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Detecting cancer cells with an AI-powered web platform
CategoriesSustainable News

Detecting cancer cells with an AI-powered web platform

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Urbanisation may prove highly beneficial for increasing employment and educational opportunities, but scientists are increasingly noting the negative impact of urban environments on our health, including rising instances of cancers. And according to researchers, the burden of cancer is set to rise faster in developing countries in the coming years, including in Nigeria. 

At the same time, the country’s health system is woefully understaffed, with a ratio of less than 100 clinical oncologists for every 100,000 cancer patients. A team of data scientists and healthcare students saw an opportunity for artificial intelligence (AI) to help reduce that gap. Working together, they built TensorScan, a web-based tool for real-time detection of malignant cells in histology micrographs.  

With the power of AI at hand to help review cancer scans, oncologists can order more tests for more patients, thereby contributing to a reduction in waiting and diagnosis times. As patients begin to move through the healthcare system more quickly, the potential for earlier identification of malignant cells grows, further increasing the rate of positive care outcomes.  

TensorScan also provides additional services for scientists and patients. The developers built a native token called $CARE with blockchain technology to ensure the security of research data and the privacy of patients. Doctors upload scan results and receive payment in $CARE tokens. Researchers use the tokens to buy data, and patients are able to connect with others in support groups and receive payments for their time. The payments to patients can be particularly helpful in countries with less developed or accessible national health systems. 

The team envisions up to 70 breast cancer screening centres spread throughout Nigeria. After participating in the FuelAfrica 2.0 hackathon held in early 2023 and earning second runner-up, the team plans to continue developing the strength of the algorithm and rolling out the technology as quickly as possible.  

AI’s ability to handle volumes of data and tasks far greater than a human’s capacity makes the technology of particular interest to many nations struggling to provide equitable, high-quality healthcare to their populations. Springwise’s archive contains additional examples of AI improving healthcare by prioritising patient cases according to the probability of illness and examining scans for areas of secondary concern.

Written By: Keely Khoury

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A new, affordable cancer testing method
CategoriesSustainable News

A new, affordable cancer testing method

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: In 2020, there were 18.1 million cases of cancer across the globe, with 9.3 million of these being in men and 8.8 million in women. Not only is the diagnosis extremely distressing for the people involved, the cost of treatment and monitoring is constantly rising as well. Now, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a non-invasive testing technique that is much more affordable than other methods.

Traditional testing methods analyse blood samples for the DNA signatures of cancer cells. However, sifting through all the genetic material in a sample – a method called whole-genome sequencing – is expensive and labour-intensive because cancer-specific biomarkers tend to be concentrated in areas known as CpG islands, which make up only around one per cent of the genome. The new method, however, discards non-informative sections in a patient’s DNA and targets the CpG island.

The method was discovered by accident when a researcher heated a blood sample and realised that the heat destroyed much of the genome, but left the CpG islands intact. This allowed them to sequence the remaining genome directly – making the tests not only faster and cheaper, but also more sensitive than traditional methods.

The research team estimates the new testing method – called the Heatrich-BS assay – will cost around $35 (around €32.50), compared to around $750 (around €697) for traditional methods. With this reduced cost, tests will be able to be performed more regularly.

The team, led by Assistant Professor Cheow Lih Feng, is working on finding industry partners to bring their technology to market.

Springwise has spotted growing number of scientific innovations aimed at making medical testing more accessible. These include a non-invasive method for detecting malaria using a smartphone, and a cheap, handheld testing kit.

Written By Lisa Magloff

Reference

Velindre Cancer Centre will be “UK’s most sustainable hospital”
CategoriesSustainable News

Velindre Cancer Centre will be “UK’s most sustainable hospital”

By Zarkon Group,

Swedish studio White Arkitekter has been chosen to design the all-electric Velindre Cancer Centre in Wales, which will be built partly with low-carbon materials and follow circular economy principles.

The Velindre Cancer Centre, which is set to be built in Cardiff, will feature lounge spaces, radiotherapy facilities and waiting areas all constructed from timber.

Other bio-based and low-carbon materials proposed for the building include lime and clay renders, which will be used for the interior finishes.

Hospital building in green park
The hospital will be surrounded by a wild landscape

Where timber cannot be used due to clinical requirements, the studio plans to use concrete with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) – a cement substitute that is a by-product of the iron-making industry.

“The plans for Velindre Cancer Centre represent a huge step forward for healthcare provision in the UK,” said White Arkitekter director Michael Woodford.

“The combination of circular economy principles, low carbon materials and respect for the local landscape will make it the country’s most sustainable hospital, where the environment is designed to support and complement patients’ medical treatment.”

Timer lounge area with green plants
Timber will be used for the interior

Designed as an “elegant, sustainable new cancer centre”, the building is intended to have as little impact on the existing site as possible.

It will be surrounded by a landscape that will be kept wild, with new areas including a community kitchen garden and orchard added to the site.

From here, visitors will walk into a timber-clad entrance area that will have a cafe and restaurant, a patient-transport waiting area and the “young person’s lounge”.

Interior and waiting area clad in wood in hospital
Internal spaces were designed to be easy to reconfigure

The facade of the building was designed to allow internal spaces to be easily reconfigured without the need for structural alterations. This intends to make it easy to adapt the hospital to future innovations in treatment and equipment.

According to its developers, Velindre Cancer Centre will be all-electric and achieve a minimum BREEAM rating of excellent – the sustainability standard’s second-highest rating.

The hospital will use electricity from green energy sources including photovoltaic panels on its roof, while its heating and cooling power will come from ground and air source heat pumps.

Courtyard outside hospital building
The hospital will be constructed partly from bio-based materials

Velindre Cancer Centre will also feature sustainable drainage systems including minimal below-ground pipes, a swale network and a retention pond.

To help reduce the environmental impact of the construction, the developer plans to “reduce site waste through off-site manufacture of components, minimise transportation and create greater efficiencies in the construction and maintenance of the building”.

“We are really pleased to have submitted detailed plans for the Velindre Cancer Centre, which is set to become the UK’s most sustainable hospital,” said Richard Coe, project director at developer and investor Kajima, which is leading the project.

“The buildings are designed with circular economy principles, using low-carbon materials and making a minimal impact on the surrounding countryside,” he added.

Brick hospital building in green park
It will be located in Wales

Plans for Velindre Cancer Centre were submitted by the Acorn Consortium, which was appointed after a public procurement process that was run by the Velindre University NHS Trust.

This is led by Kajima and also consists of Sacyr, Abrdn, Andrew Scott, Kier Facilities Services, White Arkitekter, Arup, MJ Medical, Turley, Studio Response, Camlins Landscape Architects, Osborne Clarke, Operis and Confab Lab.

Other recent timber designs by White Arkitekter include Gothenburg’s first wooden office building and a timber skyscraper that claims to be the world’s second-tallest wooden tower.

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