Flinders University

A new study from South Korea has demonstrated the use of AI models to possibly diagnose and stratify attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by analysing eye images. FINDINGS Researchers from Yonsei University Health System have used four machine learning models and the AutoMorph deep learning pipeline to analyse approximately 1,108 retinal fundus photographs from over 600 children with ADHD and children with typical development. Based on findings published in npj Digital Medicine, all four models showed high accuracy, reaching up to 96.9%. These AI models also showed high performance of up to 87.3% in predicting the degree of impairment in visual selective attention, an ability that ADHD patients are usually challenged with. The study also identified representative symptoms of ADHD by deriving key retinal features via a Shapley Additive Explanations analysis. These include increased vascular density, decreased arterial vessel width, and changes in the optic disc structure. WHY IT MATTERS ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is difficult to diagnose quickly, says the Yonsei University researchers. Challenges in diagnosis include patients' high subjectivity, the variability of symptoms among individuals, and overlapping symptoms with other existing conditions. Considering the established role of dopamine in retinal function and ADHD symptoms, the researchers looked at retinal images as a potential ADHD screening biomarker in their study. Eventually, they proved the potential of retinal images as an ADHD biomarker and rapid screening tool. "Fundus examinations are very simple, taking less than five minutes. It seems these can be used as a rapid test to monitor the effectiveness of ADHD treatments," said Keun-ah Cheon, professor of Paediatrics at Severance Hospital and co-research lead. THE LARGER TREND Most digital innovations that came out over the past years have only complemented ADHD management, like a mobile application developed at Flinders University in Australia and a digital therapeutics-based program by Singapore's Institute of Mental Health and local startup Neeuro. Meanwhile, eye and eye image-based screening technologies, augmented by AI, have also been applied to diagnose or predict other neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly autism spectrum disorder. Recently, a researcher from Waseda University in Japan demonstrated the use of eye-tracking technology to test children's responses to predictable movement stimuli, which was found to have potential as a behavioural marker for early autism diagnosis.

Australian nurses in residential aged care homes wanted technology solutions that support their work in providing palliative care. A recent study by Flinders University researchers explored the attitudes and expectations of nurses from 15 residential aged care facilities in using technology to provide end-of-life care. FINDINGS According to the study, which findings have been published in the journal BMC Nursing, aged care nurses face practical challenges in using technology in residential homes, particularly with navigating multiple, fragmented digital systems or platforms (including medication management portals, incident reporting systems, rostering platforms, training portal and digital systems for clinical documentation). This resulted in them double-handling data, increasing their workload. Nurses pointed out "poor interoperability" as another major issue. Despite these challenges, the nurses expressed openness to using digital technologies, recognising their value in palliative care. They even emphasised the need for technologies that support symptom assessment and continuous monitoring of residents' conditions. Nurses also wanted consolidated dashboards integrating various clinical data to monitor residents' decline. They also saw the potential of applying automation in error-prone areas like medication administration and documentation. The study noted as well that the implementation of telehealth, which saw increasing adoption across aged care, is hindered by digital skills gaps among nurses, who are also finding difficulties managing telehealth sessions. WHY IT MATTERS "With more than a third of Australian deaths occurring in residential aged care facilities, it is critical we understand how technology can assist in end-of-life care," study lead author Dr Priyanka Vandersman said about their study. She is also a senior fellow at Flinders' Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying. The perceived openness of aged care nurses to technology, according to their study, highlights the importance of addressing their challenges by developing or deploying technology that is user-friendly and that seamlessly fits into existing systems. Researchers suggested engaging nurses in the design, development, and testing of technologies for potential adoption. It was also recommended to design "digital technologies that require minimal cognitive effort for effective use." Moreover, the study authors noted an opportunity to enable personalised end-of-life care by adopting technology that reduces task burdens and fosters interpersonal caregiving, helping nurses better understand individual residents' unique needs and preferences. Meanwhile, nurses also insisted on more training and support in using digital tools, including telehealth, for palliative care. "In aged care, these digital approaches can include helping with care planning and assisting with managing medications, but we need to ensure that nurses are equipped with the digital skills needed to use these tools effectively while continuing to provide high quality, person-centred care," said Dr Vandersman. "By developing intuitive digital solutions and providing nurses with the right support and education, we can ensure technology complements compassionate caregiving, enhancing residents’ choice, dignity and quality of life in their final stages," she added. THE LARGER TREND The Australian government is pursuing reforms in the aged care sector, covering technology adoption and upgrades. For this year's budget, it earmarked A$1.4 billion ($1 billion) for upgrading technology and digital infrastructure, meeting the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2021. In July, the Department of Health and Aged Care released the five-year Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy which guides the technology reforms in the sector. Half of its goals are secure data use and sharing and having data and digital foundations. The pipeline of initiatives to meet this strategy includes virtual nursing , AI pilots, and virtual reality technology trials. There is also a plan to develop an aged care data governance framework and interoperability and reference architecture.

FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2024 -- Colon cancer is increasing at an alarming rate among young adults, but a new study says better eating habits could turn that trend around. About 20% of diagnosed colon cancers occur in people aged 54 and younger, nearly double the rate seen three decades ago, according to the American Cancer Society. But people can reduce their risk if they increase their fiber intake and eat more healthy foods, a pair of new studies from Flinders University in the U.K. show. “We’ve identified many direct links between poor diet choices and digestive cancers,” said senior researcher Yohannes Melaku , a nutritional epidemiologist with the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute. “Importantly, we found that a diet high in healthy fats and vegetables whilst limiting the consumption of sugars and alcohol could potentially reduce the risk of bowel and other cancers,” Melaku added in a Flinders news release. People who ate the most fiber and unsaturated fatty acids had a 15% lower risk of colon cancer, according to results published recently in the European Journal of Nutrition . “Notably, we found that high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables promote healthy gut bacteria that can reduce inflammation,” Melaku said. “The emphasis on fiber and healthy fats should be an integral part of everyone’s diet.” An earlier evidence review found a 14% increased risk of colon cancer was associated with an unhealthy dietary pattern of more red and processed meat, alcohol, refined carbs and sugary drinks. That same review found a 17% reduced risk of colon cancer associated with a higher intake of fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, milk and other dairy products. More clinical trials are needed to fully investigate the impact that diet can have on colon cancer, the researchers added. “Whilst our results are promising, more work needs to be done with a greater focus on nutrition in clinical settings using nutritional biomarkers, to better understand the relationship between diet and GI [gastrointestinal] cancer,” said researcher Amy Reynolds , an associate professor and clinical epidemiologist at Flinders. “We need to understand how different dietary patterns may influence the risk of developing digestive cancers.” GI cancers -- esophageal, stomach, pancreas, small bowel, colon, rectal and anal cancers -- are responsible for 1 in 4 cancer cases and 1 in 3 cancer deaths worldwide, researchers noted. “As awareness around bowel cancer grows, our research serves as a timely reminder of the power of nutrition in disease prevention,” Melaku said. “By adhering to healthy eating practices, we can take proactive steps in safeguarding our long-term health.” “With the growing number of digestive cancers, such as bowel cancer, being diagnosed worldwide, and increasingly in people under 50 years old, it’s time for action to protect people’s digestive health,” Melaku added. Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.