AI taught to smell; Only 2% of U.S. doctors are Latina; Mississippi sees jump in congenital syphilis - Morning Medical Update

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AI taught to smell

Artificial intelligence has been taught to smell, thanks to researchers at Philadelphia’s Monell Chemical Senses Center. Scientists there have mapped out and trained AI on the molecular structure of 5,000 smells. This technology has the potential to detect diseases like cancer and diabetes, both of which have detected by their odor.

Only 2% of U.S. doctors are Latina

Even though Latinx people are a growing group in the United States, only 2% of physicians are Latinas, according to a new report. This is not a new problem. “We’re talking about it, but we’ve been talking about it for 20 years,” Yohualli Anaya, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin. Research shows that female doctors spend more time with their patients and that hospital readmittance is low. Despite these facts, inequality persists.

Mississippi sees jump in congenital syphilis

Mississippi saw a 1000% increase in congenital syphilis from 2016-2022. In previous years, congenital syphilis was almost nonexistent, thanks to an awareness campaign. Experts say COVID-19 pandemic may have drawn attention away from STI prevention since syphilis cases are up across the country.