Scientific Section
RDI in Israel News Issue No. 285 - January & February 2013
Policy 2
Research Highlights 2
Facts & Figures 7
Events 7
Member State and International News 8
Disclaimer:
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Policy
Israel EU cooperation in space Paul Weissenberg, Deputy Director General, DG Enterprise, together with Jaime Silva, Adviser, and Reinhard Schulte-Braucks, head of unit of the Copernicus programme (former GMES programme ), visited Israel at the end of January at the occasion of the Ilan Ramon Conference. The EU officials also met with Israeli officials to discuss EU - Israel cooperation on earth observation and security. During the visit, an Administrative Arrangement was initialled in the area of global navigation systems with Menachem Greenblum, Director-General, Ministry of Science and Technology and Menachem Kidron, Director General, Israel Space Agency. This agreement will open the door for further cooperation between Israel and the EU in the field of space. http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=301547
Former senior Teva executive: scrap intellectual property During a recent lecture, Dr. Aharon Schwartz, former vice president for innovative ventures at Teva Pharmaceuticals, asked what would happen if the pharmaceutical industry completely discarded the concept of IP, and led the audience to draw the conclusion that this was the way to save the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Schwartz argued that if IP was discarded, it would be possible to invest, for example, $250 billion of global GDP in research to promote biological molecular science and the balance, about $320 billion could simply be repaid to consumers or collected as a tax to make existing treatments accessible for patients that simply do not have the money for these drugs. Such an allocation would improve global health more than new drugs that would extend the lives of a few patients by several years. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000810789&fid=1724
Launch of second wave of I-CORE centres of excellence At the end of January, the Council for Higher Education announced the selection of eleven new I- CORE centres of excellence that will be established in the course of 2013. Four of these centres will engage in research in the social sciences and humanities and seven in exact sciences, engineering, life sciences and medicine. http://www.i-core.org.il/Future-I-COREs http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=301752
Israel, the brain repellent Hundreds and thousands of scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers and professionals abandoned Israel long ago, because it became a country where it was impossible for them to realize their potential. It stopped being a place where the exceptional could find a challenging, empowering, and inspirational environment, and so the exceptional went off in search of the lands where they could. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israel-the-brain-repellent.premium- 1.492699?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.223%2C
"High tech is at a dangerous crossroads" Chairman Elisha Yanay (Israel Association of Electronics and Software Industries): Israel must quickly change its national compass if it wants its high-tech industry to survive http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000815511&fid=942 http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/high-tech-exports-post-first-fall-in-a-decade.premium- 1.503218?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C
Research Highlights
ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
Israel Prize awarded to Tel Aviv University scientist for water research The prize, which will be awarded at a April 2013 ceremony on the eve of Israel's Independence Day, honours his outstanding career and groundbreaking research in the field of hydraulics. This data can
2 be used to prevent groundwater contamination as well as contribute to water conservation efforts in Israel and across the globe http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/afot-ipa011813.php
Environment ministry opposes Red-Dead Sea link The World Bank's plan for an underground pipeline would destroy the Dead Sea, the Environmental Protection Ministry says. http://www.sviva.gov.il/InfoServices/NewsAndEvents/MessageDoverAndNews/Pages/2013/february% 202013/DeadSeaCanal.aspx (Hebrew) http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000821739&fid=1725 http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=303098
ICT
Oxygen chamber can boost brain repair Tel Aviv University researchers found that hyperbaric chambers could offer new hope to those with brain damage. The treatment revitalizes neurons in damaged brains. http://english.tau.ac.il/news/oxygen_chamber_can_boost_brain_repair
