Top Highlights: Latest Developments in Data-focused News
In the realm of scientific advancements, several groundbreaking innovations are making waves across various sectors. This article explores three notable developments in space, healthcare, and urban development, each harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to push boundaries and transform our understanding of these fields.
Firstly, a team of researchers at the prestigious Mayo Clinic has developed an AI system capable of detecting clogged arteries using voice recordings. The system issues a score based on six voice features highly correlated with coronary artery disease. In a recent study, 58 percent of patients with a high score from the AI system visited a hospital due to chest pain or acute coronary syndrome, while only 31 percent of patients with a low score went to a hospital for the same symptoms [1].
Meanwhile, in Busan, South Korea, officials have built a smart city to study urban development and energy efficiency. Samsung tablets, sensor technologies, drones, and small robots are employed to collect data on residents' energy use, health information, and food supplies. This initiative not only facilitates efficient municipal services like package delivery and street cleaning but also offers a unique opportunity to research and optimise urban living [2].
Brain.space's EEG headsets, combined with AI systems for monitoring brain activity in space, provide real-time, detailed tracking of astronauts' brain functions. This technology helps researchers understand how space travel affects brain activity and cognition, potentially informing interventions to maintain astronauts' mental health and performance. Portable EEG systems, similar to those used by brain.space, allow continuous, non-invasive monitoring of neural signals, which can be analysed by AI to detect changes in brain states such as fatigue, attention, and emotional status [1]. This enables timely interventions or adjustments in tasks to minimise cognitive decline or overload during missions in microgravity or isolation [3].
Elsewhere, DARPA, a research and development agency in the U.S. Department of Defense, is launching an initiative to create an AI system for making medical decisions on the battlefield. Similarly, Plymouth City Council in the United Kingdom has partnered with two marine technology companies to create autonomous robots for collecting plastic litter in the ocean [4]. The autonomous robots created by MSUBS and Marine AI for litter collection in the ocean are currently being remotely operated in Turnchapel Wharf.
Lastly, researchers at Ohio State University have discovered hundreds of undiscovered mammal species, primarily small animals like bats and rodents [5]. These discoveries underscore the ongoing potential for scientific breakthroughs in our understanding of the natural world.
Each of these innovations represents a significant leap forward in their respective fields, demonstrating the transformative power of AI and its potential to shape our future. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, ethical considerations will undoubtedly arise, necessitating careful oversight to protect privacy and cognitive autonomy.
[1] Brain.space EEG and AI system for astronauts' brain monitoring: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-96341-x [2] Busan's smart city: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southkorea-smartcity-idUSKCN2DJ2I3 [3] Mayo Clinic's AI system for detecting clogged arteries: https://www.mayoclinic.org/research/ai-voice-analysis-predicts-heart-disease/art-20706811 [4] Plymouth City Council's autonomous ocean clean-up robots: https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-council-partners-with-two-3234701 [5] Ohio State University's discovery of new mammal species: https://news.osu.edu/osu-researchers-discover-hundreds-of-new-mammal-species/
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- The Mayo Clinic's AI system, capable of detecting clogged arteries using voice recordings, showcases the potential of technology in healthcare, as demonstrated by its ability to predict heart disease with accuracy.
- The smart city initiative in Busan, South Korea, utilizes various technological advancements, such as Samsung tablets, sensor technologies, drones, and small robots, to collect data on residents' energy use, health information, and food supplies for optimized urban living.
- Brain.space's EEG headsets, combined with AI systems for monitoring brain activity in space, allow real-time tracking of astronauts' brain functions, offering insights into space travel's effects on brain activity and cognition.
- DARPA, in collaboration with Plymouth City Council in the United Kingdom, is developing an AI system for making medical decisions on the battlefield and autonomous robots for collecting plastic litter in the ocean, demonstrating the wide-ranging impact of AI on various sectors, including health-and-wellness and environmental conservation.
