How many times do you read, hear or see positive news in the general media about the contributions that Israel is making to humanity, asks Michael Kuttner.

At least I can bring you regular updates on all the good things happening on the One Community Chronicle website. So please share them with your family, friends and neighbours.

ULTRASOUND BREAKTHROUGH 

The idea of ultrasound technology is to give radiologists a dynamic look at moving parts inside the body. However, most ultrasound scans today are done by technicians – so the radiologist is reviewing recorded images or video clips instead of seeing the full real-time picture.

As a result, the doctor may miss something important or send the patient for a repeat ultrasound or a more costly and invasive diagnostic imaging.

A new invention from Israel will enable physicians to manipulate captured ultrasound video and perform a virtual dynamic exam without the patient present.

FUEL OF THE FUTURE

We could be on the brink of using a revolutionary new technology to fuel vehicles. An Australian-Israeli startup reports that it has found a way to use water to power electric vehicles.

The company said its water-based recyclable fuel is “highly efficient, safe” and clean and can be used to power electric vehicles with zero emissions. The technology, which the company calls “revolutionary,” extracts hydrogen from the fuel, which is then utilized to create electricity to power the vehicle.

A NEW SUPERFOOD

Each year, more than 150 thousand tons of apples are picked in Israel, but 10% of the crop is considered waste, due to appearance, size, dents and damage as a result of falling prematurely from orchard trees. This causes huge economic damage of 25 million shekels a year, and this is after these defective-looking apples are marketed to wholesalers or to the juice industry, at seriously low prices that are not economical for the farmers.

New research has found that it is possible to use this waste to create high-quality “apple powder” with surprising nutritional advantages putting it in the category of “superfood” products.

The apples go through a long process that includes grinding, drying through two different processes (oven or freeze-dried) and vacuum storage. In the research process, comparisons were made among a number of different kinds of “apple flour” taken from five different kinds of granny smith apple waste: grade A – with no damage, intended for stores; grade B – with minimal damage (marks), intended for markets; grade C – with mechanical damage and sun spots, intended for animal feed; grade D – with much damage and marks, intended for companies that use it for processed food; and grade E – apples that fell in the orchard and did not reach the sorting stage in the packing house, but which are still edible.

The powder made from waste apples has 600 ml of vitamin C, three times the amount found in a guava, which is considered to have record high levels of vitamin C, and ten times more vitamin C than orange juice! In addition, the powder has a high quantity of 25% nutritional fiber and high anti-oxidant properties.

VEGAN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Jerusalem is the political Capital of Israel whether the rest of the world likes it or not.

Now Tel Aviv can lay claim to the title of Vegan Capital – let’s see how the UN reacts to that:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/O4kljDaXhK4?rel=0

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.]