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אוניברסיטתews בן-גוריון בנגב NNEWSLETTER OF BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY@BGU OF THE NEGEV SPRING 2010 I Unconventional Conference Focuses on Innovation

A colorful “un-conference” to encourage innovation and creativity took place last month at BGU’s Marcus Family Campus. Sponsored by the Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship and Hi-Tech Management of the Guilford Glazer School of Business and Management, “Innovation 2010” attracted an interdisciplinary audience.

Based on an American model and brought to by Dr. Yossi Vardi, the country’s internationally famous start-up guru, Innovation 2010 provided Blowing bubbles at the Innovation 2010, proving that creative thinking can also be fun a platform for interaction that organizers hoped would create More than 500 participants they could interact creatively, a start-up with no money an atmosphere to stimulate and showed up at the spirited event think together and come up and juggling balls as a way to develop original ideas. Vardi – some as young as 17 – to with new ideas.” increase brain function and opened the event, declaring, demonstrate their innovative impress your kids. “This is really a celebration; projects, listen to new ideas, The agenda and contents of it's heart-warming to see the brainstorm and just do some Innovation 2010 events are “Here there are no generals; amount of talent, enthusiasm plain hi-tech schmoozing. The determined by the participants everyone is a corporal,” and initiative here.” interdisciplinary event attracted themselves. At the opening Vardi told the attendees, later students and faculty from almost of the “un-conference,” more explaining that “since in Israel This was the first time an “un- every field, as well as business than 30 would-be innovators everyone understands military conference” took place at people and representatives of gave one-minute previews of terminology, this was a way BGU, explained Prof. Amos various companies who took the what they intended to present of explaining that at this event Drory, incumbent of the Ernest opportunity to meet one other during the day. Workshops and everyone is an equal. One of the Scheller, Jr. Chair in Innovative and have some unscripted fun. presentations included topics purposes of the “un-conference” Management and Vice-President such as how to increase brain is to encourage those people for External Affairs. “Judging “The idea,” explained organizer power, marketing tools for new who feel less secure and who from the enthusiastic response,” and head of the Bengis Center ideas, the art of persuasion, out are a bit bashful to talk about he noted, “we hope to do this Prof. Dafna Schwartz, “was to of the box thinking, lessons their ideas. This is a way of again.” bring a lot of people together so learned from failures, launching empowering them.”

I Ladislaus Laszt Ecumenical and I Prof. Smadar Cohen Wins I New Chamber Music Course I Weight Loss Diets Can Reverse Social Concern3 Award Presented Prestigious5 Rappaport Prize Launched11 Carotid Atherosclerosis12 to Father Patrick Desbois News@ BGU NEWSLETTER OF BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV I Dr. Eric E. Whitaker Explores Opportunities for Collaboration

FOHS Dean Prof. Shaul Sofer, incumbent of the Lubner “I was very impressed Family Chair in Child Health by Dr. Whitaker’s past and Development, who is accomplishments and his also head of the pediatric vision for the community critical care unit at the Soroka health and welfare of the University Medical Center. He residents of the South Side learned about the University’s of Chicago,” said Carmi after comprehensive “Healthy City” their meeting. “His philosophy plan for Beer-Sheva and other of using education as a tool unique programs that target for grassroots prevention preventative care in otherwise programs is very similar to underserved population our approach and opens up a groups. whole new realm of areas for Dr. Eric E. Whitaker (left) and Prof. Shaul Sofer potential cooperation between Whitaker explained that the the two universities.” Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, the he said after a day-long visit UCMC is “also trying to use Executive Vice President for to the Faculty of Health the limited resources of a Whitaker was already familiar Strategic Affiliations and the Sciences (FOHS). “I have the university to help a population with the pioneering work Associate Dean of Community- belief and hope that we can defined by a geographic area.” of Israeli doctors in the field Based Research at the work together to create a He added that the South Side of community medicine. University of Chicago Medical collaborative effort,” he said. of Chicago includes some 1.1 “My first introduction to Center (UCMC), was in Israel million residents who have community care was through this month to learn more about Whitaker spent the day limited access to health care the work of Sydney Kark,” he community-based medicine, learning about BGU’s and who exhibit many of related, explaining that Kark including primary care and unique community outreach the illnesses that are related coined the term “community- public health. programs, meeting with to their low socio-economic oriented primary healthcare” University President Prof. situation. The next step, he to describe his work in “It is frightening how parallel Rivka Carmi, herself a believes, is to bring a full South Africa. “I worked on our work is, yours with the neonatologist and geneticist delegation of healthcare something called Project and other minority who worked in the Bedouin professionals to BGU to Brotherhood,” he added, “but populations, and ours on community for most of her explore potential areas for now we want to scale it up to the South Side of Chicago,” professional career, and collaboration. a larger area.”

