www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com
http://blogs.jpost.com/users/just-look-us-now
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Using cancer to kill cancer. Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center have enhanced the immune system using proteins from melanoma (a severe form of skin cancer). T-cells in the immune system are stimulated to produce cytokines, which can fight other cancers in the body.
http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=305850
Success in trials of stem cells for blood cancer. (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Early trials of NiCord (umbilical cord stem cells) from Israel’s Gamida Cell have proved successful in maintaining the health of patients with high-risk hematological malignancies. The treatment was safe and reduced the time to recovery period.
http://www.gamida-cell.com/press_item.asp?ID=54
Colon cancer rates decrease. Israel is fourth among Western countries in the prevalence of colorectal cancer and 15th in the death rate from the tumor. However, the number of cases has declined in the last two decades – by 17 percent in men and 13 percent in women – largely due to early diagnosis and treatment.
http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=305349
A pacemaker for the arteries. Israel’s Enopace Biomedical is developing an endovascular micro-stimulator, which reduces the strain on the heart by expanding the arteries to accept incoming blood. It is implanted by catheter in a 30-minute procedure while the patient is awake and is an alternative to a heart transplant.
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000826211&fid=1725
Australia approves Israeli robotic spinal surgery. Israel’s Mazor Robotics has obtained approval from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for the import and sale of the company’s Renaissance navigation robot for spinal surgery.
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000826535&fid=1725
The missing LINC to deafness. (Thanks to NoCamels.com) Half of all hearing losses are due to genetic mutations. Tel Aviv University Professor Karen Avraham found that mutations in the LINC cells of the inner ear of an Iraqi family with a history of deafness could lead to new treatments.
http://nocamels.com/2013/03/discovering-the-missing-linc-to-deafness/