In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists at IBM, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and health tech company Color detail evidence that the presence of genetic mutations isn't a reliable precursor to genetic diseases. They claim diseases can be so greatly influenced by other factors that the risk in carriers is sometimes as low as in that in noncarriers. The research -- which stems from a larger, three-year collaboration between IBM Research and the Broad Institute that was announced in 2019 -- aims to support clinicians leveraging data to better identify patients at serious risk for conditions like cardiovascular disease. Insights could be useful in making health care and prevention decisions, helping clinicians choose whether to recommend imaging or more drastic surgical interventions, like mastectomies. In the course of the study, an IBM-led team developed models that analyze a person's genetic risk factors, clinical health records, and biomarker data to more accurately predict the onset of conditions like heart attacks, sudden cardiac death, and atrial fibrillation.

Along with just about every other major sporting event, the Wimbledon grand slam tennis tournament was canceled this year due to the COVID-19 crisis. However, organizers at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) have tapped long-time partner IBM to create a virtual two-week event consisting of classic matches dating back more than 40 years. To go beyond just bringing old matches to modern digital platforms, IBM and AELTC have leveraged AI techniques to revitalize old footage and appeal to modern viewers. With matches stretching as far back as 1977, a wide range of video quality is to be expected, and older recordings tend to have an issue with visual "noise." "To the naked eye, this noise is like static in the image, with color pixels dancing," IBM executive Sam Seddon told VentureBeat.

IBM is using its AI-based health prediction skills to help tackle the challenge of Huntington's disease. The tech firm has teamed up with CHDI Foundation on an artificial intelligence model that can predict when patients will experience Huntington's symptoms and, crucially, determine how rapidly those symptoms will progress. The team used MRI brain scans to train the AI, using signals from white matter (relatively untapped in brain studies) to help the system gauge how cognitive and motor performance will change over time. The existing understanding of the disease only indicates that symptoms tend to materialize between the ages of 30 and 50, not which symptoms and how they'll evolve. The researchers are "optimistic" that a single MRI scan could produce more accurate estimates of functional decline across multiple categories.

Will defending Wimbledon men's champion Andy Murray be able to repeat? IBM will be tracking all of his action. Too busy to spend hours watching Wimbledon champ Andy Murray try to win back-to-back titles against the likes of past winners Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic? IBM thinks it can help within a matter of minutes. Using its ubiquitous Watson artificial intelligence platform, the tech giant's research and iX teams are now curating the biggest sights and sounds from matches to create "Cognitive Highlights," which will be seen on Wimbledon's digital channels.