Glaucoma treatment could move forward significantly after positive results in a clinical study for a laser-based technique that does not penetrate the eye membrane.
BioIsrael reports how IOPtima, a subsidiary of Bio-Light Life Science Investments in Ramat Gan, just outside Tel Aviv, successfully completed the three-month follow-up period in an initial human clinical study with its OT134 device.
The treatment allows eye surgeons to operate and reduce internal eye pressure with the membrane intact.
BioIsrael quoted IOPtima CEO Joshua Degani as claiming the technique “could revolutionise the way glaucoma is treated”.
New software from an Israel- and California-based internet security company promises greater freedom for users, the makers claim.
Trustware — with offices in Tel Aviv and Mountain View, in Northern California’s Costa County — says its special “buffer zone” between the internet and a PC’s local environment protects users from malware attacks while they surf, open email attachments and download files.
A buffer zone in earlier Trustware software separates internet activity from the PC’s actual operating system, so any infected file is contained within the buffer zone.
The new BufferZone Pro 3.0 adds a “privacy zone”, allowing users to create a list of trusted websites for confidential transactions, which will then always operate within the zone. Trustware says this prevents identity thieves from gaining access.
Bad news for rebellious but vain teenagers. A Tel Aviv University dentist has found that oral piercings can lead to tooth loss and gum disease later in life.
Liran Levin recently reviewed a study of 400 18- and 19-year-olds which he first carried out in 2005 with Israel Defence Forces dentists Yehuda Zadik and Tal Becker.
He found that about 10 to 15 per cent of teenagers with oral piercings are at high risk of tooth fracture and gum disease, which could lead to losing front teeth at a later age.
He explained that piercings cause repeated trauma to the gum and mouth, especially as people often play with their piercings. Dr Levin, whose findings are published in the American Dental Journal, tells parents: “Try where possible to dissuade your teen from getting a piercing. They will thank you when they are older.”
The technology of instant messaging (IM) has roots in Israel — and it’s about to go one further with Israeli startup PopTok.
The service inserts clips from films, cartoons or music videos into IMs and email, giving an extra dimension to online conversations.
As users type, PopTok brings up suggestions for clips that can be used, so that a simple greeting could be expressed through Borat declaring: “Hello, US!” or Austin Powers with: “Hello, hello!”
If you are lost for words, it also offers “Tokbacks” as suggestions to respond to what your fellow chatter has just said.
Those interested should log on to www.poptok.com to request an invitation to test the new application.
If any technology can bring peace to the Middle East, perhaps it is the joint Israeli-Palestinian start-up G.ho.st.
The Global Hosted Operating SysTem, already up and informally running according to Reuters, uses web-based software applications to allow users to undertake personal computing and access personal documents from almost any computer.
Its main offices are in Ramallah, with a joint one in Modi’in, with the Israeli and Palestinian programmers communicating via Skype, video conferences and email.
Israeli founder Zvi Schreiber said: “G.ho.st is bursting through cultural, technological and physical barriers.”
A device to block or spoil any photograph taken on a digital camera within range is being developed by an Israeli start-up company.
PhotoFree says its product relies on wireless technology that distorts digital images — still and moving — until they are irretrievable.
Ha’aretz reported that the technology, still in its early stages, is being developed by Ze’ev Zalevsky of Bar Ilan University. It could potentially be used for security purposes, or just by angry celebrities with a vendetta against the paparazzi.
Just be sure never to bring it to a wedding.
Computer science students can take internships in research and development for Microsoft Israel after the company joined forces with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
As well as research and mentoring, the students will also gain considerable experience of entrepreneurship programmes.
Yoram Ya’acovi of Microsoft Israel’s research and development centre said the new scheme is “creating a talented and exceptional group of programmers” who would “participate in developing the next generation of technology innovations”.