Preventing migraines; Treating the poor in Brazil; New family of snakes identified; and much more!

by: Michael Ordman

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

A vaccine against bacteria

For the first time worldwide, researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research have developed an mRNA-based vaccine that is 100% effective against plague bacteria, lethal to humans. It also works against antibiotic resistant bacteria.
https://english.tau.ac.il/mrna_vaccine

 

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adg1036

Alzheimer’s ultrasound treatment in Florida

Delray Medical Center is the first hospital in Florida to treat an Alzheimer’s disease patient using non-invasive focused ultrasound technology from Israel’s Insightec. The FDA-approved clinical trial will test reducing excessive protein buildup to open the blood-brain barrier.
https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/alzheimers-focused-ultrasound-study

The best medicine

Israel’s Protai has built a proteomics AI-based platform that comprehensively maps the course of a disease on the protein level. It can identify which patients will respond to a given treatment, as well as identifying identify diseases that a therapy should be able to treat.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkp39nye2

https://www.protai.bio/

US approves pain-monitoring device

The US FDA has granted marketing authorization to the PMD-200 monitor developed by Israel’s Medasense Biometrics (see here previously). The device monitors pain in non-communicating (e.g., anaesthetized) patients and already has made an impact in multiple countries.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hyfvzhsrs

Preventing migraines

The Nerivio device from Israeli startup Theranica (see here previously) already has US FDA approval to treat acute migraines. It has now been approved for preventing migraines. Recent trials of 248 participants showed a huge improvement for those using Nerivio compared to those on a placebo device.
https://nocamels.com/2023/03/vibrating-armband-approved-for-migraine-prevention/
https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/head.14469

The right time to do a C-Section

A nationwide study led by Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital discovered that pregnant women brought into the Intensive Care Unit seriously ill with Covid-19, were more likely to improve if they gave birth (by Caesarian section) before their condition deteriorated. The data will save many lives.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-732866

Israeli radiation treatment – a first-hand review

Please read newsletter reader Lili Eylon’s personal account of Alpha DaRT radiation cancer therapy developed by Israel’s Alpha Tau (see here previously). Lili was one of 56 patients in DaRT’s human study at Hadassah Medical Center – its second skin cancer human study in Israel.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/revolutionary-new-weapon-developed-in-israel/

Dying of cancer in Russia; saved in Israel

20-year-old Kalim was sent home from hospital to die in St Petersburg after doctors said they could not treat his acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He immigrated to Israel where five months of CAR-T treatment at Rambam Health Care Campus gave Kalim back his life.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/b1ygx4fyn

What to do after retirement – save lives of course

61-year-old EMT Joelle Cohen retired from the medical field and joined United Hatzalah as a volunteer EMT. When a man in his 70s suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at a diabetes clinic in Jerusalem, Joelle revived him, saying it gave her one of the most incredible feelings.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/367911

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

International women entrepreneurs

Israeli women-founded innovation hub Tech It Forward (see here previously) recently hosted a Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI) Impact event. The CWI is an international program that empowers women entrepreneurs who can make a social or environmental impact.
https://nocamels.com/2023/03/israel-hosts-women-entrepreneurs/

https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/

Incentivizing a clean society

In the 15 months since I last reported (here) on Israel’s CleanCoin, the number of registered app users has grown to 100,000. As a reward for reporting or clearing up trash, they receive tokens (coins) that can be redeemed at some 60 Israeli businesses. The idea has spread to NYC, the UK, and Canada.
https://www.israel21c.org/crowd-cleaning-app-pays-people-to-pick-up-litter/

Caring for our furry friends

Researchers at Haifa University’s Tech4Animals lab are developing an app that uses AI technology to detect animal feelings. It will advance and transform the world of veterinary care. Facial recognition identifies subtle changes in facial expressions, e.g., in the tips of the ears, eyes, and whiskers.
https://www.israel21c.org/dr-dolittle-meet-ai-new-model-identifies-pain-in-cats/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-13348-1

Combating disease for the Bedouin

Portable smart samplers from Israel’s Kando (see here previously) are testing the wastewater for many Negev Bedouin communities. They provide early warnings for outbreaks of anything from diarrhea and dysentery to polio, flu, norovirus and Covid.
https://nocamels.com/2023/02/testing-sewage-for-disease-helps-off-grid-bedouin-communities/

