ISRAEL INNOVATION PROJECT

Researchers at the Technion have created an innovative AI "matchmaker" that identifies cancer drug pairs for nanomedicine. This AI technology identifies effective drug combinations and singles out pairs that can chemically assemble into nanoparticles, enhancing drug delivery. Administering medicines as nanoparticles offers advantages like lower doses, targeted cell treatment, and fewer side effects. The AI tool has suggested 1,985 potential nanomedicine drug combinations for 70 cancer types. This approach, termed "meta-synergy," enhances cancer treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.

Israeli company, Teralight, has unveiled the largest floating solar energy field in Israel, situated on the Kibbutz Ma’ayan Zvi reservoir. The photovoltaic (PV) field covering approximately 145 acres, has the capacity to power 6,500 homes and includes solar tracking systems produced by Israeli startup Xfloat. The initiative was part of the Hof HaCarmel Regional Council's efforts to promote renewable energy. Asif Isaac, head of the Council, emphasized that with this new project, all electricity for Hof HaCarmel residents now comes from green sources.

Israeli food tech startup SavorEat is targeting the growing demographic of flexitarians and vegans by utilizing additive manufacturing technology and a unique plant-based cellulose fiber to create meat-like products. SavorEat is debuting its personalized plant-based burgers made by robot “chefs” at the University of Denver in the US, in partnership with Sodexo. The robot chef is like a 3D printer that enables consumers to customize their burger by specifying protein, fat, cellulose, water, and flavors, and produces kosher, vegan, and gluten-free burger patties made of pea and plant-based proteins, all in just three minutes. This technology is projected to save approximately 33,000 kg of CO2 emissions and over 21 million liters of water.

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have developed an embryo model resembling a 14-day-old human embryo using stem cells, without the need for sperm, eggs, or a womb. This model accurately mimics early embryo structures and even releases pregnancy-test-positive hormones. The aim is to ethically study the critical early stages of human development, which are poorly understood and linked to miscarriages and birth defects. While this research is a significant milestone, it also raises ethical questions regarding regulation, particularly as the model approaches the characteristics of real embryos.

Israeli startup EyeCan is developing a groundbreaking smart headband for visually impaired swimmers. This innovative device uses real-time data from a pool-scanning camera to alert swimmers to lane deviations and potential obstacles through vibrating alerts from chips on either side of their head. With over 2.2 billion people globally experiencing vision complications, this technology offers a unique solution, allowing visually impaired individuals to swim independently and safely, filling a significant gap in accessibility.

Israeli biotech startup MadeRight has secured $2 million in seed funding for producing green packaging through their innovative technology that uses fungi cultivated from industrial organic waste to make sustainable, high-performance materials. These materials are mixed with bio-plastics to make pellets that can be integrated into existing packaging machinery and supply chain processes, offering a recyclable plastic alternative for packaging. The global food packaging market, valued at $350 billion with a 5-6% annual growth rate, relies heavily on single-use plastics and contributes to millions of tons of plastic waste annually.

In a groundbreaking achievement, doctors at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center, led by Dr. Cezar J. Mizrahi, successfully utilized augmented reality (AR) and robotic technology in a complex spinal surgery. They employed an AR-assisted surgical spine robot, which helped enhance surgical screw placement accuracy while minimizing invasiveness. The AR headset displayed critical patient information, facilitating precise surgery. The patient, who had a severe spinal injury, was able to walk without assistance soon after the procedure, which marks a significant advancement in healthcare.

Israeli scientists have created a tiny human heart model, the size of a grain of rice, which replicates human heart structure and functions, providing real-time measurements of crucial parameters and offering a promising alternative to animal testing in cardiovascular research and drug testing. The team was led by Yaakov Nahmias, a bioengineering professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and included scientists from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, and Rehovot-based Tissue Dynamics Ltd., which is devoted to animal-free drug development.

