On the other hand
Political party primaries are in full swing with aspiring politicians vying for a top spot on their respective party lists.
By contrast, every week sees Israeli innovations and scientific/medical advances heading the list of enhancing a better life here in Israel and internationally.
ANOTHER POTENTIAL MEDICAL DISCOVERY
A new research study at Tel Aviv University suggests that the role of yeast, the world’s most basic eukaryotic unicellular organism, may pave the way for the development of novel, more effective therapies.
There are hundreds of metabolic disorders — these disorders lead to congenital diseases that produce a critical enzyme deficiency that interferes with the body’s metabolism. The pathologies and symptoms vary among the diseases, but all of them are usually fatal and have no known cure. Most metabolic disorders affect infants.
The majority of these diseases currently lack effective treatments and patients must maintain a strict diet, avoiding certain food items that contain substances their bodies cannot break down. Often the proposed solutions, such as bone marrow transplants, are extremely expensive and only partially effective.
Pioneering research may help identify the molecular mechanisms involved in these diseases and thereby help to develop suitable drugs.
PURIFYING NUCLEAR WASTE
Researchers at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem have developed a new and unique material that can bind the radioactive isotope Caesium-137 in water, thereby purifying it. This toxic isotope appeared after the nuclear explosion in Chernobyl in 1986, and the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in 2011. The new material is efficient, easy to prepare and does not require a large financial investment.
The Hebrew University researchers were able to develop a new substance that can bind cesium ions in water, and as a result, sink them into a non-soluble and stable complex. The results of the study show that the new material can be mixed with cesium-contaminated water filtered from the sediment containing the contamination and thus become purified.
THE START-UP NATION
Have you ever wondered how the next generation of innovators gets started? How old are they and who are some of them? What are they already researching, inventing and discovering?
Watch these two short videos and learn how Israel’s youngsters are already achieving amazing things and glimpse the recent seven developments which deservedly propel Israel to the forefront of international prowess.
