Digital dementia support project gets $2M federal funding and more briefs

$2M funding for carers of CALD people with dementia

Independent non-profit National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has received federal grant funding for its project enabling digital support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people with dementia.

It obtained A$2.9 million ($1.8 million) from the Medical Research Future Fund for its five-year project, which will trial the iSupport program, an online skills and training program for informal carers of people with dementia developed by the World Health Organization. 

NARI will convene an advisory group of carers, policymakers, and service providers who will govern and facilitate access to iSupport. The digital intervention program is available in six languages, including English, and comes with a companion version for carers.  

“We’re working to address challenges for CALD Australian carers of people with dementia who lack caregiving skills and have trouble accessing culturally appropriate services,” explained Tuan Nguyen, associate professor and NARI principal research fellow and project lead. 

AI-powered silicosis breath test developed in NSW

Researchers from the University of New South Wales have developed an AI-enabled breath test for the early diagnosis of silicosis.

The lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of silica dust has been a major occupational health concern in Australia.

UNSW Sydney researchers created the rapid breath test, which combines mass spectrometry and AI, to support large-scale silicosis screening of the increasingly incurable yet preventable condition. 

They demonstrated through a study the ability of the breath test to differentiate between individuals with silicosis and those who are unafflicted with high accuracy. 

The screening process takes less than five minutes, showing potential use for routine check-ups of at-risk workers in mining and construction.  

The research team at UNSW Sydney are now validating the AI-driven silicosis test further in a study involving larger cohorts. 

Wellumio enters AI integration partnership

New Zealand-based medical device company Wellumio has partnered with stroke AI solution provider Nicolab from the Netherlands for technology integration.

Under their memorandum of understanding, the companies will integrate Nicolab’s AI-powered clinical decision support system for diagnosing stroke into Wellumio’s portable MRI device. The Nicolab stroke AI platform was recently deployed across Queensland public hospitals as part of the statewide telestroke service. 

They will also explore funding opportunities and regulatory pathways for the potential deployment of their integrated solution.

Queensland startup to roll out eye screening AI in India 

TeleMedC, an eye health startup in Queensland, has recently entered into a strategic partnership to expand across India. 

With backing from Trade and Investment Queensland, its partnership with local startup AND Healthcare aims to promote and deploy its AI-powered solution for screening eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular diseases.

TeleMedC has also recently formed collaborations with Aravind Eye Hospital and other medical institutions in the country through the support of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. Moreover, the startup is in talks with small and medium enterprises to integrate AI-based eye screening into their corporate social responsibility programs.

$2M funding for carers of CALD people with dementia

Independent non-profit National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has received federal grant funding for its project enabling digital support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people with dementia.

It obtained A$2.9 million ($1.8 million) from the Medical Research Future Fund for its five-year project, which will trial the iSupport program, an online skills and training program for informal carers of people with dementia developed by the World Health Organization. 

NARI will convene an advisory group of carers, policymakers, and service providers who will govern and facilitate access to iSupport. The digital intervention program is available in six languages, including English, and comes with a companion version for carers.  

“We’re working to address challenges for CALD Australian carers of people with dementia who lack caregiving skills and have trouble accessing culturally appropriate services,” explained Tuan Nguyen, associate professor and NARI principal research fellow and project lead. 

AI-powered silicosis breath test developed in NSW

Researchers from the University of New South Wales have developed an AI-enabled breath test for the early diagnosis of silicosis.

The lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of silica dust has been a major occupational health concern in Australia.

UNSW Sydney researchers created the rapid breath test, which combines mass spectrometry and AI, to support large-scale silicosis screening of the increasingly incurable yet preventable condition. 

They demonstrated through a study the ability of the breath test to differentiate between individuals with silicosis and those who are unafflicted with high accuracy. 

The screening process takes less than five minutes, showing potential use for routine check-ups of at-risk workers in mining and construction.  

The research team at UNSW Sydney are now validating the AI-driven silicosis test further in a study involving larger cohorts. 

Wellumio enters AI integration partnership

New Zealand-based medical device company Wellumio has partnered with stroke AI solution provider Nicolab from the Netherlands for technology integration.

Under their memorandum of understanding, the companies will integrate Nicolab’s AI-powered clinical decision support system for diagnosing stroke into Wellumio’s portable MRI device. The Nicolab stroke AI platform was recently deployed across Queensland public hospitals as part of the statewide telestroke service. 

They will also explore funding opportunities and regulatory pathways for the potential deployment of their integrated solution.

Queensland startup to roll out eye screening AI in India 

TeleMedC, an eye health startup in Queensland, has recently entered into a strategic partnership to expand across India. 

With backing from Trade and Investment Queensland, its partnership with local startup AND Healthcare aims to promote and deploy its AI-powered solution for screening eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular diseases.

TeleMedC has also recently formed collaborations with Aravind Eye Hospital and other medical institutions in the country through the support of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund. Moreover, the startup is in talks with small and medium enterprises to integrate AI-based eye screening into their corporate social responsibility programs.