Good News Israel Archive from the week of April 26, 2015: Israel sends aid mission to Nepal; Blackberry to establish Israeli R&D center and much more…

By Michael Ordman

 

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

The world’s largest oxygen chamber

The new hyperbaric unit at Israel’s Assaf Harofeh Medical Center has a capacity for 150 patients per day. It provides high-pressure oxygen to treat victims of diving accidents, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation damage, bone infections, fibromyalgia, strokes, dementia and more.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Health/Assaf-Harofeh-acquires-worlds-largest-high-pressure-oxygen-chamber-390599

The blind can “see” sounds

Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have published more results of their research into the brains of the blind from birth. Their visual cortexes are similar to the fully sighted. They can even be trained to “see” sounds. http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/04/10/brain.awv083

Kids in sync physically and socially

Research by Hebrew University of Jerusalem psychologist Prof. Ariel Knafo shows that children who mimic each other’s body language for mere minutes are more likely to share feelings of similarity and closeness, and to potentially engage in more pro-social, positive behaviors.
http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/26278
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0120878

Bacteria use DNA memory to stop viruses

Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered how bacteria protect themselves from invasive viruses called phages. Their immune system adds part of the phage DNA into the bacteria’s genome. The research may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases.
http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2015/04/13/israeli-scientists-discover-how-a-bacterial-cell-recognizes-its-own-dna/

Arthritis treatment can stop hair loss

Joint research between Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem and Columbia University has discovered that the rheumatoid arthritis medication Baricitinib is effective in the treatment of Alopecia Areata – an autoimmune disease that causes sudden or gradual hair loss.
http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/news/hadassah-doctors-discover-potential-treatment-of-alopecia-areata
http://www.ebiomedicine.com/article/S2352-3964%2815%2900063-8/abstract?cc=y

Tablets to lower your blood pressure

Israel’s Teva has launched, in the USA, a generic alternative to Exforge (amlodopine and valsartan) tablets used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
http://www.tevapharm.com/news/?itemid={590B9327-6DFF-48BE-AF70-6DBD27CEF82C}

Probiotic for kids in South Korea

Israel’s Anlit has developed a new probiotic supplement for children in South Korea. Released in Costco stores under the global Cenovis Kids brand, the new supplement has a delicious vanilla flavor and teddy bear shape.
http://www.anlit4kids.com/web/8888/nsf/ProLookup.taf?_function=details&_ID=3676&PF=16&did=1217&G=7648&lang=EN&SM=7667

The future with no brain diseases

Professor Marta Weinstock-Rosin – inventor of Exelon for treating Alzheimer’s – says that the end is in sight for the debilitating disease and others like it. Dr Weinstock-Rosin lit one of the ceremonial torches at this year’s Israeli Independence Day ceremony.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-exelon-inventor-sees-an-end-to-alzheimers/

 

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

From shepherd to lawmaker

Avraham Naguise was born in Ethiopia and became a shepherd in his village. He immigrated to Israel in 1985, obtained degrees in social work and law and a PhD in education. He entered politics and in March became a member of the Israeli Knesset.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Meet-the-New-MK-Likuds-Naguise-wants-to-set-an-example-for-youth-from-Ethiopia-399068

The woman in charge of FX technology

Ilit Geller is CEO of Israel’s TradAir. TradAir’s systems allow smaller banks to trade high volumes of foreign exchange currency – and get a slice of the profits normally only available to large multinationals. Ilit also has broken into an area of finance that is traditionally a man’s world.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-female-financier-breaks-fx-tradings-glass-ceiling/

Israeli safari celebrates Earth Day

At Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan zoo, one of the keepers placed a camera at the bottom of animals’ water troughs to find out how they drink. An innovative way to mark Earth Day.
http://nocamels.com/2015/04/zookeeper-captures-hilarious-footage-of-animals-hydrating/

Maccabi Nahalal’s Muslim captain

Another video of the multi-cultural youth team Maccabi Haifa Nahalal. This time the focus is on the captain, Aaron, from the Circassian (Sunni Muslim) village of Kafr Kama.