I Agreement with Hungarian University Signed

An agreement on academic through collaboration, the agreements in the future to Study of European Politics and cultural cooperation with scientific and educational promote cooperation and and Society (CSEPS). The the Corvinus University of level of the two institutions exchange projects in particular visit, designed to promote Budapest (CUB) was signed by and to promote and intensify fields. cooperation with Hungarian Rector Prof. Jimmy Weinblatt their friendship and mutual universities, was coordinated and CUB Rector Prof. Tamás understanding through The agreement was signed by the CSEPS and the Israeli Mészáros in March. cooperation in education, during a three-day visit to Embassy in Hungary. research and academic Hungary by Prof. Weinblatt The purpose of the general management. The two parties and Dr. Sharon Pardo, the agreement is to improve, will conclude more specific Director of the Centre for the

2 NEWSLETTER OF BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV I Ladislaus Laszt Ecumenical and Social Concern

Award Presented to Father Patrick Desbois

the prize, “but there were valuables. “Himmler used witnesses; people who were to say, ‘Who remembers the children and teenagers then killing of the Armenians?’ are able to point to a place I cannot accept that in 20 and say, ‘Here is where they years people will say, ‘Who were buried.’” remembers the massacre of the Jews and gypsies?’” he said. Founded in 2004, Yahad- In Unum now employs 15 First presented in 1985, the people who are engaged Award honors “religious in searching the Soviet and personalities of international German archives in their quest repute who advance the to document the killing of the causes of tolerance, hope and 1.5 million Jews of the region. vision.” Speaking on behalf of They make some 15 trips the family, Professor Emeritus annually to the region. But, he Moshe Dariel spoke directly to President Prof. Rivka Carmi and Father Patrick Desbois warns, it is a race against time, Desbois in French and noted as he believes that in the next that “his work truly embodies “I am not optimistic, but I am in mass shootings throughout five to six years there won’t be the values that the Prize was a fighter,” said Father Patrick the Ukraine, Belarus and anyone left who remembers created to recognize.” Desbois, President of the Russia. the horrific events that took Yahad-In Unum organization place from 1941-1945. University President Prof. in France, on receiving the Father Desbois’ life mission Rivka Carmi praised Father Ladislaus Laszt Ecumenical began as a personal journey “Our mission is to gather Desbois for his important and Social Concern Award at to understand the stories of the maximum amount of work and presented him Ben-Gurion University of the his grandfather. He became evidence because the number with a scroll that read: “For Negev as part of Holocaust haunted by the history of the of deniers is growing,” he his noteworthy devotion to Remembrance Day. Nazis in Ukraine as a child explained, noting that they use fostering Christian-Jewish growing up on the family ballistic experts to document understanding and for his Father Desbois, a French farm in the Bresse region of the ammunition used in the heroic efforts, as President of Catholic priest, has devoted eastern France. His paternal killings, findings which are the organization, in revealing his life to researching the grandfather, who was cross referenced and checked the atrocities perpetrated Holocaust, fighting anti- deported to a prison camp against the archival material. by the Nazis through its Semitism and furthering the for French soldiers on the “We don’t ask people how courageous attempts to relations between Catholics Ukrainian side of the Polish they feel about what they saw. gather testimonies and locate and Jews. He is the Director border, told the family nothing We ask them to point out in hundreds of mass graves; of the French Conference of about the experience. But he what direction the people his deep commitment to Bishops for relations with confessed to his relentlessly went and how the killing was ensuring a respectful burial Judaism, Advisor to the curious grandson, “For us it done.” for the unnamed victims Cardinal-Archbishop of Lyon, was bad; for ‘others’ it was of the Holocaust and his and Advisor to the Vatican on worse.” “We cannot build a modern renouncement of all acts of the Jewish religion. European state on the mass genocide around the world; Desbois and his team have graves of Jews and gypsies and in recognition of his But he is best known for his interviewed more than 1,450 who have never been dedication to promoting work uncovering mass graves witnesses and uncovered mass [properly] buried,” he added, dialogue and cooperation of Jews who were “killed by graves throughout the region. noting that the greatest threat between the different faiths, bullets” – by special units of “People said that the killings today are thieves who are and trust, tolerance and Einsatzgruppen who murdered were secret,” he explained digging up the mass graves harmony between all members Jews and political opponents in his remarks after receiving in a search for gold and other of the human race.”

