Scientific Section

RDI in News Issue No. 287 - April 201 3

Policy 2

Research Highlights 2

Facts & Figures 5

Publications 5

Events 5

Member State and International News 6

Disclaimer:

RDI News is not a formal communication and does not necessarily represent the official position of the Delegation of the European Union to the State of Israel.

RDI News is an internal service and is not intended as a source for further publication. Some of the material appearing in RDI News has been taken from newspapers, journals and other publications. The Delegation of the European Union to the State of Israel cannot authorize the reproduction of items taken from other publications. Those wishing to reproduce articles are advised to contact the relevant publication

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Policy

Ministry of Science and Technology adds ‘Space’ to its name The longer name, proposed by Minister Yaakov Peri, was approved by the cabinet. Adding “space” is intended to promote space research and technology and to make it clear that it will become a central field in the ministry and be given higher priority in the government http://www.jpost.com/Health-and-Science/Science-Technology-Ministry-adds-Space-to-name-309821 http://www.most.gov.il/English/news/Pages/ministry-name.aspx

Ministry of Science and Technology and Space: Israel losing comparative advantage in research Israel is losing its comparative advantage in the research and development field, according to a report submitted this week by Science, Technology and Space Minister Yaakov Perry to Prime Minister . The field has been a growth engine for the Israeli economy, but the report warns that a drop in investment in R&D could have major negative implications for the economy, noting that most R&D funding in Israel comes from the corporate sector, which is relatively risk-averse. In a letter to Netanyahu, Perry called on the government to increase support for R&D by 4% a year. The report was developed by the Science and Technology Forum, headed by Isaac Ben-Israel, the chairman of the Science Ministry’s National Science Council. http://www.haaretz.com/business/business-in-brief-1.517700 http://most.gov.il/Information/PostsSpokenman/Pages/report-perry.aspx (Hebrew)

Shortening time for approving trials on experimental drugs will advance Israeli medical experimentation. Red tape involving clinical trials for new medical technologies is being cut by the Health and Finance Ministries. The ministries stated that shortening the regulatory procedures on clinical trials here will “make it easier for researchers to get their work done, reduce costs for pharmaceutical companies and promote the competitive abilities of Israeli companies in the international landscape.” http://www.jpost.com/Health-and-Science/Ministries-want-less-waiting-for-clinical-trials-312293

Research Highlights

ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

Keeping dust off solar cells A researcher at the Ben-Gurion National Solar Energy Centre has developed a technique that enables photovoltaic solar panels to repel dust. The technique uses an electric field to charge dust and small particles before repelling them, clearing the way for the sun's rays to more powerfully hit the panels. http://www.aabgu.org/media-center/bgu-making-a-difference/solar-panel-dust-repeller.html

Solving the solar energy storage problem Researchers at the Ben-Gurion National Solar Research Centre, led by Prof. David Faiman, are tackling the solar energy storage problem by developing a battery that uses a unique chemical cocktail that functions as a liquid electrode, and can be charged in four different compartments http://www.aabgu.org/media-center/bgu-making-a-difference/solar-energy-storage.html

MiRobot may be the next revolution in dairy farms A new development aims to re-revolutionize the industry with an even smarter robot. Instead of working on precise actions, MiRobot’s main technology boost is in its patented imaging system, which directs the robot to the right area that it needs to target. http://nocamels.com/2013/04/mirobot-may-be-the-next-revolution-in-dairy-farms/

SunDwater offers sun power to purify polluted water The latest water-tech idea out of Israel is a solar device that provides clear drinking water with no need for infrastructure or electricity. http://israel21c.org/environment/sun-power-to-purify-polluted-water/

2 Old scientific mystery solved: scientists from Hebrew University and from the Technion discover why soft corals have unique pulsating motion After watching several coral colonies with an underwater infrared-sensitive camera night and day, the researchers found their first surprising discovery, that Heteroxenia corals cease to pulsate and take a half an hour break every single day in the afternoon hours. At this stage the afternoon "siestas" remain unexplained. http://support.huji.ac.il/HeaderMenu/news-events/news/heteroxenia_coral_pulsing_april13/ http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130423-almogim/news-item-en.htm

