prevention of nausea in cancer patients. Redhill now plans to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration for a pre-New Drug Application (NDA) hearing for marketing approval for RHB-102.
Effective treatment for depression
Brainsway’s Deep TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) device can make a significant improvement to those suffering from severe depression. In trials on 250 patients, 30.4% of the patients treated with Deep TMS achieved remission, compared with 14.5% of the control group.
Hopes for obesity / diabetes treatment
Israel’s Prolor Biotech announced positive results in a pre-clinical trial of MOD-6030, its long-acting obesity/Type II diabetes drug. In the laboratory, the drug reduced blood glucose levels, increased insulin sensitivity, and reduced cholesterol levels compared to a placebo.
EU approves Israeli cranial stents
Israel’s ITGI Medical has obtained EU CE Mark for its latest stent - the AneuGraftNx. The new stent is partially covered by living tissue, greatly reducing the risk of blockages.
Israelis discover skin disease gene
A team of researchers, led by Prof. Eli Sprecher of Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, has discovered the genetic basis for the serious and sometimes fatal autoimmune skin disease – pemphigus vulgaris. The symptoms of the disease are blistering and sores on the skin and mucus membranes. The team worked together with Egyptian Professor Ibrahim Saleh of the University of Luebeck in Germany.
Israeli professor helps US PTSD research
Dr. Yair Bar-Haim, of Tel Aviv University is performing his Attention Bias Modification treatment at Creighton and Nebraska Universities in Omaha. The treatment hopes to help US soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, following service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
One drop of blood can save your life
Professor Andrew Levy of the Israel Technion describes the test that can discover which diabetics are also susceptible to heart disease. He also developed treatment using Vitamin E that has a dramatic effect on survival times for affected individuals.
A 90-year old innovator
20 years after his retirement, Hebrew University emeritus Professor Nathan Citri developed a novel kit enabling speedy detection of multi-drug and extremely antibiotics-resistant “superbugs”.