logo
AI helps couple get pregnant after 18 years of failed attempts

AI helps couple get pregnant after 18 years of failed attempts

Mint2 days ago
A couple who had been trying to have a baby for 18 years have finally conceived with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The couple, who have chosen to remain unnamed, had tried several rounds of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) across the world, but all attempts failed. The reason for their struggle was azoospermia, a rare condition where no measurable sperm is found in the male partner's semen. Normally, healthy semen contains millions of sperm cells in every millilitre.
After exhausting all other options, the couple approached the Columbia University Fertility Center (CUFC), where they decided to try a new technique, CNN reported. Using the STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) method, powered by AI, doctors were able to detect hidden sperm in the male partner.
The fertility specialists analysed the semen sample using the STAR system and successfully found hidden sperm cells. These were then used to fertilise the wife's egg through IVF. The woman became the first person ever to conceive using this new technology.
"It took me two days to believe I was actually pregnant," the woman said. "I still wake up in the morning and can't believe if this is true or not. I still don't believe I am pregnant until I see the scans."
The STAR method was developed over five years by Dr Zev Williams, director of CUFC, and his team. The researchers were equally surprised when the method worked in practice.
Dr Williams explained, "A patient provided a sample, and highly skilled technicians looked for two days through that sample to try to find sperm. They didn't find any. We brought it to the AI-based STAR System. In one hour, it found 44 sperm. So right then, we realised, 'Wow, this is really a game-changer. This is going to make such a big difference for patients.'"
The STAR system works by placing a semen sample on a specially designed chip under a microscope. High-powered imaging is then used to scan the entire sample, capturing over eight million images in under an hour. The AI, trained to identify sperm cells, then searches through the images and locates the sperm.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Masterstroke by Modi govt as IAF to get new 'STAR', which will work as..., bad news for Pakistan, China due to...
Masterstroke by Modi govt as IAF to get new 'STAR', which will work as..., bad news for Pakistan, China due to...

India.com

time6 hours ago

  • India.com

Masterstroke by Modi govt as IAF to get new 'STAR', which will work as..., bad news for Pakistan, China due to...

Masterstroke by Modi govt as IAF to get new 'STAR', which will work as...., bad news for Pakistan, China due to... New Delhi: In recent years, India has made significant progress in defence weapons by increasing its domestic production and reducing dependency on foreign defence equipment. The country has also emerged as a leading defence equipment exporter. Apart from this, the Indian government is also focusing on strengthening the armed forces by procuring the latest weapons. On July 3, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave the green light to the plan as part of a larger Rs 1.05 lakh crore defence upgrade package. The Indian Air Force will procure three Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft under a Rs 10,000 crore project. This will significantly boost the IAF's surveillance and precision strike capabilities. Let's know more about it. The Air Force plans to add three advanced ISTAR aircraft that combine global aircraft platforms with Indian-made sensors developed by DRDO. This will put India among the elite group of countries who has air-to-ground surveillance capabilities. What Is ISTAR? ISTAR is a comprehensive system that has multiple advanced sensors and processing units integrated on a long-range, high-endurance aircraft. The system combines several intelligence methods, such as electro-optical, radar, signals intelligence (SIGINT), and electronic intelligence (ELINT). These methods give a complete battlefield overview to commanders. Unlike conventional reconnaissance platforms, ISTAR is not restricted to data collection it offers a more comprehensive analysis and understanding of the battlefield situation. It analyses the data and gives it in real-time using advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to frontline units and command centers with superfast precision. Why Is ISTAR a Strategic Imperative? In the era where modern warfare is rapidly evolving, information superiority is the most crucial factor that can even define victory. ISTAR aircraft can give an edge by providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition. Its advanced sensors can provide crucial data to commanders on which they can make precise decisions in complex battle environments. In the volatile geopolitical environment where the Indian Air Force operates, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft are crucial for tracking enemy activity, identifying key targets, and guiding long-range, precise attacks. The ISTAR Program Under Rs 10,000 crore ISTAR project, the IAF will acquire three aircraft from foreign aviation manufacturers most likely from Boeing or Bombardier. Once acquired, these aircraft will be loaded with indigenous sensors and electronic systems which will be developed by Centre for Airborne Systems of the DRDO. India's defence technology has significantly advanced due to the successful testing of these new systems. The IAF is set to receive three advanced ISTAR aircraft by the year 2030. These aircraft will significantly enhance IAF's surveillance and strike capabilities. The acquisition will also put India among the elite countries which has such sophisticated technology. While the project has faced delays and potential security concerns, its strategic value remains undeniable.

