Israeli Innovative Health Technology

One of Israel's most developed sectors is science and technology field. The amount of money spent on research and development of such technologies is one of the highest in the world. Israel was ranked 4th in the world for scientific-related activity, measured by the number of scientific publications. Advances in the field are based on "real-world" computer programming and artificial intelligence, fields in which Israeli researchers exceed the international landscape.

In an article titled Scientists find key to reversing the aging process, it was announced that "Israeli researchers claim they have discovered a way to reverse the aging process by removing B lymphocytes - a kind of white blood cell in vertebrate immune systems - from old mice and forcing the production of young cells to replace them." Israeli researchers from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa used old mice to show how removing these B cells causes the body to reproduce B cells at "a similar rate to yong mice." They also found that through this proccess there was up to a 400% improvement in the ability of the treated mice to respond to vaccinations, something that naturally decreases with age.

Lead researcher, Professor Doron Melamed said, "We have succeeded in showing that it is possible to turn back the aging process," continuing, "This shows - for the first time - that physiological aging is a regulated process that can be reversed." Not only does this research prove to reverse aging, it can also revitalize the immune system and improve effectiveness of vaccination among the elderly. These findings were published this year in Blood, a scientific journal.

In another article, Israeli robots are described as being able to "do it all." They are revolutionizing the use of robotics to program inventions to perform tasks better than humans can! Professor Moshe Shoham, also of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, created the ViRobe (picture to the right), a one-millimeter robot that has the capabilities to "deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells or take snapshots of a body’s internal organs." Shoham also invented the SpineAssist which is the only robotic tool for back surgery to date. The SpineAssist is the "smallest of five medical robots in daily use in countries including the United States, Holland and Israel." Shoham is currently working on a small robot that can diagnose fetal abnormalities, by moving through the amniotic fluid, and can assist in performing in-utero surgery.

Another professor, Gal Kaminka, is the head of the "highly regarded" robotics team at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan. Kaminka focuses on "the brains behind robots, developing the algorithms - detailed mathematical instructions -- to really make them think in a human way." Israel is already a "leader in algorithm software development." His lab annually competes in RoboCup, the international robotic soccer competition where multi-robots are programmed to work together "like a real team." These multi-robots can also be applied to security and defense - they can event patrol borders. 

Yael Edan of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva is researching and developing Gestix, a surgical robotic device that allows for "hands-free scanning." This device creates a "purely germ-free environment" which can assist in the prevention of hospital-related infections. This technology allows surgeons to "manipulate digital images using hand motions rather than touching a screen, keyboard or mouse."

In another article, technology giant Google is funding a venture initiative with Tel Aviv University researchers to alter the way computers "prepare for the future by making them take a good hard look into the past." In a TAU press release it was said that Google wanted to fund the project in hopes that the research could be used "to improve its own online technologies and businesses." The research team is able to "change and influence the decision-making of computers in real-time," stated Professor Yishay Mansour, who is leading the research. The algorithm being developed would react to the situation at hand. Of course, more Israeli technology research with more advanced Israeli algorithms. 

"Israelis are building very good software and that's Israel's future if you look at high-tech development. It has all the resources to be a leader in robotics," expressed by Kaminka, the head of the robotics team at Bar-Ilan University. Israel's research and developmental contributions to scientific technology have been and continue to be the most high-tech, cutting-edge innovations to this sector. This knowledge and equipment is beneficial to Israel and for the well-being of the world. There is no sign that this growth will slow anytime soon and only the most modern technology is being produced in the Israeli market.