Japanese emergency team visits Israel

A Japanese medical delegation of researchers, physicians, and emergency experts has been in Israel to discuss responding to emergency situations. They saw MDAs Ramla blood center and its national operations center in Kiryat Ono. They also held a joint preparedness conference.
https://www.jns.org/japanese-medical-team-visits-israel-to-study-emergency-preparedness/

Blood for Greek train crash victims

Israel’s ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, was one of thousands who donated blood for the injured in the deadly train crash near the Greek city of Larissa.
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1205794/israeli-envoy-donates-blood-for-victims-of-train-collision/

Treating the poor in Brazil

A delegation of doctors from Tel Aviv’s Ichilov hospital recently visited Brazil, treating rural communities in the Amazon rainforest and people living in the favelas (slums) in major cities. The mission aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality in developing countries.
https://worldisraelnews.com/were-here-to-help-israeli-doctors-treat-brazilians-in-amazon-slums/

Cleaning South African reservoir – for free

Despite the South African government’s anti-Israel behavior, Israel’s BlueGreen Water Technologies completed its pro-bono (free) project to remove toxic algae from South Africa’s Setumo Dam. It means the people of Mahikeng have safe drinking water for the first time in decades.
https://bluegreenwatertech.com/bluegreen-water-technologies-announces-the-clean-water-program-the-clean-water-program/

https://bluegreenwatertech.com/success-story-setumo-dam-africa/

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Using AI to teach kindergarten children

Havatzelet is the first Israeli school to use artificial intelligence (AI) to teach English to kindergartners. Amit (“companion” in Hebrew) is to be rolled out to 70 Israeli schools in September.

 

 

Powering ahead

Israel’s Addionics (see here previously) has just inaugurated its new Tel Aviv production facility for its advanced electric vehicle batteries. Addionics expects to achieve a 1 GWh production capacity by 2025. Its clients are some of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers in Europe and the US.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-732160

Extending electric car battery life

Israel’s Carrar has a novel thermal management solution to significantly increase the lifespan and efficiency of EV batteries. By keeping the battery at a steady, optimal temperature, its life is extended by up to 100%. It also improves acceleration performance, recharge time and much more.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/companies/carrar

https://www.carrar.net/

 

Oil, feed, and medicine from larvae

Israel’s BugEra is enhancing the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) to produce 60% oil. BugEra aims to supplement the biofuels market, saving precious land resources and helping to eradicate organic waste. BSF larvae also makes animal feed and may alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colits.
https://nocamels.com/2023/02/made-from-maggots-new-fuel-for-planes-and-ships/

New family of snakes identified

Tel Aviv University researchers have registered a new family of snakes, dating back 50 million years and corrected a previous wrong classification. Micrelapidae comprises 3 distinct species, one of which resides in and around Israel. The other two live in East Africa.
https://english.tau.ac.il/snakes_2023

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S105579032200313X

An app for nutritionists and patients

Israel’s Anydish enables healthcare professionals to develop personal nutrition plans for their patients – a kind of culinary prescription. It can also be used by individuals to take control of their eating habits and improve their medical condition and wellbeing.
https://www.anydish.me/

 

Predicting the effect of cosmetics

Israel’s MeNow is an AI solution that predicts the impact of any ingredient or its combination on the skin of any individual or targeted masses of people. It can transform the formulation and distribution of cosmetics.  It can also help individuals identify the best product for themselves.
https://www.menow.ai/

 

 

A plant-based alternative to egg protein

Israel’s Fabumin has developed a plant-based alternative to the egg protein albumin. that is used commercially in cakes, mayonnaise, spreads, meat products, and more in a market worth some $14 billion. Fabumin is vegan, with no allergens, salmonella, cholesterol, or dairy.
https://www.fabumin.com/

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49LIGO6iuTA

 

Saving the bees in California

Israel’s BeeHero (see here previously) is installing 14 new bee research stations across California. Nearly 100,000 acres of crops have now been pollinated thanks to BeeHero’s platform. BeeHero is also expanding into Australia, Europe, South Africa, and South America.
https://nocamels.com/2023/03/ai-powered-research-stations-monitor-beehive-health/

