ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

A Hebrew University study explored the role of attachment styles and of the partnership between therapist and patient in predicting adherence and dropout rates, and consequently the overall effectiveness of internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in treating depression and insomnia.

An international team that included researchers from Tel Aviv University has developed a method of growing ultra-long, ultra-narrow graphene nanoribbons that exhibit semi-conducting properties, now making it possible for the electronic chips to use graphene in quantum switching devices. This breakthrough enables the fabrication of carbon-based nanoelectronic devices, with potential applications in advanced switching, spintronics, and quantum computing.

Bar-Ilan University scientists have devised an innovative method that uses worms to model human muscle diseases, offering a more scalable and versatile approach in comparison to using rodents. By transferring extracellular vesicles from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the worms, they successfully induced muscle atrophy, resembling human symptoms. This groundbreaking technique utilizes blood-derived elements, bypassing the need for genetic modifications in model organisms.

A team of international scientists, including researchers from Tel Aviv University, has discovered a black hole approximately 1,500 light years from Earth in the Milky Way galaxy with the help of the European Space Agency’s Gaia spacecraft. Dubbed Gaia BH3, it's part of a binary star system, with a star orbiting it in an 11-year cycle. This black hole is 33 times denser than the sun and three times denser than other known black holes in the galaxy.

Israeli startup Remepy is developing hybrid app + drug therapies to enhance treatment for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. By combining traditional drugs with tailored digital therapeutics like cognitive-behavioral exercises and guided meditations, Remepy aims to optimize patient outcomes. The startup recently raised $10 million, bringing the total funding to $15 million.

Ben-Gurion University researchers developed a nanosized polymer to deliver chemotherapy in mice, effectively eliminating colorectal cancer liver metastases and reducing melanoma lung metastasis. This targeted method minimizes side effects by ensuring the drug specifically reaches cancer cells. Licensed to Vaxil BioTherapeutics for further clinical development, the procedure is currently being tested in large animals, with plans to begin human clinical trials as soon as possible.

Israeli researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered a new insect species in exceptionally well-preserved in 99-million-year-old amber from Myanmar. Named Miropictopallium coloradmonens, this ancient bug features unique characteristics like very large eyes and vibrant coloration. This discovery provides insights into the biodiversity and ecological conditions of the Cretaceous period, enhancing our understanding of insect evolution and the historical development of ecosystems

In a deal estimated to be valued between $600 million to $700 million, Nvidia is acquiring Israeli AI workload management startup Run:ai, making this one of Nvidia’s biggest acquisitions in Israel in recent years. Founded in 2018, Run:ai simplifies AI infrastructure for businesses, helping them manage complex AI workloads and computing resources across cloud, edge, and on-premises environments, all on a unified platform.

A novel method to study the effects of psychedelics has been developed by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science, using zebrafish larvae. Their approach combines optical microscopy, image analysis, and AI to observe how psychedelics like psilocybin, a mushroom-derived psychedelic compound, affect brain cells and behavior. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the effects of psychedelics on serotonin receptors, potentially leading to new treatments for depression, anxiety and serotonin-related disorders

Technion researchers have developed a novel ultrasound-based method for non-invasive drug delivery and tissue implantation. This technique allows for the precise delivery of cells or drugs deep within the body using sound waves emitted by an external ultrasonic transducer. Eliminating the need for risky invasive surgeries, the method has varied applications like local cell transplantation, continuous localized drug delivery, and three-dimensional bioprinting.