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New AI Tool Uses Microorganisms to Track Recent Locations
Rtv News
12 Nov 2024, 17:20
Photo: Collected
Researchers have unveiled an innovative AI tool that can pinpoint recent locations by examining microorganisms collected from a person’s body. Published in Genome Biology and Evolution, the study shows that each environment hosts unique microbial communities, which act like "microscopic fingerprints" with distinct geographical signatures.
By analyzing these microbes, the tool can determine if someone has recently visited places like beaches, train stations, or parks.
Developed at Lund University in Sweden, this tool—unlike traditional GPS—relies on the Microbiome Geographic Population Structure (mGPS) model. It leverages AI to examine microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae, which differ by location and leave clues about where a person has been.
According to researcher Eran Elhaik, “By tracing where your microorganisms have been, we can track disease spread, identify infection sources, and even aid criminal investigations.”
To train the AI, scientists gathered extensive microbiome data from diverse environments, including urban and soil samples across 18 countries and marine samples from nine water bodies.
Remarkably, the mGPS tool accurately identified the city source for 92% of urban samples. It even distinguished samples from two Hong Kong subway stations only 564 feet apart, though accuracy was lower in London, potentially due to the Underground’s less maintained stations.
This advancement opens doors to applications in medicine, epidemiology, and forensics, with accuracy expected to improve as more data is gathered.
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Cyclone Dana May Hit Khulna, Trigger Coastal Flooding
A low-pressure system has formed over the southeastern Bay of Bengal, which is expected to develop into a depression on Monday, October 21, and intensify into a deep depression on Tuesday. By Wednesday, it could transform into Cyclone Dana, posing a threat to West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh’s Khulna region.
Forecasts from American and European weather models on Sunday, October 20, suggest that the cyclone may strike the Bangladesh coast. The system is projected to make landfall between midnight on October 23 and the evening of October 24 as a severe cyclone, with wind speeds ranging from 89 to 110 kilometers per hour, possibly gusting up to 140 km/h.
Coastal Areas at Risk of High Tides
If Cyclone Dana makes landfall during high tide, coastal areas of Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat may experience high tide surges 6 to 8 feet higher than usual. In the event of low tide, surges of 2 to 4 feet above normal levels are expected.
India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) has also reported that the system is steadily strengthening. IMD forecasts suggest the cyclone will form on October 23 and advance towards the northwestern Bay of Bengal, potentially impacting Odisha and West Bengal on the morning of October 24. The Bay of Bengal is expected to remain turbulent until October 25, with wind speeds over the sea reaching 110-120 km/h.
Meteorologist Md. Omar Faruk has warned that while the cyclone is likely to impact Odisha and West Bengal, there is still a chance it could shift course and hit Bangladesh directly.
DU Admission Tests Begin January 4
The admission tests for the new academic year at Dhaka University (DU) will commence on January 4.
The decision was announced on Monday (October 21) following a meeting of the university's general admissions committee. As per the schedule, the Fine Arts unit exam will take place on January 4, followed by the Arts, Law, and Social Sciences unit on January 25. The Science unit test is set for February 1, and the Business Studies unit exam will be held on February 8.
Additionally, the IBA unit's admission test is scheduled for January 3.
Applications for the admission tests will open on November 4 at 12 PM and close on November 25 at 11:59 PM. This year's application fee is set at 1,050 BDT.
6.2 Million Girls to Receive Cervical Cancer Vaccine
The government has launched an initiative to administer the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer among adolescent girls. As part of this effort, free vaccinations will begin on Thursday (October 24) across seven divisions, excluding Dhaka.
At a national advocacy meeting on the 2024 HPV Vaccination Campaign, held on Tuesday (October 22) at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka, officials shared these details.
Last year, the first phase of the campaign began in Dhaka Division, covering approximately 1.5 million girls. This year’s second phase will expand to all districts, upazilas, city corporations, and municipalities in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. Girls aged 10-14 can receive the vaccine at educational institutions and EPI centers.
The campaign will run for 18 days, aiming to vaccinate 6,212,532 girls. Registration is required on the website www.vaxepi.gov.bd using a 17-digit birth registration number.
UNICEF Country Representative Emma Brigham emphasized the importance of protecting young girls' health and rights, calling the campaign a significant step for millions of girls in Bangladesh.
WHO Deputy Representative Dr. Rajesh Narwal highlighted the preventability of cervical cancer, stating, “This campaign is not only crucial for prevention but also for achieving elimination by 2030.”