Honeybees, who play a vital role in pollinating around 1,200 essential crops worldwide, are facing numerous threats, and this is posing a significant risk to global food supplies. BeeHero, an Israeli startup, is combating this crisis with hive sensors that track temperature, humidity, and sounds to determine colony health, productivity, and even bee stress levels. This real-time data helps beekeepers, farmers, and researchers better understand colony collapse disorder and supports the USDA in combating invasive pests. BeeHero's mission is to establish bee-friendly agricultural standards and ensure the sustainability of bee populations.

In response to the growing demand for food and a shortage of agricultural labor, Israeli technology is leading innovations to address these challenges. BloomX, an Israeli firm, uses algorithms to optimize pollination timing, overcoming issues like insect scarcity and global warming threats. Labor shortages are being tackled with farming robots and fruit-picking drones, such as Tevel's autonomous drones, which assess fruit ripeness and diseases through AI and machine vision, revolutionizing agriculture, increasing productivity, and offering promising solutions.

Hadassah Medical Center is employing new technologies to improve their quality of care for cancer patients through innovation. Technological advancements being employed at the hospital include proton therapy, which limits the toxicity of radiation treatments and minimizes the risk of receiving treatment on tumors in sensitive areas, and Alpha radiation, providing more powerful treatment in small areas by using Alpha particles instead of photons for radiation.

US gaming company Nvidia has announced their plans to build the nation’s most powerful supercomputer, named “Israel-1,” with production expected to start by the end of 2023. The computer will be based on the company’s new Spectrum-X networking platform specially built for generative AI applications, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Israel’s Sapiens International Corporation will collaborate with global software giant Microsoft to bring “advanced generative artificial intelligence models” to the insurance sector. The models will focus on consumer-facing applications, providing the ability for customers to navigate complex documents more effectively with the help of natural language AI.

Researchers from Hebrew University have found a link between nitric oxide levels in the brain and autism, the first study of its kind. The study on mice and human stem cells found that inhibiting production of nitric oxide in these animals caused a decrease in autism-like behaviors, prompting hope for the development of new treatments for the neurological disorder.

Reichman University in Herzliya has announced the launch of The Scojen Institute, a research institute “for the development of cutting-edge technologies in the field of synthetic biology.” The institute will involve collaborative research from the fields of life sciences, exact sciences, medicine, and engineering to solve problems in a variety of industries and applications.

Jerusalem-based startup Alpha TAU has developed a new treatment for cancer that targets tumors from the inside using alpha particles. Small-scale trials showed complete response in 100% of trial patients, prompting the treatment to advance to Phase 3 trials ahead of approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Scientists at Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a new inflammasome protein that could lead to more advanced therapies for inflammatory disorders and diseases. The NLRP6 inflammasome is mainly present in the epithelial cells in the gut, while the other five known inflammasomes all function in immune cells, making the protein the first of its kind to be identified.

Referees in the EuroLeague semifinals and finals will be wearing a lightweight bodycam developed by Israeli startup MindFly. The cameras are embedded in lightweight vests worn by players or referees under their jersey, using image stabilization to reduce shakiness and artificial intelligence to follow the action, giving fans a fully immersive video and audio experience from a first-person point of view.

Israeli startup Torr FoodTech has developed a method for binding snack bar ingredients together without using traditional sugary compounds, greatly improving the nutritional content of these products. The technology uses a combination of ultrasonic sound waves and mechanical pressure to press dried fruits and nuts together while keeping the structural integrity, nutritional profile, and shelf-life of the ingredients.

A discovery surrounding the genetic modification of plants from Tel Aviv University could enable revolutionary improvement in several qualities of agricultural crops, including increased yields and better resistance to drought and pests. The genome-scale technology allows for the isolation and characterization of dozens of new features on the gene level, which may then be altered for desirable properties using existing gene editing technologies.

Neuroscience researchers from Hebrew University have discovered a molecular mechanism that leads to cognitive deterioration in females, finding “a direct link between a family of mitochondrial-originated RNA fragments and the rate of dementia progression in women.” The study could have major effects on the viability of treating Alzheimer’s with RNA-based therapies.

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed a computer program that could serve as a warning system for dangerous space phenomena. The tool combines satellite data of solar wind with artificial intelligence models to predict conditions that could lead to geomagnetic storms, which have adverse effects on electricity grids on earth.