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I Blind Cyclists Pay Tribute to BGU Student Volunteers Raising Guide Dogs

Bikers, blind students and sighted and non-sighted. The future guide dogs met for group boasts 60 enthusiastic a fun encounter in March. members, including 20 blind Organized by Can Velo – the graduates, who ride top-of- Tandem Bike Group dedicated the-line Cannondale Tandem to increasing public awareness Bikes. about the issues facing the blind, the event brought Fifty bicyclists took part in together riders from around the event, including 15 blind the country and student graduates of the Israel Guide volunteers who raise puppies Dog Center for the Blind who to be guide dogs. The group comprise the “blind half” rode ten kilometers from of pairs who ride tandem. Hatzerim in the south Amongst the blind participants to the Marcus Family Campus was BGU alumna Eynav in Beer-Sheva in order to Maharabani, who earned pay tribute to the student her Masters in Business volunteers. Administration (MBA) from the Student volunteers, riders and their dogs enjoy meeting one another on campus Glazer School for Business and The group’s name has a Management. emotional moment when the or she “retires.” The students double meaning: Can = able, blind riders met the puppies. also got to take a ride on the Velo = bicycle in biking lingo; The student volunteers Some joked that they had special tandem bikes with the Hebrew word, Can = were waiting for them at the “chosen” their future guide blindfolds and learn about the “yes,” Lo = “no.” So, “yes campus, accompanied by dog who will take the place life of a guide dog after they and no” also refers to the their puppies. There was an of their current dog when he finish their training.

I Professor Otto Horch Receives Ben-Gurion Medal

At the opening session of the conference Prof. Mark over the last two hundred for German-Jewish Literature of the conference “Thirty Gelber, Director of BGU’s years, making this database and Cultural History in Years of Austrian/German- Center for Austrian and accessible to scholars world- Jerusalem, the Institute of Jewish Literary and Cultural German Studies and a member wide. He also established Jewish Studies at the University Studies” in March, Prof. Dr. of the Conrad and Chinita almost 20 years ago, and of Antwerp, the Austrian Hans Otto Horch, Ludwig Abrahams-Curiel Department continues to direct, the Cultural Forum of Tel Aviv, Strauss Professor of German- of Foreign Languages and Conditio Judaica series on the Alexander von Humboldt Jewish Literary History at the Linguistics, Horch has had German-Jewish literary and Foundation and the Leo Baeck RWTH Technical University an exceptionally productive cultural history, which has Institute of Jerusalem, and was in Aachen, Germany, was scholarly career marked published over 70 volumes organized by the Alexander awarded the Ben-Gurion by numerous important and become the most von Humboldt Foundation in Medal in recognition of his publications. important book series in this cooperation with Ben-Gurion life-long achievements and field. University of the Negev, the contributions in the field of He noted that he is responsible Leo Baeck Institute and the German-Jewish Studies. for digitalizing over one The conference was officially Institute for Jewish Studies in hundred Jewish periodicals sponsored by the Franz Antwerp. According to the organizer which appeared in German Rosenzweig Minerva Center

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I Prof. Smadar Cohen Wins Prestigious Rappaport Prize

Prof. Smadar Cohen has been pioneering product that awarded the prestigious prevents cardiac tissue damage Rappaport Prize for following acute myocardial Excellence in Biomedical infarction, thereby improving Research. The Prize is cardiac function and survival. given annually to an Israeli researcher whose research Developed together with has either significantly her research partner Prof. advanced or has the potential Jonathan Leor, Director of to significantly advance any the Neufeld Cardiac Research medical or biomedical field. Institute at Tel Aviv University, the hydrogel, called BL- The incumbent of the Claire 1040, is a resorbable liquid and Harold Oshry Chair polymer that is administered in , and via the coronary artery during Prof. Smadar Cohen head of the University’s standard catheterization and stage drug development to receive this prestigious Avram and Stella Goldstein- flows into the damaged heart company, granted a license award which values the work Goren Department of muscle. to an American company of academic researchers Biotechnology Engineering, to continue to develop it in contributing to human welfare Cohen received the prize In August 2009, BioLineRx clinical trials. “I thank the through their research,” said for the development of a Ltd., the Israeli clinical committee that chose me Cohen.

