New scanning device may allow paramedics to quickly detect a stroke.

In 2022, Joel Daniels, a tradie and triplet, began to experience weakness on his left side. Worried, he sought out the help of three different clinicians within a week. Despite this, it wasn't until his sister, Hannah, who happened to be a nurse, noticed his face drooping that the real cause of his symptoms became apparent.

Describing the moment, Daniels said, "I just knew something wasn't right. My arm was the first thing to fail me." Thankfully, Hannah was quick to recognize the signs of a stroke and immediately took him to the hospital. At just 31 years old, Daniels had suffered a slow brain bleed, and it was thanks to his sister's quick thinking that he was able to receive the necessary treatment.

Now, a new scanning tool developed by RMIT University in Melbourne aims to make it even easier for health professionals to identify a stroke in a matter of seconds. "Often, subtle signs can be missed," explains Professor Dinesh Kumar, one of the researchers involved in the project. By training artificial intelligence to analyze tiny muscle changes in a person's face, the team has created an app that can be used on a smartphone to detect common stroke indicators, such as drooping of the mouth.

Kumar explains, "Our app is able to pick up on these subtle signs and changes in the way a person smiles, allowing us to determine if they have had a stroke." While the technology is still in its early stages of testing, it has shown an impressive 82% accuracy rate so far. One of the goals for the future is to equip first responders with this technology, making it even easier to identify and treat strokes.

As an ambassador for the Stroke Foundation, Daniels is grateful to be able to share his story and raise awareness for this life-saving technology. Reflecting on his experience, he says, "I just think it's a miracle." Meanwhile, the foundation is also making it easier for people to stay informed and up to date on the latest news by launching a WhatsApp channel where they can receive breaking news, updates on celebrities and sports, and all without having to worry about comments, algorithms, or their private information being seen by others.

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