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Personalising foetal care with the AI midwife 

Personalising foetal care with the AI midwife 

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Science


Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, have developed an India-specific AI model to determine the age of a foetus in a pregnant woman in the second and third trimesters precisely. This first-of a-kind research was carried out as a part of ‘Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes – DBT India Initiative’ (GARBH-Ini) programme.

Accurate estimation of gestational age is fundamental for providing optimal care to pregnant women, monitoring foetal well-being, identifying and managing pregnancy complications and ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.

In India, several challenges exist in accurately estimating the gestational age (GA) during pregnancy. This includes late initiation of antenatal care, typically as late as 14 weeks after gestation. Late initiation can make it challenging to accurately determine GA using traditional methods like the last menstrual period (LMP) due to uncertainties in LMP recall and irregular menstrual cycles.

The ethnic diversity is also an issue as India has a diverse population with variations in foetal growth patterns and biometric measurements compared to the populations for which standard GA estimation formulas were developed. Variability in foetal growth patterns influenced by factors such as maternal nutrition, health conditions and genetic factors can affect the accuracy of GA estimation. Therefore, population-specific models that account for these variations are essential for accurate GA assessment.

In many parts of the country, especially in rural and underserved areas, access to ultrasound facilities and trained sonographers are limited. This can hinder the use of ultrasound-based methods for accurate GA estimation during the second and third trimesters.

India-specific Model

Currently, the age of a foetus is determined using a formula developed for the Western population. So, they are likely to be erroneous when applied to the Indian mothers due to variations in the growth of the foetus in the later part of pregnancy.

In light of this, a new model was developed using the data from the GARBH-Ini cohort study, which involved collecting detailed clinical data on pregnant women in India. Researchers from IIT-M and THSTI analysed this data to identify the key parameters and factors that influence GA estimation in the late trimesters. The resulting model — Garbhini-GA2 — takes into account the unique foetal biometry and growth patterns observed in the Indian population.

The Garbhini-GA2 model demonstrated higher accuracy in GA estimation compared to existing formulas like the Hadlock and InterGrowth-21st models.

Evaluation metrics such as root-mean-squared error, bias and pre-term birth rates were utilised to assess the performance of the model. It was found that the new model significantly reduced the median error in GA estimation by more than three times when compared to the Hadlock formula, indicating its better suitability for the Indian population.

GA estimation is vital for managing complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and other conditions that may require specific monitoring and treatment based on the stage of pregnancy. Hence, reliable GA data is essential for conducting research on pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. Accurate GA estimation also ensures the correct classification of outcomes for epidemiological studies.

Welcoming this research, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, said, “The development of population-specific models for estimating gestational age is a commendable outcome of GARBH-Ini. These models are being validated across the country.”

This research was undertaken by Dr Himanshu Sinha, Associate Professor, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, Dr Shinjini Bhatnagar, the Principal Investigator of GARBH-Ini programme and a distinguished professor at THSTI.

Once validated, Garbhini-GA2 can be deployed in clinics across India, improving the care delivered by obstetricians and neonatologists, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in India.





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Diamonds in electronics — a thermal gamechanger

Diamonds in electronics — a thermal gamechanger

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Science


In the Budget for 2024, the Government of India gave special impetus to lab-grown diamonds. Not only do these sparklers adorn jewellery, but they also find use in the industry — mainly for cutting. Now, a new application for synthetic diamonds is emerging — as heat-dissipating material in power electronics (electronics employed in controlling or converting electric power).

Power electronic components heat up as you increase their power density. Traditionally, copper is used to dissipate the heat, but for copper to not interfere with electricity, a thin layer of insulating material is kept around it. However one challenge remains — good insulators are bad conductors of heat. So, you need a substance that is very good at conducting heat but does not let electricity pass through.

One material fits the bill: diamond. “Diamond is electrically insulating but thermally conducting,” says Prof Satya Seshadri, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras. “That’s why it is a wonderful material for electronic cooling,” he told quantum.