Senior Secretary of the Health Services Division, M.A. Akmal Hossain Azad, expressed hope that collaboration among all stakeholders will ensure the campaign’s success.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Md. Abu Jafar, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), with other key officials from health, education, and family planning sectors in attendance.
AI Listens for Diabetes: Detecting Disease in 10 Seconds Flat
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), many tasks have become easier. A recent study shows that AI can detect Type-2 diabetes just by analyzing a person’s voice. It is now possible to determine whether someone has diabetes using AI-powered voice analysis.
The study was published in Digital Health, a journal by the Mayo Clinic. For women, AI was able to accurately detect diabetes with an 86% success rate, the same as for men. The research involved 267 participants, both diabetic and non-diabetic.
Over a two-week period, each participant's voice was recorded six times a day. With just a 10-second voice sample, the AI system could identify individuals with diabetes. Often, elevated blood sugar levels show no visible symptoms, making early detection challenging. By the time diabetes is diagnosed, the blood sugar level may have already crossed the danger threshold.
However, the simplicity of using AI to diagnose diabetes has sparked discussions.
Ian Fosat, one of the researchers involved in the study, remarked, “This voice-based diabetes detection is like a breakthrough. We are also exploring whether this voice technology can be used to diagnose other diseases.”
India Lights Up for Diwali Amid Festive Traditions
Millions across India are celebrating Diwali, known as the festival of lights and one of Hinduism’s most cherished events.
The annual celebration usually occurs between October and November, though the exact date shifts each year due to the Hindu lunar calendar.
This year, Diwali falls on Thursday, though some regions will observe it on Friday.
On this day, people light oil lamps and candles to represent the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
In preparation for the festival, homes are thoroughly cleaned and organized, new clothes are purchased, and friends, family, and neighbors exchange sweets and gifts.
Many people create rangoli, intricate patterns made with colorful powders, outside their doors to invite luck and positivity.
Families also worship Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, on Diwali, leaving windows and doors open and lighting lamps to guide the goddess into their homes.
Fireworks are traditionally part of Diwali festivities, but in recent years, several state governments have restricted or banned them as northern states struggle with intense air pollution.
In Delhi, firecrackers are completely banned, while states like Haryana, Punjab, and Karnataka permit their use only during specific hours on Diwali evening.
(Source: BBC News)
Bangladeshi Muaz Wins First Place in Turkey’s International Quran Competition
Hafeez Muaz Mahmud from Bangladesh has secured first place in the 9th International Hifzul (Memorization) Quran Competition held in Turkey. This victory marks Bangladesh’s second time achieving the top honor in this prestigious competition, with the previous win occurring in 2016.
On Wednesday, October 30, after the local Dhuhr prayer, Muaz received the honorary crest and award from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In the selection round of the competition, organized under the supervision of the Islamic Foundation at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, Muaz outperformed hundreds of talented Hafeez participants across the country. This achievement led to his selection as the sole representative from Bangladesh in the International Hifzul (Memorization) Quran Competition in Turkey.
Additionally, on August 21 of this year, Bangladesh secured first place among 123 countries in the 44th International Hifzul (Memorization) Quran Competition held in Mecca. At that time, Hafeez Muaz Mahmud won first place in the 15 'Para' category.
Hafeez Muaz is a student in the Kitab department at Markazu Faizil Quran Al-Islami, located in Mirpur-1, Dhaka. After completing his memorization of the Quran from this institution, he is now pursuing higher studies in the Kitab department.
Babu Kamruzzaman Honored as ERF Journalist of the Year
Babu Kamruzzaman, a Special Correspondent at News24 Television, has been awarded the prestigious ERF-Nagad Best Reporting Award 2023 for his exemplary journalism focused on the private sector. His investigative report, "Grey Workers Life in Green Factories," sheds light on significant industry challenges, earning him this top accolade.
The award ceremony was held on November 5 at Dhaka's Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, where Md. Kamruzzaman received his award and honorary check from distinguished figures Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Economic and Commerce Adviser, and Dr. Ahsan H Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
This year, the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) reviewed 168 submissions spanning print, online, and television media, with Kamruzzaman’s report selected as one of 17 noteworthy pieces. His impactful reporting continues to drive critical conversations within Bangladesh's economic landscape.
Originally from Pathorer Char, Jamalpur, Kamruzzaman has gained widespread recognition as the host of prominent talk shows on News24 TV. Over his career, he has been honored with several awards, including the ActionAid Youth Journalism Award, the AmCham Frontline Journalism Award, and the ERF-BCCCI Award.
Expressing his gratitude, Kamruzzaman remarked, “This award is a powerful acknowledgment of the dedication of economic journalists. It encourages me to further push boundaries in this field.”
