Latest news with #ECG
Auto Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal Alert! Leapmotor T03 jumps the EV grant gun at under £14,500
The Electric Car Grant (ECG) is here but while other manufacturers scramble to register their vehicles and finalise pricing, Leapmotor is taking matters into its own hands. From July 18, the firm is applying discounts across its entire electric car range that match the predicted value of the ECG. Better still, all models are also available on 0% APR finance. Advertisement - Article continues below The so-called 'Leap-Grant' discounts mean that the electric Leapmotor T03 city car gets £1,500 off its On the Road (OTR) price and is now available from £14,495. That's less than the Dacia Spring by OTR price, making it now the UK's cheapest electric car. The Leapmotor C10 mid-size electric SUV, meanwhile, gets the full £3,750 ECG saving and is now available from only £32,750. The 0% finance offer means that the C10 could be bought on a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deal with a tiny £319 deposit followed by 48 monthly payments of the same amount. The Leapmotor T03 is offered on PCP for a £169 deposit and 48 monthly payments of that same amount. The new Electric Car Grant is being applied in two levels with manufacturers required to register their vehicles that meet the eligibility criteria to secure the correct level of discount. Tier one cars will get the full £3,750 grant while tier two cars will get £1,500 off. Leapmotor has sidestepped the uncertainty around which cars will qualify at which level, as well as questions over whether Chinese cars will meet the sustainability criteria, by launching its own grant. Damien Dally, Managing Director of Leapmotor UK, said: 'We've decided to act now because we want to give customers clarity, confidence, and immediate savings – and make the switch to electric a simple choice.' The Chinese Leapmotor brand is a joint venture with the Stellantis group, which is also home to more familiar names like Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Jeep. The T03 is manufactured in Poland while the C10 is built in China. You can get the Leapmotor Leap-Grant deals now through the Auto Express Find a Car service. Spec your ideal T03 or C10 using our tool and get the best current offers from UK Leapmotor dealers. See our new Leapmotor deals Did you know you can also sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ...
Web Release
3 days ago
- Health
- Web Release
AI-ECG tools can help clinicians identify heart issues early in women planning to have children
Every year, some mothers die after giving birth due to heart problems, and many of these deaths could be prevented. The ability to screen for heart weakness before pregnancy could play a crucial role in identifying women who may need additional care to improve pregnancy outcomes. Mayo Clinic researchers, led by Anja Kinaszczuk, D.O., and Demilade Adedinsewo, M.B., Ch.B., tested artificial intelligence (AI) tools, using recordings from an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a digital stethoscope, to find unknown heart problems in women of childbearing age seen in primary care. Study findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine show high diagnostic performance of these technologies to detect left ventricular ejection fraction below 50%, indicating heart muscle weakness. These tools were tested on two groups of women aged 18 to 49: Group 1: 100 women already scheduled for an echocardiogram (the best test to evaluate heart muscle function). They also had a standard clinical ECG and digital stethoscope recording of the heart's electrical activity and heart sounds. Group 2: 100 women seen for routine primary care visits to see how often the AI tools would find heart problems. The AI-ECG demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94, while the AI digital stethoscope, Eko DUO, achieved an even higher AUC of 0.98, indicating strong diagnostic accuracy. In the second cohort, the prevalence of positive AI screening results was 1% for the AI-ECG and 3.2% for the AI-stethoscope. 'Statistically, nearly half of pregnancies in this country are unplanned, and approximately 1% to 2% of women may have heart problems they don't know about. Our research findings suggest that these AI tools could be used to screen women before pregnancy, allowing for improved pregnancy planning and risk stratification, early treatment, and better health outcomes which addresses a critical gap in current maternal care,' says Dr. Adedinsewo, a cardiologist and senior author of the study. This research builds upon earlier published studies, including a pilot prospective study evaluating AI digital tools to detect pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy among obstetric patients in the U.S. and a pragmatic randomized clinical trial of women in Nigeria who were pregnant or had recently given birth. Collectively, this research highlights the potential of AI to modernize cardiovascular screening, enabling earlier identification and management of heart muscle weakness in women of reproductive age. Further research is underway to explore the potential of using these technologies to screen for heart weakness in broader populations. Mayo Clinic has licensed the underlying technology to Eko Health for its digital stethoscope with embedded ECG electrodes and to Anumana for the 12-lead ECG. Mayo Clinic and some study authors have a financial interest in this technology. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Gamified ECG learning boosts Gen Z engagement at MSU
