New AI tool could speed up skin cancer diagnoses in remote areas
Tess Watt, the PhD student at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh who led the project to develop the technology, said it is intended to enable early detection of skin conditions anywhere in the world, and without the need for direct access to dermatologists.
The technology also works without internet access.
The system involves a patient taking a photograph of their skin complaint using a small camera attached to a Raspberry Pi device – a cheap, energy-efficient handheld computer that is capable of storing vast amounts of information.
The photograph is analysed in real-time using the latest state-of-the-art image classification, comparing it to an enormous dataset of thousands of images stored on the device to reach a diagnosis.
The findings are then shared with a local GP service to begin a suitable treatment plan.
Skin cancers are the most common groups of cancers diagnosed globally, according to the WHO, which says around 60,000 people die from the disease every year.
The project is understood to be the first of its kind to combine AI medical diagnosis with the aim of serving remote communities.
Watt explained: 'Healthcare from home is a really important topic at the moment, especially as GP wait times continue to grow.
'If we can empower people to monitor skin conditions from their own homes using AI, we can dramatically reduce delays in diagnosis.'
A prototype of the device has already been demonstrated at Heriot-Watt's advanced health and care technologies suite.
The research team said the tool is up to 85% accurate in its diagnostic capabilities, but they hope to increase this further by gaining access to more skin lesion datasets, aided by advanced machine tools.
Watt is also in talks with Scotland's health care system to begin the ethical approval process for testing the technology in real-world clinical settings.
'Hopefully in the next year or two, we'll have a pilot project under way,' she said, noting medical technology often takes years to move from prototype to implementation.
She added: 'By the time I finish my PhD, three years from now, I'd love to see something well into the pipeline that's on its way to real-world use.'
The university said the long-term vision is to roll the system out first across remote regions of Scotland, before expanding to global areas with limited access to dermatological care.
It added the technology could also offer vital support to patients who are infirm or unable to travel, allowing loved ones to assist with capturing and submitting diagnostic images to GPs.
Ms Watt's academic supervisor, Dr Christos Chrysoulas, said: 'E-health devices must be engineered to operate independently of external connectivity to ensure continuity of patient service and safety.
'In the event of a network or cloud service failure, such devices must fail safely and maintain all essential clinical operations without functional degradation.
'While auxiliary or non-critical features may become temporarily unavailable, the core diagnostic and even therapeutic capabilities must remain fully operational, in compliance of course with safety and regulatory requirements.
'Ensuring this level of resilience in affordable, low-cost medical devices is the essence of our research, particularly for deployment in resource-limited settings and areas with limited or no connectivity, where uninterrupted patient care must still be guaranteed.'
UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle commented on the research, saying: 'Low-cost technology which could help detect skin cancer early and at home, without even the need for internet access, is an incredible example of AI's potential to break down barriers in healthcare and save lives.
'Promising, first of its kind research like this also demonstrates the crucial role UK innovators can play in improving the lives of people of all backgrounds, wherever they live, and makes clear the value of government investing in research to deliver our plan for change.'
