Image by Mariia Vitkovska, from iStock Photos
AI Voice App Can Detect High Blood Pressure
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Klick Labs announced on Tuesday a new method for detecting chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) using voice recordings. Their research presents a non-invasive approach that could improve early hypertension detection.
In the study, 245 participants recorded their voices up to six times a day for two weeks using a Klick Labs mobile app. The app, which uses machine learning, analyzed vocal biomarkers to identify hypertension with up to 84 percent accuracy for females and 77 percent for males. Key features analyzed included pitch variability, speech energy distribution, and sound sharpness.
Yan Fossat, Senior Vice President at Klick Labs, noted, “we discovered a more accessible way to detect hypertension, which we hope will lead to earlier intervention for this widespread global health issue. Hypertension can lead to a number of complications, from heart attacks and kidney problems to dementia.”
Hypertension affects over 35% of the global population, and it is dubbed the “silent killer” by the World Health Organization , because many people are unaware they have it. Traditional blood pressure measurements, like arm cuffs, require specialized equipment and expertise, making them less accessible in some areas.
“Voice technology has the potential to exponentially transform healthcare, making it more accessible and affordable, especially for large, underserved populations,” said Jaycee Kaufman, Klick Labs research scientist and co-author of the study.
Klick Labs’ research builds on previous studies that have linked speech characteristics to heart failure symptoms and pulmonary hypertension. However, the researchers argue that this is the first study to directly investigate the relationship between speech and arterial blood pressure.
While the study’s results are promising, the researchers acknowledge several limitations. They pointed out that the number of hypertensive cases was limited, and that the participant pool was predominantly of Indian ethnicity.
They emphasized the need for a larger and more diverse participant pool to include individuals with a broader range of hypertension symptoms and varied ethnic backgrounds.
Although the proposed model demonstrated high performance with single-recording tests, the researchers observed that optimal results were achieved when data from multiple recordings per participant were used, necessitating data collection over several sessions.
They called for further research to explore methods for reducing the number of required recordings, ideally transitioning to a one-shot approach.
The researchers also noted that participants had moderate training in intonation, articulation, and speech corpus, and suggested that more naturalistic speech collection scenarios should be investigated.
As the availability and accurateness of AI-powered health tools continues to grow, it’s essential to approach them with caution . While these tools can be valuable resources, as to yet, they should not replace the advice of a qualified medical professional.
Image by Tulcarion, from iStock
Should Australia Limit Social Media For Minors?
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Australia is planning to introduce a minimum age requirement for children using social media, citing concerns over the impact on their mental and physical health. However, digital rights advocates have criticized the move, warning it could push harmful online activity into less regulated spaces, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday.
The South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has recently released a report proposing significant changes to how children in the state access social media.
The DPC report highlights several reasons for regulating children’s access to social media, primarily focusing on the risks to their well-being and safety. It emphasizes concerns like cyberbullying, which can lead to emotional distress and mental health issues.
Children are also at risk of exposure to inappropriate content such as violence and hate speech, which could harm their development, as stated in the report.
Additionally, the report addresses the addictive nature of social media, noting its impact on sleep, schoolwork, and social interactions, as well as the privacy risks children face when sharing personal information online.
The concerns raised in Australia resonate with recent guidelines from Sweden’s public health authority, which recommend strict limits on screen time for young children to mitigate negative health effects.
The DPC proposes a two-tiered system to restrict social media access based on age: prohibiting access for children under 14 without parental consent and requiring consent for 14-16-year-olds, with no further restrictions once consent is granted.
The report highlights several challenges in enforcing proposed social media restrictions. Verifying ages online is complex, requiring collaboration with platforms for effective processes. Specific enforcement methods are not detailed but may involve a new regulatory body working with social media companies and internet providers.
The report also underscores the need for public consultation to address concerns about freedom of speech and information access. Feedback from parents, educators, and the broader community will be crucial in shaping the final implementation of the restrictions.
According to Reuters, Daniel Angus, director of the Queensland University of Technology Digital Media Research Centre, criticized the proposed restrictions, saying they could “create serious harm by excluding young people from meaningful, healthy participation in the digital world, potentially driving them to lower quality online spaces.”
The Washington Post reported that Lisa Given, a professor of information sciences at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, stated, “There are lots of reasons why children need to access information on their own, especially those in regional or remote areas. They may not have easy access to a nearby library and could be home-schooled.”
This debate reflects broader global concerns about balancing digital safety with access to information.
