Latest news with #oxygenlevels
ABC News
22-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
VitalTrace fetal monitoring device touted as 'absolute revolution' in childbirth
For the first time ever, health professionals will be able to accurately monitor oxygen levels in babies during childbirth to prevent major health issues and unnecessary emergency procedures. Experts have described the "breakthrough technology", developed in Western Australia, as a world-first and the biggest development in fetal monitoring in 50 years. The VitalTrace device attaches to the baby's head and transmits small, continuous electrodes to measure the baby's heart rate and level of lactate, which can detect fetal distress. University of WA professor Jane Pillow described the device as "the first breakthrough in fetal monitoring that we've had since the 1960s". She said the current method of fetal monitoring was not a "good predictor" of how well oxygen was being delivered to the baby during labour, she said. "The problem with that is … sometimes we miss babies that are not getting oxygen all that well," she said. "And at other times the diagnosis of when they aren't getting oxygen might be significantly delayed, and the consequence of that for babies is really devastating." A lack of oxygen could result in death but often it's the cause of significant health issues like cerebral palsy, brain damage and organ function complications. Emily Stone said it could provide re-assurance to mothers. "There were times during the birth of my daughter, when her heart rate couldn't be detected," she said. "It can be quite frightening in what's already an intense experience. "If this device was available, it just would have given me greater piece of mind that she was healthy and safe." Obstetrician and associate professor and the University of WA Scott White said the new development had the potential to halve unnecessary emergency caesareans, describing it as "an absolute revolution in childbirth". "It allows us to better identify those babies who are compromised," Ms Scott said. "But equally as important, it allows us to reduce the interventions we unnecessarily apply to women, which is a real profound improved health outcome." Mr Scott explained one of the well-known side effects of traditional heart rate monitoring is its inaccuracy. "At the moment, we look at changes in the babies heart rate pattern, that requires a lot of training, skill and interpretation and therefore errors can happen," Mr Scott said. "Whenever you use an indirect measure, you get false positive results and false negative results … [and] it tells us babies are unhappy when frequently they're not. "But this device is much more accurate which allows us to safely leave babies in when they're safe and to more accurately recognise those babies that truly do need to be delivered early." The device has taken about seven years to develop and the technology is similar to what people with diabetes use to monitor their glucose levels. VitalTrace co-founder and chief executive Arjun Kaushik said the response to the device had been overwhelming. "The enthusiasm to adopt this device cannot be overstated, I think this is an area of medicine that has long been under-served in technology," he said. Both the state and federal government have backed the device, with the state government contributing about $5 million to the technology's development. Early trials of the technology involved 20 mothers who participated nationwide. But professionals are hoping another larger trial will start next year to test the devices efficacy and dependability with the aim of getting regulatory approval in 2027.
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Oxygen levels in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay decline after heavy rain in May, data shows
The Chesapeake Bay saw historically low oxygen levels in June, after heavy rain in May, according to data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). According to a DNR report, the low oxygen levels led to hypoxia in the bay, which happens when the water has less than 2 mg/l of oxygen. An increase in hypoxia levels can impact fish and crabs that live in the water. The hypoxia increase in the Chesapeake Bay was reported between early and late June. However, no hypoxia was recorded in May. In the past 41 years, there were only nine times when hypoxia was not seen in May, according to the DNR. Data shows hypoxia increased from below average levels in early June to above average in late June. It comes after heavy rainfall in Maryland and Pennsylvania during May and hot temperatures during June. According to the DNR, heavy rainfall can lead to lower oxygen levels as runoff pushes excess nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay. This can impact algal blooms and reduce the clarity of the water. The regional weather patterns fueled algal blooms and resulted in less oxygen consumption. Temperatures also impact hypoxia levels as warmer water holds less oxygen. Data shows hypoxia in the Bay was triple the normal average in late June, the largest volume of hypoxia seen in Maryland since the monitoring program began. The increase in hypoxia levels can impact wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay, as crabs, fish, oysters and other animals need the dissolved oxygen to live. According to the DNR, some watermen reported finding dead crabs in shallow water in early July. An analysis found that winds between July 1 and July 4 likely pushed water east, allowing low oxygen levels to come closer to the surface in some locations. The DNR is studying the level and duration of hypoxia in the Bay to determine specific impacts to wildlife. DNR officials also emphasized that reducing phosphorus pollution from industrial and wastewater runoff, farms and cities could reduce hypoxia conditions in the Bay.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Fishing halted due to 'critical' condition of River Trent
