Turkish 1st space traveler trials project for disease detection via sound

By Tolga Yanik

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye's first space traveler, Alper Gezeravci, is conducting scientific experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), including the VocalCORD project, a mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to detect diseases from frequency changes and vibrations in the voice.

VocalCORD can detect low-gravity-induced lung and cardiovascular diseases, Professor Gokhan Aydemir, the project manager from Istanbul's Halic University, told Anadolu.

Aydemir, leading a team of 12, including artificial intelligence (AI) experts, explained that VocalCORD initially calculates lung capacity and vital capacity through spirometric data by measuring decibel differences during deep breaths.

"In the first phase, we calculate lung and essential vital capacity by recording data with spirometry with deep breathing, measuring only decibel differences. In the second phase, cough and phonation are measured; the sound frequencies and vibration resulting from these two phases are calculated and current lung and cardiovascular health is evaluated."

"Since the application can measure the pulse, calculate respiratory rate and saturation, and take ECGs with electrodes, we will be able to deal with all kinds of healthcare services with the support of artificial intelligence," he added.

Aydemir noted that they developed VocalCORD during COVID-19 and that they uploaded patients' data to their artificial intelligence systems during the pandemic.

- VocalCORD project faced intense challenges

Aydemir recalled receiving the call from the Turkish Space Agency in 2021 and mentioned that Halic University, among 40 universities, contributed to the VocalCORD project.

"The most challenging phase was with NASA, involving a rigorous evaluation process," he said.

After training sessions and assessments, NASA approved the experiment on Sept. 23, 2023, he added.

"Before that, we had training sessions with Alper Gezeravci, and thanks to his being an engineer and a pilot, he implemented the application quite well and contributed to its development," he added.

- 'They plan to use our application in future astronauts after Gezeravci'

Aydemir mentioned conducting terrestrial experiments, including one at Halic University and stated that the other experiment took place in the US on Jan. 9.

Aydemir mentioned obtaining voice recordings and coughs from Col. Gezeravci, a Turkish Air Force pilot, stating, "Gezeravci conducts our experiment every day at sunrise and sunset in the soundproof room at the ISS, recording the data. After Gezeravci returns to Earth and the quarantine process is completed, we aim to share the results of our experiment and introduce the application to the public by Feb. 26."

The VocalCORD experiment is conducted on a tablet at the ISS, loaded by NASA, he said.

"They are considering using the application for future astronauts, and its effectiveness will be assessed after disclosing test results and scientific data," he pointed out.

- Capable of detecting respiratory tract-related diseases

Aydemir stated that the application will be accessible to everyone working in challenging conditions.

Adding the tests to the experiment will assess lung physiology, identifying diseases detectable through lung capacity measurements. Additionally, the application can detect respiratory tract-related diseases through phonation and coughing. Artificial intelligence support can guide various health services by measuring vital functions such as pulse, respiratory rate, saturation, and even taking EKGs."

- 'We will also assess Gezeravci's experiences in space'

Halic University Rector Nihat Inanc expressed the university's "joy" in supporting the VocalCORD project and being part of experiments conducted in space.

Emphasizing that this is just the beginning, Inanc said, "We will evaluate the information gained by Gezeravci during his experiences in space and the experiments he conducted. We will shape our future steps in conjunction with Alper's experiences in space."

The Ax-3 mission, with Gezeravci on board, launched on Jan. 18 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket of private space company SpaceX and later docked with the International Space Station.

The four-person team will perform more than 30 scientific experiments during their two-week stay.

* Writing by Necva Tastan and Emir Yildirim