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Millions of people are suffering from brain fog. A new study will find out why
Millions of people who recover from infections like COVID-19, influenza and glandular fever are affected by long-lasting symptoms. These include chronic fatigue, brain fog, exercise intolerance, dizziness, muscle or joint pain and gut problems. And many of these symptoms worsen after exercise, a phenomenon known as post-exertional malaise. Medically the symptoms are known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The World Health Organization classifies this as a post viral fatigue syndrome, and it is recognised by both the WHO and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a brain disorder. Experiencing illness long after contracting an infection is not new, as patients have reported these symptoms for decades. But COVID-19 has amplified the problem worldwide. Nearly half of people with ongoing post-COVID symptoms – a condition known as long-COVID – now meet the criteria for ME/CFS. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, it is estimated that more than 400 million people have developed long-COVID. To date, no widely accepted and testable mechanism has fully explained the biological processes underlying long-COVID and ME/CFS. Our work offers a new perspective that may help close this gap. Our research group studies blood and the cardiovascular system in inflammatory diseases, as well as post-viral conditions. We focus on coagulation, inflammation and endothelial cells. Endothelial cells make up the inner layer of blood vessels and serve many important functions, like regulating blood clotting, blood vessel dilation and constriction, and inflammation. Our latest review aims to explain how ME/CFS and long-COVID start and progress, and how symptoms show up in the body and its systems. By pinpointing and explaining the underlying disease mechanisms, we can pave the way for better clinical tools to diagnose and treat people living with ME/CFS and long-COVID. What is endothelial senescence? In our review, our international team proposes that certain viruses drive endothelial cells into a half-alive, 'zombie-like' state called cellular senescence. Senescent endothelial cells stop dividing, but continue to release molecules that awaken and confuse the immune system. This prompts the blood to form clots and, at the same time, prevent clot breakdown, which could lead to the constriction of blood vessels and limited blood flow. By placing 'zombie' blood-vessel cells at the centre of these post-viral diseases, our hypothesis weaves together microclots, oxygen debt (the extra oxygen your body needs after strenuous exercise to restore balance), brain-fog, dizziness, gut leakiness (a digestive condition where the intestinal lining allows toxins into the bloodstream) and immune dysfunction into a single, testable narrative. From acute viral infection to 'zombie' vessels Viruses like SARS-CoV-2, Epstein–Barr virus, HHV-6, influenza A, and enteroviruses (a group of viruses that cause a number of infectious illnesses which are usually mild) can all infect endothelial cells. They enable a direct attack on the cells that line the inside of blood vessels. Some of these viruses have been shown to trigger endothelial senescence. Multiple studies show that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19 disease) has the ability to induce senescence in a variety of cell types, including endothelial cells. Viral proteins from SARS-CoV-2, for example, sabotage DNA-repair pathways and push the host cell towards a senescent state, while senescent cells in turn become even more susceptible to viral entry. This reciprocity helps explain why different pathogens can result in the same chronic illness. Influenza A, too, has shown the ability to drive endothelial cells into a senescent, zombie-like state. What we think is happening We propose that when blood-vessel cells turn into 'zombies', they pump out substances that make blood thicker and prone to forming tiny clots. These clots slow down circulation, so less oxygen reaches muscles and organs. This is one reason people feel drained. During exercise, the problem worsens. Instead of the vessels relaxing to allow adequate bloodflow, they tighten further. This means that muscles are starved of oxygen and patients experience a crash the day after exercise. In the brain, the same faulty cells let blood flow drop and leak, bringing on brain fog and dizziness. In the gut, they weaken the lining, allowing bits of bacteria to slip into the bloodstream and trigger more inflammation. Because blood vessels reach every corner of the body, even scattered patches of these 'zombie' cells found in the blood vessels can create the mix of symptoms seen in long-COVID and ME/CFS. Immune exhaustion locks in the damage Some parts of the immune system kill senescent cells. They are natural-killer cells, macrophages and complement proteins, which are immune molecules capable of tagging and killing pathogens. But long-COVID and ME/CFS frequently have impaired natural-killer cell function, sluggish macrophages and complement dysfunction. Senescent endothelial cells may also send out a chemical signal to repel immune attack. So the 'zombie cells' actively evade the immune system. This creates a self-sustaining loop of vascular and immune dysfunction, where senescent endothelial cells persist. In a healthy person with an optimally functioning immune system, these senescent endothelial cells will normally be cleared. But there is significant immune dysfunction in ME/CFS and long-COVID, and this may enable the 'zombie cells' to survive and the disease to progress. Where the research