Israel’s first hydrogen fuel station was opened in Sonol Yagur, allowing compatible vehicles to refuel with hydrogen, analogous to combustion vehicles filling up on gas or diesel. The station hopes to enable hydrogen-based transportation in Israel, technology that may allow for the transportation of renewable energy from the south of the country, where the energy may be easily generated on free lands, to the north where it may be eventually used.

Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have characterized an immune response that may lead to wasting syndrome, the sharp loss of weight in cancer patients. The study tied wasting syndrome to a decrease in metabolic regulator protein HNF4-alpha, brought on by immune cells infiltrating the liver, findings that could lead to better therapies for patients in the early stages of cancer.

Israeli startup Autotalks is being acquired by Qualcomm for their smart vehicle communication systems that may improve road safety and prevent collisions. The system allows vehicles to connect to road infrastructure and “talk” with one another, allowing for the early detection of hazards up to a mile away.

Tel Aviv-based startup impacX has developed a smart water bottle to promote healthy lifestyle choices and wellness through technology and innovation. Sensors in the cap track the water level in the bottle using lasers, using color indicators on the top of the cap and push notifications on mobile devices to keep users on track with their personalized hydration plan.

Israeli startup Edete is developing a mechanical pollination system that could help mitigate the risks of the world’s collapsing bee population and ensure food security for generations. The system harvests flowers from trees, isolates and stores pollen without contamination, and then douses plants with pollen at the optimal time for germination.

Tech giant Microsoft has partnered with Start-Up Nation Central to “identify global agrifood tech challenges and match them with relevant Israeli technologies” that utilize agricultural data to improve operations. The partnership seeks to help Israeli startups augment models powered by artificial intelligence to make Israeli farming more sustainable, while also extending the industry’s global reach.

Scientists at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology have developed an ergonomic device to “enable the in-depth testing of the strength of a patient’s fingertips.” The device stands to gather data that may be used by doctors and medical researchers to develop better rehabilitation programs for patients with brain damage.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University recently developed a new base for RNA nanodrugs that target cancer cells that are resistant to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments. The new base is comprised of cytoskeleton-associated protein (CKAP5), a compound that is particularly effective at targeting cancers with high genetic instability like ovarian cancer.

Scientists at Weizmann Institute of Science have identified one of the major factors that may lead to remission in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found certain immune cells in the brain called microglia to be “master regulators” of remission, keeping malicious cells in check. The researchers hope their findings may be applied to targeted therapies for MS in the future.

Partner Communications Group has signed an agreement with Enova to transition the company’s fleet to electric vehicles. Enova will supply Partner with charging stations to be located at the company’s headquarters and in employees’ homes, extending the firm’s network of charging stations, electricity storage, and solar energy systems.

An affiliate of Israeli company Paulee Cleantec, Lodologic, is using technology developed at Hebrew University to turn sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants into valuable fertilizers for agriculture. The process includes a patented chemical reaction that leads to the evaporation of liquids in the sludge, leaving behind a powder rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, key nutrients that agricultural lands need.

Israeli startup company Innoviz was awarded the Edison Award in the Smart Transportation category for their success in developing technology for autonomous vehicles. The company’s latest product, InnovizTwo, allows for the safe, partial automation of key driving tasks, such as accelerating, steering, and braking. The company has recently inked partnerships with industry leaders, including BMW and Volkswagen.

Israeli startup SeeTrue has developed an AI system capable of detecting guns, knives, explosives, and other dangerous items quickly and accurately for implementation in airport security checkpoints. The system plugs into an airport’s existing X-ray and CT scanning systems and offers half the error rate at ten times the speed of a human security officer.

The Environmental Protection Ministry and Israeli renewable energy company Teralight have launched the country’s largest solar project in the Jezreel valley. The project will operate with 250 megawatts of capacity and will provide electricity for roughly 250,000 Israeli citizens living in over 60,000 households.

Israeli food tech startup Meat. The End (MTE) announced the launch of their burger meat alternative that mimics the taste, smell, and texture of real ground beef. The product uses 100% chickpea protein concentrate in a powdered or granular form, offering an alternative to the numerous soy and pea protein products currently on the market while remaining allergen-free.

