New device to monitor critical patients’ blood flow
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCH) have developed a new lifesaving monitoring technology called VitalMiner that predicts hemodynamic instability episodes in intensive care patients.
Hemodynamic instability in blood pressure, particularly hypotension, is considered one of the most critical events that requires prompt and effective intensive care unit (ICU) intervention. Hemodynamically unstable patients do not have enough pressure in the circulatory system to keep blood flowing reliably to all parts of the body at the same time, which can lead to organ failure. Once patients become unstable, treatment is much more difficult, with an increased chance of morbidity or mortality.
VitalMiner monitors real-time vital signs and applies advanced algorithms to predict impending hemodynamic instability episodes (e.g., hemorrhagic shock) before they appear, which is a critical intervention window for maximum success.
This software can connect either locally or remotely to clinical information systems and vital signs monitors in a broad range of settings, including civilian and military ICUs, emergency rooms, intensive care transports (mobile, fixed and rotatory wing), and home intensive-care services.
The software was developed by Prof. Mark Last of the BGU Department of Software and Information Systems Engineering, in collaboration with Prof. Victor F. Garcia M.D., founding director of Trauma Services at CCH and professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Prof. Raphael Udassin in the Pediatric Surgery Department of Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem. — From Ben-Gurion University
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Im Tirzu seeks to pressure Hebrew University over its support for Lara Alqasem
The Zionist organization Im Tirtzu sent letters to dozens of Hebrew University donors, calling on them to not “stand idly by” while the university continues to provide legal support to Lara Alqasem.
Alqasem, former student leader of the virulently anti-Israel and pro-BDS “Students for Justice in Palestine” group, was slated to begin a master’s degree at Hebrew University but was forbidden to enter the country in accordance with the 2017 law barring entry to BDS activists.
In the letter, Im Tirtzu’s CEO Matan Peleg wrote that Hebrew University’s defense of Alqasem not only harms students in Israel, “but harms every pro-Israel student in the United States and around the world who is struggling to combat the BDS movement.”
“By defending Alqasem,” the letter continued, “Hebrew University is sending a demoralizing message to pro-Israel students around the world and is providing a boost to the BDS movement.”
The letter also called attention to Alqasem’s support of Rasmea Odeh, a convicted terrorist who murdered two Hebrew University students in 1969. During Alqasem’s tenure as president of “Students for Justice in Palestine” in the University of Florida, she organized a demonstration in support of Odeh.
Urging donors to bring up this matter with the university leadership, the letter concluded: “We cannot stand idly by as the great Zionist legacy of Hebrew University becomes tarnished by political agendas on behalf of those who oppose Israel’s right to exist.” — From Im Tirzu
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33 American immigrants arrive in Israel in time for Yom HaAliyah
As the State of Israel marks the national holiday of Yom HaAliyah (Day Celebrating Immigration to Israel) on Tuesday, October 16, a diverse group of 33 Americans immigrated to Israel before the weekend on a Nefesh B’Nefesh group Aliyah flight in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) and Jewish National Fund-USA.
The flight landed at Ben Gurion Airport with new immigrants coming from 9 US states and all walks of life, ranging from young students to retirees. The Olim (new immigrants) arrived through Nefesh B’Nefesh, the organization responsible for facilitating the Aliyah of over 57,000 North American and UK Jews to Israel since 2002.
The new Olim will reside in communities throughout Israel. They work in professions such as biotech, engineering, education, media, business and psychology. The group also includes individuals who have already made significant contributions to Israel, including a man who helped establish a microelectronics laboratory for the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
As the Olim begin their new lives in Israel, the Jewish state on October 16 celebrates Yom HaAliyah, which acknowledges Aliyah as a core value of the country and celebrates the contributions of immigrants to Israeli society. Yom HaAliyah began as a community movement in 2012, and in 2016 the Knesset, in a rare moment of cooperation across political parties in the Israeli parliament, turned the initiative into law by officially adding it to the national calendar. — From Nefesh B’Nefesh
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Preceding items culled from news releases. Send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com