Previously, scientists used 3D facial structure to determine biological age, which is a measure of how well the body ages. Biological age is closely linked to disease risk, including cancer and diabetes. The researchers were interested in whether other facial features, such as temperature, could also predict the rate of aging and health status.
By analyzing the facial temperature of more than 2,800 participants aged 21 to 88, scientists trained AI models to estimate a person’s “thermal age.” They identified several key areas of the face where temperature directly correlates with age and health, including the nose, eyes, and cheeks.
Scientists have found that nasal temperature decreases more rapidly with age than other areas of the face. A warm nasal temperature indicates a younger thermal age. At the same time, the temperature around the eyes tends to increase with age.
The study also found that people with metabolic disorders such as diabetes and fatty liver experienced faster thermal aging. Temperatures around the eyes were higher than in healthy people of the same age. People with high blood pressure also had higher cheek temperatures.
Analysis of the participants’ blood showed that an increase in temperature around the eyes and cheeks was associated with increased activity in cells that fight inflammation and DNA damage. This activity causes temperatures to rise in certain areas of the face.
Scientists tested whether physical activity affects thermal age. 23 participants jumped rope at least 800 times every day for two weeks. Surprisingly, after two weeks of exercise, their thermal age decreased by five years.
In the future, the researchers plan to find out if the thermal imaging device can be used to diagnose other diseases, such as sleep disorders or cardiovascular problems.
Source: Ferra

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