Alaskapox: A Rare Virus in the Spotlight
Alaskapox is a virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus genus, the same family as smallpox and monkeypox belongs to. While still under investigation, here’s what we know so far:
What is alaskapox?
- First found and identified in 2015 in Alaska, with only seven confirmed cases reported to date.
- Primarily affects small mammals like voles and shrews, but can also infect humans.
- Symptoms are usually mild, including flu-like illness, skin lesions, and swollen lymph nodes.
How does it spread?
- The exact modes of transmission are unknown, but direct contact with infected animals or their lesions is a suspected route.
- Human-to-human transmission hasn’t been confirmed, but close contact with someone with Alaskapox is best avoided.
Recent developments:
- Sadly, one fatality associated with Alaskapox was reported in 2023, Alarming the need for further research.
- Scientists are studying the virus to understand its origin, spreadability, and potential risks.
- The man, who lived in the remote Kenai Peninsula, was hospitalised in November last year and died in late January, according to a bulletin issued last week by public health officials.
Brilliant labs has reveled its first AI frame glasses with a unique AI virtual assistant
The way we consume information has been already changed with vision pro by apple . Singapore-based consumer electronics company Brilliant Labs has come up with the world’s first glasses powered by an integrated multimodal AI assistant. Known as Frame, the latest device is a giant leap in the wearable technology domain. Just as the Vision Pro is blowing minds across the world with its futuristic capabilities,
Reportedly, The Frame glasses are currently available for pre-orders at $349.Frame glasses are backed by AR company Niantic Labs also known for Pokemon Go. The company is also backed by OpenAI and Perplexity AI. The high-tech pair of glasses will begin to shipped in April and users are supposed to get free AI service with some limit on daily cap requests. Reportedly, Brilliant labs have plans to announce a paid AI plan at a later stage.
What are Frame Glasses?
The glasses are available in three shades – black, white, and transparent and there are option of prescription lenses also. It has a micro OLED Panel for showcasing virtual reality. The nosepiece has inbuilt minute camera. On the other hand, the ear pieces looks like coins which are just batteries.
What battery life and charging options are in Frame Glasses?
The batteries on the Frame glasses meant to provide all-day battery life. When it comes to charging, the glasses recharge using an orange device Mister Power that resembles the shape of the nose. The device comes with a USB-C cable.
These unique glasses from Brilliant Labs has capabilities to translate languages, and answer queries with the help of AI. Much similar to Humane AI’s AI Pin, the Frame Glasses can also tell you the amount of calories in a food item.
Bobak Tavangar former Apple Executive is heading Brilliant Labs. In his statement, the CEO said, “Frame truly offers a new paradigm in the way humans interface with the digital world, and with each other.”
The design of Frame Glasses is inspired by spectacles once worn by legends Mahatma Gandhi, and Steve Jobs and many other iconic human being. Though it is convectional round glasses Frame Glasses is stylish and light weight
An unique kind of AI assistant
Frame comes equipped with an always-on AI assistant known as Noa which is much similar to Jarvis from the ‘Iron Man’ series. According to the company, Frame not only transforms our perception of the world but also redefines our interactions with physical environments. According to Tavangar, Noa is a new kind of AI virtual assistant as it empowers users to engage more with the world around them.
Frame Glasses adapts to the user’s interactions and evolves into a unique personality. The virtual assistant is capable of summarising pages and translating text into foreign languages. The device’s in-built multimodal generative AI allows it to manage multiple AI systems to fulfill advanced tasks.
He said “Our hope is that Frame enables people to connect with each other in entirely new ways, and opens up new experiences in everyday life, the workplace, the classroom, and more. This is the unique promise of bringing generative AI in front of the human eye,”
The Frame Glasses come with an integrated multimodal generative AI system that is capable of running GPT-4, Stability AI, and Whisper AI model all at the same time. Meanwhile, Noa works on real-world visual processing, real-time speech recognition and translation, and novel image generation. According to the company, Frame’s multimodality allows numerous AI models to collaborate, offering tremendous possibilities in everyday life
Also read : New Video Shared By Elon Musk Shows Tesla’s Optimus Humanoid Robot Walking Naturally
symptoms of Alaskapox virus
- Flu-like illness (fever, chills, fatigue)
- Skin lesions (blisters, pustules) that appear like insect bites, usually on the extremities
- Swollen lymph nodes
Alaskapox transmission:
- The exact modes of transmission are unknown, but suspected routes are:
- Direct contact with infected animals or their lesions
- Indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
- Potential for respiratory transmission, though not confirmed
Orthopoxvirus family:
- A group of viruses that infect vertebrates, including humans.
- Well-known members include smallpox (eradicated), monkeypox, and cowpox.
- Viruses in this family can cause a range of symptoms, from mild skin lesions to severe illness.
Recent developments:
- Sadly, one fatality associated with Alaskapox was reported in 2023, highlighting the need for further research.
- Scientists are studying the virus to understand its origin, spread, and potential risks.
Remember, Alaskapox is a rare virus, and the risk to the general public is considered low. However, staying informed and practicing good hygiene, especially around wild animals, is always recommended.
