SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Tracking the bad guys at sea

In Nov 2015, Israel’s Windward tracked 10,000 vessels entering Europe. Of those, 650 ships originated from, crossed or entered the territorial waters of Libya, Syria and Lebanon. Among those 650, 34 of them reported a fake identity. Is the world listening?
http://www.ibtimes.com/meet-windward-israeli-startup-using-algorithms-snare-human-traffickers-terrorists-2273717

Keeping patients and staff safe

Israel’s SuperCom has more facets than I reported previously in Feb 2015. The NASDAQ listed company has just launched a suite of software for the Health Care industry that addresses staff, patient and residence safety. It incorporates mobile applications and wearable technology.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supercom-introduces-enhanced-purehealth-solution-suite-563915991.html

http://www.supercom.com/index.asp?module=category&item_id=17&t=4

Recognizing your digital identity

Israeli startup Neura’s artificial intelligence recognizes and analyzes human behavior. Neura develops what it calls a “digital identity” for each person, that can be used to personalize applications, services, and devices.

http://venturebeat.com/2016/01/18/neura-raises-11-million-to-create-digital-identities-from-consumers-connected-lives/

Catching the successful hacker

Israel’s TopSpin Security detects and stops cyber attackers who have already breached an organization’s perimeter and are now attempting to steal or damage internal assets. TopSpin has just obtained $7 million of funding.

http://www.topspinsec.com/news/topspin-security-obtains-7m-series-a-funding-from-israels-leading-cyber-security-investors/

Turning agricultural waste into energy

Israel’s Doral Energy is teaming up with Kibbutz Lahav to build a facility to generate energy from organic waste and animal waste from local kibbutzim. There are 14 Israeli projects at varying stages to generate electricity from waste, 3 in the agricultural sector.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-first-bio-waste-power-plant-to-be-built-israel-1001092271

Summer cybertech training course

Ben Gurion University will launch a cybertech program for international students this summer focusing on data mining and business intelligence. In addition, students will visit leading Israeli companies to gain practical experience and enhance their understanding in the field.
http://aabgu.org/bgu-announces-new-cybertech-training-program/

No more zombies

A team from Ben Gurion University, working with Deutsche Telekom, has been able to track the source of botnets – illicit and secretive networks that have turned half a billion computers into zombies that try to crash websites, send out spam or run click fraud scams.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-death-of-spam-bgu-researchers-figure-out-path-to-botnets/

New light railway line for Jerusalem

Last week I finally experienced my first-ever ride on the Jerusalem light railway Red line from the Bus Station to Jaffa Central. So I was pleased to read that a second line has now been approved. The 20km Blue line will connect Northern and Southern Jerusalem districts.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-approves-new-light-rail-route/

Startups to watch

Here are seven Israeli startups that I hadn’t previously reported. Audioburst (radio search engine), AzurePCR (virus and bacteria identification), DaPulse (project collaboration), Fairfly (price saver), Fraudlogix (fraud detection), Riskified (credit card checker) and Tipalti (automatic payments).
http://www.inc.com/dave-kerpen/15-israeli-startups-to-watch-in-2016.html

Smartphone security bug found

Security experts at Israeli companies BugSec and CyNet have helped smartphone manufacturers LG fix a major security flaw in their popular LG G3 device. It is the second time in a month that the team has uncovered a breach in cybersecurity that could have exposed millions to hackers.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/millions-of-lg-phones-at-risk-israeli-team-discovers/

Natural pesticides prove effective

Israel’s EdenShield has completed studies in Italy, Spain and Israel that show its non-toxic natural pesticides protect crops without damage to the environment. In fact, the plants don’t need to be sprayed at all – EdenShield’s Net product is sprayed on the netting and vents of the greenhouse.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-start-up-keeps-bad-bugs-at-bay-no-poison-needed/

An app to analyze your app

Israeli startup Gingee has developed Curve – app metrics tools for marketers and developers to review metrics of their app on a single dashboard from multiple mobile platforms. Its most beneficial use is in helping transfer an app to another platform (e.g. from Android to iPhone).
http://venturebeat.com/2016/01/31/israels-gingee-unveils-curve-cross-platform-tool-for-app-metrics/
http://gingee.com/analyze/