Diamond’s capacity to conduct heat is about five times that of copper. Scientists have long been slavering at the prospect of using diamonds for cooling in power electronics.

In 2022, a group of researchers from China and Israel investigated the cooling enhancement of a cold plate made of single crystal diamond (SCD) that had microfluidic channels embedded on it. They studied the enhanced heat spreading due to conduction, followed by convective dissipation of a locally-heated resistor. “The results showed that cold plate made exhibited the highest cooling effect obtained for maximum applied power density and flow rate. Simulation results further support the improvement of the cooling capability due to the addition of microfluidic channels and the use of SCD as the substrate of the heat sink,” they say in their paper.

While all this is fine in research, there is one practical problem: how to fabricate such an extremely thin sheet of diamonds.

Now, scientists at Fraunhofer USA Inc, Center Midwest CMW in East Lansing in Michigan, have developed nanomembranes from synthetic diamonds that are thinner than a human hair. These flexible materials can be integrated directly into electronic components to cool the power electronics.

Factor of ten

“The flexible, electrically insulating nanomembranes have the potential to reduce the local heat load of electronic components, such as current regulators in electric motors, by a factor of ten. The energy efficiency, service life and road performance of electric cars are improved significantly as a result,” says a Fraunhofer press release.

“We want to replace this intermediate layer with our diamond nanomembrane as diamond can be processed into conductive paths,” says Dr Matthias Mühle, head of the Diamond Technologies group at Fraunhofer. “As our membrane is flexible, it can be positioned anywhere on the component or the copper or integrated directly into the cooling circuit,” adds Mühle.





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Packed proteins for space

Packed proteins for space

by | Mar 4, 2024 | Science


What could possibly be the connection between a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, US and the International Space Station? The answer is also the story of how a NASA researcher, Mark Kozubal, ended up as a start-up entrepreneur.

Before we proceed further, some wisdom: there is no end to what you can find if you keep your eyes open. Ask Kozubal!

NASA had asked some of its scientists to look for life in hot springs and steam vents and Kozubal was to nose around in Yellowstone National Park. In a hot spring there, he found a mat of algae. The waters were so hot and acidic that algae would normally not thrive. He was intrigued. He took a sample. The sample contained a microbe. A decade later, Kozubal and one Thomas Jonas named the microbe Fusarium strain flavlolapis, trademarked ‘Fy’. The microbe is ‘extremophilic’, capable of thriving under harsh conditions, a trait that enables it to breakdown a variety of materials and convert them into food. You can culture it in, for example, space.

In 2018, Kozubal and Jonas started a food company, Nature’s Fynd.

The microbe, Fy, can be cultured by feeding it water, salts and sugar, in ordinary metal catering trays and it becomes a high protein food—a tray of the stuff has proteins equal to 35 chickens, says the Smithsonian magazine. Nature’s Fynd is selling a variety of Fy-based foods in supermarkets but is touting it as ‘space food’.





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Unlocking the Cosmos: India’s Liberalised FDI Strategy for the Space Sector

Unlocking the Cosmos: India’s Liberalised FDI Strategy for the Space Sector

by | Feb 29, 2024 | Science


The recent approval by the Union Cabinet of India to allow up to 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in its space sector marks a pivotal shift towards liberalizing a domain that has long been under stringent regulatory control. This strategic decision is set to lower entry barriers for foreign players, fostering a more inclusive environment for international investments, technology transfers, and collaborative research in space technology.

Critical Amendments in FDI Policy

The updated FDI policy in the space sector permits 100 per cent foreign investment through the automatic route in various sub-sectors and activities. This is a significant leap from the previous stance, where FDI in satellite establishments and operations was permitted only with government approval. That policy has been reformed as per the terms of the Indian Space Policy 2023, which promotes a liberalised threshold across different facets of the space sector, including:

Manufacturing of Components and Systems: 100 per cent FDI is allowed via the automatic route for manufacturing components, systems, or sub-systems related to satellites, ground segments, and user segments.

