Science & Technology

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Written by Rambam Medical Center

Published: 31 December 2012

The logistics operation required for moving out the old machines and delivering the new took place overnight as colorful Chanukah candles were burning in homes throughout Israel.

Of the three new scanners, the jewel in the crown (or perhaps we should say the Shamash candle in the menorah) is the SOMATOM Definition Flash, manufactured by Siemens. Equipped with two roentgen tubes (instead of the standard single tube), it is the world’s fastest, most accurate, lowest-dosage CT machine and can produce 1,500 slices within 4 seconds (and is 400 times faster than the machine at Rambam that it has replaced). Most importantly for patients’ health, it uses a tenth of the radiation used by older CT devices.  Rambam uses the machine for both routine and sophisticated examination of cardiac and trauma patients and for such interventional procedures as biopsies.

Two novel and strong “workhorse” CT scanners, one produced by Siemens and the other by Philips, were also delivered to Rambam that night. They were already at work the next day performing various routine diagnostic tests and quick scans of trauma cases.

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Written by Technion

Published: 05 December 2012

This is a significant scientific breakthrough that represents an effective solution to a major problem in organic synthesis that has, yet, never been resolved, and which could lead to large-scale reductions in pharmaceutical industry processes

Technion researchers found a novel solution to a major problem in organic synthesis that has to date never been resolved, despite worldwide intensive efforts. The Technion team successfully prepared a new molecular framework possessing a challenging asymmetric center in a single chemical step from easily available starting materials. Until now, by lack of available efficient strategies, very few attempts were made and they were all based on long and tedious approaches.

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Written by Prime Minister's Media Adviser

Published: 30 December 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Monday, 31 December 2012), at Ashkelon Academic College, attended the opening ceremony for a national program to train young people for cyberwarfare.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said: "The threat of cyberattacks against Israel comes from Iran and other elements. Our vital systems are targets for attack and this will only increase as we enter the digital age. We are bolstering our ability to deal with these threats via the Israel National Cyber Bureau (INCB) that we established, and we are building a digital Iron Dome for Israel. To the outstanding pupils that are studying in the special program, I say: 'You are the future interceptors for the State of Israel.' We are one of the world's leaders in the field of cybernetics and we must maintain this position; therefore, we will continue to cultivate the generation of the future."

 INCB head Dr. Eviatar Matania said: "We realize that many elements in the world are interested in Israeli minds in the field of cybernetics, as well as in how they are developed. We must improve methods of operation and it is our intention to do so. This program is an example of the actions that we are advancing in the field of cybernetics in order to develop the high-quality human capital in the State of Israel."

 Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Netanyahu personally met with the pupils in the program who showed him some of their work.

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Written by Dutch embassy in Tel Aviv.

Published: 27 November 2012

  Dutch delegation with Ambassador Caspar Veldkamp and the economic section at the Dutch embassy in Tel Aviv. Photographer: Kobi Wolf.

Dutch companies and government representatives attend the Eilat Eilot Conference taking place in Eilat from 27-29 November. Among the representatives are TNO, one of the leading technology research organisations in The Netherlands and DSM, a global leading science-based company, represented by its VP Open Innovation, Rob Kirschbaum, who will be speaking at the conference.

Ambassador Caspar Veldkamp said: 
“The Netherlands aims to strengthen its current position in the top-5 of most competitive economies worldwide. Our recently assigned government sees renewable energy, especially the bio based economy, as one of the pillars for making this happen. Teaming up in the clean tech field with other leaders, like Israel, is an essential ingredient for sustainable growth. That's why we are very proud that Dutch innovative companies, such as TNO and DSM, are actively taking part in the renewable energy conference in Eilat.”