Good News Israel presents Bacteria use DNA memory to stop viruses; Eradicating Alzheimer’s and much more.
By: Michael Ordman
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Bacteria use DNA memory to stop viruses
Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered how bacteria protect themselves from invasive viruses called phages. Their immune system adds part of the phage DNA into the bacteria’s genome. The research may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases.
http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2015/04/13/israeli-scientists-discover-how-a-bacterial-cell-recognizes-its-own-dna/
The world’s largest oxygen chamber
The new hyperbaric unit at Israel’s Assaf Harofeh Medical Center has a capacity for 150 patients per day. It provides high-pressure oxygen to treat victims of diving accidents, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation damage, bone infections, fibromyalgia, strokes, dementia and more.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Health/Assaf-Harofeh-acquires-worlds-largest-high-pressure-oxygen-chamber-390599
The blind can “see” sounds
Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have published more results of their research into the brains of the blind from birth. Their visual cortexes are similar to the fully sighted. They can even be trained to “see” sounds. http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/04/10/brain.awv083
Kids in sync physically and socially
Research by Hebrew University of Jerusalem psychologist Prof. Ariel Knafo shows that children who mimic each other’s body language for mere minutes are more likely to share feelings of similarity and closeness, and to potentially engage in more pro-social, positive behaviors.
http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/26278
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0120878
Arthritis treatment can stop hair loss
Joint research between Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem and Columbia University has discovered that the rheumatoid arthritis medication Baricitinib is effective in the treatment of Alopecia Areata – an autoimmune disease that causes sudden or gradual hair loss.
http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/news/hadassah-doctors-discover-potential-treatment-of-alopecia-areata
http://www.ebiomedicine.com/article/S2352-3964%2815%2900063-8/abstract?cc=y
Tablets to lower your blood pressure
Israel’s Teva has launched, in the USA, a generic alternative to Exforge (amlodopine and valsartan) tablets used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
http://www.tevapharm.com/news/?itemid={590B9327-6DFF-48BE-AF70-6DBD27CEF82C}
Probiotic for kids in South Korea
Israel’s Anlit has developed a new probiotic supplement for children in South Korea. Released in Costco stores under the global Cenovis Kids brand, the new supplement has a delicious vanilla flavor and teddy bear shape.
http://www.anlit4kids.com/web/8888/nsf/ProLookup.taf?_function=details&_ID=3676&PF=16&did=1217&G=7648&lang=EN&SM=7667
The future with no brain diseases
Professor Marta Weinstock-Rosin – inventor of Exelon for treating Alzheimer’s – says that the end is in sight for the debilitating disease and others like it. Dr Weinstock-Rosin lit one of the ceremonial torches at this year’s Israeli Independence Day ceremony.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-exelon-inventor-sees-an-end-to-alzheimers/
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