Researchers in Spain have said they can tell whether someone has Covid-19 by the sound of their cough.
The system, created by experts from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, uses a database of coughs from people who have tested positive and negative for the virus.
An artificial intelligence-based program then matches new recordings to check for features of a coronavirus cough, identifying people suffering from Covid-19.
We have developed and evaluated two different neural networks that, using one second of audio, predict positive or negative Covid-19
Researchers at Pompeu Fabra University
"Based on these data, we have developed and evaluated two different neural networks that, using one second of audio, predict positive or negative Covid-19," said the authors.
It is not the first time AI has been used in this way, said Helena Cuesta, a member of the research team.
Other studies have detected respiratory conditions by analysing coughs and sneezes with AI.
Late last year, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US developed an algorithm that was able to correctly identify people with Covid-19 by their coughs.
The program, which analyses sound patterns, achieved a 98.5 per cent success rate in tests involving people with a Covid-19 diagnosis.
In asymptomatic patients with confirmed Covid-19, the figure rose to 100 per cent.
The systems are able to identify coronavirus patients accurately because the virus changes the way a person produces sound, although the difference is not detectable by human ears.
The PCR swab remains the gold standard for Covid-19 testing, but it is not the only screening tool at governments’ disposal.
Sniffer dogs, which are said to be highly accurate at picking out sufferers from a crowd, have been stationed at airports across the UAE.
The Emirates also recently started using scanners at shopping malls, some residential areas and at all land and air entry points. These measure electromagnetic waves, which change when RNA particles of the virus are present in a person’s body.
UAE Covid-19 scanners - in pictures
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat
Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final
UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the prestigious peace prize, held its final meeting on Monday, the Nobel Institute said Thursday, a day ahead of the announcement of the 2025 laureate.
This means a decision was made about the laureate or laureates before the conclusion of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, which included a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
President Donald Trump pushed for the ceasefire as part of a 20-point plan to resolve the Gaza war.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
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Volvo ES90 Specs
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
The specs
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Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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