Learn about why eye contact can make you more honest. Then, you’ll learn about RenalTech, the first AI-based diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, and how it could enable early prediction of chronic kidney disease to save cats’ lives, from special guest Kay O’Donnell. Resources from Kay O’Donnell, Vice President of the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute: Press release [Press Release] New AI-driven diagnostic tool can predict chronic kidney disease in cats two years before traditional diagnosis | WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute — https://www.waltham.com/news-events/biomarkers/new-ai-driven-diagnostic-tool-can-predict-chronic-kidney-disease-in-cats-two-years-before-traditional-diagnosis/5860/ [Published Study] Predicting early risk of chronic kidney disease in cats using routine clinical laboratory tests and machine learning | Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, September 2019 — https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.15623 RenalTech: New Diagnostic Tool Can Predict CKD in Cats Two Years Before Onset | Today’s Veterinary Practice — https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/renaltech-new-diagnostic-tool-can-predict-ckd-in-cats-two-years-before-onset/ Predicting Disease: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence for Pet Care | Clinician’s Brief — https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/predicting-disease-promise-artificial-intelligence-pet-care Antech signals 'new era of innovation' with first AI-powered veterinary diagnostic | AnimalPharm — https://animalpharm.agribusinessintelligence.informa.com/AP016298/Antech-signals-new-era-of-innovation-with-first-AIpowered-veterinary-diagnostic Additional sources: Eye contact reduces lying | ScienceDaily — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181109122629.htm Study PDF — https://trepo.tuni.fi/bitstream/10024/105228/1/Eye%20Contact%20Reduces%20Lying_2018.pdf Download the FREE 5-star Curiosity app for Android and iOS at https://curiosity.im/podcast-app. And Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing — just click “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing.
Learn about why eye contact can make you more honest. Then, you’ll learn about RenalTech, the first AI-based diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, and how it could enable early prediction of chronic kidney disease to save cats’ lives, from special guest Kay O’Donnell.
Resources from Kay O’Donnell, Vice President of the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute:
Press release
Additional sources:
Download the FREE 5-star Curiosity app for Android and iOS at https://curiosity.im/podcast-app. And Amazon smart speaker users: you can listen to our podcast as part of your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing — just click “enable” here: https://curiosity.im/podcast-flash-briefing.
Find episode transcript here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/saving-cats-from-kidney-disease-with-ai-w-kay-odonnell-and-eye-contact-reduces-lying
CODY: Hi! We’re here from curiosity-dot-com to help you get smarter in just a few minutes. I’m Cody Gough.
ASHLEY: And I’m Ashley Hamer. Today, you’ll learn about why eye contact can make you more honest. Then, you’ll learn about the first AI-based diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine and how it could save cats’ lives, from special guest Kay O’Donnell.
CODY: Let’s satisfy some curiosity.
Audio script - eye contact (Cody)
What do you say when you think a loved one is lying to you? [AD LIB about the question] Most people would probably say something like "Look me in the eyes." And according to science, that’s a pretty effective technique. It turns out that eye contact can make you more honest.
For a recent study, psychologists in Finland investigated the effect of eye contact on lying. They designed an interactive experiment where participants had to play a "lying game" on a computer with another person, who was actually a lab assistant in disguise. Before the computer game started, the players had a chance to look at each other through a smart window. Sometimes they would make eye contact and other times the lab assistant would look down at their computer, so the participant would only see their averted gaze.
Then, the game began. A blue or red circle would appear on one player’s screen and they were tasked with telling the other player what the color was. The catch was that the player only got a point if they said the color was red, regardless of what the color actually was. If they got caught in a lie, they’d lose five points. The study showed that when volunteers had to make eye contact before playing, they were more honest and lied less.
This study was the first of its kind, and it adds to what most of us already guessed. Yes, people tend to avoid eye contact when they lie, but these results also suggest that you can make them lie less by making eye contact when you ask the question in the first place.
The researchers say they’d like to test their findings out in the real world, but if you’re interrogating someone soon, this strategy is worth a try!
---
Summary: Psychologists investigated the effect of another's direct gaze on lying in an interactive experiment where participants played a lying game on a computer against another person. On each game trial, participants were first briefly presented with a view of the opponent through a smart glass window, after which they made a move in the game. Depending on the trial, the opponent either looked the participant in the eyes or looked down toward their computer screen. The opponent's direct gaze was found to reduce subsequent lying in the game.
[KIWICO]
ASHLEY: Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo.
CODY: KiwiCo (KEY-WEE-COH) creates super cool hands-on projects for kids to make learning about STEAM fun! (STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). They’re designed by experts and tested by kids. No need to research or worry about gathering all the supplies!
ASHLEY: When it comes to the holidays, what do most people think of? Food, family, quality time, presents…boxes? We all love a good subscription box, right? From food boxes to wellness boxes, they’re all the rage. And the curious kids in your life will DEFINITELY be able to look you in the eye when they tell you they love their latest project from KiwiCo.
CODY: And their eyes will be all lit up and full of joy, because lemme tell you, the kids in my life can. not. get. enough. Of Kiwico. There are seven lines to choose from, for kids of all ages, so so there’s something for EVERY kid on your list! So this holiday, give the gift of hands-on learning for tomorrow’s makers.
ASHLEY: KiwiCo is a convenient, affordable way to encourage your children to be anything they want to be. There’s no commitment, so you can cancel anytime.
CODY: Monthly options start at $16.95/month, including shipping. And YOU, Curiosity Daily listener, can go to kiwico-dot-com-slash-CURIOSITY to get YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE.
ASHLEY: Every day counts when it comes to making a difference, so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! Again, go to kiwico-dot-com-slash-CURIOSITY and get YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE.
CODY: That’s kiwico.com/CURIOSITY.
Kay O’Donnell Interview — AI-based RenalTech diagnostic tool for CKD [4:38] (Ashley)
Researchers have developed the first AI-based diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine, and it could have a tremendous impact on the health and lifespan of cats. It’s called RenalTech, and it’s a free tool veterinarians can use to predict whether a cat will develop Chronic Kidney Disease, or CKD. If you’re a cat owner like me, then you probably know about CKD. But if you’re not familiar, then here’s an overview from Kay O’Donnell, Vice President of the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute.
[CLIP 1:06]
[In-line drop] ASHLEY: So what makes it so hard to detect? What are the signs and why is it so hard to detect?
[CLIP 0:43]
Kay told us that chronic kidney disease is the most common cause of death for cats over the age of 5, and has no cure. Fortunately, AI can help. Here’s Kay on the exciting new solution.
[CLIP 2:37]
No additional tests? Sign me up! Again, Kay O’Donnell is the Vice President of the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute. She said that right now, the tool is available in the US, but they’re working on getting it rolled out worldwide. You can find links to learn more about RenalTech and more from the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute in today’s show notes.
CODY: What got us JAZZED about today’s episode?
[ad lib optional]
CODY: Today’s first story was written by Kelsey Donk, and edited by Ashley Hamer, who’s the managing editor for Curiosity.com.
ASHLEY: Today’s podcast was scripted, produced, and edited by Cody Gough.
CODY: Join us again tomorrow to learn something new in just a few minutes.
ASHLEY: And until then, stay curious!