Apple opens Ra'anana development centre The new development centre, Apple's third in Israel, will be based on employees recently fired by Texas Instruments. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000820961&fid=1725
Technion and Microsoft develop programme to predict future The software developed could identify signs that can detect disasters from as close as 70 to 90 percent of the time http://www1.technion.ac.il/en/technion/sci-tech/130207-kira
A genetic device performs DNA diagnosis Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have succeeded in creating a genetic device that operates independently in bacterial cells. The device has been programmed to identify certain parameters and mount an appropriate response http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/a-genetic-device-performs-dna-diagnosis#.URNwrR0yx8E
Ben Gurion University and Bar-Ilan University team patent encryption method for fiber-optic communications The rapid spread of optical communication systems has increased the need for proper security solutions in order to prevent eavesdropping and jamming. Recently the team has led to a novel concept for stealthy fiber optical communications. The method is in the midst of the patenting process. http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/Pages/news/fiber_optic.aspx
SPACE
New space centre opens in Sakhnin NASA Administrator Charles Bolden came to Israel for the launching of the Moona science, environment, space centre; he told children that if space shuttles connect cultures, the same can occur on the ground. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4338425,00.html
Satellites and cell towers yield climate clues An Israeli atmospheric scientist shows how to measure pollution with data from weather satellites http://israel21c.org/environment/satellites-and-cell-towers-yield-climate- clues/?utm_source=Newsletter+1%2F23%2F2013&utm_campaign=Jan%2C+23%2C+2012&utm_me dium=email
3 The outburst before the blast Researchers discover a star’s “mini-explosion” taking place just a month before an all-out supernova explosion. In a research led by Dr. Eran Ofek of the Weizmann Institute, scientists found such an outburst taking place a short time – just one month – before a massive star underwent a supernova explosion http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/observed-the-outburst-before-the-blast#.URNnA_LK2AF Ten years after death of Ilan Ramon, talks underway to train new Israeli astronaut The Ministry of Science and Technology said that initial talks with international bodies have recently begun to look into the possibility and implications of training an Israeli astronaut. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/ten-years-after-death-of-ilan-ramon-talks-underway-to- train-new-israeli-astronaut.premium-1.500445?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4341167,00.html
Team wants Israel to be third country to reach moon A team of scientists and space enthusiasts is aiming to make Israel the third country to reach the moon, with a little help from an entrepreneur donor. Team SpaceIL is entering the Google space race with a nanorocket bearing an Israeli flag. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=303014
LIFE SCIENCES
Israeli researchers to participate in European Commission flagship project The European Commission has officially announced the selection of the Human Brain Project (HBP) as one of its two Future Emerging Technologies (FET) Flagship projects. The new project will federate European efforts to address one of the greatest challenges of modern science - understanding the human brain. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-11-530_en.htm
Israeli and French team eyes genetic syndromes cure Researchers from the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and the Paris Descartes University investigated the cause of ectodermal dysplasia, which affects seven out of every 10,000 babies born in the world. http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130210-ruby/news-item-en.htm
The Technion and AMIT (Alfred Mann Institute at the Technion) established a new company to commercialize stem cell technologies The company, Accellta, will market technologies that will enable commercial companies and research laboratories to culture masses of homogenous stem cell lines in a fast and cost-effective manner. The innovative technologies, address the need for employing genetic manipulation of the cells; although a highly desirable procedure, the latter is currently associated with poor outcomes. http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/121224-amitAccellta/news-item-en.htm
