According to the World Health Organization, more than 15 million people worldwide live with spinal cord injuries, most of which result from traumatic causes such as falls, road accidents, and violence. DA ISRAELE NUOVI TRATTAMENTI PER LE LESIONI MIDOLLARI At present, spinal cord injuries cannot be fully cured, so treatment focuses on stabilising the patient, preventing further damage, and maximising functional recovery. Emergency care often involves immobilising the spine, reducing inflammation, and, in some cases, performing surgery to repair fractures or relieve pressure. Spinal cord injuries are among the few human injuries that the body is unable to heal naturally. “The spinal cord transmits electrical signals from the brain to all parts of the body. When it is severed by trauma—such as a road accident, a fall, or a combat injury—the chain is broken. Think of an electrical cable that has been cut: when the two ends no longer touch, the signal cannot pass, and the patient remains paralysed below the site of the injury.” explained Professor Tal Dvir , Director of the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology and the Nanotechnology Center at Tel Aviv University , who is leading the project. Although experimental therapies—including stem cells and robotic devices—are currently under investigation, no treatment yet reliably restores full spinal cord function. A new procedure aims to replace the damaged section with a laboratory-grown spinal cord that fuses with healthy tissue above and below the injury. Israel is preparing to perform the world’s first human spinal cord implant using the patient’s own cells—a medical breakthrough that could allow paralysed patients to stand and walk again—Tel Aviv University announced on Wednesday. The surgical procedure, scheduled for the coming months, will take place in Israel and marks a historic milestone in regenerative medicine. Dvir is also the chief scientist of Matricelf , the Israeli biotechnology company commercialising the technology. Unlike other tissues, spinal cord neurons cannot regenerate naturally and, over time, scar tissue blocks the remaining signals. The new procedure aims to replace the damaged section with a laboratory-grown spinal cord that fuses with healthy tissue above and below the injury. Animal studies in rats have shown remarkable results, with the animals regaining the ability to walk normally. IL LABORATORIO DEL DR. DVIR The innovation began about three years ago, when Dvir’s laboratory engineered a customised three-dimensional human spinal cord in the lab. The results, published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Science , showed that mice with chronic paralysis regained mobility after receiving the engineered implants. The procedure starts with the patient’s blood cells, which are reprogrammed into stem-cell-like cells capable of transforming into any type of cell. Adipose tissue is also collected to create a customised hydrogel scaffold, in which the stem cells develop into a spinal cord structure. This engineered tissue is then implanted, replacing scarred areas and reconnecting the nervous system. A few months ago, Professor Dvir and his team received preliminary approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health for “compassionate use” studies on eight patients, making Israel the first country to attempt this procedure. “This is undoubtedly a source of national pride. The technology was developed here in Israel, at Tel Aviv University and at Matricelf, and from the very beginning it was clear to us that the very first surgical procedure would be carried out in Israel, on an Israeli patient.” Dvir stated. The technology was subsequently commercialised through Matricelf , founded in 2019 under a licensing agreement with Ramot , Tel Aviv University’s technology transfer company. “This milestone marks the transition from pioneering research to patient treatment. Using each patient’s own cells eliminates major safety risks and places Matricelf at the forefront of regenerative medicine. This first procedure is more than a scientific breakthrough; it is a step toward transforming an area of medicine long considered incurable.” Gil Hakim, CEO of Matricelf, stated. He added: “If successful, this therapy could define a new standard of care in spinal cord repair, addressing a multi-billion-dollar market that currently lacks effective solutions. We are proud that Israel is leading this global effort, and we are fully committed to bringing this innovation to patients around the world.” “Our goal is to help paralysed patients get out of their wheelchairs. Studies in animal models have shown extraordinary success, and we hope that the results in humans will be equally promising,” Dvir stated. LUCIANO BASSANI

Standing ovation at the Communion and Liberation gathering. Meloni, too, has aligned herself with the falsehoods of Hamas that have been circulating for some time now. A commentary by Iuri Prado GO to Video - link https://youtu.be/KrRRiNGuf3g https://youtu.be/KrRRiNGuf3g Click the Link and go to Video

