GOOD NEWS FROM AMAZING ISRAEL: MICHAEL ORDMAN
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Fixing the rarest of heart conditions. In only the second case in Israel in the last 30 years, a baby was born without a breastbone to protect its heart. Using 30-year-old medical notes, doctors at Haifa’s Rambam hospital removed deformed bones and re-assembled the baby’s chest. After one week, the infant was able to go home.
Technion scientists develop advanced biological computer. Using only bio-molecules (such as DNA and enzymes), scientists at the Israel’s Technion have constructed an advanced biological transducer – a computing machine capable of manipulating genetic codes – and used the output as new input for subsequent computations.
A valve to fix faulty heart valves. (Thanks to NoCamels) 7-8 million people a year suffer blood leakage from their heart’s mitral valve. Now Israel’s MitrAssist is developing a valve implant that will to work in unison with the body’s own valve to prevent leakage and restore normal blood flow.
Israeli nanobots will change medicine. Founder of several biotech companies, Dr Ido Bachelet is also assistant professor in the faculty of Life Sciences and the Nano-Center at Bar Ilan University. He explains what computers the size of molecules can do inside the body. These tiny computers exist in Israel today.
Dental implants give children confidence. Children with Ectodermal Dysplasia have no teeth. Doctors used to wait until the children grew up, but a new rehabilitative process at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem fits implants and dentures to 5 and 6 year-olds. It benefits the children’s appearance, eating and social interaction.
Doctors saves stroke victim. A medical miracle – a Haifa man suffered a massive stroke and had only a 10 per cent chance of survival. Doctors at Rambam Hospital operated even after they believed it was too late. Next morning, the man awoke from his coma with no brain damage and plans to dance at his wedding this summer.
One small step. Israel’s Re-Step has developed a “magic” shoe called “step of mind” that allows people with brain damage to re-learn how to walk. The first treatment cycle using the computerized shoe at Israel’s Reuth Medical Rehabilitation Center has improved the walking competence of 10 people with brain damage.
An all-round endoscopic success. I reported in January that Israel’s Peer Medical merged with EndoChoice of Atlanta, USA. Now the combined company has released “The Fuse” –a next generation endoscope for examining the colon. It has two cameras providing a 330-degree view to detect more cancerous polyps quicker.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Fruit and veg stay fresh for a year. At Israel’s Volcani Center, Potatoes sprayed with spearmint oil are not sprouting for months; Granny Smith apples deprived of oxygen stay fresh for over a year. Tomatoes are flourishing despite being infected with the common yellow leaf virus.
Fill her up – Israeli style. Israel’s Gasngo has developed technology solutions to enable authorized drivers to refuel without having to use a credit card or perform a cash transaction. A Radio Frequency (RFID) tag on the vehicle is read by the pump’s nozzle. The solution has been installed in more than 3,000 gas stations.
Piecing together the fragments. In the basement of Tel Aviv University, a network of 100 computers is running a sophisticated artificial intelligence program to re-assemble the 157,514 fragments from the Cairo genizah. The pieces from documents dating from the 9th to 19th centuries should be matched by June 25.
Science on the streets. Visit Rehovot on June19th to hear top Weizmann lecturers at the 4th annual “Beer, Science and Good Spirits” event. In local bars and cafes you can learn about secrets of the universe, curing cancer, growing body parts, quantum computing, the origins of life etc. over a glass of beer, wine or coffee.
Israel’s scientists of tomorrow. Once a week, 76 excelling and gifted students from Haifa’s Hebrew Reali School visit Haifa’s Science Museum (MadaTech) to crack codes, discover the secrets of chemistry, engage in mathematical thinking, construct robots and explore the world of space. They conduct their own in-depth research, develop problem-solving strategies and strengthen their critical thinking, originality and creativity.
Sorek desalination plant comes on stream. Starting this month, the new Sorek desalination plant will provide up to 26,000 cubic meters – or nearly 7 million gallons – of drinking water every hour. When it is at full capacity, it will be the largest desalination plant of its kind in the world.
A bumper crop of Israeli olives – in India. The Israeli firm Indolive is helping farmers to grow olives in the Rajasthan – a desert state with complex soil conditions in the west of India.
Swedish prize for Israeli water company. Israel’s Netafim, the pioneer of drip irrigation and the world’s largest irrigation company, has been named the 2013 Stockholm Industry Water Award laureate. The award committee said, “Netafim’s remarkable achievements, helping farmers across the world to ‘grow more with less’, are directly contributing to a more water and food secure world.”
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Israeli company prints names on Coke bottles. Popular names that appear on hundreds of millions of bottles of Coca-Cola are being printed on equipment produced using technology developed by Israel’s Indigo. The campaign is running in 32 countries, and some 800 million “name bottles” will be distributed.