Israeli company Remilk is reported to receive the country’s first permit to produce cow-free milk for sale and consumption by the public. The company’s process involves the production of proteins chemically identical to that of cow’s milk through a yeast-based fermentation process, creating a similar milk product without lactose, cholesterol, growth hormones, or antibiotics.

Israeli startup High Lander has agreed to a partnership with one of Brazil’s largest drone operators to create a drone-based food and grocery network. High Lander is the developer of an autonomous air traffic control system, a platform that works similarly to a traditional manned air traffic control system but for autonomous airborne vehicles.

Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem is clinically testing a smartphone app designed to diagnose strokes through the processing of a video of a patient’s face. The platform, made by the CVAid company, uses an artificial intelligence model to perform a neurological examination, providing clinicians with a tool for immediate diagnosis with 90% accuracy.

Startup company Abintus Bio is developing technology to create a genetic drug to identify and locate specific immune cells in the body and engineer them to kill cancer cells. The off-the-shelf drug would be an alternative to traditional immunotherapy methods that involve the time-consuming and expensive extraction and engineering of a patient’s immune cells, a process that also proves to be somewhat inconsistent in its efficacy.

A study performed by researchers at Tel Aviv University found that Gaze-Contingent Music Reward Therapy (GC-MART) is as effective at treating social anxiety disorder as drugs from the SSRI family. The study found that the treatment relived anxiety symptoms in 50% of study participants.

Israeli company Tastewise is using their artificial intelligence platform to harvest a vast array of both structured and unstructured data to provide insights to companies in the food and beverage industry. The firm is currently working with food giants Nestle, Mars, and Pepsico, among others, and recently added AI capability to its platform using ChatGPT.

Israeli startup ThermoMind is developing a contactless, radiation-free method for screening for early-stage breast cancer. The technology relies on thermal imaging sensors to detect changes in thermal patterns indicative of changes in vascularity associated with cancer. Clinical trials for the device will begin in 11 hospitals in summer 2023.

Israeli startup Data Of The Soil (DOTS) has launched an electro-optical sensor that will allow users to optimize fertilizer usage based on continuous soil data. The technology has large upside as a green tool for agriculture, reducing groundwater contamination, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with excessive fertilizer usage.

From NoCamels - Israeli water company Mekorot and the Israel Water Authority recently completed a $250 million infrastructure project to flow water to the Sea of Galilee from five desalination plants in the south of the country. The project eases the national concern of lowering water levels in the country’s primary source of water, while reviving the previously dried out riverbed of Nahal Zalmon.

Israeli company Eco Wave Power has signed an agreement with the Israeli National Electric Company to sell clean electricity generated from ocean and sea waves to the public grid. The technology uses a mechanism including onshore floaters attached to piers, jetties, and other man-made structures to convert the rising and falling motion of waves into green electricity.

Israeli company Criaterra Innovations has developed a product portfolio of sustainable building materials that may reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80% and energy requirements by 90%. The pre-cast materials are made primarily from non-soluble minerals that are byproducts of the asphalt industry, which do not require ultra-high temperatures for their formation while still meeting standards for many construction projects.

Israeli company AccuBeat is providing an atomic clock to the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft to measure the chemical properties of Jupiter’s atmosphere. The clock will send a radio beam through the atmosphere, from which changes in the beam’s frequency will be detected and a three-dimensional map of Jupiter’s atmosphere built.

Israeli startup NT-Tao is looking to design and produce a scalable, compact device to derive energy from nuclear fusion, enabling the transition away from energy derived from fossil fuels. The company has developed a method to heat hydrogen plasma at a much higher density than other technologies in development, fusing hydrogen atoms together to form a helium atom, releasing clean energy without generating long-term radioactive waste.

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is collaborating with Tel Aviv University’s VC, TAU Ventures, and the Israel Innovation Authority to launch a joint R&D or pilot program with up to six Israeli startups. The program aims to reduce risk for venture development for young companies, while addressing several issues in AB InBev’s supply chain and operations.

