Man found dead at Bloomington homeless encampment
Early Sunday morning, local authorities were contacted regarding a man who was discovered to have been non-responsive at an encampment adjacent to the B-Line Trail in Downtown Bloomington. The man was found inside of a tent, but had a cord wrapped around his neck, which had been tied to the pedestrian bridge at Grimes and Morton Streets. The County Coroner’s Office declared the individual dead at the scene. An investigation into the death is underway.
Research at IU uncovers new biomarkers which can detect early eye changes that can lead to diabetes-related blindness
New biomarkers found in the eyes could unlock the key to helping manage diabetic retinopathy, and perhaps even diabetes, according to new research conducted at the Indiana University School of Optometry. During its early stages, diabetes can affect the eyes before the changes are detectable with a regular clinical examination. However, new retinal research has found that these changes can be measured earlier than previously thought with specialized optical techniques and computer analysis.
The ability to detect biomarkers for this sight-threatening condition may lead to the early identification of people at risk for diabetes or visual impairment, as well as improve physicians’ ability to manage these patients. The study appears in the journal PLOS One. Diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by changes in the blood vessels in the retina, is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in U.S. adults. From 2010 to 2050, the number of Americans with diabetic retinopathy is expected to nearly double, from 7.7 million to 14.6 million.
The new study is part of the current widespread emphasis on detection of diabetic retinopathy through artificial intelligence applied to retinal images. However, some of these algorithms provide detection based on features that occur much later than the changes found in this study. The IU-led method advances earlier detection because of the retinal image processing algorithms described in the study.
Elsner conducted the retinal image analysis in her lab at the IU School of Optometry’s Borish Center for Ophthalmic Research, along with her co-author, Joel A. Papay, a Ph.D. student in the Vision Science Program at the school. They used data collected from volunteers with diabetes, along with healthy control subjects. Additional data were also collected from a diabetic retinopathy screening of members of the underserved community at the University of California, Berkeley, and Alameda Health.
The computer analysis was performed on retinal image data commonly collected in well-equipped clinics, but much of the information used in this study is often ignored for diagnosis or management of patients. The study was supported by a five-year $2.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute.
I-69 Finish Line update
Morgan County
- Expect to see flagging activity in force on State Road 252 at S.R. 37 where a new bridge is under construction. Extensive dirt work will be underway over the next couple of weeks and trucks will need to cross S.R. 252 with the help of flaggers. Consider an alternate route. If driving in the area, be sure to slow down, avoid distractions and stay alert in the area.
- S.R. 37 northbound traffic has shifted across the median from south of Henderson Ford Road to S.R. 144. Local traffic on this section is using the new and rehabilitated I-69 southbound lanes, allowing road and bridge construction on the northbound side to begin. Drive carefully and watch for construction activity along your route.
- The Morgan County Fair begins late this week! Expect added traffic near the fairgrounds and motorists should plan for extra time when headed to the fair. Visit our website for maps to navigate the S.R. 37 closure and restrictions.
- Watch for changing traffic patterns where Mahalasville Road/Artesian Avenue meets the realigned Commercial Boulevard. The new Southview Drive alignment is expected to open next month.
Johnson County
- The access road between Stones Crossing Road and Travis Road is expected to open on or after Tuesday, July 27.
- A small section of Huggin Hollow Road station is expected to close on or after August 9 between S.R. 144 and the BP gas station. Access to the gas station is being realigned to the west.
- It’s easy to take a long-term look ahead at what work is expected in Johnson County. Our color-coded construction start maps show, by county, what year different phases of the project are expected to begin construction. Scroll down and click on Johnson County maps to expand and download the maps.
Marion County
- Thompson Road is expected to close permanently later this week between Warman Avenue and Stoops Freightliner. Access to and from the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood will be from Epler Avenue, where a new I-69 interchange will be built.
- A separate bridge deck overlay project closed the East Street southbound ramp to I-465 eastbound last week. It’s expected to remain closed while I-465 serves as a detour for the I-65/I-70 North Split closure.