Photo is of Israeli almond trees blossoming on Tu Bishvat – the Jewish celebration of the New Year for Trees.
This Weeks Sanity Report from Israel – Jan 31, 2016
Thanks to Michael Ordman for all of his work in compiling this weekly good news report.
The highlights include:
- Israel’s ZAKA emergency response organization received UN recognition.
- Israel is to spend an extra $3.3 billion on Israeli-Arabs in the next five years.
- Seven major news stories highlight Israel’s dominance in cybersecurity.
- The EU has selected Jerusalem’s water company for a major project.
- Sony, Honda, GM and Mercedes all announced deals with Israeli startups.
- A BBC video captures an amazing display of starlings in Israel.
- Israel is making it easier for dentists and therapists to make Aliya.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Early detection of lung cancer in smokers. Scientists at Tel Aviv University and Rabin Medical Center have discovered they can detect lung cancer early in smokers by performing a CT scan at the time they are admitted as pneumonia patients. Often, the pneumonia is caused by young cancer cells blocking air pathways.
http://nocamels.com/2016/01/lung-cancer-early-detection-smoking-pneumonia/
http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2815%2901035-9/abstract
The reason lack of sleep leads to obesity. Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have detailed for the first time how human biological clocks work in tandem with intestinal gut bacteria to control blood sugar levels. Digestion suffers when the schedules of the gut bacteria are interrupted by late-night wakefulness.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/obesitys-link-to-lack-of-sleep-is-gut-wrenching-problem-study-shows/
Why the blind have better hearing. Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered how the brain compensates for the loss of one of the senses (e.g. sight) by improving another (e.g. hearing). They studied the simple roundworm and manipulated synapses to control the sensory ability of the organism.
http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/28640
US approval for smartphone blood sugar monitor. Israel’s LabStyle has received US FDA approval for its Dario device for measuring blood sugar levels using a smartphone. It already has approval for European sales.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-labstyle-innovations-seeks-to-raise-115m-1001096456
Turning rehabilitation into a fun exercise. Israeli startups BioGaming and Motorika use virtual-reality and robotics technology to introduce fun into physical therapy exercises. BioGaming’s algorithms power a Microsoft Kinect 3D motion-capture camera. Motorika’s robotics enable neurological and orthopedic rehab.
http://www.israel21c.org/israeli-companies-put-the-fun-in-physical-therapy/
ZAKA secures official U.N. status. (TY algemeiner and Dan) The Israeli emergency response organization ZAKA has received official consultative status from the United Nations. ZAKA will now be recognized as an official body in the U.N., which will help it to expand its international search, rescue and recovery missions.
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2016/1/27/israeli-zaka-rescue-service-gets-official-status-in-un
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/207133
NIS 300 million more for health. Eighty-three new medications and medical technologies were added to Israel’s “health basket” on Thursday, benefiting 108,500 patients at the cost of NIS 300 million. Cancer treatments include myeloma, leukemia, pancreatic, kidney, prostate, breast, ovarian, lung and more.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4750624,00.html
The top Israeli responder. (TY Janglo) The average Hatzalah emergency response volunteer will attend to some 300 calls annually, but 58-year-old Yehuda Londner of Bnei Brak recorded an impressive 2,370 calls last year. In 29 years with Hatzalah and Magen David Adom he has responded to over 45,000 emergency calls.
Novotalk founder’s startup cured his stutter. The founder Novotalk (see Dec 27 newsletter) Moshe Rot describes how he suffered from stuttering since age 3. Then at age 22 he went for fluency shaping at Jerusalem’s Hadassah hospital. He started up Novotalk to teach and reinforce the skill online at much less cost.
