Malaria Diagnosis Revolution with Artificial Intelligence

Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)
Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)
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Malaria Diagnosis Revolution with Artificial Intelligence

Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)
Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud - AI-Powered Microscope: A Milestone in Global Healthcare (Asharqalawsat)

In a groundbreaking development, a team of brilliant researchers at Shantou University in China, led by Professor Seedahmed Sharif Mahmoud and Professor Qiang Fang from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, unveiled an innovative microscope driven by artificial intelligence.

This microscope aims to revolutionize malaria diagnosis in resource-limited regions of Africa and Asia.

The traditional method of diagnosing malaria requires skilled experts to manually count parasites and white blood cells, a challenge in such areas.

According to Mahmoud, this newly developed AI-powered microscope provides a revolutionary solution.

By harnessing the power of smartphones, this advanced technology integrates real-time algorithms capable of automatically detecting malaria parasites and counting white blood cells.

This achievement marks a significant leap towards swift and precise malaria diagnosis, particularly in resource-constrained regions.

Moreover, Mahmoud, the Director of International Collaboration in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Shantou University, brings a wealth of experience to this project.

With over two decades of expertise in academic research involving electrical, electronic, and biomedical engineering, he has made significant contributions in various fields.

His innovative research in signal processing for biomedical purposes and the development of optical fiber sensor devices has led to a Chinese patent, national and regional awards, and the enhancement of his reputation as a trailblazer in these domains.

Additionally, Mahmoud’s efforts in machine learning for perimeter intrusion detection systems have resulted in three international patents, further solidifying his position as a leader in this field.

Professor Mahmoud, of Sudanese descent, has actively participated in numerous research projects, authored scientific papers and books, and acquired multiple patents, underscoring his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

His contributions continue to shape the landscape of cutting-edge research and innovations.

The aforementioned AI-driven microscope innovation stands as a testament to the immense potential of this technology in healthcare. Through this invention, Mahmoud and his team lead a revolution in malaria diagnosis, paving the way for a brighter and healthier future for communities in need of assistance.

 

 



Russian ‘Spy Whale’ in Norway Wasn’t Shot Dead, Likely Died of Infection

FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
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Russian ‘Spy Whale’ in Norway Wasn’t Shot Dead, Likely Died of Infection

FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)
FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)

A beluga whale that lived off Norway’s coast and whose harness ignited speculation that it was a Russian spy, was not shot to death as claimed by animal rights groups but died of a bacterial infection, Norwegian police said Friday.
A final autopsy by Norway's Veterinary Institute “concludes that the probable cause of death was bacterial infection -- possibly as a result of a wound in the mouth from a stuck stick,” Amund Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and Environment section of the police in south-western Norway said.
“There have been no findings from the autopsy that indicate that the whale has been shot,” he stressed, adding that the autopsy had been “made difficult by the fact that many of the whale’s organs were very rotten.” As there was no indication of foul play, there was no reason to start a criminal investigation into its death, The Associated Press quoted Preede Revheim as saying.
The tame beluga, which was first spotted in 2019 not far from Russian waters with a harness reading “Equipment St. Petersburg,” had been nicknamed "Hvaldimir,” combining the Norwegian word for whale — hval — and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It was found floating in a southern Norway bay on Aug. 31.
In September, animal advocate groups OneWhale and NOAH filed a police report saying that the animal’s wounds suggested it was intentionally killed.
They pointed at several wounds found on the animal’s skin, including what was interpreted as a bullet hole.
“Assessments made by the Veterinary Institute and the police’s forensic technicians are that these are not gunshot wounds. X-rays of the chest and head were carried out without any projectiles or other metal fragments being detected,” police said in a statement.
Earlier, police had described a stick about 35 centimeters (14 inches) long and 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide which was found wedged in the animal’s mouth, its stomach was empty and its organs had broken down, police said. No further details were given.
The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen not far from the Arctic town of Hammerfest.
Its harness, along with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera, led to media speculation that it was a “spy whale.” Experts say the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes. Media reports also have speculated that the whale might have been trained as a therapy animal.
There was no immediate reaction from OneWhale or NOAH.