Diabetes Research in Israel

{image_1}The latest numbers from the World Health Organization indicate that one in 10 people has diabetes—more than 346 million people worldwide. Despite its small size, Israel is a major player in diabetes research, with scientists searching for ways to provide better prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure for this globally rampant disease. Here are just a few of the projects being worked on by Israeli researchers:

Diabetes Research in Israel

Cardboard Innovation

{image_1}Israeli entrepreneur Nimrod Elmish is positive that the idea for a wheelchair made out of cardboard has crossed many people’s minds. But it took an Israeli team to make it a reality. With great feedback and global interest in their first venture—recyclable cardboard bicycles—Elmish and automation expert Izhar Gafni have quietly added the cardboard wheelchair project to their operation. It’s made of less than $10 worth of durable recycled cardboard, plastic bottles, and recycled tires.

Cardboard Innovation

Seal from First Temple Period

{image_1}A tiny personal seal was discovered in a 2,000-year-old drainage channel in the vicinity of Robinson’s Arch, close to the Western Wall. The seal is made of semi-precious stone and is engraved with the name of its owner: “Lematanyahu Ben Ho…” (…למתניהו בן הו). The rest of the inscription is erased. Personal seals in the First Temple Period were for the purpose of signing letters and they were usually set in a signet ring. The seals served to identify their owner, just as they identify officials today.

Love Thy Enemies—From Warnings to Healings, Israel Provides

{image_1}On November 18, the sun rose like any day, and like so many days dozens of trucks carrying aid and supplies entered the Gaza Strip from Israeli territory. Like so many days before it, on November 18, a total of 26 Gazan patients were accompanied into Israel for medical treatment. Yet, one of the main things that separated November 18 from a number of Sundays before, is that on that day Gaza fired 156 rockets at Israel. This followed a four-day stretch during which over 900 rockets were launched at Israel. Civilians in Israeli towns were under routine threat—some had been killed by the attacks and dozens more were wounded. It was Day 5 of Israel’s “Pillar of Defense” Operation, which was intended to undercut Gaza’s ability and desire to strike Israel’s home front at whim. Yet, despite the war-like circumstances, despite the intentional targeting of Israeli civilians by Gaza’s leaders, Israel was facilitating the entrance of aid into Gaza, and sick Palestinians into Israeli hospitals. That juxtaposition is no anomaly—it’s an intentionality.

Lifesaving iPhone App

{image_1}During the height of Operation Pillar of Defense, while southern Israel was under nearly constant rocket attack from the Gaza Strip, Liron Bar, a 13-year-old Beersheva resident came up with the idea for a new iPhone app.

Lifesaving iPhone App

Ein Zippori Stone Age Treasure

{image_1}A treasure of impressive prehistoric finds was exposed during the course of archaeological excavations conducted at Ein Zippori this past year by the Israel Antiquities Authority [IAA]. According to Dr. Ianir Milevski and Nimrod Getzov, excavation directors, “The excavation revealed remains of an extensive settlement belonging to the “Wadi Rabah” culture, common in Israel from the end of the sixth millennium and beginning of the fifth millennium BC.”

Discovered—A Rare Well

{image_1}The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) revealed an ancient well that was discovered in the Jezreel Valley. Examination of the well exposed two skeletal remains—one a woman thought to be about 19 years old, and the other, an older man. The well was constructed approximately 8,500 years ago. IAA archaeologists who have been lowered into the eight-meter-deep [26 feet] shaft have also found a variety of flint blades, arrow heads, stone implements, and animal bones.

Stunning Mosaic Floor

{image_1}A monumental synagogue building dating to the Late Roman period (AD 300–500) has been discovered in archaeological excavations at Huqoq, an ancient Jewish village located approximately two to three miles [3–5 km] west of Capernaum and Migdal (Magdala) in the Galilee. The excavations are being conducted by Jodi Magness of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and David Amit and Shua Kisilevitz of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Who Is Hamas?

{image_1}Hamas was founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Mahmoud al-Zahar, former members of the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious, political, and social movement founded in Egypt and committed to the gradual global dominance of Islam.

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