Air purifier and analyzer

This article describes the tech that Israel’s Airovation (see here previously) uses to remove CO2 from the air. Meanwhile, Airovation’s Airosphera air quality analyzer has been enhanced to enable all air purifier manufacturers to use its AI-based technology and make smarter indoor filters.
https://www.israel21c.org/an-air-purifier-that-removes-carbon-dioxide-too/

Cleaner steel production

Israel’s Helios (see here previously) is known for its technology that could one day be activated to generate oxygen on the Moon. It now plans to replace coal in steel production with sodium, thus reducing CO2 emissions substantially. Sodium also uses less energy to reach 400 degrees instead of 1200.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/company-aiming-to-create-oxygen-on-moon-finds-process-to-make-steel-plants-cleaner/

Not just plant pots

Israel’s Bioplasmar (see last week) produces biodegradable plant pots. It plans to use the technology to produce a wide range of other goods that are currently made of environmentally harmful materials such as plastic and polystyrene. Bioplasmar’s new German factory will also make larger, lighter, pots.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-breakthrough-israeli-firm-learns-how-to-control-breakdown-speed-of-compost-items/Biosensor to warn of crop diseases. Researchers at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University have developed varieties of potatoes that produce special proteins. If infected by potato blight, these proteins display fluorescent properties before the infection appears on the leaves of the plant, allowing early effective treatment.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/368328

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tpj.16071

Five European grants

The European Research Council has awarded grants of up to 2 million Euros each, to five researchers at Israel’s Technion to help them pursue their ideas. They address proton transfer in proteins; antimicrobials and amyloids; the fascia in neuro-immune communication; replacing toxic metals; and aging.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2023/02/5-erc-consolidator-grants-awarded-to-technion-researchers/

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

I2U2 business forum

Inaugural I2U2 Business Forum (see here previously) just convened to “accelerate joint investment in key sectors” in the UAE, bringing together Israel, India, the UAE and the US, an essential and important partnership that came about in the wake of the Abraham Accords.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-732450

Samsung funds Israeli innovators

Korean giant Samsung is to fund selected Israeli startups with $50,000 each and provide them with support over a six-month period. The focus is cameras, power, audio, on-device AI, AR, sensors, foldables, wearables, environment, and sustainability, and advanced materials.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/samsung-kicks-off-israeli-tech-accelerator-program-for-its-mobile-devices/

More flights to/from Florida

El Al Airlines is to increase flights to and from Florida, including new operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. 100,000+ people flew El Al’s Miami to Tel Aviv route in 2022, which highlighted a need for more flights from Florida.
https://www.jns.org/el-al-to-increase-number-of-flights-from-florida-to-israel/

Award-winning hotels

Three Israeli hotels have won 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards – the self-described “global authority on luxury hospitality.” They are the Setai, Jaffa, the Ritz-Carlton Herzliya, and the Norman, Tel Aviv.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-732501

Producing hydrogen in Japan

Israel’s H2Pro (see here previously) is to build hydrogen production facilities for the Japanese giant Sumitomo. The deal is estimated at $250 million. H2Pro signed a $70 million agreement with renewable energy company Doral last year.

https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/3gy030ek1

Igniting Orthodox Jewish businesses

Orthodox entrepreneurship program Dos Ventures, and Intel Ignite (see here previously) have partnered to help orthodox Jewish entrepreneurs integrate into Israel’s hi-tech industries. It will provide them with mentoring, marketing, and sales skills, plus how to raise funds and adapt products.
https://nocamels.com/2023/03/helping-orthodox-jews-break-into-hi-tech/

Tiv Taam goes kosher vegan

Israeli supermarket chain Tiv Taam is known for selling non-kosher products. But it has now decided to partner Vgarden, developer of plant-based alternatives (see here previously) to produce a kosher pea-protein based vegan line of deli meats simulating pepperoni, ham, chicken, turkey etc.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vgarden-joins-with-tiv-taam-to-advance-its-vegan-deli-meats-301753097.html

Exits, mergers and acquisitions

US-based Rapid7 has acquired Israeli cybersecurity Minerva Labs for $45 million. Rapid7 previously acquired Israel’s IntSights for nearly $335 million. Israel’s Via Transportation has acquired UK’s Citymapper for $100 million.

