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Blood Test Could Predict Parkinson’s 7 Years before Symptoms – AI Test

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A simple blood test could predict Parkinson’s disease seven years before symptoms appear, marking a “major step forward” in diagnosis of the condition.

Blood Test Could Predict Parkinson’s 7 Years before Symptoms – AI Test

Researchers believe early prediction and diagnosis would help in finding treatments that could slow or stop Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.

The test uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the disease, which is caused by the death of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement.

When these nerve cells die or become impaired, they lose the ability to create a chemical called dopamine.

People with Parkinson’s are currently treated with dopamine replacement therapy after they have already developed symptoms, such as tremors or slowness of movement.

It is thought that early diagnosis and treatment would help protect the dopamine-producing brain cells.

Dr Michael Bartl, co-first-author of University Medical Centre Goettingen and Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik Kassel, alongside Dr Jenny Hallqvist, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, said: “By determining eight proteins in the blood, we can identify potential Parkinson’s patients several years in advance.

“This means that drug therapies could potentially be given at an earlier stage, which could possibly slow down disease progression or even prevent it from occurring.”

Professor David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson’s UK, said: “This research, co-funded by Parkinson’s UK, represents a major step forward in the search for a definitive and patient-friendly diagnostic test for Parkinson’s.

“Finding biological markers that can be identified and measured in the blood is much less invasive than a lumbar puncture, which is being used more and more in clinical research.”

The research found that when a branch of AI called machine learning analysed a panel of eight blood-based biomarkers whose concentrations are altered in patients with Parkinson’s, it could provide a diagnosis with 100% accuracy.

Professor Kevin Mills, senior author of UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, said: “As new therapies become available to treat Parkinson’s, we need to diagnose patients before they have developed the symptoms.

“We cannot regrow our brain cells and therefore we need to protect those that we have.

“At present we are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted and we need to start experimental treatments before patients develop symptoms.”

He added that with sufficient funding, it is hoped the test will be used by the NHS within two years.

The experts suggest that with further research this test could potentially distinguish between Parkinson’s and other conditions that have some early similarities.

The team also looked at whether the test could predict the likelihood of someone going on to develop Parkinson’s.

Blood from 72 patients with Rapid Eye Movement Behaviour Disorder (iRBD) was analysed as it is known that about 75% to 80% of these people will go on to develop a synucleinopathy – a type of brain disorder caused by the abnormal build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein in brain cells – including Parkinson’s.

The patients were followed up over 10 years and researchers say the AI predictions have so far been correct, with the team correctly predicting 16 patients would go on to develop Parkinson’s and being able to do this up to seven years before the onset of any symptoms.

According to Parkinson’s UK, around one in 37 people alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime, and there are 153,000 people already living with the condition.

The researchers are hoping to secure funding to create a simpler test where a drop of blood can be spotted on a card and posted to the lab to investigate if it can predict Parkinson’s even earlier than the seven years before the onset of symptoms in this study.

The research, which was funded by an EU Horizon 2020 grant, Parkinson’s UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research GOSH Biomedical Research Centre, and the Szeben-Peto Foundation, is published in Nature Communications.

 

 

 


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GSMA Urges 6 GHz Spectrum Allocation for Mobile Growth

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The GSMA, a leading industry organization for mobile network operators, is calling for governments to allocate the 6 GHz spectrum for mobile use. They believe this band holds the key to unlocking a future of revolutionized connectivity and driving economic growth across the globe.

The 6 GHz spectrum offers several advantages:

Meeting Growing Demand: As mobile data consumption continues to rise, the 6 GHz band will provide the necessary capacity to support the speeds envisioned for 5G and future advancements.

Efficient Network Expansion: By leveraging the 6 GHz band, mobile network operators can expand capacity on existing infrastructure, leading to more cost-effective network deployment.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Affordable access to mobile broadband is essential for social inclusion. The 6 GHz spectrum can play a crucial role in bringing more people online and narrowing the digital divide.

Sustainable Development: Enhanced mobile connectivity through 6 GHz will lay the foundation for advancements in various sectors like smart cities and Industry 4.0, ultimately accelerating sustainable economic progress.

Following international agreements on spectrum allocation, the GSMA emphasizes the importance of collaboration between governments and the mobile industry. Clear roadmaps outlining spectrum availability are critical for the industry to plan investments in infrastructure development for this band. Additionally, timely development and large-scale availability of equipment and handsets compatible with the 6 GHz band are necessary to fully capitalize on its benefits.

