KAUST organized a breast cancer awareness event in Thuwal on October 12, attended by over 150 women and girls from the local community, along with healthcare and education partners. The event featured educational lectures, personal stories from breast cancer survivors, and interactive sessions on early screening. KAUST's director of Social and Community Development highlighted the university's commitment to women's health and empowerment through such initiatives. Why it matters: This event demonstrates KAUST's commitment to social responsibility and community engagement by promoting health awareness and empowering women, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.
KAUST President announced a mandatory COVID-19 screening program for employees and students from November 1-5. The program aims to provide snapshots of COVID-19 prevalence in the community to inform healthcare demands and future plans. The university targets 5,000 individual swabs in partnership with the Ministry of Health, and participation is crucial for the program's success. Why it matters: This proactive measure enables KAUST to maintain a safe environment and continue reopening the campus, setting an example for managing the pandemic sustainably in the region.
MBZUAI researchers are developing AI applications for malaria prevention in Indonesia using sensory data fusion and digital twins. Another MBZUAI team is using machine learning and computer vision to detect cardiovascular disease from CT scans in collaboration with the University of Oxford. AI-powered remote patient monitoring is also being explored for proactive interventions and chronic disease management. Why it matters: These projects demonstrate the potential of AI to address healthcare challenges in underserved communities and improve disease prevention and management in the region.
The KAUST community held the opening night of its 2016 Enrichment in the Fall program. The event's theme was "Food for All." Photos from the event were taken by Meres Weche. Why it matters: This community event highlights KAUST's engagement with broader social themes, though the AI relevance is low.
KAUST is distributing five face masks to each member of the KAUST community who wants them. The university is also working with a social enterprise to produce fabric face masks and has started an effort to produce DIY reusable masks. KAUST encourages mask use when leaving the house, but emphasizes that masks should not distract from social distancing and hand washing. Why it matters: This initiative demonstrates KAUST's commitment to community health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a proactive approach to public health within the institution.
Malaria No More, the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and the Reaching the Last Mile program launched the Institute for Malaria and Climate Solutions (IMACS) to combat malaria amidst climate change. Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) joined as a technical partner, providing research support leveraging AI and data science. The initiative aims to develop and implement AI-driven strategies to address the impact of climate change on malaria transmission. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the UAE's commitment to using AI for global health challenges, particularly in combating climate-sensitive diseases like malaria.
KAUST held a "Run for a Cure" charity race on October 28 for breast cancer research, with over 425 participants from KAUST and partner organizations. A KAUST Ph.D. student discussed her research on non-invasive early cancer detection using plasma blood samples. The event included 10K, 5K, and 3K runs through KAUST, aligning with Vision 2030's goal of increasing public participation in sports. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's commitment to healthcare research, community engagement, and supporting national goals for health and sustainability.
This study investigates the correlation between Google Trends data for COVID-19 symptoms and the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia between March and October 2020. The researchers found that searches for "cough" and "sore throat" were most frequent, while "loss of smell", "loss of taste", and "diarrhea" showed the highest correlation with confirmed cases. The study concludes that Google searches can serve as a supplementary surveillance tool for monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: The research demonstrates the potential of using readily available digital data to augment traditional surveillance methods for public health monitoring in the region.