Investment in Israeli startups to 19/3/23:

Fairmatic raised $46 million; Assured Allies raised $42.5 million; Protai raised $20 million; Mitiga raised $13 million; Click-Ins raised $7.5 million;  Kardome received $1 million from Japan’s Automotive Fund.

CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT`

Animating in France

The Israel Animation Guild created a special stand at the Annecy Animation Festival in France to promote Israeli animation artists in the world. It included an installation inspired by Sacher Park in Jerusalem.

https://www.jpost.com/365days/cinema_and_television/article-730850

Eurovision

Israel’s entry “Unicorn” by Noa Kirel was unveiled this week.  Noa remarked that she sees similarities between the Unicorn and Israel – both being very strong. (Ed – not sure of that connection!)
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-strong-superstars-eurovision-song-takes-pride-in-jewish-state/

 

Celebrate Israel at 75 in London

If you are in the UK on Sun 14th May, why not join Technion UK’s “From Israel With Love” event to celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday. Enjoy singers from Israel including the iconic Gali Atari who won the Eurovision with the song Hallelujah. Suitable for the whole family.
https://technionuk.org/event/israel75/

Yerucham River Park

The Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-US) has created the Yerucham River Park. It flows from the Yerucham town’s lake – itself created from recycled and treated wastewater and purified rainwater. The River Park has become a popular recreational site for local residents and a magnet for birdlife.
https://www.jnf.org/menu-3/news-media/jnf-wire/jnf-wire-stories/a-water-weary-town-sources-new-life

THE JEWISH STATE

Israeli airlines distribute Purim parcels

The SonShine Association donated 7,500 mishloach manot packages via El Al and Arkia flight attendants to passengers flying on Purim. They were asked to pass along their package to a fellow Jew at their destination. The project is in memory of 3 Israeli teens murdered in 2014.
https://www.jns.org/project-in-memory-of-slain-israeli-teens-to-unite-israeli-and-diaspora-jews/

See the Purim festivities

The Holon Adloyada Purim parade was back to its pre-pandemic grandeur. Thousands of marchers and dancers garbed in glittery costumes promenaded down the central Israeli city’s streets accompanied by gigantic floats.

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1ruwjvk3
https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/03/08/israelis-celebrate-purim-with-all-the-usual-fanfare/

Papua New Guinea to open Jerusalem embassy

The Oceana nation of Papua New Guinea will open its first embassy in Israel in Jerusalem this year. It will join the U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, and Kosovo in recognizing Israel’s capital.

https://www.jns.org/papua-new-guinea-to-open-embassy-in-jerusalem/

Sulamot wins Jerusalem Prize

The Sulamot organization has been awarded the Jerusalem Prize for Education and Judaism. It has been conducting religious education initiatives for 15 years and prides itself on connecting “amazing Jewish youth” to “amazing Torah”. It teaches in a language that speaks to the young generation.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/367990

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/367992
https://www.sulamot.org/en/homepage-en/

Thinking of Aliyah within 18 months?

Already made Aliyah? UK Aliya Advisors is hosting two free on-line talks to help make a successful Aliyah (before & after the move). The first deals with taxation planning and the second will discuss mortgages for Anglos. Register quickly – it’s on Sun March 19th at 5 – 6:30pm UK time.
https://ukaliyahadvisors.com/event/19mar2023/

4 Israelis receive corneas from murdered brothers

The corneas of the two Israeli brothers shot by a terrorist were transplanted into the eyes of four Israelis at Beilinson Medical Center in Petach Tikvah. The brothers’ parents said, “The kind and beautiful eyes of Hallel and Yagel will continue to illuminate our world.”
https://www.jns.org/four-israelis-inherit-corneas-of-brothers-killed-in-terror-attack/

7-year-old brought back to life

Minutes before Shabbat, a 7-year-old Rehovot girl suffered cardiac arrest. Thanks to the fast response of United Hatzalah EMTs, CPR, and five shocks from their defibrillator, the girl’s pulse returned. When the EMTs visited her in hospital after Shabbat, she was watching TV, alive and well.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/368016