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXf6nbTjP9s&w=520&h=315]
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Connecting kids to Israeli seniors. The HaVeDa project connects senior Israeli citizens with Jewish and Israeli children living in the diaspora who want to keep in touch with Israel – its people and its language. The Israeli seniors live at home or in a nursing home and are happy to share their stories with young people.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4754226,00.html
El Al’s first all-female cockpit. An El Al flight that flew from Israel to Larnaca, Cyprus was a small-but-significant historical moment for the Israeli airline: its cockpit was comprised entirely of women. The controls were in the hands of Captain Smadar Shechter and First Officer Meirav Schwartz.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4756494,00.html
35% of Teva’s senior management are women. Israel’s Teva has reported that 49% of all its management positions are staffed by women, with a female level of 35% in senior management. Teva launched 315 generic medicines in 2015. It saved UK local authorities $4.3 billion in 2014 and tens of billions of dollars worldwide.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-teva-35-of-senior-management-staffed-by-women-1001098066
Free on-line English courses. Israel’s Education Ministry is paying for Israeli university students to take English language courses offered online by the Open University in preparation for further study at academic institutions. It will save students thousands of shekels and improve their career opportunities.
$3.3 billion to help Israeli-Arabs. (TY Hazel) Israel will spend around 13 billion shekels ($3.3 billion) over the next five years to improve the standard of living of its Arab minority. Investment will be boosted in education, infrastructure, culture, sports and transportation in Arab areas.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-israel-arabs-idUKKBN0UE11R20151231?rpc=401
Syrians see Israel’s good side. (TY Hazel) Another report about some of the 2,000 Syrian war wounded who have been treated in Israeli hospitals.
R&D agreement with Colombia. (TY Dan) Israel and Colombia have signed an agreement on cooperation in industrial R&D. Colombia is the fourth largest economy in Latin America, after Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, which have also signed agreements with Israel in recent years. http://www.port2port.com/article/Industry-Trade/Economy/Israel-and-Colombia-signed-R-D-cooperation-agreement/
Irrigating Indian farms. The Indian state of Haryana – located just northwest of Dehli – will initiate micro-irrigation projects based on Israeli expertise at 14 sites throughout the state over the course of 2016. Israeli agricultural professionals work extensively in Haryana and neighboring Punjab, as well as around the country.
Apple learns Hebrew. iPhone and iPad users will know about Siri – Apple’s speech-recognition robot. Now Siri (Speech Interpretation and Recognition Interface) will be available in Hebrew in March.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/apples-siri-voice-assistant-learns-hebrew/
Where Israel gives humanitarian aid. (TY Hazel) Israel21C has produced a map showing all the top locations where Israel offers aid to people in need around the world.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
$3.5 million more to tackle pollution. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry is to invest NIS 14 million ($3.5 million) in projects to encourage use of public transportation and bicycles. The funds are in addition to the NIS 6 million ($1.5 million) transferred to local authorities in the past year to promote similar initiatives.
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30577
An intelligent extra eye. Israel’s OrCam has moved on from its camera that helps visually impaired. It has now launched MyMe – an augmented attention device that gives you an extra eye and ear. It can perform face recognition, speech to text translation, time analysis etc. OrCam also opened a European HQ in London.
http://www.orcam.com/blog/orcams-new-wearable-personal-assistant-revolutionizes-wellness/
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EtX9uEPfA&w=520&h=315]
Bringing back the sound of voice. Israeli app HearMeOut reinvents vocal features in social media.
“Israel is a global agricultural force”. On Tu B’Shvat – the New Year for Trees in Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Israeli agro-tech at an exhibit of Israel’s latest developments at the Agricultural Research Organization’s Volcani Center, in Beit Dagan near Tel Aviv.