Fishing on the River Trent has been suspended by numerous clubs because of "critical conditions" endangering the health of the Anglers Association said itself and other clubs separately took the decision because of "low oxygen levels" caused by the recent hot secretary David Turner said during optimal conditions in winter the oxygenation readings could hit 130-140% but currently some areas were down to 30%.Guidance from the Angling Trust and Environment Agency states that low oxygen level make it harder for the fish to recover from being caught and leaves them more susceptible to diseases and infections. Mr Turner said: "With the lack of rain and the fact we keep getting these high temperatures, the river's become quite a dangerous place for fish."He said this is because there is a correlation between water temperature and its ability to hold oxygen. A slow water flow has also impacted oxygen levels."Even the rain that we've had this week won't get into the river, because the land is so dry, so it's just going to soak into the soil and not run off into the tributaries," he Whittaker, secretary of the Nottingham Piscatorial Society, said its members had been "very supportive" of the decision to suspend fishing and cancel matches."The River Trent is a very precious commodity that we should all look after, [and] as anglers, we're doing our best to look after the fish and the habitat," he said. Both clubs said they had seen reports of dead fish on social media but had not witnessed it within their fishing waters and the decision to suspend fishing was a Turner also said there would be repercussions for any members who go against the advice."If we do find any of our members on our water that have ignored the close signs, they will be dealt with by the committee, and almost certainly will lose their membership," he said.A spokesperson for the Environment Agency confirmed any decision to suspend fishing was down to the angling added the agency works with the Angling Trust to issue advice to fishing clubs regarding the impact of hot weather.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hundreds of fish dead after temperatures rise
Volunteers have pulled 173 lbs (78 kg) of dead fish out of a park pond after a hike in water temperatures. Residents spotted hundreds of the fish floating on the surface of the pond at Rossmere Park, Hartlepool. The Environment Agency (EA) found no evidence of pollution, and said the fish had died due to the impact of rising water temperatures on dissolved oxygen in the water. Labour MP Jonathan Brash said he was "really upset" to see the pictures of the dead fish and hoped to find ways to prevent it from happening again. The EA ran tests along the watercourse but found no evidence it had been polluted. A spokesman said the prolonged dry weather combined with "stagnant water flow and increased water temperatures" led to a drop in the dissolved oxygen in the water, which killed the fish. Hartlepool Borough Councillor Quewone Bailey-Fleet said that three local men removed the dead fish from the pond and have now committed to volunteering long-term to help maintain it. Mr Brash met with the council and Environment Agency teams at the pond. He said: "They're currently aerating the water to boost oxygen levels and are testing the water quality. "The initial view is that the recent hot weather reduced oxygen levels and increased ammonia - a dangerous mix for the fish. "The good news is there's still a living fish population in the pond, and we've now moved into the recovery phase." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Hundreds of dead fish in lake after hot weather Samples gathered as fish deaths investigated Hundreds of fish found dead in historic loch Environment Agency
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Hundreds of fish dead in Hartlepool pond after temperatures rise
Volunteers have pulled 173 lbs (78 kg) of dead fish out of a park pond after a hike in water spotted hundreds of the fish floating on the surface of the pond at Rossmere Park, Environment Agency (EA) found no evidence of pollution, and said the fish had died due to the impact of rising water temperatures on dissolved oxygen in the MP Jonathan Brash said he was "really upset" to see the pictures of the dead fish and hoped to find ways to prevent it from happening again. The EA ran tests along the watercourse but found no evidence it had been polluted.A spokesman said the prolonged dry weather combined with "stagnant water flow and increased water temperatures" led to a drop in the dissolved oxygen in the water, which killed the fish. Hartlepool Borough Councillor Quewone Bailey-Fleet said that three local men removed the dead fish from the pond and have now committed to volunteering long-term to help maintain Brash met with the council and Environment Agency teams at the said: "They're currently aerating the water to boost oxygen levels and are testing the water quality. "The initial view is that the recent hot weather reduced oxygen levels and increased ammonia - a dangerous mix for the fish. "The good news is there's still a living fish population in the pond, and we've now moved into the recovery phase." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
