Per Ola Kristensson and Keith Vertanen, at the University of Cambridge's Computer Laboratory, have developed a method of allowing speech-recognition programs to share their thoughts, as it were, with the user, in order to speed up the correction process.

ECONOMIST: Better speech-recognition technology

The method requires a series of advanced laboratory procedures, microarray chips and a high-speed gene-sequencing machine to assemble the strands in the proper order, correct any errors and then read the final text.

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However, on Monday it was revealed that a new report carried out on behalf of HSE by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) - which carries out scientific research - that the method of testing carried out by Santia could "overestimate the levels of asbestos fibres as it does not distinguish between asbestos fibres and other fibres such as paper, clothing and skin cells".

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