A finger-prick blood test is being piloted by ambulance crews in Cambridgeshire to diagnose large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes, which cause 95% of disabilities and deaths but are tricky to diagnose without a brain scan. Developed by UpFront Diagnostics, the test can detect LVOs with 90% accuracy within 15 minutes, potentially revolutionizing stroke diagnosis and treatment in the NHS. The Stroke Association is advocating for improved stroke care and the use of innovative technology like the finger-prick blood test to meet the government’s target of reducing stroke disability and death by 25% by 2035.
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Canada wildfire smoke drifts into US and across the Atlantic
SummaryWildfires in Canada have released smoke that is impacting air quality across several U.S. states, particularly Minnesota, while also drifting eastward across the Atlantic Ocean. Over 3.4 million acres (1.4 million hectares) have been burned due to unusually hot and dry conditions, with significant flames in Manitoba prompting mass evacuations. Satellite imagery illustrates the extensive reach of the smoke, highlighting the ongoing environmental crisis linked to these wildfires. Full Article
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