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.5 billion people worldwide currently live with some form of hearing reduction or hearing loss (hypoacusis), and this number is estimated to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050—around one in four people. Hearing Loss - (IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK) In Italy, hearing loss affects around 8 million adults, with consequences that include social isolation, communication difficulties, and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia if not treated early. Many traditional hearing devices, however, are not effective when patients find themselves in noisy environments, compromising speech understanding in crowded places such as restaurants or theatres. As a result, users become mentally fatigued and miss out on important social and cultural moments. “Accessibility has always been important to me because my wife, Dana, is visually impaired and is also a speech therapist,” Itamar Gabbay, CEO and co-founder of Bettear , told ISRAEL21c . “During this time, we came across many places that were not accessible to people with hearing difficulties, even when they should have been. We looked into it and realised that existing assistive technology was very outdated, difficult to use, and simply incompatible with the digital world.” The startup Bettear , based in Tel Aviv, is rapidly establishing itself as an international benchmark in assisted listening and audio streaming solutions. Thanks to an AI-powered technological platform, the company enables people with hearing difficulties to access audio content broadcast in real time in public, cultural, educational and entertainment spaces, using their own hearing aids, cochlear implants or simple earphones. Founded just five years ago, Bettear has distinguished itself through the quality and innovation of its offering, to the point that its system is now operating in 60 countries. In Israel alone, more than 4,000 venues—including museums, universities, theatres, residential care homes for the elderly and cultural centres—use this technology on a daily basis. Visitors can enjoy concerts or exhibitions without audio barriers. A striking example of Bettear’s ability to break down barriers was the Maroon 5 concert in Tel Aviv in May 2022. Thanks to the installation of Bettear’s technology, the event—which drew an audience of 60,000 people—was fully accessible to spectators with hearing impairments. This initiative was recognised as one of the first large-scale applications worldwide in the field of assisted listening. One of Bettear’s distinguishing features is its constant commitment to innovation. Recently, the company was among the first in the world to introduce solutions based on the Auracast  protocol, the new Bluetooth standard for audio broadcasting, making access to sound content in public spaces even easier. Bettear is built on the “Bring Your Own Device”  principle: users can access audio content through a dedicated app on their own smartphone, enjoying an intuitive, comfortable and consistent experience in any location. APP BETTEAR - (Image courtesy of Bettear website) Art , and the Habima Theatre —along with various international distributors and partners, have chosen to collaborate with the startup. The scientific research supporting the company is led by Dr Nir Fink , an acoustics expert and university lecturer, who has conducted extensive studies on hearing and hearing protection, including in the military field. These studies, combined with expertise in artificial intelligence, have made it possible to develop advanced audio processing techniques ( Deep Audio Processing ) capable of delivering personalised and adjustable listening quality in any setting. Bettear’s impact is already tangible. Accessibility managers at many Israeli cultural institutions have reported greater inclusion and visitor satisfaction thanks to the simplicity and effectiveness of the service. The company currently employs 20 people in Israel, in addition to collaborators in Korea and Japan, and continues to expand its international presence. Bettear demonstrates how technological innovation can make environments more inclusive and enable everyone to participate fully in social and cultural life. Through technology, Bettear helps overcome barriers related to hearing loss, promoting more equitable and accessible participation for all. Bettear is concrete proof that technology can become a powerful tool for inclusion, allowing every citizen to feel like an active part of the community. Luciano Bassani

Autism is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, perceives the environment, and learns. Autism - Israeli New Research - (IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK) According to research conducted by an Israeli team, people with autism can learn new visual skills more effectively through brief “memory flashes” rather than through long sessions of repetitive study. According to the researchers, the key to consolidating a new skill lies in rapid reminders lasting just a few seconds, capable of activating learning mechanisms without the need for hours of practice. These “memory flashes” proved not only as effective as prolonged revision sessions, but also useful in promoting the ability to transfer what has been learned to different contexts—an ability that people with autism often find challenging. “Traditional teaching methods are still based on the idea that the more time spent practising, the better the results,” explained Professor Nitzan Censor , lead researcher of the study at Tel Aviv University (TAU) . “We identified an alternative approach that uses brief exposures to a previously learned task to strengthen and generalise acquired skills,” he added. “We know that much of learning does not occur during formal training, but afterwards, through memory consolidation processes that are activated ‘offline’, such as during sleep.” Building on these foundations, the researchers involved 30 adults with autism, asking them to learn how to identify the direction of lines that briefly appeared on a screen. The first day was devoted to the initial learning of the task, while on the following days participants were exposed only to short visual reminders lasting just a few seconds. Despite the limited time devoted to the activity on subsequent days, their performance improved significantly, reaching the same levels as those who had spent much more time refining the same skill. “There is no need to practise for long periods to consolidate a skill,” Censor emphasised. “It is enough to recall it for just a few seconds for the corresponding neural network to activate and for the brain to continue processing and strengthening what has been learned. The results show that brief visual stimuli can produce learning that is just as effective as that achieved through repeated exercises. Moreover, they allow for better generalisation of skills, even in new contexts.” Considering that people with autism often struggle to transfer knowledge to different situations, this approach could prove particularly useful. According to the researchers, these “memory flashes” could also find applications in neurological rehabilitation, promoting the rapid regeneration of impaired brain connections, including those affected by trauma. Luciano Bassani

A new study has found that dietary changes—particularly lowering blood sugar levels—can slow brain ageing and improve overall brain health. Green-MED Diet The study, conducted by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) , is a follow-up to earlier research showing that the Mediterranean (MED) and green Mediterranean (Green-MED) diets reduced age-related brain atrophy by 50% within 18 months. Both diets are based on better control of sugar intake. The current study, recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , aimed to understand the exact mechanism that slows brain atrophy and to determine whether glycaemic control and specific dietary factors play a significant role in this process. As part of the research, participants following the MED and Green-MED diets underwent brain MRI scans over an 18-month period, recording the rate of brain ageing. The study is part of the broader DIRECT PLUS Brain MRI  trials, which examine how dietary changes—particularly those associated with the Green-MED diet—affect brain ageing. In addition to larger portions of fresh seasonal vegetables, the Green-MED diet largely avoids red meat (except occasionally) and completely excludes processed meats (such as cold cuts and cured meats). The DIRECT PLUS project is one of the longest and largest brain MRI studies conducted to date, involving around 300 participants divided into three dietary groups: healthy dietary guidelines, the MED diet, and the Green-MED diet. DIETA MEDITERRANEA - MED The researchers found that participants who managed to lower their levels of glycated haemoglobin  (a blood marker associated with high blood glucose levels) experienced a more pronounced slowing of brain ageing, including positive changes in specific areas of the brain that are commonly affected by age-related atrophy. MRI results further showed that lower levels of glycated haemoglobin were associated with beneficial processes in the thalamus , caudate nucleus , and cerebellum —brain regions that are crucial for cognitive functions, motor skills, and sensory processing. The lead researcher of the study, Prof. Iris Shai  of BGU , stated that “maintaining low blood sugar levels, even within the normal range, shows strong potential for preserving a younger brain, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.” Although further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved, the latest findings reinforce the hypothesis that dietary adjustments can reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Luciano Bassani