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Robots might soon be able to ‘smell’ cancer

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  • Chemicals in patients’ breath, sweat, and tears can point towards cancer.
  • All organisms release volatile organic compounds.
  • Robots being able to smell diseases is a concept called “volatolomics”.

Detecting diseases might become easier in the future with robots’ ability to “sniff” hidden illnesses, surprisingly including cancer, by smelling a person’s breath.

Scientists are trying to find out techniques that can analyse chemical compounds in patients’ breath, sweat, and even tears and point towards diseases. Experts believe these chemicals are like “fingerprints” leading to diagnosis.

Researchers call the concept “volatolomics” and make it clear that the robot will not be commercially available at any time.

Whenever we smell anything, the nose encounters volatile organic compounds, which evaporate very quickly and have a low boiling point. These are the products of human metabolism that can be excreted out in some form.

All organisms release VOCs for various purposes like communication, reproduction, and even defense. Similarly, the body releases VOCs as a response to biological changes as well like falling sick.

Electronic noses (e-noses) have been found to have a high level of diagnostic accuracy for the detection of cancer in exhaled breath according to a systematic review and meta-analysis by a group of Dutch researchers.

A combination of gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) can study exhaled breath samples.

A study, for example, suggested that ovarian cancer has certain markers.

In the review article on Hospital Healthcare Europe, 52 publications that included more than 3,000 cancer patients (including lung, gastric, breast, and prostate) were included in the analysis .

While volatolomics is a relatively new concept, scientists report that the idea has existed for centuries. Back then, however, scientists did not have the technology to experiment.

With machine learning and artificial intelligence, scientists can put their knowledge to use. Nanomaterial sensors, for example, can accurately recognise VOC fingerprints coming from food, beverages, pollution, and people.

The findings appeared in the journal Nano Research and Hospital Healthcare Europe.

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Parliament, not the courts, should discuss the problem of electronic voting: Mandokhel, Justice

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The constitutional bench rejected a petition about the electronic voting system at a Supreme Court hearing, stating that it was ineffectual.

The technique was employed in the 2018 by-elections, according to the Director-General (Law) of the Election Commission, and a report had been sent to Parliament.

Insisting that the Senate Committee take up the issue, Justice Jamal Mandokhel underlined that such issues ought to be discussed in Parliament.

The necessity for correction was emphasized as he questioned why the hearing went on even after the case was over.

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Punjab starts a youth skills program to help people find work in the Gulf markets.

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CM’s Skilled Punjab Program-International Placement is a ground-breaking program that the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has developed with the goal of providing Pakistani youth with access to the world.

By giving young Pakistanis the skills they need to succeed overseas, the program will improve both their prospects and the country’s economy.

Their crucial influence in the country’s economy is demonstrated by the fact that remittances accounted for a substantial 21% of Pakistan’s GDP in 2021 (Source: Asian Development Bank).

Given this, PSDF has determined that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Saudi Arabia in particular, is a crucial market for Punjab’s young people. PSDF will support this ambition by offering skill development that is in line with the unique requirements of the global labor market.

Ten thousand young people in GCC markets will receive demand-driven skill training and be placed in foreign jobs during the program’s first phase. The initiative will also address the rising demand for skilled workers worldwide in industries including retail, construction, healthcare, and hospitality. In addition to promoting remittance inflows, this two-year scheme will aid in Pakistan’s overall economic expansion.

During the meeting, Chairperson of the CM Task Force on Skills Development, Adnan Afzal Chattha, stated, “We have carefully identified specific trades in which Punjab’s youth will be trained to enhance their chances for international placement. This program is intended to give learners thorough instruction in a variety of fields, greatly increasing their chances of landing a job abroad.

Additionally, by facilitating the sharing of best practices and technological know-how, this enhanced engagement will improve information flow and promote international innovation.

In addition to giving young people financial security, the initiative seeks to improve resource allocation and lessen the nation’s fiscal burden. Increasing the number of qualified professionals working overseas can also benefit Pakistan by generating remittances that can boost the country’s economy.

“This initiative can enhance Pakistan’s international standing as a provider of highly qualified talent, thereby drawing additional international cooperation and investment,” stated Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF.

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The Silk Road Culture Centre ushers in a new era of cross-cultural interaction.

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According to Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the Belt and Road Initiative is reimagining the historic Silk Road, which was a 7,000-kilometer trading corridor.

Speaking during the Silk Road Cultural Center’s opening ceremony in Islamabad, Ahsen Iqbal underlined the center’s critical role in bridging people and cultures throughout the region.

Additionally, he emphasized the value of the creative industries as an essential part of cultural and economic advancement, pointing out that such endeavors improve Pakistan’s standing internationally.

The Silk Road Culture Centre officially opened in a grand event attended by diplomats, ambassadors, and cultural enthusiasts from across Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The Silk Road Culture Centre marks a new chapter in cultural exchange.

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