Israeli-Palestinian study on removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater Researchers from the Technion and Al Quds University to cooperate on finding ways to rid wastewater of pharmaceutical residues. http://israel21c.org/social-action-2/israeli-arab-study-looks-to-get-drugs-out-of-water/

ICT

Israeli scientists develop first photonic topological insulators to provide protection for transport of light The photonics industry is at the heart of modern computing and communication. Researchers at the Technion have developed and successfully demonstrated a photonic topological insulator, a new device used to protect the transport of light through a unique, lattice of ‘waveguides’. The advancement may play a key role in the photonics industry. http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130411-moti13nature/news-item-en.htm

General Electric seeks Israeli edge General Electric (GE), one of the world’s largest companies, is scouting Israel for talent, technology and start-ups as it set its sights on what it calls “industrial Internet.” http://www.jpost.com/Business/Business-News/General-Electric-seeks-Israeli-edge-309566

Citi opens Israel data intelligence lab Citi Global Markets has opened a global financial data intelligence lab in Israel, as part of Citi’s Technology Innovation Center. The financial data intelligence lab will be one of the main focus areas of the Innovation Center in 2013 and is expected to grow considerably. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000833520

Providing medical video-on-demand Orpheus Medical has developed video imaging enabling real-time remote diagnosis and treatment through robotics. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000836737&fid=1724

Bodywell Chip aims to reduce absorption of harmful phone radiation Peel-and-place Bodywell Chip drastically reduces the body’s absorption of radio frequency waves coming from mobile devices. http://israel21c.org/health/bodywell-chip-aims-to-reduce-absorption-of-harmful-phone-radiation/

Shake hands with Omek’s man-machine interface of the future Israel’s Omek makes its gesture recognition and tracking tech so sophisticated that it follows motion down to the joints of each finger. http://israel21c.org/technology/shake-hands-with-omeks-man-machine-interface-of-the-future/

LIFE SCIENCES

Wolf Prize 2013 goes to an EU-funded scientist - Austrian researcher Peter Zoller, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and Spanish physicist Juan Ignacio Cirac are awarded today the renowned Wolf Prize in physics. The $100,000 prize (approximately €77,000) is presented by Israeli President Shimon Peres at a ceremony at Israel's Parliament in Jerusalem. Professor Zoller is the fifth ERC grantee to receive the Wolf Prize. http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/israel/documents/press_corner/20130505_en.pdf

3 The healing element is also the enemy: an enigma probed by Hebrew University medical researchers The same factor in our immune system that is instrumental in enabling us to fight off severe and dangerous inflammatory ailments is also a player in doing the opposite at a later stage, causing the suppression of our immune response. In their work, the Hebrew University researchers discovered the mechanisms underlying the TNF-a function, a key to controlling this factor and manipulating it, perhaps, for the benefit of humans http://support.huji.ac.il/HeaderMenu/news- events/news/news_michal_baniyash_immunity_inflamation_april_2013/

Ben Gurion University researchers reveal source of ability to pay attention in the human brain by studying archer fish A Ben Gurion University study using archer fish has demonstrated that the way animals and humans move their visual attention around is similar. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/archer_fish.aspx

The innovative blood monitoring device An Israeli company has been accepted into a prestigious program run by GE Healthcare, one of the biggest health-tech companies in the world. The Oxitone is a medical device start-up developing a wireless wrist-worn sensing platform to replace the standard fingertip probe allowing continuous monitoring of blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, beat-to-beat variation in heart rate and other significant vital signs anytime, anywhere throughout daily activity and sleep. http://nocamels.com/2013/04/the-innovative-blood-monitoring-device-worn-on-wrist-that-steve-jobs- may-have-liked/

A programme to improve lives of children of AIDS patients The programme developed by Israel Prize-winning Prof. Pnina Klein, Director of Bar-Ilan University's can give children of AIDS patients and infants or toddlers with AIDS, a better shot at prosperity by improving their early-childhood development http://www1.biu.ac.il/indexE.php?id=33&pt=20&pid=4&level=1&cPath=4&type=1&news=1864