http://unitedwithisrael.org/netanyahu-israeli-agricultural-development-is-a-global-force/
Magnificent seven. Last week there was good news about seven Israeli cybersecurity companies – the first six are their first mentions in my newsletter. LightCyber won awards in both SC Magazine and CRN Magazine; SafeBreach launched its continual testing platform; Fireglass raised $20 million of funds for its critical systems solution; ImVision raised $4 million for its anomaly detection technology; Nubo raised $7 million to expand its Cloud-based mobile protection; and ForeScout became a billion-dollar value company. Finally, Elbit’s CYBERBIT unit exposed the workings and solution for Dridex – the most dangerous virus in existence.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-cyber-security-co-fireglass-raises-20m-1001098415
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-cyber-security-co-imvision-raises-4m-1001097880
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-mobile-security-co-nubo-raises-7m-1001097362
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-iot-cyber-security-co-forescout-raises-76m-1001097233
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-elbit-unit-cyberbit-uncovers-bank-theft-malware-1001098035
$100 million in STEM scholarships. Real estate magnate and publisher Mortimer Zuckerman has announced a 20-year, $100 million scholarship program to pay for American graduate students in the sciences to study in Israel. It will allow leading US and Israeli academics to work together on cutting-edge research.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/american-jewish-magnate-announces-us-israel-science-initiative/
Helping firms make IoT products. Israeli startup Seebo makes it easier for companies to develop smart products. Seebo provides them with end-to-end tools and technology that connect the products to the Internet of Things (IoT). Seebo has just raised $8.5 million of funds.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-internet-of-things-startup-seebo-raises-85m-1001098305
The brains behind Iron Dome. Israel’s mPrest provides monitoring and control software for the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling organizations to connect any sensor at any time. mPrest also developed the brains for the Iron Dome missile defense system. mPrest has just raised $20 million of funds for international expansion.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-monitoring-and-control-co-mprest-raises-20m-1001097898
Don’t waste time dialing. Israeli startup MyState shows the availability of a contact before dialing by displaying if the person is on a call, offline, on vibrate or silent, has no Internet connection, is in a different time-zone, or their battery is running low, or charging. MyState has just raised $6.5 million of funds.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-smart-communications-co-mystate-raises-65m-1001096895
Israeli tech in one third of Smart TVs. A third of the smart TVs sold in the world today contain Adaptive Video Acceleration (AVA) – an essential piece of technology made by Israeli start-up Giraffic. Both Samsung and LG use Giraffic’s AVA to stream content, uninterrupted by network glitches and slowdowns.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/how-israeli-tech-got-into-one-third-of-the-worlds-smart-tvs/
Jerusalem Water on EU research project. Hagihon – Jerusalem’s water company – has been awarded a key role on the 4-year European Union project to improve governance and social awareness of water environmental challenges. It involves setting up a Digital Social Platform to share details of water scarcity, security, quality and water consumption-related issues.
https://www.hagihon.co.il/News/NewsItem.aspx?nodeId=227&id=180
A better mousetrap. Israeli start-up IoTBox has developed a hi-tech sensor tracking system for super-fast elimination of rodent infection at food processing sites. It utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive analytics to calculate the travel pattern of the vermin and identify where pest control needs to be applied.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/high-tech-rat-patrol-hunts-down-rodents-in-hours-instead-of-days/
The best gadgets at CES. Thousands of products were displayed to over 100,000 visitors at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Both winners in the “Last Gadget Standing” category were Israeli. The VUZE Camera from HumanEyes was the Live Audience winner and SteamCC’s Ripple Maker was the on-line winner http://www.timesofisrael.com/two-israeli-inventions-voted-ces-favorites/
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro2zv08YA0A&w=520&h=315]
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSepeD2h3OM&w=520&h=315]
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Water rates to fall by 14.5%. (TY Dan) Israel’s cabinet has approved a 14.5% cut in water rates to be effective from 1st Feb. It follows a 10% reduction a year ago.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-cabinet-approves-145-cut-in-water-rates-1001097565
Huge investment in Israeli startups. As you will see in this week’s newsletter, there is a huge surge currently of financial investment in Israeli hi-tech companies.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-startups-raise-400m-in-past-month-1001097088
3000 attend investor summit. The OurCrowd Global Investor Summit in Jerusalem brought together technology leaders and innovators from around the world to see some of Israel’s hottest start-ups. This article features Engie, BIRD, freeD, HIL and UpNRide, who were among the many presenters at the packed event.