Swapping graduates with the UK

Sir Paul Nurse, president of UK’s Royal Society, and Professor Ruth Arnon, president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities have signed an agreement that provides funding for 12-15 post-doctorate exchange fellows to conduct joint research in each country.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-uk-in-huge-new-scientific-cooperation-agreement/

The other Israel

More info on the Apr 29th conference in Montreal: “Israel’s High-Tech Miracle & Canada: Innovation for Humanity” taking place in Montreal, Canada. It will highlight how much Israel contributes to the world economy and to the US and Canada in particular.
http://www.themetropolitain.ca/articles/view/1518

Israel sending rescue teams to Nepal

Breaking news of the Nepal 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal, which has caused thousands of casualties. Israeli humanitarian organization IsraAID and the IDF are sending emergency relief teams. Readers can contribute to the IsraAID mission using the globalgiving.org link.
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/emergency-relief-for-earthquake-struck-nepal/
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/194533#.VTv3GfApqSo
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/194537#.VTyXGvApqSo

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

German electric giant opens Israeli R&D center

German energy giant RWE AG, one of the five largest energy and gas companies in Europe, is opening an innovation center in Israel in order to develop tech for a smart grid – a metering system that will keep track of how consumers use electricity.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-tech-to-keep-an-eye-on-electricity-gluttons/

Blackberry to establish Israeli R&D center

Canadian handset maker Blackberry has bought Israeli device security company WatchDox, whose 100 employees will form the basis of Blackberry’s Israeli Research & Development team.
http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/21/blackberry-watchdox/#.pzbyug:T40M

Bringing TV reports to life

Israel’s Orad Hi-Tec has developed many of the slick graphic technologies used in live broadcasting. Orad has just been bought for an estimated $60 million by US video production giant Avid Technology and will become part of Avid’s new Israeli research and development facility.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-firm-acquires-israeli-tv-tech-pioneer-for-60m/

3D printing of aircraft components

A new consortium of top Israeli companies and universities is to develop 3D printing technologies for the Israeli aerospace industry. The aim is to design and manufacture complex geometric structures that can only be produced by printing.
http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2015/04/19/elbit-imi-and-orbit-to-develop-3d-printer-for-aviation-components/

A great site in your area

Israeli startup Meetey has a new app that allows you to post a review about your experience at a particular location. The review is then highlighted to people in the area who can then decide if they want to visit. It’s like a mobile guest-book.
http://nocamels.com/2015/03/mobile-guestbook-meetey-to-release-revamped-app/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkWVUz5esco

Free website builder

Israel’s Simbla is a free mobile and tablet compatible website builder that allows users with no coding skills to build their own impressive, beautiful website.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simunity-is-launched-free-resources-for-web-developers-and-designers-498917931.html

Smartphone for blind becomes hands-free for drivers

I reported about the Project Ray smartphone for the blind in my 13 Oct 2013 newsletter. The project team has now adapted the touch and voice technology to make the RayGo smartphone for sighted car drivers who need to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-a-smartphone-for-the-blind-may-save-drivers-lives/

A new way to see yourself

Israel’s Percepto is a tiny camera that fastens to a drone and uses smart technology to capture pictures and videos “from above”. It has applications that even Percepto’s developers can’t imagine.
http://nocamels.com/2015/04/drone-camera-percepto-indiegogo-wireless/

Joint Israeli-French studies

France’s Atomic and Alternative Energy Commission (CEA) will host a PhD student from Ben Gurion University for 3 years. He/she will study nuclear core degradation, as part of CEA’s feasibility study for the ZEPHYR project into its Zero Power Experimental Physics Reactor.
http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/bgu_cea.aspx

Israeli agri-tech for Mumbai

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of India’s Maharashtra state, is heading to Tel Aviv to attend Agritech Israel 2015. He wants to replicate Israel’s agriculture technology in Maharashtra, the second most populous sub-national entity in the world, with Mumbai as its capital.
http://www.india.com/news/india/devendra-fadnavis-to-embark-on-israel-tour-from-april-26-361489/
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-cm-devendra-fadnavis-embarks-on-israel-tour-from-apr-26/

Israeli tech feeds a billion people

Rafi Mehudar is one of this year’s Israeli Independence Day torch-lighters. 42 years after he invented the modern form of drip irrigation, it is still used by only 5% of the world’s farmers. But that technology is responsible for crops that feed over a billion people.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-drip-irrigation-pioneer-our-tech-feeds-a-billion-people/

 

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israel’s surging stock market

Here is a detailed analysis of the economic and political factors behind the recent gains in Israel’s stock market. Note the statement that Israel “is the dominant leader in technological innovation, which is pulling solid capital into the country.”
http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/170629/inside-the-surging-israel-etfs

Lower credit card transaction costs

The Israeli-developed Zooz platform allows shops, hotels etc. to get the lowest transaction fees when processing credit cards from customers. Zooz will find the cheapest financial institution to process the transaction, which ultimately could mean lower costs to the end customer.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/where-the-money-goes-when-your-credit-card-is-swiped/

See the forest through the trees

An interview with Ben Rudin of Israel’s Intelescope. As reported in my 29 Mar 2015 newsletter, Intelescope uses drone and satellite imagery to provide critical data on the forests that cover 31% of the earth’s land mass. It can also predict and help fight forest fires and diseases.
http://m.alleywatch.com/alleytalk/8187-this-nyc-startup-literally-helps-you-see-the-forest-through-the-trees