Technion discovers embryonic stem cells in amniotic sac Israeli researchers from the Technion‘s Rappaport Faculty of Medicine have discovered that the amnion membrane, a part of the amniotic sac, may contain embryonic stem cells that could be developed into human eggs. http://nocamels.com/2013/01/technion-discovers-embryonic-stem-cells-in-amniotic-sac/
Study provides insights into cell growth Hebrew University researchers create newly-engineered strain of mice, whose dividing cells express a fluorescent protein, which could open door to new methods of regulating cell proliferation in human body http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4336093,00.html
Hebrew University discovery could lead to new cancer treatments Researchers at the Hebrew University have discovered a new pathway by which cells in the body become cancerous. The discovery is expected to facilitate the development of new treatment methods
4 that could block this process and prevent the spread of cancerous growths as well as new diagnostic tools to distinguish between normal and malignant tumours. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/hebrew-university-discovery-could-lead-to-new-cancer- treatments.premium-1.494009?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C
Research succeeds in isolating cancer ‘Stem Cells’ One of the more recent breakthroughs in cancer research has been the understanding that not all cancerous cells have the same reproductive capability. In fact, some cells are designed to “fuel” the disease. These cells are called cancer stem-cells, and a new research done at the Sheba Medical Centre in Israel has succeeded in isolating them – and destroying them. http://nocamels.com/2013/01/research-succeeds-in-isolating-cancer-stem-cells/
Mechanism involved in breast cancer cell growth provides opening for early detection, treatment Researchers at the Hebrew University Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada have discovered a new mechanism by which breast cancer cells switch on their aggressive cancerous behaviour. The discovery provides a valuable marker for the early diagnosis and follow-up treatment of malignant growths. http://www.huji.ac.il/cgi-bin/dovrut/dovrut_search_eng.pl?mesge135835119405872560
Two antibodies are better than one Weizmann Institute researchers found that a new approach mimicking the body’s natural defenses could help treat a therapy-resistant breast cancer http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/two-antibodies-are-better-than-one#.URNwYB0yx8E
Key mechanism in calcium regulation identified in Hebrew University study is important element in road towards development of new drugs for neurodegenerative disease Hebrew University researchers, along with others from Israel and the US, presented their findings of a previously undescribed cellular mechanism which is essential for keeping cellular calcium concentration low. http://support.huji.ac.il/HeaderMenu/news-events/news/minke_weiss_calcium/
New cure found for rare genetic disease The disease, which causes the sudden paralysis of infants’ limbs and vocal cords, had been dubbed ‘the curse’ by people of North African origin, the population affected by the disease. Two researchers from Hadassah Medical Centre have succeeded in identifying the gene responsible for this disease. http://www.hadassah-med.com/about/news/new-cure-found-for-rare-genetic-disease-causing- paralysis-in-infants.aspx
NeuroQuest: detecting Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear The technology is based on the measurement of certain immune biomarkers (indicators of the biological state of the organs) in the patient’s bloodstream. This new method of testing for neurodegenerative diseases may change the way diseases like Alzheimer’s are treated and diagnosed. http://nocamels.com/2013/01/neuroquest-detecting-alzheimers-before-symptoms-appear/ http://israel21c.org/health/blood-test-for-alzheimers/
Parkinson's treatment can trigger creativity Patients treated with dopamine-enhancing drugs are developing artistic talents, reports a Tel Aviv University researcher http://english.tau.ac.il/news/parkinsons_treatment_creativity
Study: Parkinson's breakthrough discovery Neurologists from Hadassah University Medical Centre in Jerusalem show deep brain stimulation at early stage of disease to be better for motor outcome and quality of life http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=303586
The love hormone-autism connection Hadassah Hospital researchers investigate whether disruptions to oxytocin activity during pregnancy and birth could be one of the causes of the autism.
