AI-Powered Device Brings Accurate Pregnancy Care to Low-Resource Areas

FEATURED RESEARCH

AI-Powered Device Brings Accurate Pregnancy Care to Low-Resource Areas

Gestational age (GA) is the age of the fetus or embryo from the first day of the last menstrual period of the pregnant woman. It's a key metric for managing pregnancies and guiding various aspects of prenatal care, such as screening for conditions and determining delivery dates.

However, traditional ultrasound equipment is often unavailable in low-resource settings.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina aimed to bridge this gap by studying AI-enabled ultrasound tools.

The study: Researchers enrolled 400 pregnant individuals from Lusaka, Zambia, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They used a low-cost, AI-powered device to estimate GA and compared it to measurements taken by trained sonographers.

Key findings:

• Accuracy: The AI tool estimated GA with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.2 days, closely matching the 3.0 days MAE of standard ultrasounds.

• Performance consistency: The AI device performed consistently across different subgroups, including those with high body mass index (BMI).

• Broad applicability: 90.7% of AI estimates were within 7 days of the true GA, comparable to the 92.5% accuracy of traditional methods.

The bottom line: The AI model integrated into a battery-powered, handheld device allowed novice users to achieve accuracy similar to trained sonographers.

This study shows the potential for AI tools to improve prenatal care in underserved regions, aligning with WHO goals.

The ability to accurately estimate GA without expensive equipment or extensive training can significantly enhance pregnancy management and outcomes globally.

For more details: Full Article

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Seed to Success

PROTEIN DESIGN

Lithuanian Biotech Startup Biomatter Raises €6.5M in Seed Funding

Vilnius-based Biomatter, a synthetic biology company creating new proteins for health and sustainable manufacturing, has secured €6.5M in seed funding.

This round was led by Inventure and UVC Partners, with support from Practica Capital, Metaplanet, and industry experts.

AI-powered protein design: Biomatter uses AI to design enzymes from scratch, pushing beyond the limits of natural enzymes.

This technology accelerates innovation in biotech, reshaping enzyme applications in diagnostics, gene editing, bio-fuels, and agriculture.

Their platform reduces development time from years to weeks, impressing global companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific and BASF.

Meeting global needs: CEO Laurynas Karpus highlighted enzymes' critical role in the future bioeconomy, enabling the creation of new molecules, cells, and organisms. Biomatter's advancements address urgent needs in medicine, sustainable chemical manufacturing, and efficient food production.

Key collaborations: Notable achievements include a partnership with Kirin to produce Human Milk Oligosaccharides, essential for infant health. Biomatter’s unique enzyme solutions have already attracted major industry players, showcasing the platform's potential.

For more details: Full Press Release

💰 3 Other funded companies

1. GuideHealth, an AI-driven health management platform, raised $14M in seed funding led by Memorial Hermann Health System.​ [Link]

2. Karius secured a $600,000 BARDA contract to enhance its AI-driven Karius Test® for RNA pathogen detection, following a $100M Series C round and FDA Breakthrough Device designation. [Link]

3. NeuroOne announced $2.65 million in equity financing and a $3 million credit facility to advance its minimally invasive electrode technology for neurological applications. [Link]

New Partnerships

ROBOT HEALTH ASSISTANT

New ICU Robot from VSee and Ava Robotics Enhances Patient Monitoring

VSee and Ava Robotics have partnered to introduce an AI-powered robot designed for intensive care units (ICUs).

The pandemic highlighted the importance of telehealth. While virtual consultations became common, ICUs needed more than just video calls—they required smart, adaptable solutions.

The VSee-Ava robot navigates hospital corridors, checks on patients, and supports medical staff. It can read vital signs and provide real-time data to doctors, aiding quicker and more informed decisions.

The impact: In the high-pressure environment of ICUs, every second counts. This AI robot eases the workload on healthcare professionals, allowing them to concentrate on essential tasks. It also reduces infection risks by minimizing physical contact.

Next steps: The introduction of AI robots like this hints at a future where technology enhances patient care and hospital efficiency. The VSee-Ava collaboration offers a promising glimpse into the future of healthcare, aiming for smarter and safer hospitals.

For more details: Full Press Release

🤝 2 Other collaborations shaping the future

1. Mayo Clinic is partnering with SandboxAQ to explore quantum sensing and AI for enhancing cardiac care. [Link]

2. BIOMAKERS and TOPAZIUM have partnered to use AI technology to improve immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. [Link]

Milestone Moments

⚡4 Product launches, 2 acquisition

1. Exscientia is merging with Recursion to form an AI-driven "superpower" in drug discovery, combining their technological strengths to enhance drug development capabilities. This merger follows a challenging year for Exscientia, including staff reductions and strategic pipeline narrowing. [Link]

2. Phonak introduced Audéo Sphere Infinio, the world's first AI-powered hearing aid, enhancing speech clarity in noisy settings using a real-time AI chip. [Link]

3. Seqera acquired Tinybio to enhance its AI-powered bioinformatics tools by integrating Tinybio's natural language processing technology, improving usability and access for the scientific community. [Link]

4. Yana, the AI mental well-being app, has expanded to the US market after success in Latin America with over 10 million users, offering personalized support via cognitive-behavioral techniques and interactive conversations. [Link]

5. Ainnocence has introduced SentinusAI, an AI platform designed to enhance antibody design by targeting undruggable targets and rescuing failed clinical trials. [Link]

6. Eyedaptic unveiled EYE6 with Ivy, an AI-powered visual assistant for individuals with age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders, enhancing visual capabilities and quality of life. [Link]

Opinion and Perspectives

AI IN HEALTHCARE

Why AI Alone Can’t Address the Healthcare Staffing Crisis

The big picture: Hospital leaders and technology experts, like Dr. John Halamka from the Mayo Clinic, emphasize that AI isn't a magic bullet for solving workforce shortages.

AI can automate routine tasks, but it can't replace the human touch essential in healthcare. The complexities of patient care require empathy and critical thinking that AI cannot yet replicate.

Why it matters: Hospitals are under pressure to fill staffing gaps, and some see AI as a potential solution. However, experts caution against quick fixes.

As Dr. Peter Lee from Microsoft notes, AI is still evolving and lacks the nuanced understanding needed in patient interactions.

Dr. Halamka highlights that AI is best used to support, not replace, healthcare workers, handling administrative tasks to free up clinicians for patient care.

What’s next: Hospitals should implement AI strategically, ensuring it's used to complement human workers. This involves creating governance frameworks, as mentioned by Taha Kass-Hout from Amazon Web Services, to guide AI's role in healthcare.

Training for staff on AI tools is also crucial to maximize its benefits without compromising care quality. Concerns about AI include potential risks to patient safety if not properly integrated.

For instance, Dr. Kass-Hout stresses the importance of collaboration between tech developers and healthcare providers to ensure AI tools are practical and safe.

For more details: Full Article

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