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Fighting Cancer
How Bacteria Hinder Chemotherapy
To the list of reasons that chemotherapy sometimes does not work, we can now add one more: bacteria. In a study just published in Science, researchers describe their findings showing that certain bacteria can be found inside human pancreatic tumors. The findings further revealed that some of these bacteria contain an enzyme that inactivates a common drug used to treat various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Working with mouse models of cancer, the scientists demonstrated how treatment with antibiotics on top of chemotherapy may be significantly superior to treatment with chemotherapy alone.
September 14, 2017
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Protecting Our Planet
This Cotton Is Grown To Glow
Forbes
Weizmann Institute scientists have found a way to give color to cotton. Forbes says that “it could be the biggest advance in cotton technology since Eli Whitney’s gin.”
September 14, 2017
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Enriching Education
Attracting Women to Science
LI Herald
Long Island student Tzippora Chwat was one of just 19 American students selected to take part in the Weizmann Institute’s Dr. Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute, during which she traveled to Israel to conduct hands-on research.
September 14, 2017
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Improving Health & Medicine
“Lady Globes” Woman of the Year: Prof. Michal Schwartz
Globes
Selecting the Woman of the Year is never easy; it amounts to a statement of values, meaning, and priorities. The selection is based on a single overriding value: excellence. Schwartz, who does her research at the Weizmann Institute of Science, is likely to dramatically change the course of medicine. After years of research, she discovered a mechanism for treating degenerative brain diseases that runs counter to the accepted scientific axioms. Schwartz's scientific breakthrough makes it possible to begin developing drugs for a disease regarded as the 21st century's biggest medical threat. Her research solution has far-reaching consequences.
September 13, 2017
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Improving Health & Medicine
Human Cell Atlas Hopes to Unravel Mysteries Hidden in Our Genes
Horizon Magazine
A major international project is attempting to create the first comprehensive three-dimensional map of all human cells which could end up revealing secrets about our health and how our bodies function. It is nearly 350 years since scientists first discovered that our bodies are made up of tiny building blocks known as cells. Today we still know very little about their nature, but if we did, we could better understand how our bodies work, how diseases afflict us and how we age. A global project called Human Cell Atlas is now attempting to create the first comprehensive three-dimensional map of the human body in order to unravel some of these mysteries.
September 06, 2017
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Improving Health & Medicine
World Alzheimer’s Month: How is Weizmann Helping?
E-News
September is World Alzheimer’s Month – a fact that highlights the disease’s unfortunate status as a major, ongoing, global health crisis. There are many intersecting reasons that Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise; ironically, most of them are also advances, such as better healthcare, prevention, nutrition, safety, and the like, all of which lead to increased longevity. And while Alzheimer’s is a disease of the aging brain, there is also a significant genetic component to this devastating illness. As of now, despite many years and many billions of dollars, there is no truly effective treatment, much less a cure.
September 2017
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Advancing Technology
Mercedes-Benz’s Enters European Ride-Sharing Market With Israeli Startup Via
Jewish Business News
Israel startup Via was co-founded in 2012 by Dr. Oren Shoval, who holds a PhD from Weizmann
September 04, 2017
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Enriching Education
Scientific Research Kept Youth Busy This Summer [Clarksville]
Baltimor Sun
If you’re like me, you may have relaxed at the beach or by the pool this summer. Jacob Chandran, a 2017 graduate of River Hill High School, had more ambitious plans. He recently returned from Israel, where he spent four weeks conducting advanced scientific research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Chandran was one of 19 teens from the United States selected to participate in the annual Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute (ISSI). He received a full scholarship to this prestigious program, which accepts only one in five applicants. The program gives students the opportunity to conduct research with world-renowned scientists in biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science.
August 31, 2017
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Fighting Cancer
Breakthrough Israeli Cancer Professor on Prowl to Ease Other Ills
The Times of Israel
Prof. Zelig Eshhar’s phones haven’t stopped ringing since the news broke two days ago that Israeli-founded Kite Pharma would be bought by US pharma company Gilead Sciences Inc. for a whopping $12 billion. Eshhar, a researcher at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science, developed the technology which is at the heart of Monday’s acquisition. He is also on Kite’s scientific advisory board, and was one of the first people to get a call from Kite CEO and founder, Israeli-American oncologist Arie Belldegrun, after the deal was signed.
August 30, 2017