I Aharon Yadlin Receives for Lifetime Achievement

Former Education and Culture he was Deputy Minister of a unique university,” he Institute and a university- Minister Aharon Yadlin, who Education and supported stated, adding, “We were also affiliated research center has been intimately the idea of a university in committed to Ben-Gurion, as (today the Ben-Gurion involved in the development Beer-Sheva. He later became founder of the country and as Institute for the Study of Israel of Ben-Gurion University of a member of its Board of someone who chose to live in and Zionism) and an institute the Negev since its inception Governors and still serves as the Negev.” for desert research, now the 40 years ago, was awarded the Vice-Chairman of its Executive Jacob Blaustein Institutes 2010 Israel Prize for Lifetime Committee. Yadlin served as a member for Desert Research in Sede Achievement and Exceptional of the in the War of Boqer. Contribution to Society and In 1974, as Minister of Independence, and for many the State. Education in ’s years as Secretary-General of Yadlin was awarded an first government, Yadlin the United . honorary doctoral degree by A resident of the Negev since pushed for the newly created As Education Minister, he was BGU in 1984 for his work to 1946, Aharon Yadlin has been Institute for Higher Learning instrumental in the passing of develop the Negev. The Israel one of the leading figures in in the Negev to become a the Ben-Gurion Law upon the Prize for Lifetime Achievement Israeli public life for many full-fledged university. “I former leader’s passing that was awarded at a ceremony years. His relationship with was among those who truly called for the establishment on Israel’s Independence Day. BGU began in 1968, when believed that this must be of the Ben-Gurion Heritage

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I Israeli Artists Explore David Ben-Gurion’s Legacy

various ways and through diverse points of view.

Some of the works portray him as heroic, larger than life, while other works expose his human and vulnerable side. Many of the artists use the image of Ben-Gurion to express their criticism regarding the present Israeli reality. For example, “The Man Standing on his Head” represented in caricature, mosaic, drawing and sculpture raises questions about the David Tartakover, David Ben-Gurion, 1979 gap between values of Haim Finkelstein, Untitled, 2009 simplicity and modesty of the Elkayam, Tsahi Farber, Uri An art exhibition dedicated to the supervision of Prof. Haim past, and the hedonism and Fink, Haim Finkelstein, Yair the legacy of Israel’s first prime Maor. consumer culture of today. Garbuz, Moshe Gershuni, Paul minister David Ben-Gurion Contemporary works mostly Goldman, Gary Goldstein, has opened on the Marcus According to Maor, the examine, by means of the Lahav Halevy, Yaakov Hefetz, Family Campus as part of the exhibit “examines the image image of Ben-Gurion, the way Avner Katz, Michel Kichka, University’s 40th anniversary and legacy of David Ben- to the attainment of the Zionist Uri Lifshitz, Moshik Lin, celebrations. Under the title, Gurion as portrayed in Israeli dream. Pinchas Litvinovsky, Haim “The ‘Old Man’: David Ben- art.” He explains that many Maor (Moshkovitz), Ido Gurion and His Legacy in contemporary Israeli artists The exhibition is being Michaeli, Raphy Maymon, the Mirror of Israeli Art,” the knew Ben-Gurion personally, held on the occasion of the Yonatan H. Mishal, Motti exhibit brings together works and some were directly University’s 40th anniversary. Mizrachi, Guy Morad, Noam by more than 60 artists and influenced by his mythological In dealing with the BGU’s Nadav, Eyal Onne, Khader was curated by students in status as a person and a leader. namesake, Maor explains “that Osahah, David Perlov, Hanoch the curatorial course from the In the exhibit Ben-Gurion Ben-Gurion is relevant now Piven, Ilya Rabinovich, Osnat Department of the Arts under is depicted by the artists in more than ever.” While the Rabinovich, Dan Reisner, exhibition does not pretend to Beno Rothenberg, Reuven answer the question “who is Rubin, David Rubinger, Tamir the ‘real’ Ben-Gurion?” it does Sher, Keren Shpilsher, Shlomo present the Ben-Gurion of Suriano, David Tartakover each of the artists participating Dmitry Yuzefovich. in it. The exhibition is on display Participating artists are: until June 8th in the Avraham Farid Abu-Shakra, Yaacov Baron Gallery in the Zalman Agam, Ariel Assau, Avishay Aranne Central Library and the Ayal, Micha Bar-Am, Avner George Shrut Visitors Center in Bar Hama, Yoav Ben David, the Samuel and Milada Ayrton Eliahu Eric Boucobza, University Center. It is open to Werner Braun, Yuval Caspi, the public. Zoya Cherkassky, Shlomo Yaakov Hefetz, The Nation's Leaders/Flag, 2009 Cohen, Joseph Daddon, Neta