The allocation of the 6 GHz spectrum represents a significant step forward in mobile communication. With proper collaboration and planning between governments and industry players, this new band has the potential to unlock a future of enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and societal progress on a global scale.

 


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BudPay to Powering African Businesses with BudPay Business

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BudPay, a provider of business payment solutions for local and global enterprises in Africa, has reiterated its commitment to connecting African businesses to global opportunities.

BudPay in a statement said its payment infrastructure is uniquely designed to cater to the constantly evolving needs of the African market has been instrumental in enabling corporates, SMEs, and startups to accept payments in 100-plus countries.

Commenting on the company’s achievements, Wale Hassan, CEO of BudPay, stated, “We are humbled and at the same time proud to have earned the trust of over 20,000 businesses across 3 markets in the last 2 years.

“While the payment industry is already quite robust, we identified a distinctive opportunity to redefine the global payments landscape for African businesses.

“The astounding feedback from our merchants on the business impact of integrating BudPay into their payment systems has been very validating. Despite these milestones, we remain relentless. Our mission is to power global trade and drive economic growth beyond borders.”

“BudPay Business boasts a suite of unique solutions that streamline payment processes and enhance business efficiency. These include Invoicing and Payment Links, which allow businesses to generate and share digital invoices and secure URLs for customers to make payments online without needing a dedicated e-commerce website.

“The platform also offers a versatile Payment Gateway/Checkout Modal with various payment options, including Cards, Bank Transfers, USSD, and Mobile Money. Additionally, BudPay Business provides team collaboration features enabling businesses to add team members to delegate payment operations effortlessly.

BudPay is committed to global best practices for the security and compliance of its infrastructure. This has been a key factor in the success of its operations over the years.


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Peter Oluka, 604 others Inducted as Members of NIPR

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Peter Oluka, the editor of Techeconomy, was among the 605 new members inducted into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during its 60th anniversary celebration.

The induction ceremony, held as part of a week-long event culminating in an International Colloquium on June 20, 2024, took place in Garki, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ike Neliaku, the president, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), emphasized the need for qualified individuals to speak for organisations.

He noted that the induction aims to reinforce professionalism and end quackery in Public Relations.

Out of 605 inductees, 353 joined online while 198 attended in person. The new members were largely drawn from the media spectrum as a way of strengthening effective collaborative efforts between NIPR and members of the media in shaping public discourse.

The inductees were charged to join efforts in creating a new narrative for Nigeria and guarding our nation’s reputation.

The event was graced by the minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by the director-general of Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Baba Ndace.

The Minister urged the inductees to collaborate with the Ministry to restore trust in public discourse, stressing the importance of positive and assertive communication about the country.

The induction ceremony marked a significant chapter for both Peter Oluka and Techeconomy, which stands apart for its commitment to truth and accuracy, in the quality of its reportage of technology, business, and economy-related events.

Oluka, a multi-award-winning communications expert, holds a degree in Mass Communication from the prestigious Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. He also obtained a PGD in Journalism from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

His professional development includes participation in various training programs, such as the MTN Nigeria Media Innovation Programme curated by the School of Media and Communications (SMC) Pan Atlantic University (PAU), ‘Multimedia, Mobile and Social Media Journalism Programme Facilitated by renowned new media experts Dan Mason Media hosted by Journalism Clinic, Lagos, Nigeria, among other training and achievements.

Oluka also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), and a member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

“We congratulate our editor for adding another feather in his cap. His induction into the NIPR represents what we do as a media startup that offer our readers Content-as-a-Service (CaaS) by accurately telling you what is new in technology, business and Economy; reflecting on why it matters, how it works and the benefits.

“Our team works round-the-clock to explore and explain the changing world around us, tilting the lenses on the emerging market.

“Our audience is part of the Techeconomy’s family, and the strength of our relationship with you is the ultimate test of our success”, said Joan Aimuengheuwa, the acting editor of Techeconomy said.

Established in 1963, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) attained the status of a Chartered Institute in June 1990 through Decree No. 16 (now an Act of the National Assembly).

The Act confers on NIPR the power and responsibility to register members, set parameters of knowledge for qualifications to practise, regulate the practice and development of the PR Profession, as well as monitor professional conducts through an established Code of Ethics, amongst others.


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