List of All Articles with Tag 'fe'

The window for local, state and tribal governments to challenge their 2020 census figures closes after Friday, and with it the opportunity to correct mistakes in population totals that could cost them millions of dollars in federal funding

New Zealand’s government says that from Saturday, it will be the first nation in the world to ban the thin plastic bags that supermarket customers use to collect their fruit and vegetables

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool may be able to look for early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, speeding up diagnosis. The technology, which could help doctors assess the early signs of the condition more efficiently, has been developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield. Known as CognoSpeak, the system uses a virtual character displayed on a screen to engage a patient in a conversation. It asks questions to test memory, inspired by those used in outpatient consultations and conducts cognitive tests, such as picture descriptions and verbal fluency tests. This tool could help patients start treatments sooner, reduce waiting times and give people certainty earlier Dr Dan Blackburn, University of Sheffield After that, the tool uses AI and speech technology to analyse language and speech patterns to look for signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. Researchers behind the technology suggest it could play a key role in reducing the burden on dementia assessment services, once further testing in GP and memory clinics across the UK is complete. The National Audit of Memory Assessment Services in England and Wales, conducted between January and August 2021 by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and supported by Alzheimer’s Society, found that the average waiting time from referral to dementia diagnosis had increased to 17.7 weeks. This was up from 13 weeks in 2019, with waiting times across services nationwide ranging between zero and 104 weeks (two years), compared to three and 34 in 2019. There are currently around 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and this is projected to almost double by 2040, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. Dr Dan Blackburn, from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Neuroscience, said: “Waiting for a possible diagnosis of dementia can be a very anxious time for patients and their families. “This tool could help patients start treatments sooner, reduce waiting times and give people certainty earlier. “The CognoSpeak system could transform how dementia and other memory disorders are diagnosed by speeding up assessments. “This would also free up clinicians’ valuable time and mean that those who need specialist care get access to it as quickly as possible.” Also an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and researcher at NIHR Sheffield BRC, he added: “There is a real clinical need for this kind of technology. “There are long waiting lists for memory clinics across the UK, but there are also inequalities in accessing the memory clinics service. “The CognoSpeak tool can reduce these inequalities and help make the service more efficient.” The CognoSpeak system could transform how dementia and other memory disorders are diagnosed by speeding up assessments Dr Dan Blackburn Professor Heidi Christensen, from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Computer Science, added: “The way a person speaks can tell us a great deal about their cognitive health and emotional wellbeing, and give us a very early indication of any signs of cognitive decline that may not otherwise have been detected. “The system we’ve developed here at Sheffield uses speech technology to automatically extract these signs and the automation means we can provide a consistent, accurate and fast assessment for everyone. “CognoSpeak is advanced, high tech and based on world-leading research in this field. “We have the biggest collection of data for this type of assessment anywhere in the world, which we’re using to advance the technology and improve its accuracy.” The system is being designed in a way that means once it is fully rolled out, a GP could refer a person with memory complaints to use the technology. CognoSpeak would send the test results back to the GP and then they would decide whether to refer the patient to a memory clinic for further assessment. The programme can be accessed through a web browser – meaning patients are able to take the test in the comfort of their home, rather than having to wait for a hospital appointment to take a pen-and-paper-based assessment. Researchers say early trials have shown the technology is as accurate at predicting Alzheimer’s as the current written tests used to assess or screen for cognitive, memory or thinking impairments. According to the team, previous research has demonstrated accuracies of 90% for distinguishing people with Alzheimer’s from people that are cognitively healthy. Developed by Dr Blackburn and Prof Christensen, the system is still in the research phase, but a £1.4 million National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) grant will allow it to be trialled more widely. The researchers are recruiting 700 participants from memory clinics across the UK to help develop the system further. The tool has been developed in collaboration with Therapy Box – a company specialising in speech and language technology – and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Devices for Dignity MedTech Cooperative (D4D). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Reading for pleasure in childhood boosts brain health in teenage years – study Stan Wawrinka on setbacks, preparing for Wimbledon and friendship with Roger Federer Hacks for saving money on school uniforms

There are fears the government's plan could lead to volatility in financial markets.

New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán has thrown the 24th perfect game in Major League Baseball history.

Sosei Group Corp. has lost over half of its market value in just three days on concern about

The train was carrying nearly 200 passengers in California. The truck driver badly injured in the collision.

UNC football recruiting rumors: Tar Heels losing battle for 4-star to South CarolinaThings have gone quite well for UNC football recruiting under Mack Brown as a whole and that doesn't appear to be changing. Unfortunately, though, one of the top in-state targets that the veteran head coach is...

Joe Biden recently began using a CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea, the White House announced on Wednesday, after observers noticed mask marks on the president’s face. “Since 2008, the president has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports. He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said, CNN reports. Here’s what you need to know about the president’s diagnosis, and how he is treating his sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a common condition in which one’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is commonly caused by the relaxation of throat muscles, blocking the flow of air. Less frequently, sleep apnea is the result of the brain not sending the proper signals to the respiratory system. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, episodes of breathing stopping during sleep, and gasping for air. Those with high weight, large neck circumference, and a family history of the condition are considered at greater risk of getting sleep apnea. Men are two to three times more likely to have sleep apnea. About 30 million people in the US have the condition, though far fewer, roughly six million, are diagnosed as such, according to the American Medical Association. Sleep apnea can contribute to fatigue, circulatory issues, and diabetes in those who have it. What is a CPAP machine? CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure machine, and the device is one of the most common treatments for sleep apnea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. CPAP machines help keep a patient’s airways open by delivering air through tubes into a mask that’s worn during sleep. How long has President Biden had sleep apnea? Mr Biden first disclosed that he had experienced sleep apnea in 2008 medical disclosures, though more recent medical evaluations have not listed it as a cause for serious concern. A 2019 evaluation disclosed that Mr Biden’s sleep apnea had “has been considered, but his symptoms have improved significantly” following sinus and nasal passage surgeries, according to CNN. A White House physical two years later listed Mr Biden’s throat clearing and coughing during speeches as areas of “observation.” His most recent such evaluation didn’t mention sleep apnea. As The Independent has reported, Mr Biden at age 80 is the oldest president in US history. His health condition, and that of other senior US politicians, has alarmed some observers. Read More White House reveals Biden uses CPAP machine for sleep apnea after president seen with marks on his face Parents awarded $15m after son with dwarfism dies in Boston hospital sleep study Should I see a doctor about my bad sleep? Dennis Rodman responds to critics after he wore skirt to Pride parade Dwyane Wade recalls daughter Zaya being ‘scared’ and hiding from him after coming out Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcome fourth child via surrogate: ‘Our new love’

The airline called it a "rare occurrence" and said all the passengers and crew members were safe.

By Michelle Price WASHINGTON Big U.S. banks' commercial real estate portfolios put in a surprisingly good performance during

How much do you really know about our biological and physiological responses to *waves hands around* all this? Grab a stress ball and find out.