goes next There is a registered clinical trial in the US that is investigating senescence in long-COVID. Our consortium is testing new ways to spot signs of ageing in the cells that line our blood vessels. First, we expose healthy endothelial cells in the lab to blood from patients to see whether it pushes the cells into a senescent, or 'zombie,' state. At the same time, we are trialling non‑invasive imaging and fluorescent probes that could one day reveal these ageing cells inside the body. In selected cases, tissue biopsies may later confirm what the scans show. Together, these approaches aim to pinpoint how substances circulating in the blood drive cellular ageing and how that, in turn, fuels disease. Our aim is simple: find these ageing endothelial cells in real patients. Pinpointing them will inform the next round of clinical trials and open the door to therapies that target senescent cells directly, offering a route to healthier blood vessels and, ultimately, lighter disease loads. Burtram C. Fielding is Dean Faculty of Sciences and Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
WHO says malnutrition reaching 'alarming levels' in Gaza
Malnutrition rates are reaching "alarming levels" in the Gaza Strip, the World Health Organization warned Sunday, saying the "deliberate blocking" of aid was entirely preventable and had cost many lives. "Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July," the WHO said in a statement. Of the 74 recorded malnutrition-related deaths in 2025, 63 had occurred in July -- including 24 children under five, one child aged over five, and 38 adults, it added. "Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting," the UN health agency said. "The crisis remains entirely preventable. Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has cost many lives." Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is now acutely malnourished, the WHO said, citing its Nutrition Cluster partners. It said the percentage of children aged six to 59 months suffering from acute malnutrition had tripled in the city since June, making it the worst-hit area in the Palestinian territory. In Khan Yunis and middle Gaza, those rates have doubled in less than a month, it added. "These figures are likely an underestimation due to the severe access and security constraints preventing many families from reaching health facilities," the WHO said. Israel on Sunday began a limited "tactical pause" in military operations to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis. But the WHO called for sustained efforts to "flood" the Gaza Strip with diverse, nutritious food, and for the expedited delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, plus essential medicines and supplies. "This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration", the Geneva-based agency said. rjm/jj
Washington Post
14 hours ago
- Washington Post
Gazans are dying of hunger. Here's what happens to a starving human body.
Warning: This graphic requires JavaScript. for the best experience. Under near-total Israeli siege, the more than 2 million people in Gaza — including some 1 million children — face desperate and worsening hunger. Nearly 1 in 3 people are going multiple days without eating, according to the United Nations, and Gaza's few remaining hospitals are reporting rising deaths from malnutrition and starvation. Photos and videos from the territory show emaciated children with skin stretched tightly over bones and distended bellies. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement For months, aid groups had warned of the impending risk of famine as Israel heavily restricted the flow of U.N. supplies into Gaza. More than 100 humanitarian organizations issued a statement Wednesday describing 'mass starvation' in the territory. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, more than 100 people have died of starvation since the beginning of the war. New fatalities are tallied each day. 'I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation, and it's man-made, and that's very clear,' World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news conference Wednesday. Yazan, a malnourished 2-year-old Palestinian boy, at his family's damaged home in the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza on Wednesday. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images) Some 6,000 trucks carrying food, water and supplies from the U.N. sit outside Gaza. According to the U.N., Israel has barred the convoy from entering the enclave. In a briefing with reporters Wednesday, an Israeli military official said there was a 'lack of food security inside Gaza,' but said the U.N. was failing to deliver aid. 'There is no limit. The crossings are open — just bring the trucks and take the aid,' the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, in line with the rules of the briefing. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement 'The Israeli authorities are the sole decision-makers on who, how and how much aid enters the Gaza Strip, and the type of supplies that are allowed in,' U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a briefing Wednesday, adding that drivers need multiple access approvals from Israeli forces and must wait for a pause in the bombing. As hunger sets in, the toll on the human body is evident. The younger the person, the greater the impact. 