Abstract: An apparatus, a kit and a method for non-invasively determining hemoglobin levels are provided. The apparatus comprising: a box defining an interior space comprising: (a) un upper opening adopted to allow a camera placed on top of the box, to capture images of a subject's hand placed inside the interior space; and (b) a side opening configured for an insertion of said subject's hand; an adaptor, attached to an upper face to the box, for holding the camera and ensuing a location of the camera lens above the upper opening; a placement pad located at a bottom of the box, having a texture configured to direct said subject to place a hand portion comprising a nail and skin in a direction facing a lens of said camera, such that, a field of view of said camera captures the nail and the skin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining predisposition to developing a metabolic syndrome or a condition associated therewith in a subject including determining the bacterial diversity in a facial skin of the subject. Further provided is a method for treating or preventing a metabolic syndrome or a condition associated therewith in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the suitability of a subject to a skin barrier restoration therapy. Further provided is a method of selecting and preventing an IgE-related disease in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating iron deficiency in a subject comprising noninvasively determining the hemoglobin level in the subject, and providing the subject with an iron supplement accordingly.

Abstract: A ball retrieval apparatus (10, 910) for retrieving (e.g. tennis) balls (70) from the ground (72) includes a receptacle (12, 912) with an opening (26, 926) over which horizontal rods (36, 936) extend. The rods are received in apertures (34), and can move upwardly and laterally between lowermost and raised positions. The distance between rods in their lowermost positions is less than the ball's diameter. This distance increases as the rods are raised, and moved in opposite lateral directions. A ball can be retrieved by being received into the receptacle between adjacent rods. The rods then drop down to their lowermost positions so that the distance between them again decreases so that the ball is trapped in the receptacle. The invention also extends to a ball retrieval system including a trolley (46, 946) and one or two ball retrieval apparatus supported on the trolley.

Abstract: A ball retrieval apparatus (10, 910) for retrieving (e.g. tennis) balls (70) from the ground (72) includes a receptacle (12, 912) with an opening (26, 926) over which horizontal rods (36, 936) extend. The rods are received in apertures (34), and can move upwardly and laterally between lowermost and raised positions. The distance between rods in their lowermost positions is less than the ball's diameter. This distance increases as the rods are raised, and moved in opposite lateral directions. A ball can be retrieved by being received into the receptacle between adjacent rods. The rods then drop down to their lowermost positions so that the distance between them again decreases so that the ball is trapped in the receptacle. The invention also extends to a ball retrieval system including a trolley (46, 946) and one or two ball retrieval apparatus supported on the trolley.