Israeli scientists at Tel Aviv University have recorded and classified airborne sounds emitted by stressed plants for the first time. The sounds are at a volume similar to human speech, but at frequencies too high for humans to hear, confirming the theory that plants communicate auditorily and can respond with physical changes to different sounds detected.

The Israel Innovation Authority signed a declaration with Albany-based nonprofit NY Creates to advance the research and development of new semiconductor technologies. The Israel Innovation Authority will help NY Creates identify companies with emerging technological developments, while opening new markets for Israeli companies and academia.

Israeli startup Sufresca has developed a spray to be applied to produce that allows fresh fruit and vegetables to breathe, extending its life by several weeks. The spray can replace traditional wax coatings or packaging, reducing both food waste in the home and plastic waste from single-use packaging.

Israeli company GrayMatters Health has received clearance to market their flagship product for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The system guides patients through an audio-visual interface while wearing a cap fitted with electrodes to identify and implement strategies to reduce certain biomarkers derived from the amygdala.

Israeli startup ARX is aiming to provide guidance to mid-, late-stage, and publicly traded companies on IPO strategy and aftermarket support. The company uses AI to track patterns in the market, leveraging insights from big data sources to identify opportunities and threats that can provide information to companies being traded publicly.

Computer products giant Lenovo has launched the Lenovo Cybersecurity Innovation Center in collaboration with the Cyber Security Research Center at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The Center will be managed by experts from both Lenovo and BGU while conducting cybersecurity research and developing stronger, more secure products.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research have developed an mRNA vaccine that is 100% effective against a lethal strain of bacteria. The technology could enable the rapid development of vaccines for bacterial diseases, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Israeli company AI21 Labs unveiled its new natural language processing model, allowing businesses to build text-based applications much more quickly and cheaply. The new model boasts advanced direction following capabilities and 30% faster response times over its original version, improving performance for the over 35,000 developers registered to the platform.

Scientists at Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully activated a cellular mechanism that makes the hearts of mice more resilient to future heart attacks, even when they occur months later. The procedure improved recovery from later cardiac injury, proving as a proof of concept for the research to be applied to humans in coming years.

Haifa-based startup Tamar Robotics has developed “the world’s smallest and most accurate robotic system for minimally invasive brain surgery.” The robot is equipped with a camera and two steerable, bendable robotic arms capable of holding classical surgical tools. The system allows surgeons to make fewer and smaller incisions into the brain during surgery, drastically reducing the risk of injury.

Israel’s Communications Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Finance Ministry announced a new program to accelerate the adoption and implementation of 5G broadband cellular networks. The program budgets $14 million to finance and promote 5G projects, with further recommendations for implementation submitted in six months.

Israeli company liberDi has developed a device for kidney dialysis to be performed in the home, drastically improving the quality of life for patients with kidney diseases. The device utilizes peritoneal dialysis in which the abdominal peritoneum is used as a filtering membrane to purify the blood, a cheaper and less invasive dialysis method than traditional hemodialysis.

A new study by researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science found a small change in a current immunotherapy antibody may accelerate the immune system’s response against cancer. The study found that adding a second antibody that block inhibitory receptors may improve the effectiveness of PD-L1 blocking cancer treatments.

Researchers at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology have developed devices that serve as organic electrochemical transistors, connecting electronics with biology. The devices translate ionic signals in a solution into an electrical signal, paving the way for “a new generation of bioelectronics that will be compact, flexible, and simple to produce.”

Technion researchers have developed designs for a new type of wind turbine that rotates around a vertical axis, as opposed to the horizontal axis of traditional turbines. The design enables the blades to move at roughly the same speed as the wind, seven times slower than traditional turbines, allowing for higher efficiency and better performance at low wind speeds.

Israeli startup Electriq Global is establishing a manufacturing facility in the Port of Amsterdam that will convert hydrogen gas into a powder, which can then be turned into electricity through a proprietary dehydrogenation process. The technology allows for the simplified storage and transport of energy, moving the material via trucks or ships and allowing for the production of electricity in remote locations without electric grid infrastructure.