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I Hand-Clapping Songs Improve Cognitive Skills

The first study of hand- make fewer spelling errors.” school classrooms and and intellectual development clapping songs revealing a engaged the children in in children has been studied direct link between those Dr. Warren Brodsky, the music either a board of education extensively, prompting activities and the development psychologist who supervised sanctioned music appreciation countless parents to obtain of important skills in children her doctoral dissertation, said program or hand-clapping a “Baby Mozart” CD for their and young adults and even Sulkin's findings lead to the songs training – each lasting a children. university students. presumption that “children period of 10 weeks. who don’t participate in such She also found that hand- “We found that children in games may be more at risk “Within a very short period of clapping song activity has the first, second and third for developmental learning time, the children who until a positive effect on adults: grades who sing these songs problems like dyslexia and then hadn’t taken part in such University students who demonstrate skills absent in dyscalculia. There’s no doubt activities caught up in their filled out her questionnaires children who don’t take part such activities train the brain cognitive abilities to those who reported that after taking up in similar activities,” explains and influence development did,” she said. such games, they became Dr. Idit Sulkin a member of the in other areas. The children’s more focused and less University’s Music Science Lab teachers also believe that Sulkin says that no in-depth, tense. “These techniques are in the Department of the Arts. social integration is better for long-term study has been associated with childhood, “We also found that children these children than those who conducted on the effects that and many adults treat them as who spontaneously perform don’t take part in these songs.” hand-clapping songs have a joke,” she said. “But once hand-clapping songs in the on children’s motor and they start clapping, they report yard during recess have neater As part of the study, Sulkin cognitive skills. However, the feeling more alert and in a handwriting, write better and went to several elementary relationship between music better mood.”

I Students Provide a Helping Hand to the Elderly

BGU students brought some color into the lives of elderly and needy Beer-Sheva residents by giving their apartments a fresh coat of paint before Passover. The painting activity in low-income neighborhoods was part of the Open Apartments Program in the Community Action Unit

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I Lifetime Achievement Award for Prof. Ora Kedem

Prof. Ora Kedem, a pioneer career in the field of and Water Treatment in 1995, the basis of desalination in desalination technologies, membrane biophysics, which a post she held for eight years. techniques until today. received a Lifetime later became the basis for her Achievement Award at the activity in modern desalination The challenge at BGU, she The department she founded, annual conference of the Israel techniques. It was this area recalls, was the application now part of the Zuckerberg Water Organization in March of research that first brought of desalination research to Institute for Water Research this year. her to Beer-Sheva for a year real-life processes. She says at the Jacob Blaustein in 1967. After retiring from the she was inspired by the work Institutes for Desert Research, Kedem, who shared the Weizmann Institute of Science of American scientist Sidney has achieved outstanding 1961 Israel Prize for Natural she agreed to return to BGU Loeb, who revolutionized international recognition. Sciences with Prof. Aharon as the founder and head of the the field of reverse osmosis Katzir, began her scientific Department of Desalination and whose discoveries are I Leaders Discuss Social Policies at Ninth Annual Conference for Child Welfare

“Every kindergarten in its democracy and its symbols natural and unruly state is, in – the rule of law and the some sense, a ‘microcosm’ of importance of parliamentary the Israeli parliament,” joked debate, he explained. This Speaker Reuven is not about marketing, it is (Ruby) Rivlin at the Opening about promoting the values of Plenary Session of the Beer- our country. Sheva Conference for Child Welfare. Now in its ninth year, Director of the National the Conference is sponsored Council for the Child Dr. by the National Council for the Yitzhak Kadmon noted at the Child, Ben-Gurion University conference that in addition of the Negev and the City of to the five primary rights Beer-Sheva. for all children as outlined historically by Zeev Jabotinsky Rivlin spoke about the – food, housing, healthcare, importance of teaching education, and clothing – he democracy to the next would add protection from generation. “My hope is that those who would cause them next year you will add a panel harm. “Too many times over dedicated to ‘Children and the past months we have Democracy,’” he said, noting heard about children who that only two months ago the have been left ‘exposed,’ Speaker of the Knesset Reuven Rivlin speaking at the opening Knesset launched a program without protection, and of the Conference for Child Welfare to bring more than 70,000 abused. It is our responsibility, who still believe that they can organizers of the conference children to its new visitors’ and that of our government, do anything and change their for holding the event in the center to stress the importance to ensure that this does not world. The children and youth southern region, “where we of the democratic process. happen.” of today are our future of have special problems caused “We have brought children as tomorrow, he said. by the inequalities of the young as four years old,” he Beer-Sheva Mayor Ruvik distribution of resources, but said. “It is essential that they Danilovich said he found hope University President Prof. where we also have unique be exposed to the ideas of in the innocence of children Rivka Carmi commended the solutions.”

