$2 million funding for CALD caregivers with dementia
The Independent Nonprofit National Institute for Aging (NARI) is receiving federal grants for projects that enable digital support for cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) people with dementia.
It acquired $2.9 million ($1.8 million) from the Fund of Medical Research for the Five Year Project. It tests the Isupport Program, an online skills and training program for informal caregivers for people with dementia, developed by the World Health Organization.
Nari will convene an advisory group of caregivers, policymakers and service providers to manage and promote access to Isupport. The digital intervention program is available in six languages, including English, and comes with a companion version for caregivers.
“We are working to address the challenges of CALD Australian caregivers in people with dementia who lack care skills and struggle to access culturally appropriate services,” explained Tuan Nguyen, Associate Professor, NARI’s lead researcher and Project Lead.
Exhalation test for AI-equipped silicosis that occurred in NSW
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed an AI-enabled breath test for early diagnosis of silicosis.
Lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of silica dust has been a major occupational health concern in Australia.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney have created rapid breath tests that combine mass spectrometry and AI to support large-scale silicosis screenings of increasingly incurable yet preventable conditions.
Through their studies, they demonstrated the ability to breath tests to distinguish individuals with silicosis from those with no high accuracy.
The screening process takes less than 5 minutes. This indicates the possibility of it being used in routine inspections of at-risk workers in mining and construction.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney are currently further examining AI-driven silicosis testing in studies that include a larger cohort.
Wellumio joins AI Integration Partnership
New Zealand-based medical device company Wellumio has partnered with Netherlands STROKE AI solutions provider Nicolab for technology integration.
Under their memorandum, companies will integrate Nicolab’s AI-powered clinical decision support system for diagnosing strokes into Wellumio’s portable MRI devices. The Nico Love Stroke AI platform has recently been deployed in public hospitals in Queensland. Statewide Telestalk Services.
It also explores funding opportunities and regulatory pathways for the potential deployment of integrated solutions.
Queensland startups to catch your eye in India
Telemedc, a Queensland eye health startup, recently entered into a strategic partnership to expand across India.
With support from Queensland in trade and investment, the partnership with local startups and healthcare aims to promote and deploy AI-driven solutions for screening eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular disease.
Telemedc recently established a collaboration with the country’s Aravind Eye Hospital and other healthcare institutions through the support of the Australian and India Strategic Research Fund. Additionally, the startup is in discussions with small businesses to integrate AI-based eye screening into corporate social responsibility programs.
