Tag Archive for Ben-Gurion University

New Israeli laser detonates Hamas explosive balloons, Iranian drones

WATCH: Innovative Light-Blade laser utilizes a low-powered defensive system, making it suitable to operate in urban environments such as public airports without the risk of blinding or injuring anyone in the area.

By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS

 

A laser-based defense system capable of taking out attack drones even in urban environments has been developed by Israeli experts, who hope to roll out the system for a range of security uses, including at airports.

The system was developed by Prof. Amiel Ishaaya at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev after incendiary balloons started being launched into Israel in 2018, setting fire to farmland and causing widespread damage. Continue Reading »

Israel’s next step: Making the desert bloom again… with Biotechnology

Advancing the very creativity and pioneering spirit cited by Ben-Gurion, the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev is flourishing in Beersheba.

BY EYTAN HALON

 

Looking out from his modest home at Kibbutz Sde Boker, Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, longed “to make the desert bloom.”

Not just a man of vision and Zionist ideals, but also a pioneer and man of his word, Ben-Gurion returned to settle in the desert after retiring from public life, and spent his last years there until his death in 1973.

“It is in the Negev where the creativity and pioneering vigor of Israel shall be tested,” the Polish-born premier famously said. Continue Reading »

Israeli University develops technology turning human waste into biofuel

Providing solutions to two growing environmental problems, sanitation and clean energy, researchers at Ben-Gurion University in southern Israel have permuted reusable fuel and a nutrient-rich fertilizer from human excrement.

By Abigail Klein Leichman

 

Just in time for World Toilet Day (November 19), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev publicized results of a pilot study demonstrating that raw human excrement potentially can be converted into a safe, reusable fuel and nutrient-rich fertilizer.

According to the groundbreaking study published recently in the Journal of Cleaner Production, researchers at the Ben-Gurion University Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research refined a process using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to heat solid human waste in a special “pressure cooker” to create hydrochar, a safe, reusable biomass fuel resembling charcoal. Continue Reading »

Israeli doctors implant first knee replacement that regrows bone & cartilage

Israel’s first knee implant, recently performed as part of clinical trials at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, was the product of Israeli startup Cartiheal and researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
– Watch video report

 

The team believe they have found a solution to moderate damage done to the knee, with their unique implant that grows both bone and cartilage.

View news source at: https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israel-performs-1st-knee-replacement-that-regrows-cartilage-and-bone/ Continue Reading »

Breakthrough discovery in autism made by Israeli researchers

Dr. Idan Menashe from Ben-Gurion University: Now that we’ve found that the genomic length of autism-related genes is unusually long in relation to other genes manifested in the brain, we estimate that within 5 years, it will be possible to test for autism prior to pregnancy.

Gadi Golan and Israel Hayom Staff

 

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University in the Negev have made a significant breakthrough in a unique study to better understand autism, discovering a particular evolutionary signature in autism genes. The breakthrough brings doctors one step closer to understanding the genetic mechanism for the disorder, and being able to diagnose it prior to birth. Continue Reading »

Found: Oldest human skull in Middle East unearthed in Israel

 

55,000 yr-old ‘Manot Skull’ found in Western Galilee cave proves modern humans migrated from Africa through Israel to Europe & Asia

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

A consortium of Israeli archeologists and anthropologists announced the discovery of the oldest human skull ever found in the Middle East on Wednesday at the Dan David-Manot Cave near the Western Galilee cave where it was first discovered nearly seven years ago.

AN IMAGE of the oldest human skull ever found in the Middle East. – Photo: Courtesy

The announcement comes after years of painstaking lab analysis to verify its date of origin, and according to Dr. Continue Reading »

Israeli chemist found link between Type 2 diabetes & Parkinson’s

Critical finding at Ben-Gurion University reveals atomic structure of a protein link between Type 2 diabetes & neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s.

By Abigail Klein Leichman

 

Israeli chemist Yifat Miller and her PhD student Yoav Atsmon-Raz have found a critical link between Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Scientist Yifat Miller at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheva. - Photo: Dani Machlis/BGU

Scientist Yifat Miller at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheva. – Photo: Dani Machlis/BGU

Miller’s research at Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev in Beersheva revealed, for the first time, the atomic structure of a brain protein fragment called non-amyloid beta component (NAC), known to trigger PD when it clumps together.

The same clumping action by an endocrine hormone called amylin harms insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to T2D. Continue Reading »

Israel Shows Seriously Parched California How to Deal With Catastrophic Drought

California’s Gov. Jerry Brown signed a strategic cooperation Agreement with Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu to receive aid from Israel, the world’s acknowledged expert on irrigation & water use.

By Israel Today Staff

 

California has been going through a catastrophic drought for three years now, which has cost the state’s economy at least $2.2 billion and left 500,000 acres of what was once rich, productive farmland fallow.

Prof. Eilon Adar (r), director of the Negev’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research with colleagues at Ben-Gurion University. - Photo:  Dani Machlis/BGU

Prof. Eilon Adar (r), director of the Negev’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research with colleagues at Ben-Gurion University. – Photo: Dani Machlis/BGU

So where did California turn to for help? Not the Obama White House, but to Israel, the world’s acknowledged expert on irrigation and water use.

Continue Reading »

Pope receives Madonna lily seeds from Israel to bloom for spring Annunciation

 

In advance of Pope Francis’ arrival in Israel in May, Ben-Gurion University scientists send the Vatican Madonna lily seeds of the type that existed during the time of Jesus.

