Tag Archive for Health News

| July 4, 2015
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Israeli Scientists Measure Sniff-Response In Children to Detect Autism

Rehovot researchers discover breathing response to foul & pleasant scents in children with autism are different than other children.

By i24news

 

A team of Israeli scientists has discovered autistic children’s unique sniffing habits may help doctors diagnose the condition at a much younger age than was previously possible.

Young girl smelling flower – Photo: AFP/Marty Melville

Doctoral student Liron Rozenkrantz and Professor Noam Sobel of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot believe the key to detecting autism in children may be reliant on the latter’s response to pleasant and unpleasant odors.

The study, titled “A Mechanistic Link between Olfaction and Autism Spectrum Disorder,” examines internal action models (IAMs), brain templates for sensory-motor coordination based on sensory reactions. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , ,
| May 11, 2015
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Israeli innovation combats stunted growth in children

Clinical trials with dietary supplement formulated by Israeli scientists have children growing 1-2 centimeters more than the group taking placebos.

By Meital Yasur Beit-Or

 

A new dietary supplement developed at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel has successfully helped children in the bottom 10th percentile for height and weight grow taller and gain weight. The supplement, named Up-Pro, will be available in stores in the near future.

A new dietary supplement has been shown to help children in the bottom 10th percentile for height and weight to grow taller and gain weight [Illustrative] – Photo: GettyImages

Studies show that children who took the supplement grew 1-2 centimeters taller than the control group, who were given placebos. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , ,
| November 16, 2014
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Trans fats foods prohibited from University of Haifa campus

 

In efforts to contribute to the health of its students, faculty & staff, trans fats, a type of unsaturated fats that have been found to raise the risk of coronary heart disease, has been banished from the University campus.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

 

Taking a leaf from the pro-health book of former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the University of Haifa has become the first to bar the sale of non-healthy trans fat food on campus.

Food [illustrative]

Healthy Food [illustrative]. – Photo:REUTERS

The university, which has a school of public health and is proud of its environmentally friendly “green campus,” also continues its efforts to contribute to the health of its students, faculty and other staff. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| April 24, 2014
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Possible deadly pandemic from Saudi Arabia threatens the planet

With no vaccine or anti-viral treatment for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),  Saudi health authorities say the disease, which originated in camels, may simply die out.

By

 

A deadly virus that is spreading at record speed through Saudi Arabia could go global later this year when the 2014 haj (Muslim pilgrimage) begins, according to an article published by BuzzFeed.

Health workers

Health workers wear face masks at the General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this week. – Photo: AFP

The total number of confirmed infections of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has jumped by a third in the kingdom in the past week. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| March 26, 2014
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Israel’s largest healthcare firm bought by Chinese

Chinese group buying Naftali Healthcare Solutions expected to be worth $100 million.

By  

 

Guangzhou-based Jinpeng Group, a Chinese conglomerate focusing on information technology and services industries, will reportedly acquire Natali Healthcare Solutions, Israel’s largest private healthcare and homecare service provider.

Elderly patients at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital.

Patients at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital. – Photo:Hagai Fried

The deal, worth about $100 million, is expected to be finalized soon, China Daily news reported Tuesday.

Naftali Healthcare Solutions was established in 1991, and holds a 60 percent stake in Israel’s elderly care market. It provides services such as doctor’s house calls, first aid telephone services and retirement solutions.

According to China Daily daily, the number of Chinese aged over 60 is expected to increase by 30 percent by the year 2050.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| March 10, 2014
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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.

By

 

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 »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| February 28, 2014
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Unique Israeli study examines after-effects of medical marijuana

Israeli Health Ministry expert says no similar in-depth research has been performed anywhere.

By

 

 

Medical cannabis has been getting a lot of good press in recent years. Reports and patients’ testimonies of how they benefited from ingesting the plant or its extract have spread rapidly and the Health Ministry’s medical cannabis unit issues some 50 new permits for using it weekly.

Medical cannabis.

Medical cannabis. – Photo: Emil Salman

But while the demand for cannabis is soaring, many questions remain open regarding its effects. An Israeli study now aims for the first time to find out whether patients experience any after-effects, how many of them stop using it and why.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| February 14, 2014
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Israeli lab discovers alarming amount of ‘Sunset Yellow’ in US-produced M&Ms

 

The manufacturing process for European M&Ms leave the product at acceptable levels because they use natural food dyes.

Now, a Class-action lawsuit was filed against American manufacturer & the Israeli importer of the US-made chocolates.

By i24NEWS

 

 

US-produced M&M chocolate candy, which is imported to and sold in Israel, was found to contain artificial food coloring at levels far exceeding limits set by Israel’s health ministry, a report by Israeli Channel 2 revealed on Thursday.