In the modern educational landscape, the expectations and learning preferences of students have shifted significantly. With the emergence of Generation Z learners: digital natives who thrive in interactive, visual, and engaging environments: traditional didactic teaching methods often fall short in capturing their attention and sustaining motivation. This is particularly true in highly technical and skill-intensive fields such as cardiovascular technology, where both theoretical knowledge and practical proficiency are essential for professional competency. As educators strive to bridge the gap between passive instruction and active engagement, gamification has emerged as a promising pedagogical strategy. By integrating game elements such as storytelling, decision-making, and feedback into academic content, educators can foster deeper learning, enhance critical thinking and encourage collaborative problem-solving. What's gamification? Gamification refers to the incorporation of game-like elements into non-game contexts, including education. Within health sciences education, gamified learning has been found to improve student engagement, motivation and retention of information. For ECG education, which requires a strong understanding of anatomical landmarks, lead placements, procedural accuracy and clinical interpretation, gamified tools can make abstract and technical content more relatable and memorable. This teaching innovation was developed in response to feedback from students and lecturers that traditional ECG instruction delivered through lectures and demonstration was often monotonous and did not cater to diverse learning styles. Inspired by the popularity of interactive web novels and branching storyline games among Gen Z students, the teaching team at MSU initiated the use of web novel-style PowerPoint games as an instructional tool. This approach combines clinical simulation, storytelling and user-driven pathways, encouraging students to engage with content in a dynamic and purposeful manner. The groups were evaluated based on comprehensive rubric encompassing cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains. The cognitive domain focused on the accuracy and depth of clinical reasoning; the psychomotor domain assessed the sequencing and correctness of ECG procedure steps and the affective domain measured teamwork, creativity, and professionalism. Positive Outcome on cognitive load. The implementation of the gamified project yielded several positive outcomes, both qualitative and quantitative. Students responded enthusiastically to the assignment, often exceeding minimum requirements. Most groups incorporated vivid storytelling, original characters, and realistic hospital scenarios. Narratives frequently explore themes of patient anxiety, ethical dilemmas, and teamwork in a clinical setting: highlighting not just technical accuracy but emotional intelligence. From a learning outcomes perspective, students demonstrated improved comprehension of ECG fundamentals. Lead placements, which are often misinterpreted in traditional assessments, were clearly and correctly illustrated in the majority of presentations. The branching choices allowed students to understand the consequences of procedural errors, such as misplacement of electrodes or failure to check equipment calibration. The requirement to justify narrative choices and reflect on clinical implications prompted students to engage in deeper discussions during their presentations. Many reflected on what they learned through mistakes built into their stories. Group work also fostered peer learning, leadership, and communication: skills essential in clinical practice. The success of the web novel game approach demonstrates the power of storytelling and interactivity in transforming ECG education. By allowing students to inhabit the role of a healthcare professional making real-time decisions, the activity fostered a sense of accountability and realism that is often absent in textbook learning. Moreover, the use of a familiar and accessible platform like Microsoft PowerPoint made the implementation feasible with minimal technological barriers. Contrary to assumptions that gamification requires expensive software or coding skills, this project illustrates that innovation in education often lies in how tools are used, not how advanced they are. Importantly, this approach aligns with constructivist learning theory, which emphasizes that learners build knowledge through experiences and reflection. In this case, the narrative structure and decision-making process served as a scaffold for integrating new knowledge with prior understanding, encouraging meaningful learning. Conclusion In conclusion, gamification, when thoughtfully integrated with storytelling and clinical reasoning, can significantly enhance the quality of learning in allied health education. The web novel game project empowered students to take ownership of their learning, apply theory to simulated practice, and reflect on the humanistic aspects of patient care. As educational institutions increasingly embrace digital transformation, strategies that blend narrative, simulation, and interactivity will play a critical role in preparing future healthcare professionals. The success of this project highlights that innovation does not require complex technology but a creative reimagining of how students learn best. Author: Nik Ida Marliana Bt Nik Anuar Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Management and Science University, Malaysia Correspondence: nikidamarliana@
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
The emergence of Generation Z learners: Digital native's vs Traditional didactic teaching methods.
