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.

 

 



Dozens of Zoo Tigers Die after Contracting Bird Flu in Vietnam

Tigers are kept in cages at Dong Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, Vietnam on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Phuoc Tuan/VNExpress via AP)
Tigers are kept in cages at Dong Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, Vietnam on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Phuoc Tuan/VNExpress via AP)
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Dozens of Zoo Tigers Die after Contracting Bird Flu in Vietnam

Tigers are kept in cages at Dong Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, Vietnam on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Phuoc Tuan/VNExpress via AP)
Tigers are kept in cages at Dong Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, Vietnam on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Phuoc Tuan/VNExpress via AP)

More than a dozen tigers were incinerated after the animals contracted bird flu at a zoo in southern Vietnam, officials said.
State media VNExpress cited a caretaker at Vuon Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city saying the animals were fed with raw chicken bought from nearby farms, The Associated Press reported. The panther and 20 tigers, including several cubs, weighed between 10 and 120 kilograms when they died. The bodies were incinerated and buried on the premises.
“The tigers died so fast. They looked weak, refused to eat and died after two days of falling sick,” said zoo manager Nguyen Ba Phuc.
Samples taken from the tigers tested positive for H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu.
The virus was first identified in 1959 and grew into a widespread and highly lethal menace to migratory birds and domesticated poultry. It has since evolved, and in recent years H5N1 was detected in a growing number of animals ranging from dogs and cats to sea lions and polar bears.
In cats, scientists have found the virus attacking the brain, damaging and clotting blood vessels and causing seizures and death.
More than 20 other tigers were isolated for monitoring. The zoo houses some 3,000 other animals including lions, bears, rhinos, hippos and giraffes.
The 30 staff members who were taking care of the tigers tested negative for bird flu and were in normal health condition, VNExpress reported. Another outbreak also occurred at a zoo in nearby Long An province, where 27 tigers and 3 lions died within a week in September, the newspaper said.
Unusual flu strains that come from animals are occasionally found in people. Health officials in the United States said Thursday that two dairy workers in California were infected — making 16 total cases detected in the country in 2024.
“The deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther at My Quynh Safari and Vuon Xoai Zoo amid Vietnam’s bird flu outbreak are tragic and highlight the risks of keeping wild animals in captivity,” PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.
“The exploitation of wild animals also puts global human health at risk by increasing the likelihood of another pandemic,” Baker said.
Bird flu has caused hundreds of deaths around the world, the vast majority of them involving direct contact between people and infected birds.