Satellite Manufacturing and Operation:FDI up to 74 per cent is permitted under the automatic route, but anything exceeding this limit requires government approval.

Launch Vehicles and Spaceports: Up to 49 per cent FDI is allowed under the automatic route while requiring government approval beyond this threshold.

India’s Space Economy and Global Perspective

Globally, the space sector is witnessing increased privatisation and international collaboration. Countries like the US, through entities such as NASA, have long encouraged private investments in space exploration and satellite deployment. Similarly, the European Union and China have been making strides in liberalising their space sectors to foster innovation and reduce dependence on government funding. India’s policy change aligns with these global trends, positioning it as a competitive player on the international stage.

The amendments in the FDI policy are anticipated to catalyse the growth of India’s space economy, which, as of 2023, stands at an estimated value of $8.4 billion, which is approximately 2-3 per cent of the global space industry. With an ambitious target to reach $44 billion by 2033, the Indian space sector is on a trajectory to claim a significant stake in the global space economy. This expansion is supported by a notable increase in space start-ups from merely one in 2014 to 189 in 2023 and a surge in investments to $124.7 million in 2023.

Liberalizing FDI in the space sector is not just an economic move but a strategic one, positioning India on par with global privatisation trends and international collaboration in countries like the US, the European Union, and China.

Private Sector Participation and Regulatory Body: IN-SPACe

Establishing the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as an autonomous nodal agency underscores India’s commitment to facilitating private sector engagement in space activities. IN-SPACe acts as a bridge between ISRO and the commercial sector, with a mandate to encourage, authorise, and supervise private sector space undertakings. To date, IN-SPACe has signed 45 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with non-governmental entities, paving the way for an inclusive growth model in the space sector.

Market Outlook and Way Forward

The Indian Space Policy 2023 and the liberalized FDI policy have set the foundation for a dynamic and inclusive space sector. This framework aims to boost space capabilities, stimulate commercial presence, and leverage space technology for development. India is poised to enhance its technological prowess and economic footprint in the global space industry by encouraging greater private-sector involvement and facilitating international partnerships.

The strategic shift towards a more open FDI regime in the space sector heralds a new era of growth, innovation, and collaboration. With the right balance of regulatory oversight and market freedom, India’s space economy will soar, contributing significantly to the global space community and reinforcing its position as a leading space-faring nation.

India’s decision to liberalize FDI in the space sector is a forward-looking move that promises to unlock new growth avenues, drive technological advancement, and position India as a significant player in the global space economy. As the country gears up to welcome foreign investments, the focus on creating a supportive ecosystem will be paramount in achieving the full potential of this policy change. The journey ahead is both challenging and promising, with the potential to catalyze a new space exploration and innovation era in India.

Sidharrth Shankar is a partner at JSA, Advocates & Solicitors. The views expressed are personal.





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Outstanding old egg

Outstanding old egg

by | Feb 18, 2024 | Science


Only in the world of Wodehousian humour has one found a guy calling his lover an “outstanding old egg”, but the expression seems apt for a seriously astounding discovery recently. 

Believe it or not, archaeologists have unearthed an egg that is both old and outstanding. It was found among a host of other artefacts — a woven basket, pottery vessels, coins, leather shoes, an animal bone and more eggs — by people digging for a new housing estate in Aylesbury, England. Archaeologists determined the findings to be 1,700 years old. 

All but one of the eggs broke, “emitting an incredibly sulphurous smell”, says a blog of the Buckinghamshire Council. The sole unbroken egg was placed in a museum. 

Dana Goodburn-Brown, a heritage scientist, conservator and founder of DGB Conservation, did a micro CT scan of the egg. The finding was startling — the ancient egg, likely that of a chicken, was “still full of liquid and an air bubble”. 

Scientists are excited by this unique research opportunity. “We were all amazed to hear that the egg is even rarer than we had realised, and with its intact liquid centre is the only known example of its type in the world,” the blog says. 