Israeli company DenovAI seeks to leverage artificial intelligence and computational molecular biophysics methods to develop new proteins from scratch. The technology aims to speed up the time-intensive and costly selection of potential antibodies as drug candidates in labs, with the potential to cut “discovery timelines from months to days.”

Israeli startup company DenovAI, supported by AION Labs, seeks to “harness artificial intelligence and biophysics to build a platform for computer-designed antibodies” for new drug development. AION Labs also provided $2 million in seed funding as a collaboration between pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Merck, and Teva Pharmaceuticals, with support also provided by Amazon AWS and the Israel Biotech Fund.

A new study from researchers at Tel Aviv University characterizes a new mechanism for the formation of metastases in the brain, cancer that typically produces survival rates less than one year. The team identified the LCN2 protein is a key factor in inducing neuroinflammation in the brain, and that inhibiting this mechanism “significantly reduced the development of brain metastases in lab models.”

Materials science startup Balena has created footwear made of fully compostable materials, hoping to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by clothing and shoe brands. The shoes are made of a flexible thermoplastic, easily used in applications like 3D printing and injection molding, but with the ability to decompose back into the earth without leaving harmful chemicals or excessive waste.

From Weizmann Wonder Wander - NASA plans to launch Israel’s first space telescope, the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite, into high-Earth orbit in 2026 as a part of a new partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. With a field of view of 204 square degrees, the satellite offers 100 times the extra-galactic volume accessible for the discovery and observation of transient events, such as neutron star mergers and supernova explosions.

Engineers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a robot that moves quickly and efficiently on both land and in water. The robot, whose movement is inspired by centipedes on land and by flippers in water, is powered by a single motor, with potential applications in search and rescue in the wake of natural disasters and in marine agriculture.

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University treated 30 mice with Alzheimer’s with a novel molecule, finding that all subjects regained full cognitive ability. The drug focuses on correcting abnormal mitochondrial activity associated with Alzheimer’s, instead of reducing the amount of plaque in the brain as many other treatments aim to do. Though the initial sample is small, researchers hope their molecule may be developed into a drug for treatment within a decade.

Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, signed a series of agreements with Argentina to build “comprehensive master plans for the water sector.” The agreement will allow for the implementation of Israeli water innovation to make the most out of the country’s natural resources, while coping with the effects of climate change and ecological destabilization.

Israeli startup Blue Tree Technologies has developed a method to reduce the sugar content in orange juice without harming the drink’s taste or nutritional value. The method targets disaccharides, sugar molecules not associated with the aroma and mouthfeel of juices, using a proprietary compound to filter the juice without harming the pulp, vitamin C, or amino acids that provide nutrients to the consumer.

From The Jerusalem Post - Israeli company Camero-Tech supplied the IDF Home Front Command Search and Rescue Brigade with two models of its unique radar systems to help search for and locate survivors of recent deadly earthquakes in Turkey. The system uses radio wave frequencies higher than most existing radar systems, enabling rescuers to develop imaging through walls and rubble instead of underground, while remaining easy to use and quickly unpacked from a bag.

Israeli packaging company StePac has partnered with materials company BASF to create packaging for produce that controls humidity, slowing respiration inside the package and preserving quality and nutritional value for longer periods of time. The technology aims to cut down on food waste while reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the produce supply chain, often enabling sea transport instead of air.

Israeli startup SimpliiGood has developed the first plant-based meat and fish substitute derived from spirulina, a highly nutritious alga. The technology compresses the algae cells into “tissues” that form a texture similar to beef, fish or other seafood, while providing the consumer antioxidants and essential minerals. The algae is also easy to grow, only requiring sunlight and nutrients.

Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a novel method for the imaging of individual electrons, particles about ten trillion times smaller than the best resolution MRI machine. The sensor is capable of measuring the location of a single electron with astounding accuracy, technology that may have industrial applications in the development of pharmaceuticals and the characterization of quantum materials.

Israeli company Grace Breeding has developed a sustainable way of delivering nutrients to crops, with promising results from early trials in Brazil. The replacement for urea showed fast germination rates and equal or better plant growth in corn seedlings, while initial tests on wheat crops in Israel found an 18% increase in yield, all without the use of synthetic nitrogen.

Jerusalem-based startup MagniLearn recently introduced an AI-directed program to learn English as a second language tailored specifically to Arabic speakers. The online program enlists a “linguistic engine” to understand where learners are struggling and tailor lessons to meet their individual needs.

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have identified new proteins that are related to a patient’s risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which causes loss of eyesight at advanced age. The research team was able to single out two proteins that specifically regulate a layer of tissue that supports photoreceptors in the retina through gene knockout experiments in both a mouse model and in human cells.

Galilee Medical Center is set to implement a first-of-its-kind smart room to manage inventory of operating room medical equipment. The room is the result of a partnership between software firm Autonomi and medical equipment supplier Sarel to automate and simplify inventory tracking of medical equipment, preventing both the waste of equipment due to overstock and the postponement of medical procedures due to lack of equipment by tracking equipment stock levels in real time.

Israeli company Bio-Fence has developed an additive to paint and other coatings that enables surfaces to prevent the growth of bacteria following the application of disinfectant for weeks to months following application, compared to minutes without the coating. The coating only requires reapplication once every five years, with immediate applications in the food industry to prevent outbreaks of dangerous bacteria like listeria.

Israeli startup MetoMotion has developed a robot to pick and harvest tomatoes automatically using AI. The device utilizes an advanced vision system to detect tomatoes ripe for picking, cut and catch tomato branches, a tool the company hopes will help tackle the labor shortage in the agriculture industry.

Israeli company Minovia Therapeutics is developing a novel technique called mitochondrial augmentation therapy for treating children with rare mitochondrial diseases. The treatment infuses diseased hematopoietic stem cells with healthy mitochondria and injects them back into the patient, hoping the cells then engraft in the patient’s bone marrow and replicate the new mitochondria in all blood cells.

A study from researchers at Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, and Rambam Health Care Center found that people with autism experience pain more intensely than people without, reversing previous assumptions that people with autism are more pain insensitive. The findings of the study could have a major impact on how people with autism are treated when receiving medical care to make the experience less painful for these individuals.

Israeli startup MindTension is offering a computerized solution that measures a more exact level of attention deficit in ADHD patients, allowing for the development of precise treatment. The device measures the brainstem’s reflexive response to auditory sounds, allowing doctors to quantify attention and diagnose patients more quickly and accurately.

Doctors at Wolfson Medical Center successfully implemented a new treatment for pancreatic cancer for the first time in Israel. The treatment involves the injection of Oncosil, a radioactive substance, delivering “a large and concentrated amount of radiation directly into the tumor without affecting and damaging other organs,” a large benefit over traditional chemotherapy.

The Kind Hamad American Mission Hospital in Bahrain will collaborate with Sheba Medical Center in Israel to “promote medical research and innovation.” The hospital, set to be fully operational in March 2023, hopes the collaboration helps young entrepreneurs “access world-class research and improve healthcare in the region.”

A study from scientists at Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University identified methylation as a cause for the disruption of proper gene expression in patients with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome that causes disorders in brain development. Though methylation is a normal process that prevents gene expression in cells when appropriate, the study found abnormal methylation in cells from the frontal lobe of the brain in Williams patients that prevents the expression of key genes related to the development of several neural functions.

Ben-Gurion University researchers have uncovered a key preventative measure to impede DNA breakdown that may cause aging and neurodegenerative disease. Scientists found that the SIRT6 protein is a key regulator of mitochondrial function in the brain; in the absence of this protein, mitochondrial genes are downregulated, impairing the mitochondrial membrane potential, and causing major metabolic changes.

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University identified a protein interaction that enables breast cancer to metastasize, successfully halting the advance of the cancer using a newly developed molecular blocker. After administering the blocker to breast cancer-bearing mice, scientists found the mice’s lungs remained healthier with few or no metastases, a discovery that could lead to the development of a new therapeutic drug.

Israeli company Imagene AI has developed an algorithm to analyze digital biopsies and return a diagnosis in just two minutes, slashing the traditional time from biopsy to diagnosis of four weeks needed for routine lab testing. The technology can identify cell mutations in eight different organs, searching for 28 different biomarkers, and is currently implemented in several hospitals under clinical trial.

Israeli startup Verobotics has signed a $5.4 million collaboration agreement with Hong Kong-based robotics company Robocore to supply robots for the inspection and cleaning of skyscrapers. The autonomous robots weigh under 10 kilograms and are easily installed, making the dangerous, labor-intensive work usually done by humans much safer and more efficient.

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created a robot, fitted with locust antenna, that has a sense of smell stronger than any other electronic device created to date. The research team devised a way to keep the locust antenna alive artificially, then translated signals picked up by the antenna into signals that could be responded to by the robot. The technology may be used for the detection of drugs, explosives, or diseases.

From ISRAEL21c - Israeli company Neteera Technologies has developed a small device to monitor a patient’s heart rate, respiration rate, respiration depth, and inhale-exhale ratio without touching the patient. The device uses high-frequency radar that detects skin movement, allowing it to work through clothing and bedding, and from up to five feet away.

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has signed an agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to collaborate on the identification and pursuit of scientific breakthroughs involving artificial intelligence and drug development. The agreement will allow Technion researchers to take on real-world challenges in drug development, applying their world-leading expertise in artificial intelligence technologies.

Jerusalem startup Healables has designed a wearable sleeve embedded with electrodes to stimulate damaged cells into repairing themselves. The sleeve is to be worn for between 30 and 60 minutes per day, administering a very low-level electric current to relieve chronic pain without the use of painkillers.

Researchers from Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a computational method to design active enzymes from modular building blocks with very high efficiency. The tool has been used to design 12,000 active enzymes in a single experiment, work that would take years using traditional methods.

The Israel Innovation Authority outlined its areas of focus for the 2023 calendar year, including funding for three new “innovation consortiums” in photonics, metasurfaces, and black soldier fly farming. The funding is designed to encourage entrepreneurs in Israel’s tech industry to take on high-risk projects that could enable penetration into new markets.

Israeli company Aura Air has developed a four-stage air purification and disinfection device that can help fight the simultaneous surge in Covid-19, flu, and RSV cases. An independent study on the effectiveness of the device showed that it filters and removes 99.99% of airborne RSV particles, 99.99% of airborne Covid-19 particles, and 99.98% of airborne flu particles, along with a host of other allergens and pathogens.

Tel Aviv University, in collaboration with the Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, is establishing a new national research center, titled the Israel Center for Applied Systems Analysis. The center will focus on sustainability as “a hub for science-based policy making at the national and local governmental levels,” connecting research teams from institutions around the world.

The Israel Innovation Authority announced a $14 million budget for proposals to build new research and development facilities focused on precision fermentation technology to produce alternative proteins. The IIA hopes the funding will encourage startups to increase their production sizes and capabilities, enabling them to conduct consumer testing and obtain regulatory food certifications.

Technion researchers have devised a method to derive electricity from a succulent plant, creating a ‘bio-solar cell’ that runs on photosynthesis. The technology uses an iron anode and platinum cathode to derive electricity from electrons moving through the plant from natural biochemical processes, a method that could be utilized in the future development of sustainable energy technologies.

The first Israeli nanosatellite was launched with the Falcon 9 vehicle from SpaceX, thanks to its development by scientists at Tel Aviv University. The satellite is a major step toward quantum communication, including the protection of information channels through quantum cryptography. The device is scheduled to orbit for five years, communicating with the optical ground station on TAU’s campus.

An immunotherapy developed by researchers at Bar Ilan University has been licensed for commercialization by US pharmaceutical company Immix BioPharma. The treatment removes healthy white blood cells from patients, adds a molecule that helps recognize and kill certain cancer cells, and returns the cells to the body. Partial results from an ongoing study of the treatment at Hadassah Medical Center showed improvement in 85% of patients, with 57% going into remission.

New technology is aiding KKL-JNF’s Forestry Department in helping detect wildfires earlier, allowing firefighters to control these fires much earlier and much more effectively. The department has implemented the Tinshemet-Toren thermal imaging system, a drone that can detect irregular heat or movement and pinpoint its exact location, up to 100 kilometers away.