This week’s list of data news highlights covers October 16, 2021 to October 22, 2021 and includes articles on monitoring remote areas for wildfires and unveiling the world’s largest augmented reality mural.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System, a U.S.-based hospital network, have created an AI system that can detect subtle symptoms of heart failure in electrocardiograms. In tests, the system detected signs of heart failure with 87 percent accuracy.
2. Installing Cashier-less Technology
Tesco, the UK’s largest grocery store chain, has installed cashier-less “Just Walk Out” technology in its Holborn, London location. The technology uses weight sensors, cameras, and an AI system to track individuals throughout the store and charge them appropriately for their purchases.
3. Displaying the Effects of Climate Change
Researchers at the Quebec Research Institute for AI have launched a website to show the effects of climate change around the world. The website uses an AI system that displays flood, wildfire, or smog conditions on any location in Google Maps Street View.
4. Enabling Digital Hunting and Fishing Permits
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has added functionality for recreational hunting and fishing permits to LA Wallet, the state’s digital ID app. Louisiana residents can now use the app to prove their identity to law enforcement and display recreational permits.
5. Diagnosing Rare Pediatric Conditions
Researchers with the University of Utah, Rady Children’s Hospital, and Fabric Genomics, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, have partnered to create an AI system that can identify causative genes behind rare pediatric conditions. In a test with 179 previously diagnosed cases, the system identified the causative gene with 92 percent accuracy, improving upon existing diagnostic tools.
6. Unveiling the World’s Largest Augmented Reality Mural
City officials in Tulsa, Oklahoma have unveiled the world’s largest augmented reality mural. The 15,000 square foot mural features common aspects of the city, from catfish to the Oklahoma state butterfly.
The Big Sky Fire Department in Big Sky, Montana has partnered with Pano AI, a U.S.-based wildfire detection technology company, to monitor the surrounding region for wildfires. The team implemented an AI system that reviews a camera feed from a nearby mountain and reports on evidence of fire activity in real time.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the United Arab Emirates’ official weather agency, has unveiled its new supercomputer. Researchers at NCM will use the supercomputer to better forecast weather patterns and conduct climate research.
9. Predicting COVID-19 Transmission
Researchers at the University of Chicago have created a predictive model to demonstrate how COVID-19 spreads. The team created the model with data from influenza hospitalizations in the past 10 years. When combined with other variables, such as social determinants of health, the model is more accurate than any other model included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) modeling hub.
10. Identifying Wildfire Risk Factors
Researchers at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology have identified factors leading to extreme fire events using a supercomputer. The team simulated five fires from the 2019 to 2020 Black Summer event to find that drought, heatwaves, sea breezes, and hot overnight temperatures lead to conditions for abnormally devastating fires.
Image credit: Flickr user Airman Magazine