Israeli researchers find new way of diagnosing schizophrenia Researchers from University have developed a way to diagnose schizophrenia by examining nerve cells from the nose. Test works by examining nerve cells from the nose that are part of the system responsible for our sense of smell. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israeli-researchers-find-new-way-of-diagnosing- schizophrenia.premium-1.517009?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C

Researchers from the Hadassah Medical Organization discover the reason behind life- threatening recurrent infections and bone marrow failure among children Following six months of intensive research, they found a gene connected to intracellular storage and transport in select white blood cells of the immune system and bone marrow. http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/news.aspx

Ben Gurion University researchers discover how prolonged exposure to stress can increase the risk of autoimmune diseases Ben Gurion University researchers have proven that chronic stress increases the susceptibility to an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis, which is characterized by damage to the nervous system in the brain. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/stress_autoimmune.aspx

Nine of the date fruit varieties growing in Israel found to possess properties that protect against cardiovascular diseases In a study, undertaken by a research group at the Technion Faculty of Medicine and Rambam Medical Centre, in collaboration a research team from Southern Arava Research and Development, the scientists found that all of the nine date varieties studied showed a remarkable ability to delay oxidation of cholesterol, which is a key factor in inducing atherosclerosis and its consequent cardiovascular diseases. http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130505-mickey13/news-item-en.htm

4 Scientists from the Technion and Rambam: early-weaned rats develop quicker and grow to be longer and leaner The study may have implications for human babies http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130505-gmila/news-item-en.htm

NEUROSCIENCE

Neural activity in bats measured in flight The Weizmann Institute findings, obtained using miniature wireless devices, provide the first detailed information on the brain mechanisms of three-dimensional orientation in mammals http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/neural-activity-in-bats-measured-in-flight#.UW_hu7VHLXI

Facts & Figures

Israel produces 1% of most-cited academic articles. A new ranking by Thomson Reuters reveals that 1% of the most cited articles worldwide in the past decade were written at Israeli universities or based on collaborations with them. The data cover the past decade, but the most recent figures show a decline. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000840842&fid=1725

Publications

ICT industry in Israel A review made by IATI - Israel Advanced Technology Industries on ICT industry in Israel http://www.iati.co.il/images/stories/IATI_annual_review_2012.pdf Available upon request

Events

Eight European Congress of Biogerontology (ECB) A conference held on 10-13 March 2013 at Ben-Gurion University and at the Dead Sea brought together biogerontology experts from around the world. http://biogerontology.wix.com/resolve http://israel21c.org/health/israelis-excel-in-finding-keys-to-long-life/

IATI (Israeli Advanced Technology Industries) Conference – 11 April 2013 Mr. Naftali Bennett, Minister of Economy & Trade, said on IATI's 2nd Multi-National R&D Centres Conference: "The current government is a start-up, a once in a life time chance to make a change". Bennett also predicted that skilled Haredi work force will join the high-tech sector in great masses in the coming years http://www.iati.co.il/news_item.php?ID=1202 Stem-cell research is blooming in Israel Eighteen cutting-edge Israeli companies met with colleagues from around the world at the Israstem Conference to discuss stem cells, cell therapy, and regenerative medicine in both industry and academia. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/stem-cell-research-is-blooming-in-israel.premium- 1.515396?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.221%2C

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Member State and International News

Associated

Switzerland - Israel Ben-Gurion University of the Negev inaugurated the Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research at Sede Boqer Ben-Gurion University of the Negev inaugurated the Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research (SIDEER) on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 during its 43rd annual Board of Governors Meeting. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/Swiss-Institute.aspx

International

India-Israel India's Tata investing $5m in tech fund Tata, part of Indian conglomerate Tata Group, will be the lead investor in a planned $20 million fund at Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company Ramot aimed at commercializing the university’s research http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/india-s-tata-investing-5m-in-tel-aviv-university-tech- fund.premium-1.518298?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C

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