In the modern educational landscape, the expectations and learning preferences of students have shifted significantly. With the emergence of Generation Z learners: digital natives who thrive in interactive, visual, and engaging environments: traditional didactic teaching methods often fall short in capturing their attention and sustaining motivation. This is particularly true in highly technical and skill-intensive fields such as cardiovascular technology, where both theoretical knowledge and practical proficiency are essential for professional competency. As educators strive to bridge the gap between passive instruction and active engagement, gamification has emerged as a promising pedagogical strategy. By integrating game elements such as storytelling, decision-making, and feedback into academic content, educators can foster deeper learning, enhance critical thinking and encourage collaborative problem-solving. What's gamification? Gamification refers to the incorporation of game-like elements into non-game contexts, including education. Within health sciences education, gamified learning has been found to improve student engagement, motivation and retention of information. For ECG education, which requires a strong understanding of anatomical landmarks, lead placements, procedural accuracy and clinical interpretation, gamified tools can make abstract and technical content more relatable and memorable. This teaching innovation was developed in response to feedback from students and lecturers that traditional ECG instruction delivered through lectures and demonstration was often monotonous and did not cater to diverse learning styles. Inspired by the popularity of interactive web novels and branching storyline games among Gen Z students, the teaching team at MSU initiated the use of web novel-style PowerPoint games as an instructional tool. This approach combines clinical simulation, storytelling and user-driven pathways, encouraging students to engage with content in a dynamic and purposeful manner. The groups were evaluated based on comprehensive rubric encompassing cognitive, psychomotor and affective learning domains. The cognitive domain focused on the accuracy and depth of clinical reasoning; the psychomotor domain assessed the sequencing and correctness of ECG procedure steps and the affective domain measured teamwork, creativity, and professionalism. Positive Outcome on cognitive load. The implementation of the gamified project yielded several positive outcomes, both qualitative and quantitative. Students responded enthusiastically to the assignment, often exceeding minimum requirements. Most groups incorporated vivid storytelling, original characters, and realistic hospital scenarios. Narratives frequently explore themes of patient anxiety, ethical dilemmas, and teamwork in a clinical setting: highlighting not just technical accuracy but emotional intelligence. From a learning outcomes perspective, students demonstrated improved comprehension of ECG fundamentals. Lead placements, which are often misinterpreted in traditional assessments, were clearly and correctly illustrated in the majority of presentations. The branching choices allowed students to understand the consequences of procedural errors, such as misplacement of electrodes or failure to check equipment calibration. The requirement to justify narrative choices and reflect on clinical implications prompted students to engage in deeper discussions during their presentations. Many reflected on what they learned through mistakes built into their stories. Group work also fostered peer learning, leadership, and communication: skills essential in clinical practice. The success of the web novel game approach demonstrates the power of storytelling and interactivity in transforming ECG education. By allowing students to inhabit the role of a healthcare professional making real-time decisions, the activity fostered a sense of accountability and realism that is often absent in textbook learning. Moreover, the use of a familiar and accessible platform like Microsoft PowerPoint made the implementation feasible with minimal technological barriers. Contrary to assumptions that gamification requires expensive software or coding skills, this project illustrates that innovation in education often lies in how tools are used, not how advanced they are. Importantly, this approach aligns with constructivist learning theory, which emphasizes that learners build knowledge through experiences and reflection. In this case, the narrative structure and decision-making process served as a scaffold for integrating new knowledge with prior understanding, encouraging meaningful learning. Conclusion In conclusion, gamification, when thoughtfully integrated with storytelling and clinical reasoning, can significantly enhance the quality of learning in allied health education. The web novel game project empowered students to take ownership of their learning, apply theory to simulated practice, and reflect on the humanistic aspects of patient care. As educational institutions increasingly embrace digital transformation, strategies that blend narrative, simulation, and interactivity will play a critical role in preparing future healthcare professionals. The success of this project highlights that innovation does not require complex technology but a creative reimagining of how students learn best. Author:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK's 650 Million GBP Electric Car Grant: But Will It Be Enough?
