Israel Active

Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have genetically engineered bacteria to live on carbon dioxide rather than sugar. Over a 10-year period, the researchers induced evolutionary changes in E. coli bacteria so it can survive on CO2. It could eventually be used to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) will be using security software from Israel’s Indeni to protect their computer networks. Indeni customers include Mastercard, Bloomberg, Boston Scientific and soon NASA.

Jerusalem was one of 28 finalists out of 450 entries for the smartest transportation city in the Smart City Expo competition in Barcelona, Spain. It was also runner-up for the Mobility Award for integrating the light rail train system with Axilion’s AI-based traffic light system.

As reported previously, Israel’s DiA Imaging is marketing its AI ultrasound imaging analysis systems with US giants GE Medical and Terason. Now, IBM Watson’s new Imaging AI Marketplace will offer DiA’s software to help clinicians analyze cardiac images automatically.

Israeli startup Selfit has developed a robot and augmented reality-based system to facilitate rehabilitation for many physical and neurological conditions. It also aids physical therapy and slow down the deterioration in cognitive functions for a variety of chronic conditions, including aging.

Israeli startup Augmentiqs has developed software and hardware to turn existing microscopes into smart connected instruments. The innovative system enhancements use Augmented Reality (AR), digital overlays and computer connectivity to generate a whole new hi-tech pathology environment.

Many Israelis won medals at the 2019 International Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical and Informatics. They were congratulated by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Education Minister Rabbi Rafi Peretz at a ceremony held at the President’s Jerusalem home.

Last week’s newsletter included news of the nine Israeli innovations included in Time Magazine’s 100 Best Inventions of 2019  Here is a short video compilation featuring all nine.

Nine Israeli startups are in TIME magazine’s 100 Best Inventions for 2019. They are Or Cam, Theranica, WaterGen, TytoCare, Temi, ECOncrete, Eviation (Alice), Intuition Robotics and Lemonade. All have been reported previously in this newsletter – check

SpaceIL – the Israeli NGO that sent the world’s first private spacecraft to the moon – has announced plans to send spacecrafts to the Moon and to Mars. The Moon mission is scheduled to take place in 2022 and is expected to cost even less than the £100 million Beresheet mission.