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Emerging Tech Roundup — April 15
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: New AI is developed to predict cardiac arrest, MIT uses technology to develop a drug that can reverse hearing loss, Meta monetizes its metaverse, Panera Bread incorporates AI into their coffee system, a new deep-learning tool helps improve earthquake predictions, WhatsApp rolls out new updates and Apple upholds its clean energy pledge.
Johns Hopkins’ Heart-scanning AI Predicts Cardiac Arrests Up to 10 Years Ahead
(Fierce Biotech, April 8)
Researchers at Johns Hopkins’ University have developed an AI tool that uses contrast-enhanced MRI scans of the heart and medical histories to predict cardiac arrest earlier than before. The tool, dubbed Survival Study of Cardiac Arrhythmia Risk (SSCAR) can recognize suggestive scar tissue on the heart, allowing it to predict cardiac arrest up to 10 years early, while also giving an estimate of its certainty.
MIT Scientists Develop New Regenerative Drug That Reverses Hearing Loss
(SciTechDaily, April 9)
MIT spinout Frequency Therapeutics is using small molecules to generate more of the stem cells in the inner ear that allow humans to hear. Through the first clinical study, scientists found that some of the results lasted nearly two years. Given the great success the company has seen so far, it’s currently recruiting to start its next clinical study.
Meta Begins Monetizing Its Metaverse
(CNET, April 11)
Meta is rolling out its first monetization effort in Horizon Worlds, starting with creators. As creators build virtual items, they will be able to sell them and collect pay after Meta’s 25% cut. Meta shared that these are only the first steps and that it hopes to better incentivize engagement in VR.
Panera to Test AI-powered Coffee System from Miso Robotics
(QSR, April 12)
Panera Bread is using Miso Robotics’ CookRight Coffee AI system to assist employees in keeping coffee levels up to par. Using sensors to measure components like time, temperature and volume, the system is able to share the most “optimal times” to brew coffee with employees.
A Deep-learning Algorithm Could Detect Earthquakes by Filtering Out City Noise
(Technology Review, April 13)
Stanford researchers developed UrbanDenoiser, an algorithm that can better predict oncoming earthquakes using its ability to filter out the noise of cars, planes and other city-induced vibrations. Testing of the tool was conducted in California and has already shown improvements in predictions, suggesting a promising future for scientists’ understandings.
WhatsApp to Launch ‘Communities’ — More Structured Group Chats with Admin Controls
(TechCrunch, April 14)
Meta is rolling out a new update to WhatsApp, dubbed Communities, offering better communication and sharing capabilities. As a part of the update, group chats can be transformed into group calls for up to 32 people, file-sharing will be supported, sub-groups can be created and admin tools will be added, among other things.
Apple Successfully Pushes Suppliers to Use More Renewable Energy
(The Verge, April 14)
Apple has shared that they have “more than doubled its clean power over the past year,” upholding its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030. One of the ways the company was able to lessen its carbon footprint was by getting its suppliers involved in the effort. 60% of Apple’s top suppliers have committed to using 100% clean electricity while creating its products. Apple plans to expand on these efforts as 2030 creeps closer.