1 Energy Brain Glucose Food Liver Brain Energy Glucose Food Liver Brain Energy Glucose Food Liver Brain Energy Glucose Food Liver 2 Energy Brain Glucose Food Liver Fat Brain Energy Glucose Food Liver Fat Brain Energy Glucose Food Liver Fat Brain Energy Glucose Food Liver Fat People get energy primarily by turning carbohydrates into glucose, which is processed in the liver and distributed throughout the body, especially to the brain. After exhausting its glucose reservoir, the body starts getting energy from fat. But if the body is not getting sufficient sustenance, it then burns protein from muscles to get energy, eventually becoming unable to deliver essential nutrients to vital organs and tissues. For children, this happens more quickly because they have fewer reserves and need more energy to grow. As a consequence, muscles start shrinking and organs stop functioning properly; the body can't regulate temperature; skin goes pale and gums may start bleeding. The immune system loses its ability to repair wounds and fight infections such as those causing diarrhea, which can create a vicious cycle that further deprives the body of nutrients. The digestive system is one of the first to shut down, resulting in decreased production of stomach acid, chronic inflammation, shrinking of the stomach and a loss of appetite. If food becomes available again, it will need to be introduced slowly, ideally in a hospital setting. The heart shrinks, which decreases blood flow, slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Eventually, the heart can fail. Breathing slows and lung capacity wanes. Eventually, respiratory function can fail. As the brain is deprived of energy and essential nutrients, apathy, exhaustion and irritability ensue. Children need more energy than adults to develop their brains, making them more vulnerable to a lack of nutrients, which can hamper their ability to learn later in life. Although Gazans have struggled with hunger throughout much of the war, conditions have been particularly dire since March, when Israel ended a six-week ceasefire, during which more aid was allowed into the territory, and reimposed a blockade. Beginning in late May, U.N. humanitarian efforts were replaced by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli- and U.S.-backed aid distribution system. Critics have warned that the foundation — which is registered as a nonprofit but is backed by entities hoping to profit from the relief effort — transports inadequate aid to Palestinians under a flawed setup that forces them to risk their lives for provisions. In the military zones where the GHF operates, stampedes regularly break out among Palestinians scrambling for aid, and Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire near GHF distribution warehouses. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli troops have killed more than 1,000 people scrambling for aid from the GHF. The GHF has also been plagued by financial difficulties, limiting the number of supplies it has brought into the enclave. An average of 28 aid trucks enter Gaza each day, according to Amnesty International, down from 500 to 600 before the war. Around 80 percent of those who have died of starvation since the beginning of the war were children, according to UNICEF. Five thousand children were treated for malnutrition during a two-week period in July, UNICEF official Edouard Beigbeder said in a statement Thursday. By mid-August, Gaza could run out of the specialized medicine used to treat severely malnourished children, Reuters reported. Hidaya cradles her sick 18-month-old son Mohammed inside their tent in the Shati refugee camp. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images) Naima Abu Ful with her son Yazan. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Samah Matar and her son Youssef. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters) Doctors and nutrition experts say the children who survive the lack of nourishment — and the ongoing bombing, infectious diseases and psychological trauma — are often condemned to face a lifetime of health woes. Malnutrition can rob them of the ability to fully develop their brains and bodies. Many will be shorter and physically weaker as a result. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement 'At the simplest level, if you have impaired nutrition and growth, your brain stops growing,' said Zulfiqar Bhutta, a physician and chair of global child health at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The babies who survive face severe risks tied to malnutrition. baby1 Eyesight Eyesight Eyesight baby2 Micronutrients are fundamental for development. For instance, without enough vitamin A — found in eggs, fish and vegetables — children in Gaza risk developing poor eyesight. A lack of zinc makes it hard for children to put on weight. Insufficient iron, most easily absorbed from meat, saps energy and affects the ability to concentrate. Children who don't consume micronutrients will develop weaker immune systems, leaving them more susceptible to infections that could cause diarrhea, pneumonia and fevers. Malnourishment can also stunt physical growth in the long term. Israel indicated Friday that it would allow foreign nations to airdrop supplies into Gaza, according to Israel army radio. Airdrops, however, are far from sufficient for Gaza's population: Each plane carries less than what a single truck can bring into Gaza by land, and the drops pose dangers to those on the ground. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement As starvation grows, the horrors of social decay — as parents make choices about whom to feed or what to sell to survive — will not soon abate, even if the war were to end, said Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University and author of 'Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine.' 'Unlike shooting or bombing, if killing stops, the dying won't stop. It'll still continue for some time,' de Waal said. 'Starvation in war like this is a massacre in slow motion.'