2000 attend China-Israel investment summit. Over 100 Israeli companies and 2000 delegates were in Beijing at the first ever China-Israel Technology Innovation and Investment Summit. They came to raise capital, market their products or build strategic partnerships. $3 billion worth of deals were anticipated.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/big-deals-expected-at-biggest-ever-israel-investment-event-in-china/
http://www.weekinchina.com/2016/01/perfect-partners/
NIS 1 billion boost for small & medium businesses. Israel’s Economy Ministry has chosen two Israeli venture capital funds, Cogito Capital and Peninsula Investments, to create a billion shekel ($27 million) capital growth fund for firms that have an annual sales volume of NIS 100 million ($27 million) or less.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/government-gives-small-medium-businesses-a-billion-shekel-boost/
Sony buys Altair for $212 million. Sony Corporation has purchased the Israeli chip manufacturing company Altair for $212 million or 25 billion Yen. Sony enters the prestigious Israeli startup market to help its aim to become a world leader in the IoT (Internet of Things) field, connecting various devices to the Internet.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/207108#.VqiCzVkSOUg
Advanced Inhalation to launch on NASDAQ. Israeli biotech Advanced Inhalation Therapies (AIT), plans to raise $12 million on NASDAQ. AIT develops products for the treatment of respiratory infections including Cystic Fibrosis. See previous newsletter articles (here) of its Nitric Oxide treatment.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-advanced-inhalation-therapies-set-for-12m-nasdaq-ipo-1001098247
A massive space in the Cloud. Hundreds of top enterprises and carriers currently run the flagship Cloud products Cloudify and XAP from Israel’s GigaSpaces to enhance IT efficiency and performance. GigaSpace has just raised $20 million of funds for global expansion and product development.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-cloud-solutions-co-gigaspaces-raises-20m-1001096960
Honda seeks Israeli smart car technology. (TY Dan) Honda has engaged Israeli crowdfunding equity platform company OurCrowd to help its plans to build intelligent automobiles. Honda is already working with Israel’s VocalZoom, which has developed a robust speech interface for cars and motorbikes.
http://www.israel21c.org/honda-turns-to-israel-to-help-make-its-cars-collision-free/
Infotainment for GM & Mercedes cars. Israeli video tech company Valens has announced that two of the biggest automakers – GM and Mercedes – are to install its HDbaseT world standard cable technology into their vehicles and products. HDBaseT eliminates waiting time for the display of apps, videos and other content.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-emmy-winning-cable-tech-takes-to-the-road/
The largest investment of its kind. Netanya’s jFrog has just raised $50 million – one of the largest ever investments in a Development / Operations company. jFrog’s products allow IT departments to build and maintain new systems.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-devops-startup-jfrog-raises-50m-1001096830
Frutarom continues to Grow. Israeli flavors and natural ingredients company Frutarom has made its second acquisition of 2016 following 12 takeovers in 2015 and 29 in five years. It has now bought US ingredients company Grow for $20 million. Grow has an R&D and marketing center and production site in New Jersey.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-frutarom-spree-continues-buys-us-co-grow-for-20m-1001094698
Fly from Rosh Pina to Eilat. Domestic Israeli travel has been enhanced with the inaugural flight from Rosh Pina airport to Eilat. Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara is planning a 34 million Shekel ($8.6 million) program to develop the Rosh Pina airport and turn it into a regional hub for local flights.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/207197#.VqpGdlkSOUg
Save money on your bills. (TY Janglo) Israeli startup EZSave has an app that renegotiates your service provider contracts to optimize your service and save you money. Just send a photo of your bill and EZSave does the rest. It currently works in Israel for phone, Internet, TV and gas bills.