5 http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/the-love-hormone-autism-connection.premium- 1.493759?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.221%2C
Discovering the missing "LINC" to deafness Because half of all instances of hearing loss are linked to genetic mutations, advanced gene research is an invaluable tool for uncovering causes of deafness — and one of the biggest hopes for the development of new therapies. A researcher at Tel Aviv University has discovered a significant mutation in a LINC family protein — part of the cells of the inner ear — that could lead to new treatments for hearing disorders. http://english.tau.ac.il/news/missing_linc_deafness
Man's surname can be guessed through DNA, Israeli researchers discover A male’s genome contains information that can help scientists guess his surname, American and Israeli researchers have discovered. The findings have serious implications for data privacy; intelligence services around the world are bound to be interested http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/man-s-surname-can-be-guessed-through-dna-israeli- researchers-discover.premium-1.495100
Protein essential for healthy eyes described by Hebrew University, US researchers; also has implications for other medical conditions Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with researchers at the Salk Institute in California, have found for the first time that a specific protein is essential not only for maintaining a healthy retina in the eye, but also may have implications for understanding and possibly treating other conditions in the immune, reproductive, vascular and nervous systems, as well as in various cancers http://www.huji.ac.il/cgi-bin/dovrut/dovrut_search_eng.pl?mesge135876984105872560
Medical cannabis provides dramatic relief for sufferers of chronic ailments Treatment can improve appetite, ease chronic pain, and more, say Tel Aviv University researchers. Though controversial, medical cannabis has been gaining ground as a valid therapy, offering relief to suffers of diseases such as cancer, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ALS and more. The substance is known to soothe severe pain, increase the appetite, and ease insomnia where other common medications fail. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/afot-mcp012413.php
Groundbreaking insulin pill nearing market For 100 years, scientists searched for a way to deliver insulin orally instead of by injection. Now an Israeli team claims it has found the solution. http://israel21c.org/headlines/groundbreaking-insulin-pill-nearing-market/
DNA security risks uncovered by researchers New policies are needed to safeguard participants' identity in genetic studies, cautions TAU researcher. Through extensive networked databases, researchers can access genetic information to gain valuable knowledge about causative and preventative factors for disease, and identify new targets for future treatments. But the wider availability of such information also has a significant downside — the risk of revealing personal information. http://english.tau.ac.il/news/dna_security_risk
Israel Prize awarded to Tel Aviv University biochemist Professor Nathan Nelson wins Israel's top honor for research into molecular biology and proteins. He is now employing his experience in photosynthesis as a researcher at the Renewable Energy Centre, working to develop a clean and sustainable energy source. He is also a member of the European Organization for Excellence in Life Sciences. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/afot-ipa012913.php
6 Facts & Figures
CBS report: Israeli economy declining Figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics point to a slowdown in nearly all industries in August through October. A 2.9% drop was recorded in industrial production in August through October, excluding the high-tech industry. The entire industry, including high-tech, registered a 3.5% increase. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4324364,00.html
Israel shedding high-cost menial high tech jobs As with textiles, the high cost of Israeli high tech employees is causing the loss of jobs to cheaper Asian countries. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000809858&fid=1724
Israel attracts global healthcare giants Israeli development centres of healthcare giants have an annual turnover of billions of dollars. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000810965&fid=1724
Start up fundraising down 10% in 2012 According to the IVC research centre, more companies raised less money in 2012 with twice as many early-stage internet companies funded last year than in 2011. In 2012, 575 Israeli high-tech companies raised $1.92 billion from local and foreign investors, a 10 percent decrease from $2.14 billion raised by 545 companies in 2011. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000814101&fid=1725 http://www.ivc-online.com/ResearchCenter/NewsPR/NewsArchive/tabid/238/language/en- US/Default.aspx?nid=A6C0F0D5-E95F-E211-81DF-00155D32A408 http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4343991,00.html http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/israel-s-start-up-nation-is-long-on-spirit-short-on- cash.premium-1.494237?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.221%2C2.465%2C
New Arab hi-tech investment fund announced A newly established fund "For Better Future" (FBF) has raised $10 million to invest in Arab start-up companies in Israel. http://www.ishitech.co.il/0113ar10.htm
