Science

The euphemism "You're not fat, you're just big boned" may have more to it than harmless banter. Researchers at Tel Aviv University have uncovered a clear genetic link between fat and bone mass, which often serves as an indicator of overall health.

Diabetics have to constantly monitor their blood-sugar levels and carry measuring devices that, while functional, are not really attractive. Israeli-developed Dario is a smartphone attachment that does that and more – while maintaining a sleek exterior.

The day when tiny robots patrol our bodies, locate disease, and treat them on the spot is not so far away. Scientists from the Weizmann Institute have recently made a major step towards making such devices a reality.

Many people turn to Google to research a medical condition they may have. But when it comes to serious conditions, the overwhelming amount of data can be misleading. Medivizor is trying to sift through the noise.

Israeli researchers have made a discovery that may very well ease the lives of many people suffering from back pain. As a recent study reveals, walking three times a week is just as effective for pain-relief as in-clinic treatment.

While researching two families of Iraqi Jews with a long family history of hearing loss, Prof Karen Avraham of Tel Aviv University discovered a significant mutation in cells of the inner ear, which could lead to new treatments for hearing disorders.

Current cancer drugs target mechanisms that trigger tumor growth, but some tumors are still considered therapy-resistant. A recent study in Israel may lead to removing one more form of breast cancer from the "untreatable list."

Approximately 250 million people worldwide suffer from orphan diseases – conditions that are too rare to receive funding for research. Now, a new initiative aims to use crowd-funding to raise money for new research.

The field of pediatric medical devices often suffers from neglect, due to high development costs. Israel's Ben Gurion University and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital are working together to develop three such devices.

A new study from Tel Aviv University may have found a way to reverse brain damage, by using a specialized oxygen chamber. The new method of treatment is said to restore a significant amount of neurological function in brain tissue thought to be chronically damaged — even years after initial injury.

Until now, discovering genetic mutations in humans required full gene sequencing. However, a new method developed at Hadassah Medical Center can reveal harmful mutations that indicate women at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Man's best friend is known for its keen sense of smell and for centuries, dogs have assisted humans in sniffing out scents that the human nose cannot pick up. Now, an Israeli researcher has found that the canine sense of smell has another ability – sniffing out cancerous cells.

After reigning as the king of female contraceptive for half a century, the proverbial pill may soon get strong competition from Israeli company Hervana. The company is developing a vaginal suppository with genetically-modified bacteria that disable sperm.

When 1,000 apparently healthy Israelis of a median age of 48 were screened at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center for 11 of the most common cancers, 2.4 percent (24) were diagnosed at an early stage with malignancies and treated successfully.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and ALS, are almost impossible to predict before symptoms appear. Israeli company NeuroQuest may be able to predict these diseases with its much-anticipated technology based on biomarker measurement.