In Maryland, National Institutes of Health’s National Human Genome Research Institute researchers used selfies combined with facial recognition software to successfully diagnose a rare genetic disease, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, also called DiGeorge syndrome. Their success rate was an astonishing 96.6 percent accuracy rate using only photographs from people around the world of varying ethnicities. Over 100 photos were used from 11 countries for the study which looked at 126 specific facial features to diagnose the disease. The disease is difficult for doctors to diagnose since it relates to multiple defects like heart problems, hearing loss, cleft palate and other issues that the medical community doesn’t necessarily link to the rare genetic disease. This new way of diagnosing the disease could help patients get the right care much earlier on than they are now.
Latest article
Bio-hybrid robot made from langoustine shells works like arcade claw crane
In Switzerland, scientists at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have converted shellfish shells into claws that grip, not unlike the prize-filled claw machines found...
Holy Carp! makes waves as biodegradable single-use soy sauce alternative
In Australia, design studios Heliograf and Vert Design have jointly developed a biodegradable alternative to whimsical—but polluting—plastic fish-shaped soy sauce containers often seen with...
Pineapple hair ties win Fowler Business Concept Challenge
In California, a University of San Diego graduate student has won a $15,000 scholarship to advance her pineapple leaf hair ties.
Sage Dobby, who...