Hebrew University to make massive cuts in wake of NIS 200 million shortfall The Hebrew University will be forced to make drastic cuts in order to close an expected NIS 200 million deficit. The university has already started to implement a recovery plan, drafted in the wake of the preparation of the 2013 budget which showed a shortfall of NIS 190 million in revenues. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/hebrew-university-to-make-massive-cuts-in-wake-of- nis-200-million-shortfall.premium-1.502953?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C
"Investments in Intel have paid off handsomely" Outgoing Investment Promotion Centre director Hezi Zaieg expresses no regret over losing Intel's newest fab to Ireland. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000818002&fid=1724
Events
The 8th Annual International Ilan Ramon Space Conference Fourteen heads of space agencies from prominent countries attended the 8th Annual International Ilan Ramon Space Conference, jointly organized by the Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Fischer Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies. This year's conference, which was held from 29th to 31st January 2013 at the Fisher Institute premises in Herzliya, was attended by the Administrator of NASA Mr. Charles Frank Bolden Jr., astronauts, US Space Command officials, scientists responsible for the "Curiosity" Mars science
7 programme, the commander of the Israeli Air Force, members of the European Commission and the UN, space researchers and representatives from the aerospace industries in Israel and abroad. http://most.gov.il/English/news/Pages/space-conference.aspx
TAU hosts International Business Week StarTAU's fourth annual workshop nurtures global entrepreneurship http://english.tau.ac.il/news/tau_hosts_international_business_week
Member State and International News
Member States
DENMARK LaunchPad Denmark invites world class startups to Denmark ‘LaunchPad Denmark – Accelerating Your World Class Startup’ is a Danish initiative for entrepreneurs from all over the world. By participating in a business plan cup, 30 world class entrepreneurs can win a unique scholarship including professional coaching and training, access to capital, cash prizes, sponsorships, and most importantly access to a vigorous entrepreneurship community in Denmark and a gateway to the European market. http://www.evm.dk/~/media/oem/pdf/2013/2013-pressemeddelelser/19-02-13-pm-uk.ashx
GERMANY Germany, Israel to fund Jerusalem brain research centre Hebrew University, Max Planck Society to build a new brain research centre to serve as teaching and research facility in the field. http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=298114
German foundation awards two €250,000 prizes to Hebrew University researchers in humanities and social sciences The Hebrew University was the only institution whose faculty won two of this year’s seven awards. A total of 54 humanities and social science researchers from 26 countries were nominated for the award. http://support.huji.ac.il/HeaderMenu/news- events/news/news_biran_illouz_anneliese_maier_humboldt_feb2013/
ITALY Elbit Systems wins $40m Italian satellite deal The project comprises the Jupiter advanced camera and other services and is to be completed within three and a half years. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000803805&fid=1725
UK British Israeli collaboration: Annual UK Israel Life Science Council meeting Some of the most eminent British and Israeli biological scientists came together for the annual UK Israel Life Science Council meeting. Hosted by the University of Haifa, the conference is the third meeting of the council, launched in 2010 to improve scientific collaboration between the two countries. http://newmedia-eng.haifa.ac.il/?p=6381
U.K. investment firm buys Israeli start-up Algatechnologies Grovepoint Capital is paying an estimated $15 million to $20 million for the company which fights the effects of aging. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/u-k-investment-firm-snaps-up-israeli-start-up- algatechnologies.premium-1.502579?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C
Launch of BIRAX Regenerative Medicine Initiative Fellowship Scheme The initiative is a five year programme intended to support research collaborations between the UK and Israel in the field of regenerative medicine. The fellowship scheme will support visits by researchers to laboratories for up to six months. The fellowship programme follows the awarding of grants for seven new large scale collaborations between scientists in the UK and Israel.
8 http://www.biraxrmi.org/fellowships?utm_source=BIRAX+Regenerative+Medicine+Initiative+Fellowshi p+Scheme+Launched&utm_campaign=BIRAX+Fellowships+2013&utm_medium=email
International
Sprint's acceleration lab will help propel local Israeli start-ups Sprint Nextel will be opening a research lab in Tel Aviv later this year in collaboration with the Israel Mobile & Media Association (IMA) and using equipment provided by Alcatel-Lucent. The facility, an acceleration lab for the company's fast-growing LTE technology, will allow Israeli start-ups access to platforms needed to test their products right in Israel, eliminating the need for expensive travel abroad. http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/sprint-s-acceleration-lab-will-help-propel-local-israeli- start-ups.premium-1.500763?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.199%2C
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) boosts satellite and space research under new collaboration with the Technion Tthe Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology inked an agreement on 10 February 2013 to set up a collaborative programme in satellite and space research. http://www1.technion.ac.il/_local/includes/blocks/news-items/130211-ntu/news-item-en.htm
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