The next step is to find out how the liquid stayed intact in the egg without leaching out and how we can emulate that kind of packaging skill.





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The healing power of data

The healing power of data

by | Feb 18, 2024 | Science


The emerging trend in healthcare is the use of data analytics, which can predict, for instance, disease outbreaks and, at an individual level, whether a person is likely to develop a certain illness, or a woman is likely to deliver a baby prematurely. 

In November 2023, the UK Biobank released the full genetic sequences of half a million people — a treasure trove that scientists could use to uncover links between DNA and diseases. 

By analysing these genomes alongside clinical data, researchers can identify genetic markers associated with diseases, predict patient outcomes, and tailor treatments based on individual genetic profiles. 

This approach holds immense potential in tackling complex conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and rare genetic disorders. 

What UK Biobank released was a large dataset, but it is truly tiny compared to the ocean of data lying out there. Billions of pieces of data, including images (X-rays and other scans), are awaiting the attention of researchers. 

Incidentally, researchers at AIIMS, Delhi, are collecting images of oral cancer and pre-cancer cases and labelling them; 5,000 labelled images in hand, they aim to do ten times as much. 

A hospital chain in the US is using data to analyse the pathology of kidney donors and recipients to determine the right match. 

Similarly, there are mountains of data on the side of the commercialisation of drugs. 

Data abounds for deciphering everything from patient behaviour management to how a drug sales representative can best approach a particular doctor. 

Analytics-ready data

But data exists in silos and doesn’t readily yield to analytics (picking up non-obvious trends). Someone needs to ‘integrate’ the data to make it ‘analytics-ready’. 

A US-headquartered start-up called Agilisium Consulting, founded by Chennai-origin Raj Babu, does the job of getting data analytics-ready. 

Agilisium, in a way, encapsulates two entwining trends in the data industry — the business opportunity in integrating and ‘cleaning’ data to make it suitable for analytics; and the drastic reduction in cost, thanks to cloud computing. 

Babu earlier worked for 20th Century Fox and Universal Music Group, where he had to rummage through data and suggest the best times to display or withdraw a movie, or place a DVD on a Walmart shelf. 

Having cut his teeth in the field, he combined the ‘agility’ of data with his favourite Matt Damon-starrer sci-fi Elysium to start up Agilisium Consulting a decade ago. Its services include data architecture consulting, data integration, and storage and analytics. 

In a way, Agilisium is like ChatGPT at an enterprise level. Over 70 per cent of its 850-odd staff is stationed in Chennai. 

In a conversation with Quantum, Babu gave the example of Amgen, a US-based biotech research company, which was overwhelmed by the amount of data sets it had and sought Agilisium’s help to handle it. 

Asked if managing so much data requires large computing power, Babu says the company hires compute power from the cloud. 

Agilisium is an ‘AWS or Amazon Web Services partner’, which means it provides AWS cloud services and solutions to customers. 

Amgen says its data processing time dropped from 48 to 12 hours and it was able to ingest several petabytes of new data sets without disrupting the system performance. 

“We grew from hundreds to thousands of users, while reducing the errors in our data metrics,” says Sheetal Pillai, Amgen’s senior manager in charge of commercial data sciences. These new approaches to data management and processing enabled Amgen to scale up quickly, reduce time-to-market, and unlock more computing power. 

Million-dollar pitch

Agilisium recently announced that it has set apart a million dollars for co-innovation. 

Its pitch: If you have a problem and the data that can be used to solve it, then it will invest $25,000 (in terms of professional time, buying cloud capacity, and so on) to provide a solution. Agilisium’s takeaway will be the learnings as well as a chunk of codes, which can be applied elsewhere.

None of this would be possible without the tremendous fall in the cost of hiring cloud services. Today, you can store 100 TB of data on Azure for $1,600 a year. Amazon S3 offers the same for $2,100. Earlier, when you had to buy your server, it cost millions. 

Babu says India can become the “data-driven digital R&D hub of the world”.





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