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I Exhibition Highlights Official Medals and Awards

Significant events in the history who liberated the Acre of the region as reflected in citadel from the Egyptian original official documents General Ibrahim Pasha; and medals were the focus medals presented in 1918 to of a recent exhibition at BGU Anzac soldiers and British entitled “Official Awards and forces who conquered Eretz Orders in Eretz [the land of] Israel; the medal that Dr. Israel and [the State of] Israel.” Haim Weizmann presented in Jerusalem in 1918 to Drawn from the private the soldiers of the Jewish collection of Prof. Emeritus Legion of Eretz Israel; awards Shaul Ladany of the presented to those who Department of Industrial participated in the tower and Engineering and Management, stockade operations; awards the exhibition displayed presented to Irgun members Medals from Iraq (left) and Syria awarded to soldiers who fought against Israel in 1948. rare awards and orders, and prisoners; Israeli bravery among them certificates and awards; civil awards such as does not include official sports Mexico Olympics and documents covering the the Kaplan Prize; a Righteous medals, with one exception – survived the 1972 Munich period of 1840 until today. Gentiles Medal from Yad the sports award given in 1939 Olympics, set the 50 mile Included were official awards Vashem; Member of the First to Efra (Reuven) Dafni from world record, won the 100 km in Eretz Israel at the time of Knesset medal presented by Ein Gev who, together with world championship and set the Ottoman Empire, the the Speaker of the first Knesset Hannah Szenes, parachuted records around the globe. In Australian and New Zealand Joseph Shprinzak; and Syrian behind German lines in 1944. his field of research, he has forces and the Yishuv (pre- and Iraqi awards presented published over 10 books and State Jewish community) at the to soldiers who fought Ladany is a survivor of Bergen- 100 scientific papers, obtained time of the British mandate. against Israel in the War of Belsen. He has devoted his eight US patents and held Independence. life to both the sport of race academic positions such as On display was a medal walking and to the field of chair of the Department of presented in 1840 by the Although Ladany is famous as industrial engineering. He Industrial Engineering and Ottoman Sultan to the troops a race walker, his collection participated in the 1968 Management at BGU.

I Algal Matter May Reduce Blood Pressure

A team of researchers from This mutant is the only plant Chair in Desert Research and and although its positive the Landau Family Microalgal source of DGLA, which can Rector-Elect of the University, effects are well known, very Biotechnology Laboratory at be used for reducing blood “are necessary as components few clinical studies concerning the Jacob Blaustein Institutes pressure and blood cholesterol of brain cell membranes and DGLA have been conducted.” for Desert Research (BIDR) levels, thereby diminishing the are of various nutraceutical headed by Prof. Zvi HaCohen, risk for heart attacks. DGLA uses. DGLA is one of these The research team also is studying an algal mutant that is also beneficial in treating PUFA, but appears in nature included Director of the is capable of accumulating up chronic inflammations and only as an intermediate in Landau Laboratory Prof. to 15 percent (of dry weight) blood vessel diseases. the biosynthesis of other Sammy Boussiba; Director of a Polyunsaturated Fatty compounds and does not of the BIDR Prof. Avigad Acid (PUFA) called DGLA (in “Omega-6 PUFA,” explains accumulate to any appreciable Vonshak; Dr. Inna Khozin- comparison to less than 0.4 HaCohen, incumbent of the concentration. Therefore, there Goldberg; and Ph.D. student percent in other algal sources). Maks and Rochelle Etingin is no natural source for DGLA Pushkar Shrestha.

