{"id":19434,"date":"2025-03-05T17:08:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T17:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=19434"},"modified":"2025-03-05T17:09:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T17:09:34","slug":"how-smartwatches-can-prevent-the-next-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/how-smartwatches-can-prevent-the-next-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"How Smartwatches Can Prevent the Next Pandemic: New Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">Breakthrough research demonstrates how smartwatches can detect infections early, offering a powerful tool for managing and potentially preventing future pandemics.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyday smartwatches can accurately detect viral infections days before symptoms appear. This groundbreaking capability could help prevent pandemics in the future, according to new research <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/pnasnexus\/article\/4\/3\/pgaf044\/8046445\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in PNAS Nexus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study, conducted by researchers at Aalto University in Finland, Stanford University and Texas A&amp;M University, illustrates how wearable devices can minimize the spread of diseases, such as COVID-19, influenza and the common cold by detecting early physiological changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUnlike during the pandemic, we now have concrete data on how pandemics develop, and how effective different measures are at curbing the spread. Add to this that wearable technology is now extremely effective when it comes to detecting the very early physiological signs of infection, and we are much better prepared,\u201d first author M\u00e4rt Vesinurm, a doctoral researcher from Aalto University, said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Early Detection Key to Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Smartwatches have proven to be remarkably accurate in identifying early signs of illness through physiological markers like respiration rate, heart rate and skin temperature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These devices can detect COVID-19 with 88% accuracy and the flu with 90% accuracy before symptoms manifest, according to the study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On average, individuals reduce their social contact significantly once they know they are sick. Vesinurm points out that even a modest reduction of 66-75% in social interactions can result in a 40-65% decrease in disease transmission, compared to someone isolating only after symptoms appear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEven at the lower end of compliance, if people receive and act on an earlier warning by self-isolating, the impact is significant,\u201d Vesinurm added. &#8220;Even just a 66-75 percent reduction in social contacts soon after detection by smartwatches \u2014 keeping in mind that that\u2019s on a par with what you\u2019d normally do if you had cold symptoms \u2014 can lead to a 40-65 percent decrease in disease transmission compared to someone isolating from the onset of symptoms,\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implications for Future Outbreaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The study suggests that smartwatches\u2019 role goes beyond individual health tracking to aiding public health strategies. The researchers believe these wearables can be instrumental in managing potential new outbreaks, such as H5N1 (avian flu) or other emerging viral threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs we gather more specific data about how different illnesses affect these measurements, there\u2019s no reason we couldn\u2019t distinguish between diseases, from bird flu and HIV to the common cold, especially when used in conjunction with advanced machine learning methods and other data from the user,\u201d added Vesinurm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Towards Smarter Policies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By drawing on data from epidemiological, biological and behavioral studies, the researchers developed a mathematical model of infection spread at a population level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This integrated approach could overhaul current pandemic policies by offering early warnings and more targeted interventions, potentially reducing the need for broad measures like lockdowns and widespread testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople are used to wearable devices and they\u2019re likely to trust them. While they\u2019re not yet diagnostic, they could help make unpopular approaches like masks, lockdowns and invasive testing more targeted and less of a blunt instrument,\u201d Vesinurm added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Early detection could prompt actions like PCR testing, mask-wearing or avoiding vulnerable individuals, based on real-time data available through smartwatches. This information not only empowers individuals to take protective measures but also provides policymakers with a vital tool for managing public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt could be that governments find it most cost-effective in a pandemic situation to provide every person who wants one with a smartwatch \u2014 although of course, this comes with its own ethical considerations,\u201d Vesinurm concluded. \u201cEither way, with early detection literally at our fingertips, I see a lot of reason to hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aalto.fi\/en\/news\/study-smartwatches-could-end-the-next-pandemic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Aalto University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyday smartwatches can accurately detect viral infections days before symptoms appear. This groundbreaking capability could help prevent pandemics in the future, according to new research published in PNAS Nexus. The study, conducted by researchers at Aalto University in Finland, Stanford University and Texas A&amp;M University, illustrates how wearable devices can minimize the spread of diseases, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[96,53,97],"class_list":["post-19434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tech","tag-aalto-university","tag-stanford-university","tag-texas-am-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Everyday smartwatches can accurately detect viral infections days before symptoms appear. This groundbreaking capability could help prevent pandemics in the future, according to new research published in PNAS Nexus. The study, conducted by researchers at Aalto University in Finland, Stanford University and Texas A&amp;M University, illustrates how wearable devices can minimize the spread of diseases,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19434"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19449,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19434\/revisions\/19449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}