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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.

https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/09/13/1120229/0/en/Pluristem-Strengthens-Its-Position-in-Asia-Awarded-Two-New-Patents-in-Hong-Kong-for-Critical-Limb-Ischemia-and-Muscle-Regeneration.html

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.