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I MSIH Students Travel to Ethiopia

A group of 14 fourth-year about tropical dermatology pressure. The consequences really impressive in their students from the Medical and leprosy, while others took of fistula are life shattering: knowledge, even though their School for International part in a pediatric rotation at The baby usually dies and the infrastructure is poor and they Health (MSIH) spent their a local hospital.” They were woman is left with chronic need more resources. They spring vacation in Ethiopia accompanied by Dr. Agi incontinence. Because of this, work very hard to give the learning about medicine in the Golan, a neonatologist at the women are often abandoned best care they can with what developing world by seeing it Soroka University Medical or neglected by their husband they have. I hope to stay in with their own eyes. Operating Center and a member of the and family, ostracized by their contact with them and make in collaboration with Columbia Faculty of Health Sciences, communities and left to rely a more extended visit in the University Medical Center, the who presented a number on charity. The condition can future.” MSIH is the only American- of lectures at the Black Lion be corrected surgically, and in style medical school in the Hospital in Addis Ababa. recent years, several charities Nathaniel DeFelice from world that incorporates global have been set up to bring this Sacremento, California joined health issues throughout all Annetta Madsen from St. medical service to women and local medical students in the four years of medical study. Paul, Minnesota travelled to transform their lives. Unit at University a university hospital in the of Gondar hospital. “It was Organized by Prof. Mick northern province of Gondar “Since this is something I am a good experience to hear Alkan from the Faculty of to see a type of surgery that interested in doing someday, about the cases over the Health Sciences and one of the is found almost exclusively this was an important weekend and to watch how founders of the MSIH, the trip in Africa – surgery to correct opportunity to get to see the the interns worked with the granted fourth-year students obstetric fistula. surgery and to meet these attending doctors,” he said, an opportunity to volunteer in Ethiopian doctors who are noting that the experience different parts of the country. Obstetric fistula is an injury in the process of setting up allowed him to see some of childbearing caused by a fistula center,” explained extremely “interesting cases” “After arriving in Addis Ababa, several days of obstructed Madsen. that he would be unlikely to the students were divided into labor without timely medical experience outside of Africa. small groups: some learned intervention to relieve the “I thought the doctors were

I New University Gift Shop Opens

A new gift shop opened in the lobby of the Zlotowski Student Center, offering University mementos that range from stylish polo shirts to signature ballpoint pens. The store is affectionately named “Ha’tzrif” (the hut) in Hebrew, referring to the house that David and Paula Ben-Gurion lived in after their retirement on Kibbutz Sede Boqer.

Operated jointly by the Department of Public Affairs and Academon, a nationwide chain of university bookstores, the store is open Sunday- View of the new gift shop Thursday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm.

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I New Chamber Music Course Launched

It was a full house at the first recital of the University’s new chamber music course.

“We prepared for seventy people,” said Prof. Rivka Carmi as she looked out into the Joya Claire Sonnenfeldt Auditorium that was filled to capacity. “We never imagined that there would be so much interest,” she continued, noting that clearly the need for such a course is long overdue.

Speaking at the recital, the initiator of the program Prof. Ute Deichmann explained that the project came about last year when she heard a student speaking at the Board of Governors Meeting who The first of eight ensembles opened the event related that he was at BGU because he wasn’t accepted of the Office of the Dean of program, explained how far He commended the students into the Israeli Philharmonic. Students and called upon more the groups have come since for their hard work and “In a second, I imagined all students to register, especially they started six months earlier. willingness to invest in their the musically talented students violists and violinists. “Many of the students hadn’t music despite being first and here,” she recalled, and played their instruments in foremost dedicated to their concluded that “we should The evening included years and were completely academic studies. try to find some of these performances by eight unfamiliar with the world of And though he described students and create chamber chamber music ensembles chamber music,” he said. “It the whole performance as music at BGU.” She thanked comprised of 12 students and wasn't always easy to become something of a “small miracle,” the University for its ongoing two affiliated performers. accustomed to hearing it was clear that for members support of the program Daniel Lachish, himself a things differently. It is like of the audience, it was music organized under the auspices musician and the coach of the learning a new language.” to their ears. I Prof. Shlomi Dolev Elected Chairman of the IUCC

Prof. Shlomi Dolev of the Dolev first joined Ben-Gurion networks and optical digital information services, Department of Computer University in 1995. He was computing. learning technologies and grid Science, incumbent of the among the founders of the computing infrastructures. Rita Altura Trust Chair in Department of Computer The IUCC is a non-profit IUCC also promotes Computer Sciences, and Head Sciences in 2000, and served organization established by cooperation in these areas of the Lynne and William as the first head of the Israel’s eight universities and is among its member institutions, Frankel Center for Computer Department. His research supported by the Planning and and between research Science, was recently elected focuses on the fields of self- Budgeting Committee of the institutes and organizations Chairman of the Governing stabilization, distributed Council for Higher Education. dealing with research and Council for the Inter-University computing, cryptography, The IUCC deals with instruction, which share these Computation Center (IUCC). security, communication communication infrastructures, common interests.

