Law Office of Marc L. Shapiro - January 2023

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.

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

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

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!

Don’t Let Your Teen Become Another Statistic Safety Tips for Teen Drivers

Receiving a driver’s license has to be one of the most exciting moments we experience in our youth. There’s nothing quite like that first taste of freedom you get when you can drive wherever you want. With that freedom comes responsibility, though. Many teenagers fail to take that responsibility seriously enough and end up receiving traffic citations or getting into accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens ages 16–19 than among any other age group. If you have a teenager who’s preparing to hit the road for the first time, it’s vital that they drive as safely as possible. Below, you will find a few tips to share with your teens that will help them avoid accidents and tickets. Drive defensively. There are many things to be cautious about on the road between other drivers, poor

road conditions and inclement weather. Defensive driving is a set of safe responses to these potential hazards. To drive defensively, you need to avoid speeding, drive sober, be on the lookout for cars running red lights or changing lanes suddenly, follow cars at a safe distance, stay calm, and much more. Defensive driving is the best way to stay safe on the road.

most dangerous activities you can perform while driving. Whatever happens on your phone can wait until you safely reach your destination. Also, avoid eating, applying makeup, or any other task that will distract you from the road. If your teen was involved in an accident and you’re unsure about what to do or are in need of representation, give us a call today.

Put down the distractions. Distracted driving has become way too prevalent in our society. You can’t drive down the street any more without noticing at least one driver holding their cellphone to their ear. In order to drive safely, we need to keep our hands on the wheel and our eyes and minds on the road. When you look at your phone, your hands, mind, and eyes become distracted, making this one of the

2 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com

Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator