International focus is on combating and defeating the corona virus pandemic, writes Michael Kuttner…
Meanwhile, Israeli researchers are sparing no effort in their task of pioneering new ways to deal with the multitude of other serious diseases and health challenges still afflicting humanity.
Two notable news items this week highlight exciting possibilities:
* Israeli scientists have made an immunotherapy drug effective with just a millionth of its original dose.
The research team from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology notched up the achievement with a drug delivery technology that uses adult stem cells to transport medicine directly to the tumor site.
* A partnership created to boost precision medicine research in Israel has chosen 11 multidisciplinary projects that will together get some NIS 32 million ($9.9 million) in funding to promote a variety of studies. These include the use of advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence for treating breast cancer and Crohn’s disease, genomic sequencing and analysis for the discovery of new disease genes, and treatments for rare disorders, and advanced machine learning image analysis to profile different cancers.
DIABETES
The campaign to defeat diabetes continues and Israel showcases five innovations in this campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEeEED9HBa8
A CHANUKAH MIRACLE
As we are just about to celebrate Chanukah and in another one of those “only in Israel” miracles an amazing discovery by an eleven year old girl proves once again that we were indeed here in Jerusalem.
At a time when deniers of an indigenous Jewish presence abound this and other discoveries shatter the revisionist narratives so glibly swallowed by so many.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhhel0jJDhE
ATTENTION NEW PARENTS
An Israeli study has made some startling discoveries about new born babies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3OtxXeocyM
ANOTHER ISRAEL MIRACLE
Israel is not only the innovation nation for medical miracles, cyber challenges and space exploration but it is also one of the leading nations in defeating desertification and making the arid environment bloom and green again.
How is it achieved? Watch this video and find out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX25FH7UZMc
PREPARING FOR CHANUKAH
Those of us fortunate enough to be living in Israel can already feel the excitement of the approaching Festival. Sufganiyot (doughnuts) of a thousand varieties are on sale and the smell of latkes being fried in the shuk is wafting in the air.
Preparations are also being made at the Kotel for the expected throngs of locals and a few tourists who will gather there for the lighting of the menorah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6eBsCY_Cl0
Chag Chanukah Sameach.
Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel.
[This article was originally published on J-Wire and is reproduced here with permission from Michael Kuttner.]