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCynt-HxY5o&w=520&h=315]
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=17oyPMbY-sY&w=520&h=315]
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Israel has the X-Factor. The purchase of Israel’s media production company Abot Meiri, by South Africa’s FremantleMedia, gives an Israeli development arm to the owner of X Factor, Pop Idol, and Got Talent.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-fremantlemedia-buys-israeli-production-co-abot-meiri-1001097356
Deep Purple returns to Israel. Deep Purple, one of heavy rock’s most legendary bands, will be back in Israel on May 22 in Rishon Lezion. It’ll be the band’s fifth visit to Israel since their first show in 1991.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4751577,00.html
A new viewing experience. Tech giant Intel is working with Israel’s Replay Technologies to enable sports fans to re-watch key moments of sporting events from nearly every conceivable angle. Replay’s “freeD” technology and Arena stadium system of super high-definition cameras will be optimized for 6G Intel Core processors and Intel server technology.
Suddenly Jerusalem flashmob. The spirit is high among these young dancers in Israel’s capital city.
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4o7kpqrPHA&w=520&h=315]
BBC finally films a beautiful Israeli sight. (TY Avi) A BBC cameraman looked up at the Israeli sky and captured an amazing sight. Thousands of starlings forming “dancing clouds” – known as murmurations.
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=32cvkcgF9gI&w=520&h=315]
Israel’s first men’s Olympic Taekwondo competitor. (TY SDM) Ron Attias will be Israel’s first-ever male Olympic Taekwondo martial arts contestant, when he competes in the under-58 kg category at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Attias won the gold medal at the qualification tournament in Turkey.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4754618,00.html
THE JEWISH STATE
Running for ALEH. Read about the young people who are running the Jerusalem marathon on March 18, to raise funds for ALEH – the Israeli charity for disabled children. Please join in the race if you can, or give a donation if you can’t.
http://runforaleh.org/about-aleh-ascend/ http://runforaleh.org/register-jerusalem/
https://donate.aleh.org/?CC=JERUSMAR2016
1700-year-old graves of Rabbis found. Three 1,700-year-old burial inscriptions in Aramaic and Greek have been uncovered in the northern Israeli community of Tzipori. Two belong to Rabbis, whose names have yet to be deciphered.
A unique language. Israel is the only country to have revived an unspoken language and establish it as its national tongue. Thanks mainly to Eliezer ben Yehuda (1858-1922), Israelis hailing from all corners of the globe now speak Hebrew as the language of everyday communication.
From Japan to the IDF. Daniel Tomohiro is not the typical Israeli soldier. Born from a Jewish mother and a Japanese father, he learned how his Hungarian grandparents survived the Holocaust, made Aliyah, and fought in Israel’s War of Independence. Now Tomohiro serves in the 50th Battalion of Israel’s Nahal Brigade.
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30939
Easier for dentists to make Aliya. New Israeli legislation is being introduced to allow dentists with at least five years’ experience to practice in Israel without having to take an exam. Certified occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and dietitians can practice without an academic degree but with a test.
Israel’s oldest and youngest trees. For the Jewish festival of Tu Bishvat (New Year for trees) Israel21c published a Do-It-Yourself tour guide to the most impressive trees in Israel. Israel is also one of the few countries to enter the 21st century with more trees than 100 years ago. Please help to beautify the Holy Land.
http://www.israel21c.org/take-a-diy-tour-of-tel-avivs-most-majestic-trees/
http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/59457/tu-bshvat-the-rosh-hashana-of-the-trees-jewish-world/
Eyelid surgery saves porcupine. Veterinarians at Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari park had to call on the help of Dr. Ayelet Priel, an ophthalmologist at Tel Hashomer’s Sheba Medical Center who performed a first-of-its-kind operation in order to save the eyesight of a porcupine that had hurt her face while trying to escape from a trap.
http://www.israel21c.org/eyelid-surgery-saves-porcupines-life/
This Weeks Sanity Report from Israel – Jan 31, 2016