AI-assisted pregnancy: 8 million images in under an hour — how AI helped couple conceive after 18 years of struggle
AI-assisted pregnancy: 8 million images in under an hour — how AI helped couple conceive after 18 years of struggle

Time of India

time10 hours ago

  • Time of India

AI-assisted pregnancy: 8 million images in under an hour — how AI helped couple conceive after 18 years of struggle

A couple has conceived after nearly two decades of unsuccessful attempts with the help of AI-based fertility breakthrough developed at the Columbia University Fertility Center in New York, reported NY Post. The STAR system -- short for Sperm Tracking and Recovery -- identified viable sperm in a man diagnosed with azoospermia, a condition previously believed to cause complete infertility. Columbia University announced the development in a press release, quoting Dr Zev Williams, director of the fertility center, who said, 'A semen sample can appear totally normal, but when you look under the microscope, you discover just a sea of cellular debris, with no sperm visible.' Azoospermia affects up to 15% of infertile men, according to Columbia's research. Until now, treatment options included painful surgical extraction or the use of donor sperm. 'The options have typically been either to use donor sperm or to try undergoing a painful surgery where a portion of the testes is actually removed and they look in the testes to try to find sperm,' Williams told In response, Williams and his team adapted technology originally used by astrophysicists to detect distant planets and stars. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Over five years, they developed the STAR system, using artificial intelligence to scan high-powered images of semen samples. According to Williams, the system was tested on samples previously examined manually by embryologists without success. STAR located 44 viable sperm within an hour in one such sample. 'We're using the same technologies that are used to search for life in the universe to help create new life right here on Earth,' Williams said. In March 2025, a 38-year-old woman identified only as Rosie became the first to get pregnant using the STAR method. Speaking to Time magazine, she said, 'There really was nothing else out there. Especially because I am running quite a few years ahead of where we should be [for fertility]. I'm not that old, but in fertility years — egg-wise — I was reaching my end.' Her husband, diagnosed with azoospermia, provided a semen sample that STAR scanned, capturing over 8 million images in less than an hour. AI algorithms identified three viable sperm cells, which were extracted robotically to avoid damage from traditional methods like centrifugation. 'Imagine searching for a single needle hidden among a thousand haystacks scattered across ten football fields — and finding it in under two hours,' Williams told The Bump. 'That's the level of precision and speed delivered by the STAR system.' The sperm were used to fertilise Rosie's eggs within two hours of collection. After successful embryo transfer, she is now five months pregnant. 'I still wake up in the morning and can't believe if this is true or not,' she told Time. The baby is expected in December 2025. The STAR system is currently available only at Columbia University Fertility Center. Dr. Williams told CNN the cost of identifying, isolating, and freezing sperm through STAR is just under $3,000. According to GoodRx, a standard IVF cycle in the US typically ranges from $12,400 to $15,000, but total expenses can exceed $30,000 with medications and genetic testing. While promising, the innovation has prompted calls for further evaluation. Dr. Robert Brannigan, president-elect of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, told The Washington Post, 'At face value, this looks promising, but as with any new technology in medicine, especially in reproductive care, we need to follow the data and study it further.' The STAR breakthrough comes amid rising concerns over global male infertility. A study cited by Columbia found that sperm counts in Western men fell by 52.4% between 1973 and 2011. Researchers suspect environmental exposures, obesity, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles as contributing factors.

White Sox legend Bobby Jenks dies at 44 just days before 2005 World Series reunion
White Sox legend Bobby Jenks dies at 44 just days before 2005 World Series reunion

Time of India

time16 hours ago

  • Time of India

White Sox legend Bobby Jenks dies at 44 just days before 2005 World Series reunion

White Sox legend Bobby Jenks dies at 44 just days before 2005 World Series reunion (Image via Getty) The Chicago White Sox family mourns the tragic death of former All-Star closer Bobby Jenks. He passed away, the organization declared on Friday, July 5, 2025, just days before the 20th anniversary celebration of the 2005 World Series champion squad. Memories of one of the most iconic times in White Sox history, he passed at 44 following a fierce fight with stomach cancer. What happened to Bobby Jenks and how did he lose his life Bobby Jenks first gained fame in 2005 when he debuted for the Chicago White Sox in the major leagues. He helped the team to win its first World Series in 88 years the same year. He was the one on the mound during many key events, finishing World Series Game 4 in Houston and marking the save in the ALDS sweep over the Red Sox. Jenks quickly became among MLB's best closers, well-known for his fast fastball and composed under pressure. In 2006 and 2007 he was awarded back-to-back All-Star honors. With over 40 saves a year, he played a major role in enabling the squad to win games during those seasons. He finished his career second in franchise history for saves with the White Sox having 173 career saves and a 3. 40 ERA across six seasons. In 2007, Jenks tied an American League record by retiring 41 straight batters, a streak that was only broken by teammate Mark Buehrle two years later. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo Bobby Jenks' health battles and coaching comeback plans After his peak years in Chicago, Bobby Jenks joined the Boston Red Sox but struggled with injuries. His MLB career ended in 2011 after a series of health issues. Even after leaving the majors, Jenks continued to fight. Though he dealt with many medical ailments, he returned to baseball in 2024 leading the Windy City ThunderBolts in an independent league. Also Read: Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt faces major setback with expected Tommy John surgery Despite his preparations to return to the dugout in 2025, his fight against adenocarcinoma, a kind of stomach cancer, kept him off the game he loved. Leaving his wife Eleni and their two kids behind, Jenks departs for four children from a previous marriage. White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf shared, 'Bobby will always have a special place in our hearts. His legacy is part of our history forever.' For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store