New Delhi: A group of scientists in Scotland have discovered a way to detect the presence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection in a person using X-rays. The test uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict the presence of the virus inside a person.
Scientists at the University of West Scotland (UWS) have developed the test, which they claim is 98 percent effective. He also said that it will be faster than PCR test, which takes hours to come back the result.
Professor Naeem Ramzan, who led the three-person team at UWS, said, “There has long been a need for a quick and reliable tool that can detect COVID-19, and this became even more true with the advent of the Omicron variant Is.”
How does the test work?
According to researchers at UWS, the new technology uses X-ray technology to compare the scans to a database of nearly 3,000 images that belong to patients with COVID-19, healthy individuals and viral pneumonia.
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) process, known as a Deep Convolutional Neural Network, then uses an algorithm to analyze and diagnose visual imagery. UWS scientists said that during an extensive testing phase, the technology proved to be more than 98 percent accurate.
What is the usefulness of the new testing technique?
Professor Ramzan said that many countries are unable to conduct large numbers of COVID tests due to limited diagnostic equipment. His research uses easily accessible technology to quickly detect viruses.
“This could prove to be important and potentially life-saving when diagnosing severe cases of the virus, helping to determine what treatment may be needed,” the professor said.
However, he acknowledged that X-rays do not show COVID-19 symptoms during the early stages of infection, so it cannot completely replace PCR tests.
Professor Milan Radosavljevic, vice principal for Research, Innovation and Engagement at UWS, and another team member said they now plan to expand the study.
first published:Jan. 20, 2022, 8:01 a.m.
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