Funding for biodegradable packaging. Back in August 2012 I reported that two mothers were so angry at all the packed lunch wrappings that were thrown away that they invented an environmentally friendly packaging. Their start-up TIPA has now secured funding from GreenSoil Investments to help expand here and overseas.
Turks pleased to do business with Israel. Zvi Oren, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, and Muharrem Yilmaz, president of the Turkish Industry and Business Association met to discuss strengthening business ties and tourism. “It’s amazing to see how relieved they are that they can do business with us again,” Oren said.
Russians love Israeli carrots. (Thanks to Ofir) Israel’s “Uncle Moses” branded carrots are very popular in Russia. The Hebrew inscription was found to send an “exotic” message to Russian consumers. In the harsh Russian winter, local carrots are unavailable and Western Negev carrots and radishes are a valued import.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Israel’s designer of the week. 52 Designers features one of Israel’s most talented designers each week. This time it is Artiom Dashinsky who designs interfaces for Israeli technology, applications and innovative products such as SodaStream, Tvinci, JitBit, Spotish and GoTasks. His website features a very impressive portfolio.
Sunbeat 2013. The Summer Global Beats Festival returns to the Mayan Harod Park in the Jezreel Valley on 21 – 22 June.
New Threads in Jerusalem. (Thanks to The Real Jerusalem Streets) Jerusalem Tower of David Museum’s Summer of Inspiration: “Threads” exhibit is now on view. Ten Israeli fashion designers have created original costumes around the theme of ’Women of Jerusalem’.
And there is light! “Light in Jerusalem” is the name of the 2013 Jerusalem Festival of Light take place from June 5 to 13 from 8pm till midnight. The free festival includes illumination performances, video projections on the buildings and musical performances as well as a special Rock Circus show. See this amazing video.
Tectonics comes to Tel Aviv. The Tectonics Festival takes place in Tel Aviv on June 6-8 at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Famous Tel Aviv-born conductor Ilan Volkov has performed Tectonics in Iceland, Glasgow and Australia. Tectonics is a rare fusion of classic and contemporary music that appeals to a wide audience.
THE JEWISH STATE
Adelson donates another $40 million to Birthright. Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, donated another $40 million to the Birthright Israel Foundation. Their overall donation to the program is now $180 million. Birthright brings Jews aged 18 to 26 to Israel to help broaden their awareness and deepen their cultural identity.
Special celebration. Thirteen years after discovering his Jewish roots, 64-year-old Moshe Lederman Cohen celebrated his bar mitzvah at Jerusalem’s Western Wall. Born Mariusz Robert Aoflko in Poland, his mother told him he was Jewish just before she died. Israeli organization Shavei Israel brought him to Israel. Moshe said, “This is the most important day in my life. I feel like I’ve come home”.
Born on the way to Israel. The family of Zehava Elias set out from Ethiopia in 1989 to walk to Israel, carrying only a little bit of food, money and their Torah scroll. Zehava was born on route. Lieutenant Zehava Elias is now an officer in the IDF who have awarded her with the citation of excellence.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Conference for religious businesswomen. The Temech Conference for Women in Business took place in Jerusalem and featured world-class speakers on business development, management and marketing. It included interactive workshops, guidance on individual business issues and focused on formal and informal networking.
Israel’s united soccer team. The Israeli squad for the European Under-21 Soccer Championships contains Jews, Arabs, Druze, Russians and Ethiopians. It is a true representation of the many cultures in the country.
Israeli-Arab is oldest pediatric heart transplant patient. Balal Kalash, 28, from Kfar Qara underwent a heart transplant at Schneider Children’s Medical Center. The young man had a complex congenital heart defect and underwent several cardiac operations at Schneider’s in the past. He has recovered and been discharged.
Israeli-Arabs proud to serve in the IDF. Many Israeli Arabs want to contribute toward Israeli society by serving in the Israel Defense Forces and integrating into their home country. Bedouin and Druze Israeli communities actively encourage IDF service. Christian and non-Bedouin Muslim Israeli Arabs volunteer to proudly serve in the IDF, often in units comprised entirely of Israeli Arab citizens. Here are some testimonials.
A very “special” recycling factory. The employees of the new Ecommunity Group’s electronic waste recycling facility in Karmiel are almost entirely from Israel’s special-needs population. Workers with autism, Downs syndrome, ADD/ADHD etc. transform technological trash into usable parts and refurbished equipment.
Iranian and Israeli doctors unite to help pregnant women. Israeli professor from Georgetown University, Offie Soldin, has published a report with a group of Iranian researchers analysing guidelines of how to deal with thyroid problems affecting pregnant women. The thyroid hormone is vital for developing healthy babies.
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