ISRAEL21c

First in-human trial of synthetic cornea starts in Israel

The first-in-human implantation of the revolutionary CorNeat KPro synthetic cornea has been approved for 10 corneally blind patients at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva. CorNeat KPro was developed by CorNeat Vision of Ra’anana. The implant is designed to replace deformed, scarred or opacified corneas and is expected to fully rehabilitate the vision of corneally blind patients immediately following implantation.

Unique hydro-print tech lets you Photoshop your actual body

If you want to banish a blemish or add a fanciful flourish to your photograph, that’s easily done with Photoshop. It’s not as easily done on your actual body. Israeli photographer and industrial designer Guy Aon aims to change that. Aon’s tentatively titled BodyPiece technology could revolutionize a broad range of sectors, from makeup to prosthetics to fashion.

One new drug may treat both Covid-19 and Alzheimer’s

“By the age of 80, one in three people develops Alzheimer’s. I’m trying to move the curve to 85 or 90 or maybe beyond.” A novel Alzheimer’s disease treatment now in advanced Phase 3 clinical trials could also prove effective in treating lung inflammation caused by Covid-19.

Ultraviolet light can reduce Covid transmission indoors

One of the biggest questions facing us these days is how we can make our indoor spaces safe from Covid-19 contagion. Studies have shown that we are far more likely to catch the virus in closed indoor spaces like offices, schools, public transport, museums and health centers rather than outdoors.

Sourdough: The tasty silver lining to the corona crisis

As a reviewer of cookbooks, I can say unequivocally that most English-language cookbooks these days are focused around dieting fads, with keto, Paleo, whole 30, vegan and ultra-healthy eating at the top of that list. I’ve read through more gluten-free recipes than I care to admit. It takes something of epic proportions to unexpectedly knock us all to our feet again and press the reset button on the current state of our cultural trends. Something to swing the pendulum back the other way a bit.

From ocean waves to electricity: clean power for our planet

When Inna Braverman was two weeks old, the Chernobyl nuclear plant exploded. It was 1986 and the Braverman family was living just outside Kiev, well within the fallout range from the Chernobyl disaster. As baby Inna breathed in air tinged with radioactive dust, she stopped breathing. “I went into full respiratory arrest,” Braverman explains in an emotional interview with ISRAEL21c.

Israeli scientists develop corona-busting disinfectant that stays active

Chemical engineers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology say they have developed smart disinfectants that destroy the coronavirus infection mechanism and remain active over time. Asst. Prof. Shady Farah, head of the research group, has received a European Institute of Innovation and Technology grant under its Health COVID-19 Rapid Response program to accelerate the development process and market launch.

6 significant breakthroughs in skin cancer research

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And one important fact to be aware of is that the most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, aren’t the ones that kill. The least common variety, melanoma, causes most skin-cancer deaths because it quickly spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.

Study reveals why some Covid patients do much worse than others

An immune system run amok may be responsible for some Covid-19 patients faring worse than others, suggests a new international study led by immunology researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science.

Israeli antimicrobial washable facemasks enter US market

Reusable antimicrobial SonoMasks from Israeli startup Sonovia Tech have entered the US market in four sizes. The cotton-polyester facemasks are infused with metal-oxide nanoparticles that kill germs and last through 100 washings. “Our pioneering reusable SonoMask has been designed not only to offer advanced PPE but also to conserve the environment and spread resources effectively,” says Sonovia research scientist Jason Migdal. He points out that many countries now require wearing masks in public.

New antimicrobial coating disinfects surfaces from virus

Antimicrobial surface coatings developed by Jerusalem-based Bio-Fence to kill bacteria in food production environments also effectively destroy viruses, the startup announced. Established in 2018 in The Kitchen FoodTech Hub owned by the Strauss Group in collaboration with Israel Innovation Authority, Bio-Fence has proven its coatings effective in laboratories and food sites in Israel and worldwide.

In major breakthrough, Israeli researchers isolate coronavirus antibody

The Israel Institute for Biological Research has isolated a key coronavirus antibody that successfully neutralized aggressive coronavirus in lab tests, Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett announced after visiting the lab in Ness Ziona on May 4. Bennett said this is a “significant breakthrough” toward a possible treatment for the Covid-19 virus.

New AI technology helps pathologists spot cancer

Pathology, it seems, is no longer sexy. The number of medical students entering the field, which is critical for diagnosing disease from tissue biopsies, has been steadily decreasing. Yet, at the same time, the number of biopsies requiring analysis by a trained pathologist is going up. This has led to longer waiting times and, in some cases, inaccurate or even missed diagnoses.

Israeli startup to purify hospital air from coronavirus

Israel’s Sheba Medical Center, which has treated more than 300 Covid-19 patients, completed an initial month-long pilot of an air filtration and disinfection system from Israeli startup Aura Air. In previous lab experiments, the system demonstrated an average of 99 percent effectiveness against influenza viruses H1N1 and H5N1.

Israeli invention turns tap water into antiviral solution

Bacteria and viruses can be killed effectively through a new method that instantly turns ordinary tap water into a powerful, environmentally friendly disinfectant on demand.

New immunotherapy to target blood cancers, solid tumors

A new joint project will develop precision medicines for blood cancers and solid tumors by utilizing immunotherapies targeting natural killer (NK) cells. In collaboration between Yissum, the technology-transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, biopharmaceutical company Cytovia Therapeutics will sponsor a research program to develop multi-specific antibodies targeting both NK cells and the tumor antigen.

The Israeli startup getting a buzz out of saving honeybees

What do cucumbers, avocados and coffee all have in common? Aside from being absolute necessities (yes, avocados too), they’re all crops pollinated by bees. And if things keep heading in the direction they’re at, we’re screwed. Considered by many to be annoying little pests buzzing precariously near our ears, bees are extremely important. About one third of all plants and plant products consumed by humans are dependent on bee pollination.

Israel’s Teva donating potential COVID-19 treatment to US hospitals

The global Israeli company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is donating more than 6 million doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to hospitals across the United States to meet the urgent demand for the medicine as an investigational target to treat COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of malaria, lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Israeli firm aims to disrupt mammograms and other X-rays

Imagine a single machine quickly scanning your whole body for signs of cancer during your annual checkup. It could perform tests such as computed tomography (CT) and a no-squish mammogram for women. Israeli serial entrepreneur Ran Poliakine hopes to have such a machine on the market in less than two years.

Israel’s Soapy claims its hand-washing solution can kill coronavirus

Health experts say that handwashing is the best protection against coronavirus, which has infected 107,490 people since the end of December. However, regular soap and water can’t remove every single microbe. Now, two Israeli companies have joined forces to make your handwashing 100 percent effective in killing viruses — without harsh substances like bleach.