A New AI Tool Could Make NICU Safer for Newborns

FEATURED RESEARCH

A New AI Tool Could Make NICU Safer for Newborns

In a new study, a Mount Sinai team tested an AI tool that could make NICUs safer for critically ill infants.

Monitoring neurologic changes in these tiny patients typically relies on quick physical exams or the occasional EEG, which can miss subtle shifts.

This tool, called Pose AI, analyzes video feeds to continuously track an infant’s movement, predicting key neurologic states like sedation and cerebral dysfunction.

Why this matters: Every year, over 300,000 newborns enter NICUs in the United States, and neurologic deterioration in these vulnerable patients can be unpredictable and devastating.

Pose AI uses existing NICU cameras for continuous, non-invasive monitoring, offering around 90% accuracy in spotting early neurologic changes. Unlike EEGs, which need specialized staff and equipment, this AI tool is designed to run around the clock.

According to Dr. Felix Richter, the study’s lead, Pose AI doesn’t replace human assessments but adds a layer of safety, acting like a neuro-telemetry strip, similar to heart rate monitors.

If widely adopted, it could make early detection of neurologic shifts a standard part of care, potentially saving lives and improving outcomes.

What’s next: With promising results, researchers plan to test Pose AI in other NICUs, aiming to make proactive neurologic care a reality for the most fragile patients​

For more details: Full Article

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Opinion and Perspectives

DOCTOR-FREE HEALTHCARE

Inside Forward’s $100 Million Attempt to Reinvent the Doctor’s Office—and Why It Failed

Forward bet on AI-powered “CarePods” for doctor-free visits. One year and $100 million later, it’s shutting down.

The rise of the CarePod: Launched in 2017 by former Google and Uber executives, Forward set out to modernize healthcare with sleek, membership-based clinics.

In 2023, the company took a bold step, introducing “CarePods”—futuristic, AI-powered kiosks where patients could check vitals, run tests, and monitor health risks without a doctor.

The pivot drew $100 million in funding, with plans to roll out 3,200 pods within a year.

Challenges from the start: Technical issues quickly surfaced. Automated blood draws often failed, and other glitches frustrated patients. Instead of the promised rollout, only five CarePods launched, each costing over $1 million.

Logistical delays prevented expansion into big markets like Chicago, and patient adoption lagged as the pods proved less reliable than expected.

A tech-first approach that fell short: Former employees cite a disconnect between Forward’s tech-driven vision and the practical needs of healthcare.

The focus on automation and doctor-free care didn’t match patient expectations or operational demands, highlighting the challenges of applying high-tech solutions to a field that relies heavily on human interaction and trust.

Forward’s ambitious attempt to reshape healthcare ultimately fell short, closing with many lessons left behind.

For more details: Full Article

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Product Pipeline

ALZHEIMER DETECTION

FDA Clears First AI Tool for Safe Monitoring of Alzheimer’s Treatments

icometrix's icobrain aria is the first AI-driven MRI solution authorized by the FDA to detect and assess Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA) linked to new Alzheimer's therapies.

By automating ARIA detection and grading, icobrain aria improves radiologists’ accuracy in identifying these risks, ensuring safer use of amyloid-targeting treatments such as aducanumab and lecanemab.

This clearance marks a critical advancement in Alzheimer's care, enhancing patient safety and supporting informed treatment decisions in real time, especially as disease-modifying therapies reshape care options.

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Policy and Ethics

AI MISUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

Grieving Father Finds Chatbot of Deceased Daughter Online

Drew Crecente’s daughter, Jennifer, was tragically murdered at 18, and nearly two decades later, he discovered her likeness had been used without consent to create a chatbot on Character AI, allowing users to “chat” with a virtual representation of her.

This experience retraumatized her family, bringing to light serious mental health and ethical issues tied to AI misuse.

The case reveals how AI can harm grieving families, stressing the need for stronger protections to prevent AI from violating privacy and affecting mental well-being, especially when involving trauma survivors.

Drew’s response, including possible legal action, highlights the urgent call for ethical AI guidelines to protect mental health and privacy.

For more details: Full Article

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A) By analyzing their wingbeat frequencies

AI can identify mosquito species by listening to their wingbeat frequencies—each species has its own “hum.” By capturing and analyzing these sounds, AI helps in tracking disease-carrying mosquitoes more accurately than ever.

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