In a bid to drive Britain's transition to cleaner transport, the UK government has unveiled the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) that aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable. With grants of up to £3,750 available for zero-emission cars priced under £37,000, the initiative is expected to ease the upfront cost of EV ownership while supporting sustainable automotive manufacturing. This move is part of UK's broader 'Plan for Change' and aims to rev up the EV market. But its success will also depend on how carmakers respond and how quickly UK can scale up its charging infrastructure. New Discounts With a Green Twist The new grant system is structured into two tiers. Cars that meet the highest sustainability criteria—meaning not just zero tailpipe emissions but also low embedded carbon across their production lifecycle—will be eligible for the full £3,750 discount. Vehicles that meet moderate environmental benchmarks will receive £1,500 in support. To ensure the grant promotes the greenest choices, only models that meet strict sustainability standards will qualify. Manufacturers must apply to have their eligible vehicles listed, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once approved, carmakers will factor the grant into the sticker price at the dealership, so buyers don't need to fill out forms or wait for reimbursements. The government has promised that the funding will be available through the 2028–2029 financial year, offering carmakers time to align their product pipelines with these new incentives. That said, the race is already on, as drivers can start accessing discounts effective today. Winners in the Making For automakers, this grant could be a game-changer, especially for those already investing heavily in electric mobility. Stellantis STLA, for instance, stands to benefit significantly. The company's UK manufacturing hubs in Ellesmere Port and Luton are central to its EV strategy, including production of electric vans and compact cars. With models like the T03 and C10 already on sale under its Leapmotor brand, Stellantis is well-positioned to take advantage of the sub-£37,000 grant scheme. STLA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Meanwhile, Volkswagen VWAGY is gearing up with a full fleet of electric vehicles that span price points and segments. Its ID series—including the ID.3 and ID.4—is already popular among UK drivers. The upcoming (also called ID.1) is positioned as an affordable entry-level EV. With models likely to meet both price and sustainability criteria, Volkswagen's EV range may see a fresh surge in demand. BMW BMWKY is another likely winner. Its iconic Mini Cooper Electric has been a popular urban EV in the UK, and it fits into the grant's eligibility criteria. With strong brand appeal and a fun-to-drive character, BMW's Mini EV could see renewed demand as price-conscious buyers look to take advantage of the new incentives. BMW's broader electrification strategy, which includes expanding its EV lineup across both its core and Mini brands, aligns well with the goals of the scheme. Mercedes-Benz MBGYY, though known for its luxury leanings, could also benefit if future lower-cost trims or special editions bring it under the grant ceiling. Mercedes aims for half of its total sales to be EVs by 2030. Schemes like the ECG could accelerate those ambitions in the UK. Even Ferrari RACE, though typically operating in a vastly different price bracket, is watching the UK EV space with growing interest. The upcoming debut of its first fully electric car, dubbed the 'Elettrica,' is expected later this year. While its estimated price tag of over £420,000 puts it far above grant eligibility, Ferrari's foray into EVs signals a strategic shift. Over time, as battery tech matures and emissions regulations tighten, even high-end brands may explore mid-tier electric options to diversify their lineup. Moving in the Right Direction But Gaps Remain While slashing up to £3,750 off a new EV might entice more drivers to ditch petrol and diesel, the government's plan must go beyond vehicle price tags. Affordability is just one part of the equation. Charging infrastructure remains a key concern. Today, there are roughly 1.3 million electric vehicles on UK roads but only around 82,000 public charging points. That gap needs to close fast if the ECG is to spark lasting momentum. The government aims to grow that number to 300,000 by 2030—a steep climb that will require not just policy but private investment and local coordination. To that end, the grant scheme also includes funding to expand the UK's charging infrastructure. This includes £25 million for cross-pavement charging solutions (ideal for those without driveways), £30 million to install chargepoints at commercial depots, and £8 million earmarked for NHS sites. These measures will complement the £6 billion in private funding already committed to accelerating UK's EV infrastructure by 2030. Looking Ahead For brands like Stellantis, BMW and Volkswagen, the ECG offers a clear path to capture more market share, provided they act swiftly. Mercedes-Benz may find new reasons to introduce lower-cost variants that qualify under the scheme, while Ferrari's electric ambitions—though not grant-linked—reflect the industry's broader pivot. Ultimately, the Electric Car Grant is a positive step; grants may draw in buyers, but unless they're backed by fast-charging stations, affordable insurance, and reliable battery performance, adoption could still lag. Nonetheless, this grant puts more power behind UK's EV drive. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ferrari N.V. (RACE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Volkswagen AG Unsponsored ADR (VWAGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stellantis N.V. (STLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Mercedes-Benz Group AG (MBGYY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Unsponsored ADR (BMWKY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
