Israel’s DIR Technologies has invented a system that checks every package of medicine using thermal imaging, and joint Israeli-US research has discovered that the absence of protein RFX in many elderly people causes hearing loss.

By: Michael Ordman

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Infrared imaging checks quality of sealed treatments

Israel’s DIR Technologies has invented a system that checks every package of medicine using thermal imaging. Operators can then find and fix problems causing faulty seals whenever they occur, without destroying a sample or holding up the production line.
http://www.thetower.org/2585oc-israeli-company-develops-revolutionary-drug-safety-system/

Missing protein causes hearing loss in elderly

Joint Israeli-US research has discovered that the absence of protein RFX in many elderly people causes hearing loss. The protein is responsible for maintaining tiny hairs (cilia) in the inner ear. When these hairs die off, the person becomes deaf. The team believe their discovery will help develop treatments to restore hearing in patients.

http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Health-and-Science/Breakthrough-find-may-lead-to-restoring-hearing-in-elderly-431761

Self-healing artificial skin

Israeli researchers at Israel’s Technion have created a new, flexible material that is sensitive to touch and can heal itself automatically if there is damage within 10-30 minutes, according to research published in the Advanced Materials journal.
http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/11/24/israeli-researchers-create-self-healing-material/

Protein link to aggression

Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute investigating the protein tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) found in the brains of humans and animals, have discovered that low TH levels increase aggression in males. High TH levels reduce aggression in males but increase motherly instincts in females.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-to-tame-a-male-weizmann-researchers-may-have-the-answer/

US approves leukemia treatment

The US FDA has approved BENDEKA, (bendamustine hydrochloride) injection from Israel’s Teva for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and for indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). BENDEKA is expected to be commercially available by 1st Quarter 2016.
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/teva-eagle-pharma-report-fda-approval-of-bendeka-injection-20151208-00240

Smart enzymes

Israel’s SmartZyme is developing new proteins and enzymes for medical and industrial uses. One enzyme has improved bio-electrochemical glucose catalysis, to be used on glucose test strips for the Self Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) market. SmartZyme has just received $4 million of funding.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-biologics-co-smartzyme-raises-4m-from-orbimed-1001076726

Kids kicking cancer in Israel

Kids Kicking Cancer, founded by Detroit Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, has now expanded to five Israeli hospitals. Children who have life-threatening diseases are taught martial arts in order to help them cope with the aftermath of the disease. The pool of instructors includes both Jews and Arabs.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-martial-arts-help-kids-with-cancer-kick-the-pain/

Identifying your “Sleep DNA”

Israeli crowdsourcing platform Sleep ASAP offers insomniacs a solution to their sleeping problems. In a recent study, Sleep ASAP analyzed personality traits and sleep habits of 2500 participants. It successfully determined the reason for the insomnia in 99% of cases.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-tech-cracks-sleep-dna-to-beat-insomnia/

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