Doctors from Israeli charity Eye from Zion treated hundreds in Kenya of all ages; Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute are making chemotherapy more effective; Israeli biotech Pluristem has been awarded new patents in Hong Kong for two products, and much more.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Free eye surgery for Kenyans
I reported previously (three times) on doctors from Israeli charity Eye From Zion performing free eye surgery around the world. They have just returned from Kenya where they treated 723 patients, from infants to senior citizens, removing cataracts and correcting astigmatism.
Making chemotherapy more effective
Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered why chemotherapy sometimes doesn’t work. Bacteria inside pancreatic tumors metabolize gemcitabine – a common chemo treatment – to make the tumor resistant. After applying antibiotics, the chemo begins to work again.
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/how-bacteria-hinder-chemotherapy
Stem cell treatments for Asia
Israeli biotech Pluristem has been awarded two new patents in Hong Kong for two products – mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of skeletal muscle damage or injury, and adherent cells to treat Critical Limb Ischemia and connective tissue regeneration.
Turning Sound and Touch into Sight
I reported previously (in 2012) about Dr. Amir Amedi of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who is developing innovative sensory substitution devices and technologies to help the blind and visually impaired. Here is a video about his work.
https://www.afhu.org/sensorysubstitution/#.WbpkBtFx3IU
Rehabilitating soccer players
Spanish soccer club Real Sociedad is using BalanceTutor from Israel’s MediTouch to help its teams improve balance and dexterity, especially after an injury. The 4D treadmill uses unexpected perambulation (jolting to the side etc.) to deliberately disrupt the player’s balance.
https://www.israel21c.org/real-sociedad-using-israeli-4d-treadmill-to-rehab-players/
Hear this
Udi Doron, CEO of Israel’s Medton, came on ILTV News to describe his innovative hearing aids. The devices are imported from Oticon Denmark and then adapted and fitted in Israel. They scan the environment to reduce the level of noise. They also connect via smartphone to the Internet of Things.
http://www.medton.co.il/sitefiles/1/9634/79515.asp
Helping families of cancer patients
Rivi Kossover of Israeli cancer charity Ezer Mizion arranges transportation for patients, volunteers to make family meals, respite for teenage carers and a tutor for a failing student. And still manages to fit in her own domestic activities.
http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/cancer-support-being-on-the-giving-end/
A virtual safari for bed-ridden kids
Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari has placed cameras in the monkey enclosures and live-streams video to bed-ridden children at Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer. The innovation helps kids deal with the stress of their illness and is to be expanded to video more animals and include more hospitals.
http://virtualjerusalem.com/jewish_news.php?Itemid=26837
Medical treatment for Russian Olympic skater
Russia’s Yulia Lipnitskaya was only 15-years-old when won a team gold medal at the 2014 Olympic games, skating to the theme “Schindler’s List”. She developed chronic anorexia shortly afterwards and retired from skating. In January, she came to Israel for treatment.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/russian-olympic-skating-champion-was-treated-for-anorexia-in-israel/
WHO board appoints an Israeli
The World Health Organization (WHO) has finally rewarded Israel for its vital contributions to the WHO (see here) and global medicine. For the first time in 21 years it has appointed to its Executive an Israeli – Professor Itamar Grotto, the Israeli Health Ministry’s Associate Director-General.
For this week’s Good News from Israel, click HERE.