One of the best bike rentals in the world

USAToday has rated Tel Aviv’s Tel-O-Fun bike-sharing program as the 8th best of 533 similar facilities around the world. Tel-O-Fun began operations in Apr 2011. Its 2000 bicycles provide around 9,000 individual rides per day.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/losing-its-training-wheels-tel-avivs-bike-share-scheme-turns-five/

Why every teen should run a startup

Please watch Michael Matias (son of Google Israel Director Yossi Matias) as he explains the value of building a startup when you are still at High School. Michael, in his gap year, is organizing events around the world inspiring students to develop innovative apps and products.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/google-scion-whiz-kid-hacks-his-way-to-idf-service/

Music Messenger takes South America

The world’s 20th most popular music app is Israel’s Music Messenger. It averages one million new users a month and has just raised $35 million of funding from investors including UK Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovitch and ex Abba star Benny Andersson.
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6538989/music-messenger-app-nicki-minaj-david-guetta-gee-roberson-roman-abramovich

Ryanair really wants Israel

Europe’s largest airline Ryanair is resuming talks in Israel to operate flights from Tel Aviv to several destinations in Europe with return tickets at around €140 (about $150). “We want our flag in the State of Israel”, said Ryanair’s deputy director of route development, Kate Sherry.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4648497,00.html

Georgia looks for Israeli cyber security partners

A delegation of 32-member team from the US of Georgia has returned from visiting Israel and is enthusiastic about attracting Israeli cyber security companies to the US State.
http://www.georgia.org/2015/04/20/israel-cyber-security-georgias-opportunity/

67 portfolio companies

Israel’s OurCrowd, the world’s leading equity crowdfunding platform, marked Israel’s 67th birthday by announcing its 67th portfolio company. ElMindA (see Sept newsletter) developed the world’s first FDA-approved neural functional assessment tool to visualize serious brain trauma and illnesses.
http://blog.ourcrowd.com/index.php/67-2/

Artificial Reality becomes a reality

I featured the Artificial Reality goggles from Israel’s RideOn on 15 Feb 2015 and 5 Apr 2015. RideOn hoped to raise $75,000 by crowd-funding on Indiegogo. It actually raised over $113,000. Delivery is expected in Sept 2015.
http://www.sporttechie.com/2015/04/22/hi-tech-goggles-bring-augmented-reality-to-the-slopes/
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rideon-the-first-true-ar-goggles-for-snow-sports

 

CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

The Bell Caves

Excellent photos of Israel’s Beit Guvrin – UNESCO’s latest World Heritage site.
http://www.baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=37&ARTICLE_ID=59409

From field to fork

See how Israeli agricultural produce (grapes, tomatoes, wheat, olives, fish, milk, dates and pomegranates) is transformed into a healthy and tasty culinary experience.

3rd most US TV imports are Israeli

Israel ranks as the third largest content importer for US television after the U.K. and the Netherlands. Israeli companies Armoza Formats, Keshet Media Group, and Dori Media have sold the concepts of more than 100 shows to countries including France, Brazil, Indonesia and the US.
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2015/4/10/israel-ranks-third-largest-in-us-television-imports#.VSohHvApqSo=

Israel’s beaches are open

Lifeguard services began on all of Israel’s beaches on April 20th and continue until October 12th 2015. 9 million visitors are expected onto Tel Aviv’s award-winning beaches, where beachgoers can also enjoy board games, free wifi and even borrow library books.
http://www.janglo.net/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=display&catid=99&tid=353934

 

THE JEWISH STATE

Israeli Independence Day

Some of the ceremonies, gadgets, trappings and events to celebrate Israel at 67.
http://www.israel21c.org/israel-in-pictures/israel-independence-day-flags-falafel-flying/
http://rjstreets.com/2015/04/24/9-favorites-of-israel-independence-day/

Why we are celebrating

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sends a birthday message.

Israel in a nutshell

This article nicely sums up the Jewish State on its 67th birthday.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_27966923/guest-commentary-israels-many-accomplishment-reflect-desire-peace

Israel in 3 minutes

This animation video is entitled “Israel’s Miraculous Story As Never Seen Before!”
http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/israels-miraculous-story-as-never-seen-before/

Promoting Israel

The editor of VeryGoodNewsIsrael broadcast to radio and Internet audiences recently.
On 6th April he was Yishai Fleisher’s guest on “Voice of Israel”.
http://www.voiceofisrael.com/is-god-a-religious-zionist-and-is-marijuana-kosher/ (at 42 mins 30 secs)
Then on Yom Ha’atzmaut, he spoke on “AJC Live” with Scott Richman on WVOX (Westchester, New York).
https://soundcloud.com/scott-richman-2/ajc-live-celebrates-israel-independence-day (at 26 mins 30 secs)

 

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