This weeks Highlights: An Israeli discovery can protect fertile women from the effects of chemotherapy. Israeli heart doctors saved the life of a 4-year-old Syrian girl. A Turkish zoo has received a shipment of 40 rare animals from Israel. Thanks to Einstein, Israeli scientists have found a new planet. The Israel Water Authority is opening the Kinneret dam to replenish the Jordan River. Israel has begun the building of a new International airport in the South. The Israeli government is subsidizing conversion to solar heating.
Thanks to our friend Michael Ordman
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Protection during chemotherapy. Scientists from Sheba Medical Center and Bar-Ilan University have discovered how chemotherapy destroys the ovaries. They have also developed a medication (under trials) called AS101, which protects the ovaries and should maintain fertility of women undergoing cancer treatment.
The heart can heal itself. (Thanks to NoCamels) Doctors at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem noticed that cell tissue transplanted into the left atrial appendage of the heart in mice developed into local heart muscle tissue. The phenomenon – similar to that of embryonic stem cells – has major implications for cardiology.
Mushroom derivative treats pancreatic cancer. (Thanks to Israel21c) Professor Solomon Wasser of Haifa University has patented a medicinal product derived from a fungus found in Israeli forests. In animal trials, the Cyathus striatus drug appeared effective against pancreatic cancer.
The benefits of Israeli herbs. (Thanks to Israel21c) A team from Israel, Spain, Greece and PA-administered Nablus is developing a database revealing the science behind the medicinal benefits of thousands of plants they’ve been gathering and analyzing since November 2011 – including many native to Israel.
Saving the sight of the elderly. Israel’s Chief Scientist has awarded biotech Cell Cure Neurosciences a $1.5 million grant to help develop their cell-based OpRegen treatment for macular degeneration. The dry form of age-related macular degeneration is estimated to afflict over 7.3 million people in the US alone.
Free check for melanoma. To mark Skin Cancer Awareness Week, approximately 300 Israeli health fund clinics are providing free checks by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Early diagnosis, helped by the Israel Cancer Association’s awareness campaigns, has reduced the toll from skin tumors.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Gaza weekly deliveries: In the week to 11th May 2013, 1,579 trucks carrying 42,490 tons of goods entered Gaza from Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Israeli doctors save Syrian girl’s life. A 4-year-old Syrian girl was born with only one heart ventricle instead of two. She had only weeks to live when doctors from Israel’s “Save A Child’s Heart” organization operated on her. The operation was a success and she is recuperating ahead of returning to her new home in Jordan.
Humanitarian aid for Syria. Jerusalem native Moti Kahana heads a group of Israeli businessmen and American Jews who have raised $500,000 and travel to the Syrian refugee camps to provide aid to victims of the conflict. Moti’s brother Steve is on IDF reserve service at the Golan Heights, treating injured Syrians.
The Arab-Jewish theater of Jaffa. This is true co-existence. The Arab-Hebrew Theatre of Jaffa hosts bilingual plays – in Hebrew and Arabic – that increase understanding between people and bind the audiences and the actors in a common, fun experience.
Just enjoying themselves. Elder of Ziyon has a nice image of Israeli Arab Moslem girls having a good time river rafting at Israel’s Nahal Snir Nature Reserve.
Israeli zoo sends animals to Turkey. Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari park has sent a shipment of 40 different animal species to Turkey in order to reinforce the Izmir Wildlife Park. Turkish zookeepers in Izmir had previously asked Ramat Gan Safari for help in boosting their zoological collection.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Einstein helps find new planet. Tel Aviv University researchers have used a light-measuring method, based on Einstein’s theory of relativity to locate a new planet 2,000 light years away from Earth. TAU Professor Tsevi Mazeh said that Kepler-76b was the first planet discovered using the Doppler relativistic beaming effect.
Water brings Israel, Egypt and Germany together. At “Wasser Berlin” the Egyptian Minister of Utilities, Drinking Water and Sewage posed for photos with several Israeli delegates and the German Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development. 23 Israeli companies were represented at the event.
Look after your computers. (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israeli hi-tech company Soluto has launched a new service that allows businesses to manage all their Personal Computers from a single point. The cost is 90% less than most of the competition. Soluto’s consumer product has already had 3 million downloads.
Better connections. (Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s RiT Technologies has launched Beamcaster – its indoor wireless optical networking solution. The ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-secure wireless technology is ideal for open-plan offices, hospitals, schools and trade shows, providing high connectivity and easy installation.
