Latest news with #CUFC
Mint
04-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
AI helps couple get pregnant after 18 years of failed attempts
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.
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
AI Helps Couple Get Pregnant After Trying For 18 Years
A couple trying to conceive a baby for 18 years finally managed to get pregnant thanks to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The unnamed couple had undergone multiple rounds of in vitro fertilisation, or IVF, across the globe, but to no avail. The IVF attempts were unsuccessful due to azoospermia, a rare condition in which no measurable sperm is present in the male partner's semen. In a typical healthy semen sample, there are millions of sperm cells per millilitre. Having knocked on every door, the couple turned to the Columbia University Fertility Center (CUFC) to try a novel approach, according to a report in CNN. Using the STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) method, which uses AI to identify hidden sperm in men, the couple had their lucky breakthrough. Researchers at the fertility centre examined the semen sample with the AI-powered system and managed to find the hidden sperm. After recovering the sperm, it was used to fertilise the wife's egg via IVF, and she became the first-ever woman to conceive using the STAR method. "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 The STAR method was developed after a five-year research by Dr Zev Williams, director of the CUFC and his colleagues. The team was left amazed as well after the method yielded results in real life. "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,' " said Mr Williams, who led the research team. After a semen sample is placed on a specially designed chip under a microscope, the STAR system uses high-powered imaging to scan the entire semen sample and capture over eight million images in under an hour. AI, which has been trained to identify sperm cells, then steps in and spots the reproductive cell.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle United director responds to rumours amid ongoing 'review'
A member of the Piatak family that owns Carlisle United has hit back at rumours - and insisted that the "review" into the Blues' struggles will not be rushed. Jenna DeMasi used social media platform X to respond to supporters amid speculation over the Blues. Amid a rumour that players had been asked for their view on the relegated club's next head coach, DeMasi said the squad were NOT deciding who would be in charge. Instead, she suggested that the ongoing wait for news was because of the thoroughness of the review into the club. And she stressed that owner and chairman Tom Piatak was at the club every day in a bid to ensure the best outcomes. No, it's not true. We are doing a full review and speaking to EVERYONE on the football side. No player is deciding who the coach. This review cannot be rushed and no steps are being skipped. The chairman is at BP daily working on this, we all want what's best for CUFC. — Jenna Piatak DeMasi (@jennapiatak) May 9, 2025 Amid a discussion by fans of the latest rumour, Jenna posted: "No, it's not true. "We are doing a full review and speaking to EVERYONE on the football side. "No player is deciding who [is] the coach. READ MORE: What are the big decisions that we're waiting for at Carlisle United? "This review cannot be rushed and no steps are being skipped. The chairman is at BP daily working on this, we all want what's best for CUFC." The director's remarks amount to the first public comments from anyone in power at Brunton Park since the end of the season. It comes as United remain in discussions over whether Mark Hughes will remain as head coach, with decisions still also to be confirmed on the club's retained and released list, where 11 players are out of contract. The club are also yet to confirm season ticket prices for the 2025/26 season, when United will be playing in the National League after back-to-back relegations. Tom Piatak, after the penultimate game of the season at Cheltenham Town saw relegation from League Two confirmed, said a "top to bottom" review of the club would be taking place, and that there would be "no sacred cows" when it came to the decisions needed to put Carlisle on a more positive path. The club have so far made no further comment through their official channels. FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for the next 5 months for £5 - click
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle United owner 'deeply sorry' for relegation
The owners of a football club have said they are "deeply sorry" over its relegation and added they have taken "fully responsibility". Carlisle United Football Club (CUFC) were relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town on Saturday. The team return to the National League after a 20-year stay in the English Football League (EFL). CUFC chairman Tom Piatak said the "frustration and anger felt across the fanbase is fully shared by us" and added the group would "not hide from the work ahead". Mr Piatak, a businessman from Florida whose family have been in charge of Carlisle since November 2023, said the season "started with ambition and hope". However the club were in the bottom two for all bar three days since early October. "We fell short of the standards you rightly expect," the owner continued, describing Saturday's match as a "painful day". "Yet in the face of that, your loyalty has been extraordinary. "From 11,000 at Brunton Park on Good Friday to almost 1,000 of you in Cheltenham today, you've never stopped showing up. "That unwavering support is the soul of this football club." Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria: "It's not a great moment for anyone connected with the club. "It's difficult for everyone, not least the fans who came in great numbers again today. "We gave it a shot and the players gave me everything, but for everyone connected it is really hard to take." Mr Piatak added: "We will be transparent. We will be accountable. And we will not hide from the work ahead." Meanwhile Barrow Association Football Club said it was "always nice to freshen up" its bio on X. The club changed its description to "the only Football League Club in Cumbria". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Carlisle relegated from EFL after loss at Cheltenham Carlisle owner gives Williamson full support Carlisle United Football Club
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Carlisle United owner Tom Piatak 'deeply sorry' for relegation
The owners of a football club have said they are "deeply sorry" over its relegation and added they have taken "fully responsibility".Carlisle United Football Club (CUFC) were relegated from League Two to the National League after losing 3-2 at Cheltenham Town on team return to the National League after a 20-year stay in the English Football League (EFL).CUFC chairman Tom Piatak said the "frustration and anger felt across the fanbase is fully shared by us" and added the group would "not hide from the work ahead". Mr Piatak, a businessman from Florida whose family have been in charge of Carlisle since November 2023, said the season "started with ambition and hope".However the club were in the bottom two for all bar three days since early October. 'A painful day' "We fell short of the standards you rightly expect," the owner continued, describing Saturday's match as a "painful day"."Yet in the face of that, your loyalty has been extraordinary. "From 11,000 at Brunton Park on Good Friday to almost 1,000 of you in Cheltenham today, you've never stopped showing up."That unwavering support is the soul of this football club." Carlisle United boss Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Cumbria: "It's not a great moment for anyone connected with the club."It's difficult for everyone, not least the fans who came in great numbers again today."We gave it a shot and the players gave me everything, but for everyone connected it is really hard to take."Mr Piatak added: "We will be transparent. We will be accountable. And we will not hide from the work ahead." Meanwhile Barrow Association Football Club said it was "always nice to freshen up" its bio on club changed its description to "the only Football League Club in Cumbria". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
