Hey Alexa, Am I Sick?
A NEW HEALTH APP IN THE WORKS
You might be able to tell when you’re getting sick just by talking — your voice may sound raspy or strained. You can gain insight into a person based on their speech. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are developing an app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if you’re ill — all by studying the voice. Voice data is being collected in five areas of health concerning neurological, voice, mood, respiratory, and pediatric disorders. The team of experts hopes to obtain 30,000 voice samples to improve the accuracy and algorithm of the app so it can diagnose multiple kinds of health conditions and disorders. Dr. Yael Bensoussan, the director of the University of South Florida’s Health Voice Center and the leading researcher on the study, stated that vocal vibrations and breathing patterns can provide tons of information about your overall health. For example, if someone were to speak low and slow, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists even think they can diagnose depression or cancer by analyzing and studying a person’s voice.
So, how would this app work? According to Fox 13 in Tampa, you can speak into your phone, and the app will record your voice and cross-examine it with its voice collection database. While this may be new to some, researchers in Australia developed a voice screening app that can detect Parkinson’s disease and COVID-19. But what makes Dr. Bensoussan’s study and app different than her competitors is that she aims to keep data privacy at the forefront of her research. Scientists and researchers on the team are excited about the future and how this app will help millions of people. Dr. Oliver Elemento, a co-investigator and director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, told Fox 13 that “future findings could lead to a revolution in health care, where continuous voice monitoring could alert physicians earlier than currently possible to certain conditions.”
It’s important to note that this app is in the early stages of development and is not a total replacement for a medical professional. If you need medical assistance, please visit your doctor!
5 Unique Resolutions for 2023
Each year, people establish the same resolutions over and over. Often, their goals are mainstream, unrealistic, or too broad. Ultimately, they give up on them after a few calendar pages have been flipped. So for 2023, why not choose a resolution with some creativity and value behind it?
and is a great thing to focus on in 2023. This doesn’t mean you have to rub elbows with everyone at local events — start by just saying yes the next time a friend invites you
out for coffee.
Improve your confidence. Confidence is huge! When you have a confident attitude, people pick up on it making it easier for your voice to be heard, to get ahead in your career, and mingle with others. Building confidence takes time, but with the proper mindset, you’ll be well on your way. Be more polite. In today’s world, it seems that politeness often goes out the window. An excellent resolution for the new year is to practice good manners and kindness, especially in situations where you’d rather be biting someone’s head off. Be more self-reliant. With smartphones, tablets, and laptops, the answers to everything are always at our fingertips. In the new year, it’s a great goal to be a little more independent instead of resorting to Google or a friend all the time.
Here are some ideas for a resolution you’ll be motivated to stick with.
Focus on passion. Sure, setting out to lose weight or to eat healthier is a great way to improve yourself, but what about combining your resolution with something you enjoy? If you love to read, consider reading a book every two weeks. If the kitchen is your happy place, you can take a cooking class or try a new recipe each week. Meet new people. Forming new relationships is extremely beneficial to your mental health and well-being
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