A 46 foot piñata in the form of an orange M&M candy, filled with thousands. Aug. 4, 2011 ( Sam Yeh/AFP )

A 46 foot piñata in the form of an orange M&M candy, filled with thousands. Aug. 4, 2011 – Photo: Sam Yeh/AFP

The food coloring used in the production of the famous chocolate lentils, more specifically the color “Sunset Yellow” used to make the orange M&Ms, contains a petroleum-based dye, which, if present in elevated levels, can increase hyperactivity in children, Dr Ilana Dariel, a clinical dietician, told Channel 2. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| January 3, 2014
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Ariel Sharon’s health continues to deteriorate, hospital director says

The health of Israel’s former prime Minster, Ariel Sharon, who had been comatose for over 8 years, took a turn for the worse this week, but doctors treating him remain hopeful, says  director of the Sheba Medical Center.

By

 

 

The medical condition of former prime minister Ariel Sharon has further deteriorated, the director of the hospital where he is being treated said in a news conference on Friday morning.

Ariel Sharon official portrait - April 2001

Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon – Photo: GPO

The health of Sharon, who had been comatose for over eight years, took a turn for the worse this week.

“Our tests show signs of a severe blood infection [sepsis],” said the director general of Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Zeev Rotstein, adding that Sharon was not through fighting. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 31, 2013
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Israel’s Nat’l Health to cover abortions for women ages 20-33

All the patients are required to receive approval from a gov’t panel prior to undergoing the procedure.

The panel approves nearly all cases.

By JTA

 

 

JERUSALEM — Israeli women between the ages of 20 and 33 will be eligible to receive government-funded abortions in 2014.

Surprisingly, Israel's religious sector is responding positively to the idea of harvesting organs after the heart stops. - Photo by GettyImages

Operating theater, Illustrative – Photo by GettyImages

The new eligibility is part of the country’s state-subsidized basket of health services for 2014, approved on Monday. Currently, the government only pays for abortions for medical reasons and for girls under 18.

Some 6,300 women between ages 20 and 33 are expected to have abortions in Israel in 2014.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| December 24, 2013
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Israeli researchers’ breakthrough for treating bacterial infection.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers’ breakthrough discovery could lead to new ways of combating bacterial infection.

By

 

 

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have for the first time worked out how even non-antibiotic resistant bacteria survive antibiotic treatment. The study, which was published this week in the journal Nature Communications, could pave the way for improved therapies for treating bacterial infection.

A petri dish with bacteria culture (illustrative)

A petri dish with bacteria culture (illustrative) – Photo: Dreamstime

The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has preoccupied many scientists for years. Aside from bacteria that have undergone mutations, making them resistant to antibiotics, another kind of bacterium exists as well, which is inherently unaffected by antibiotic treatment, called “persistent bacteria.” Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , ,
| September 26, 2013
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Israeli Arabic video guide for nursing, big hit in Arab world

 

 

While Israel remains unpopular among Arab countries, its locally produced HMO’s breastfeeding training videos have been watched by half a million Arab viewers world-wide so far.

Yaron Kelner

VIDEO – In almost every Arab country, threats, curses or swears are heard when Israel is mentioned. But in this sea of hostility there is now a new ray of light: Breastfeeding training videos in Arabic by Clalit Health Services, an Israeli health maintenance organization, are gain tremendous popularity in countries which have mostly been fighting Israel in the past few decades.

breast

Israeli Health Care Service produced an educational video for it’s Arabic speaking population.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| August 11, 2013
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PM Netanyahu taken to surgery due to hernia

 

PM Netanyahu was taken to a Jerusalem hospital following pains & will go through operation due to umbilical hernia.

PM’s Office: If general anesthesia is required, then Defense Minister Ya’alon will be appointed acting Prime Minister

By Attila Somfalvi

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to undergo surgery Saturday night in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem due to an umbilical hernia.

Netanyahu was hospitalized after feeling pains, and was examined by his personal doctor, Dr. Tzvika Berkovitch, and by an expert surgeon.

The Prime Minister Office stated that the surgery is to begin with regional anesthesia and that if general anesthesia is required, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon will be appointed acting prime minister. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| August 7, 2013
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Researchers: Smokers motivated by instant gratification & risk taking

Working together, researchers from both the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Haifa’s Technion found that smokers are mainly motivated by an urge for instant gratification.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
 

 

Researchers have been puzzled over the years why smokers – who well know their habit endangers their health and that nicotine is addictive – often don’t want to stop. It has long been thought they have a risk-taking personality that dismisses the danger of cigarettes.

Woman smokes a cigarette

Woman smokes a cigarette – Photo: Daniel Munoz/Reuters

Around 22 percent of Israeli adults smoke, and 10,000 die of direct and passive smoking in an average year.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: , , ,
| July 11, 2013
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Stem Cell Breakthrough Realized in Jerusalem’s Hadassah

Medical Breakthrough: New Stem Cell Treatment from Hadassah Medical Center Reduces Bone Healing Time By 75%

By

 

 

Researchers at Hadassah Hospital’s Department of Orthopedics have found conclusive evidence that using stem cells to treat severe fractures can speed up the healing process. The clinical trials that were conducted found that the new treatment shortened the recovery process that normally takes six to 12 months down to two to three months.

xray

Photo: Xray Picture Pelvis by Bigstock

“A process that began 15 years ago eventually led to this clinical trial at Hadassah, the first of its kind in Israel,” said Professor Iri Liebergall, Head of Orthopedics, who led the research. Continue Reading »

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