One of the most important discoveries in this field by two Israeli scientists Professor Avram Hershko and Dr. Aaron Ciechanover of the Technion in Haifa (together with the American Irwin Rose) were awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2004. They discovered how cells break down and remove the proteins that they cannot use and remove them. This discovery led to the development of medicines such as Bortezomib(Velcade) that are significantly effective against certain kinds of cancer. Bortezomib works specifically against multiple myeloma, also called the Kahler desease, one of the most common forms of blood cancers there is.
Israeli scientists developed new methods to measure and inject insulin for diabetics. Copaxone, a medicine that diminishes the physical breakdown caused by MS comes from Israel, as do two other well-known MS medicines Betaseron and Avonex. To improve treatment for Parkinsons, a special stem cell therapy has been devised. There is a new method to prevent acne and an automated recipe system that works more efficiently. For both diagnostic and treatment methods, devices have been developed, such as: computed tomography (CT), scanners, magnetic resonance systems (MRI), ultrasound scanners, nuclear medical cameras and laser surgery.
http://yourisraelexperience.com/weblogs.html&objID=13967
Medicine
Israelis invented the camera that patients swallow to help doctors diagnose digestive tract diseases and save lives.
Babysense, the system that protect babies from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was invented in Israel.
Israeli scientists developed the first radiation free method to discover breast cancer.
The first Anti Virus was created in Israel in 1988 by 3 computer experts at the Hebrew University. This anti-virus was the basis for many other anti viruses that came later.
The first blood bank was built at Beilinson hospital 10 years before the state was established.
In 1997 the first artificial heart transplant was made at the Sheba hospital. It was made to function as the left ventricle
In 1999 Israel used the first brain pacemaker, which stopped the tremor that comes with Parkinson’s disease.
In 2010 a kidney transplant was made from a person with one blood type to another with a different blood type, a transplant which, until now, was very dangerous because the kidney works with blood.
Israeli scientists created new ways to fight cancer and increased the efficiency of medicines.
One of the greatest achievements of 2006: the research made by Israeli scientist Shulamit Levenberg got us one step closer to creating new organs for transplant.
Israeli scientists also developed the first DNA computers, leading the way to even more efficient ways to fight diseases.
Israel has been responsible for huge breakthroughs in treatment of AIDS:
Developing Hypericin, a drug whose antiviral properties were documented at the Weizmann Institute. Vimrxyn, a hypericin-based drug is now being tested for the treatment of AIDS.
Making progress on a new type of artificial blood that could potentially help slow the spread of the AIDS virus.
An Israeli-American firm, Pharmos/Pharmatec, developing an improved method for delivering AZT to the brain.
Hebrew University researchers developing what they believe is a means to help AIDS patients overcome serious infections and neurological problems.
Israeli scientists have developed new devices for measuring and injecting Insulin for diabetics, which are both less painful and more efficient.
Israel’s head of neurology at Rabin Medical Centre has developed a means of treating Parkinson’s disease using the person’s own bone marrow stem cells
Researchers at Ben Gurion University are working on a new delivery system for drugs used in cancer and Parkinson’s disease. The drugs are delivered directly to the affected part of the body and, in so doing, eliminates unwanted side effects
A program that can help a deaf man use a cell phone! This program, “Lipcell” can translate the words from the other speaker into a three dimensional exhibition of a human face. In this way the deaf man can read the lips of the other speaker. It is a collaboration of Israel’s largest phone company, Cellcom, and a company called SpeechView.
A computerized model has been developed that allows living cells to be scanned to see how they respond to friction, pressure etc. This will eliminate, or certainly lessen, the need to use animals in this area of medical research
The medical company Deep Breeze has developed a device for instantly diagnosing the state of a patient’s lungs enabling the immediate diagnosis of asthma
The Copaxone (also known as Glatiramer acetate), one of the most efficient medicines, and the only non interferon agent, for Multiple Sclerosis, was developed by Israeli Teva Pharmaceuticals
Discovery of Bti- an environmentally-friendly bacteria which eradicates mosquitoes and black flies, and reduces the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases, notably malaria. Since Bti was introduced along the Yangtze river in China , malarial infections from mosquitoes have dropped by 90%. Professor Margalith is currently involved in projects in the Central Asian Republics. Bti has also been used to control river blindness in eleven African countries, reportedly saving the sight of millions.
Drug Velcade developed over a period of 30 years by scientists at Haifa. Has significant results in treatment of Myeloma
Imaging device for carrying out radiation free xrays on patients with spinal deformities developed in Israel
First vaccine against West Nile virus developed by Israelis
Researchers in southern Israel developed new vaccines to combat germs eg pneumococcus, that are prevalent in children and easily spread in day care centres.
Israeli researchers believe that a biological ‘switch’ found in plants may hold the secret for a new cancer treatment for humans. Scientists believe a process in plants to switch on cell growth, could be used in humans to switch off tumour growth.
http://www.methodistfriendsofisrael.com/so-you-want-to-boycott-israel/