11 News@ BGU NEWSLETTER OF BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV

I Weight Loss Diets Can Reverse Carotid Atherosclerosis

A two-year study led by percent decrease in average more strongly predicted by researchers from the Faculty carotid vessel-wall volume diet-induced changes in blood of Health Sciences found that and a one percent decrease in pressure than by changes healthy, long-term weight loss carotid artery thickness after in lipoprotein levels, which diets can significantly reverse two years. are commonly believed to carotid atherosclerosis, a be more important for the direct risk factor for strokes Compared to participants who coronary arteries.” and heart attacks. The study experienced an increased is one of the first to prove the carotid wall volume, those The team studied 140 people potential of moderate weight with decreases showed (88 percent men, average age loss as a strategy to reverse significantly greater weight 51, Body Mass Index 30.4) atherosclerosis − hardening loss; decreased systolic blood who were randomly assigned of the arteries − in overweight pressure and an increase in to a low-carbohydrate, low fat and mildly obese people. apolipoprotein A1, a marker or Mediterranean diet as part of “good cholesterol.” These of the Dietary Intervention The study was conducted participants also had reduced Randomized Controlled Trial Dr. Iris Shai by a research team led by homocysteine levels, an amino (DIRECT) study. Dr. Iris Shai of the S. Daniel acid in the blood that is related a safe and efficient alternative Abraham International Center to higher risk of stroke or heart The study conducted at to low-fat and Mediterranean for Health and Nutrition in the attack. the Nuclear Research diets in reversing the Department of Epidemiology, Center required significant atherosclerosis process,” says together with researchers from According to Shai, “Even if cooperation between staff, Dr. Dan Schwarzfuchs, the the Nuclear Research Center in we experience some partial participants and their spouses. director of the medical clinic Dimona and Soroka University weight regain over time, long- Workplace cafeteria managers of the Nuclear Research Center Medical Center. term adherence to weight loss worked with clinicians where the intervention was diets are effective for reversing and nutritional advisers to conducted. According to the study that carotid atherosclerosis as transform the food service was published in Circulation, long as we stick to one of the program and provide healthy Receive NEWS@BGU Online the leading journal of the current options of healthy diet food according to each of American Heart Association, strategy. This effect is more the low fat, low carb and To subscribe, send an e–mail to the researchers used the novel pronounced among mildly Mediterranean diet regimens. [email protected] imaging technique of three- obese persons who lose more Along with workplace and it will arrive directly into your inbox. dimensional ultrasound at than 5.5 kgs. [12.1 lbs.] of body nutritional counseling, trial Produced by the Department of the beginning and after two weight and whose systolic participants’ spouses were Publications and Media Relations years, measuring changes in blood pressure decreases by educated on maintaining the Editor: Faye Bittker carotid artery vessel thickening more than 7 mmHg.” diet strategy at home. Text: Allison Kaplan Sommer; Patti Golan of plaque to determine Translation: Jacqueline Watson-Alloun Photos: Dani Machlis; Photo Campus; whether diet can reverse Dr. Yaakov Henkin, a “Lifestyle projects in the Eli Ben-Bocher atherosclerosis, a process that cardiologist at Soroka workplace might be a perfect Design: www.image2u.co.il naturally increases with age. University Medical Center, platform for long-term who led the carotid successful interventions. As Further details of the research projects The team compared three measurements, explains that low-fat, low-carbohydrate described here may be obtained from: [email protected], Tel: 972-8-646-1753 diets among moderately “the importance of these and Mediterranean diets overweight, mostly male, results is in the understanding all induced regression of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev participants. The findings that over two years, changes carotid atherosclerosis, a low- P.O.Box 653, Beer–Sheva 84105, Israel showed that there was a five in carotid atherosclerosis are carbohydrate diet seems like www.bgu.ac.il, Vol.8 No.2