AI
A Scottish PhD student has created an AI device to support early skin cancer diagnosis in remote areas, without needing internet or direct access to a dermatologist. Tess Watt, a PhD student at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, developed the system using a small camera connected to a Raspberry Pi – a low-cost, energy-efficient handheld computer. [...]
As the NHS lays out its ambitious 10-year plan for the future of healthcare in the UK, diagnostics and digital transformation are taking centre stage. From AI-assisted clinical tools to value-based procurement models and the expansion of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), the plan signals a renewed focus on technology supporting a more equitable, efficient, and [...]
By Paul Wye, Head of AI, Answer Digital The topic of whether healthcare providers should appoint Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) is no longer theoretical. The United States has been embedding these roles within healthcare systems for a number of years, and just recently a trailblazing consultant has been named as Scotland’s first Head of AI [...]
UK-based digital diagnostics platform Bloodtest.co.uk has secured a £3 million investment from an American private equity group, in exchange for a 20 per cent equity stake, valuing the company at £15 million. The £3 million investment will be used to enhance the Bloodtest.co.uk digital platform, expand its diagnostics offering and accelerate user acquisition through targeted [...]
By Nick Portch, Life Sciences, Equinix The race to develop new therapies has never been more urgent, or more complex. As life sciences companies increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up drug discovery, one factor continues to determine success more than any other: access to data. But the very thing that could fuel [...]
A robot trained using surgical videos has performed a gallbladder removal on a life-like patient model, achieving a level of precision described as equal to that of a skilled human surgeon. The system completed 17 tasks independently, including identifying blood vessels, placing surgical clips, and cutting tissue with scissors. It also adapted to changes during [...]
Children living with multiple long-term health issues experience severe emotional distress alongside physical challenges, according to a study that used AI to analyse their social media activity. Researchers examined nearly 400 posts from paediatric patients and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, using artificial intelligence language models to assess emotional and psychological wellbeing. Led by [...]
Google has launched two AI initiatives aimed at improving mental health treatment and expanding access to care for people around the world. The company is releasing a practical field guide for mental health organisations and investing in multi-year research into AI-based approaches to treating anxiety, depression and psychosis. These efforts are intended to address the [...]
Health Tech World explores the latest developments in the world of health technology. Synthetic DNA nanoparticles for gene therapy A grant has been awarded for research in synthetic DNA nanoparticles, which have potential applications in gene therapy. The grant will support work in synthesising nanoparticles and studying how they behave inside cells in a laboratory [...]
A technology-driven overhaul of the NHS could add £40bn a year to the UK economy and increase healthy life expectancy for millions, a new report suggests. The study outlines how using artificial intelligence for earlier disease diagnosis and preventative care could deliver major economic benefits alongside improved health outcomes. By targeting health inequalities through predictive, [...]