Stopping security leaks. The CelluSec platform from Israel’s WiseSec has “indoor GPS” that can monitor mobile computers and smartphones inside an organization. Israel’s Ness Technologies then can switch off your Internet capability, Bluetooth, camera etc. to protect against stealing data inside sensitive areas of the building.
The gates are opening. The Israeli water authority is to open the Degania Dam and replenish the flow of the Jordan River by releasing 1,000 cubic meters of water per hour from Lake Kinneret. It is part of an ecological regeneration process to restore the river and is being implemented in conjunction with the Kingdom of Jordan.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
MK’s take 10% salary cut. Israel’s Members of the Knesset (parliament) have agreed to a 10% pay cut as part of the 2013-14 budget. The reduction of NIS 3,484 per month per MK will save NIS 5 million a year. It was enacted to show the public that the new economic austerity program affects everyone.
Gartner lists 13 “Cool” Israeli vendors. (Thanks to NoCamels) Technology research company Gartner has released its annual “Cool Vendors” list, which includes 13 Israeli companies. It features small companies in the fields of IT, communications and other branches of high-tech, which develop “groundbreaking” technology.
The Israel Conference. Los Angeles on 30th and 31st May is the venue for Americans wishing to meet and do business with Israeli companies delivering the latest technology. 70 Global companies. You need to be there.
Funtactix wins “a Webby”. Israel’s Funtactix has just won the digital equivalent of the “Emmy” awards. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS) chose the on-line developer’s Hunger Games Adventure Game as the winner in the “Social Game” category. Funtactix won the Variety award in December.
UK business delegation to Israel. Senior Policy Advisor to the British Prime Minister, Mr Rohan Silva, will be leading a high-level business delegation to visit Israel this week. It includes some of the UK’s largest retail companies, which will meet with over 20 Israeli hi-tech companies.
Asia is Israel’s new frontier. (Thanks to IsraPundit and Forbes) 2012 was “The Year of Asia in Israel”. India and China are replacing any trade lost due to the economic slow-down of Israel’s traditional partners in the USA and Europe.
The US-Israel win-win relationship. (Thanks to Herb) Yoram Ettinger writes that Israeli technologies, shared with the U.S. industry, have enhanced U.S. employment, research & development and exports.
eBay to incubate Israeli start-ups. (Thanks to NoCamels) International retail giant eBay is setting up a startup incubator in Israel. The incubator will focus on startups dealing with ecommerce, social networks and big data, and will be located at eBay’s Israeli headquarters in Netanya.
Building of Ramon airport begins. Rona Ramon, widow of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, laid the cornerstone of the new Ramon International Airport at Timna, 19km north of Eilat. The first new civilian airport since the founding of the state will take four years to construct and cost NIS 1.7 billion.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Wine and Jazz in Jerusalem’s Gardens. (Thanks to Janglo) There can’t be a more pleasant way to spend an evening. For a mere 60 shekels, on May 30th you can admire the flora in Jerusalem’s Botanical Gardens, listen to great music and sample delicious wines from the Judean hills.
Visit Druse and Circassian villages. According to the Jerusalem Post (Metro section) the Galilee Development Authority and North Tourism Center are offering free, guided tours of Druse and Circassian villages in the Galilee and Carmel every weekend during May, June and July.
Galilee Dragon Boat race. The second annual Dragon Boat Israel Festival took place on Lake Kinneret near Tiberias. One of the most impressive teams contained 88 paddlers from OneFamily – the Israeli charity that helps rehabilitate the families of terror victims. The team won its category and came 8th overall.
Number 1 for soccer’s Euro U-21. As Israel prepares to host the European Under 21 Soccer Championships on June 5th, Eyal Golan has just recorded the official song of the tournament “Always my Number 1”.
THE JEWISH STATE
Israel subsidizes upgrades to solar heaters. For eligible residents who don’t already have a “Dude Shemesh”, the Israeli government will pay NIS 900 (at least 25%) towards the cost of changing from an electric water heater to a solar powered one. A new eco-friendly heater saves an average of NIS 1000 a year.
UK to hold major rally to support Israel. The UK (Jewish and non-Jewish) community is holding a street parade on June 2nd to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. The “Closer to Israel” event also includes many other activities and projects designed to promote Israel to the British public.
1500-year-old mosaic unearthed. The Israel Antiquities Authority has discovered a Byzantine era mosaic floor under the fields of Kibbutz Beit Kama in the Negev. The red, black, and yellow mosaic was found prior to the paving of the highway 6, just below the soil along with structures, pools and a system to move water.
