Healthcare

A wealth of studies have suggested a link between exposure to air pollution and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. But according to an epidemiological study, adults who were exposed to traffic-related air pollution had lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol that could increase their cardiovascular disease risk.

For the new research, lead author Griffith Bell, Ph.D., of the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle, and colleagues studied 6,654 adults and found people exposed to higher levels of fine and ultrafine particles in traffic pollution tended to have lower levels of HDL cholesterol in their blood.

CERN is known for the latest discoveries in nuclear research, but the European organization is also important in many other fields, including the economy. Tiago Araujo, Knowledge Transfer Officer at CERN, explains why to Marketplus.

Usually, the technology CERN develops becomes important for the general public, too, maybe years later. Could you give us an example?

It’s true, due to the specificity of our scientific challenges, our technologies are often state-of-the-art. A very good example of an early stage development ongoing at CERN are the high magnetic field magnets. We are producing unprecedented magnetic field intensity magnets that are potentially very interesting for example for the ultra-high MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image).

Apple is working on a way to measure blood sugar levels, potentially turning the Apple Watch into a must-have device for millions of diabetics, according to CNBC citing anonymous sources.
If successful, the technology will be integrated into a future version of the Apple Watch to help people with diabetes manage their condition, but this rumored project could send the Apple into a much more complicated realm of biomedical devices.

Ideally, Apple will develop a non-invasive way to measure blood sugar levels, as opposed to devices commonly used now that require need pricks. The technology could be similar to optical heart rate monitors found on many fitness trackers, which send light through the skin to measure heart rate.

Doctors are stretched thin, especially in underserved areas, to respond to the growing needs of the population. Meanwhile, training physicians and health workers is historically an arduous process that requires years of education and experience. Fortunately, artificial intelligence can help the healthcare sector to overcome present and future challenges.

One of the most basic yet efficient use cases of artificial intelligence is to optimize the clinical process. Traditionally, when patients feel ill, they go to the doctor, who checks their vital signs, asks questions, and gives a prescription. Now, AI assistants can cover a large part of clinical and outpatient services, freeing up doctors’ time to attend to more critical cases.