 

 

Pope Francis, who arrives in Israel at the end of May, has just received a special gift — seeds of the white Madonna lily of the type that existed during the time of Jesus two millennia ago. The seeds were developed in the lab of Dr. Michelle Zakai with the help of Asael Ram at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba.

Madonna Lily - Photo courtesy  Wikimedia Commons/Stan Shebs

Madonna Lily – Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Stan Shebs

According to Christian tradition, the lily was connected to the Annunciation during which the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she was pregnant with Jesus. Continue Reading »

Genetic mutation causing disease in Moroccan Jews identified by Israeli researchers

 

Ben-Gurion University researchers found that 1 in 37 Moroccan Jews carries 1 of the 2 mutations of the gene PCCA 2, that causes severe mental retardation & epilepsy in infants.

 

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Be’er Sheva have identified the genetic mutation behind a hereditary disease that causes epilepsy and severe developmental delays among Moroccan Jews.

It all comes down to a simple blood test (illustrative).

In light of the high carrier rate for the disorder, screening for the disease will likely be added to the routine genetic testing offered to couples of Moroccan Jewish heritage. – Photo: Dreamstime

The disease, which the researchers are calling Progressive cerebello-cerebral Atrophy, type 2, is caused by mutations in the VPS53 gene.

Continue Reading »

Mossad: Wanted. Seeking Recruits

The Israel’s foreign intelligence agency seeks to recruit college students by taking part on Monday’s job fair at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba.

By YASSER OKBI, THE POST CORRESPONDENT

 

 

The Mossad, Israel’s vaunted spy agency, wants you, particularly if you’re a college student.

Ben-Gurion University campus in Beersheba – Photo courtesy: BGU website

The intelligence body plans to take part in Monday’s job fair at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba, where students heading into the labor market will be recruited by no less than 30 of Israel’s leading companies.

The fair will feature companies specializing in technology, finance, management, and medicine. The firms that plan on taking part include Marvell, EMC, Intel, Maccabi Pharm, Prigo, Check Point, Elbit Systems, the Jewish Agency, Israel Aircraft Industries, Raphael, Amdocs, and Orange. Continue Reading »

Israeli Researchers Announce Revolutionary Alternative Fuel

A research team at Israel’s Ben Gurion University in the Negev, have come up with an alternative fuel, made from water & carbon dioxide.

By Avner Meyrav, NoCamels

 

 

With oil supplies around the world  fast depleting, researchers around the world have been trying to find an alternative that could sustain the energy needs of mankind. A team at Israel’s Ben Gurion University may have come up with an alternative fuel, made from water and carbon dioxide.

File:AranlibraryS.jpg

Zalman Aranne Central Library, Ben Gurion University – Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Unlike other fuel alternatives available today, the “green feed” created at BGU has a significant advantage: it can be turned into fuel using existing oil refining methods and delivered to gas stations using existing infrastructure. Continue Reading »

Israeli & Jordanian students learn Medicine to save lives together

After 3 years of studies, joint Jordanian & Israeli emergency medical program at the Ben Gurion University, graduates their first class of  paramedics, in the hope it will increase Israel-Arab cooperation in natural disasters or other regional emergencies.

By Anav Silverman, Tazpit

 

 

 

Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) graduated its first class of Jordanian and Israeli students who completed a special joint-emergency medicine BA program earlier this year. The first graduating class at the Israel-Jordan Academic Emergency Medicine Collaboration included 54 graduates who spent three years studying emergency medicine and medical response.

Dr. Mohammed al-Hadid at left signing diplomas with BGU Rector Prof. Zvi Hacohen Photo: Yoav Galai

Dr. Mohammed al-Hadid at left signing diplomas with BGU Rector Prof.

Continue Reading »

Queen Elizabeth to Honor Israeli Professor for Opposing Academic Boycott

As part of the Queen’s ‘Birthday Honours List,’ Queen Elizabeth will recognize Prof. David Newman of Ben-Gurion University for advocating academic partnership between countries & for his opposing the U.K. academic boycott of Israel.

 

 

Buckingham Palace announced Saturday that an Israeli professor is among the more than 1,000 people being presented an award by Queen Elizabeth as part of her Birthday Honours list.

Prof. David Newman with Ben-Gurion University President Rivka Carmi

Prof. David Newman with Ben-Gurion University President Rivka Carmi – Photo: Eliyahu Hershkovitz

 

Professor David Newman, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, will receive the award for his promotion of the academic partnership between Britain and Israel. Continue Reading »

Jerusalem to Host Historic Debut of Formula 1 Road-Race

Jerusalem’s “Peace Road Show” to traverse Old City & downtown streets  and will feature ‘Blue & White’ Formula 1 race car built by Ben Gurion University students.

 

 

In a first, Formula 1’s internationally renowned race cars and drivers will traverse the capital’s streets Thursday through Friday, accompanied by models designed by the nation’s leading race car engineers.
Mayor Nir Barkat preparing for Formula 1 race in Jerusalem - Photo Courtesy

Nir Barkat preparing for Formula 1 race in Jerusalem Photo: Courtesy

The event, part of Formula 1’s “Peace Road Show,” will feature world-class cars and drivers representing Ferrari, Mercedes and Audi – as well as models constructed by Ben-Gurion University’s student race car team, “Ben- Gurion Racing.”

Continue Reading »