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CityU researchers tackle a century-old teletraffic challenge to enhance medical and public service efficiency

A research team at City University of Hong Kong has developed a novel performance evaluation method called Information Exchange Surrogate Approximation (IESA) to calculate blocking probabilities in queueing systems with overflow. IESA provides ways to allocate limited resources better, enhancing resource allocation and capacity plannin...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalIEEE Access·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

Scientists designed the deployment of three-body chain-type tethered satellites in low-eccentricity orbits using only tether

Scientists develop a novel deployment scheme for a 3-body chain-type tethered satellite system, utilizing sequential deployment and hierarchical sliding mode control to ensure accurate trajectory tracking. The proposed scheme simplifies the deployment process while guaranteeing positive tension and avoiding tether rupture.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace Science & Technology·DateNov 2, 2023

What’s wrong in statistics

A new paper proposes an itemized checklist to guide researchers in publishing analyses using complex sample survey data. The checklist, PRICSSA, consists of 17 important items to report for any analyses conducted on complex survey data. This reform aims to increase transparency and make analytic mistakes easier to spot.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of Survey Statistics and Methodology·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 26, 2023

Researchers test smart surfaces to improve wireless communication and localization

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed transmission schemes that incorporate reconfigurable intelligent surfaces to serve as reflectors within existing wireless networks. These surfaces can bounce signals to cell phones, improving accuracy and reliability in location services and data speeds.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalIEEE Communications Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 2, 2023

Novel method for assigning workplaces in synthetic populations unveiled

Researchers in Japan have developed a novel method to assign workplace locations to individuals in synthetic populations, addressing a significant limitation of previous models. This breakthrough enables more accurate social simulations, which can be used to assess various social issues and inform policy decisions.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 19, 2023

Researchers propose a more effective method to predict floods

A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Hydrology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 9, 2023

Should we tax robots?

A study by MIT economists suggests that a modest tax on robots and foreign trade could help address income inequality in the US. The optimal policy includes taxes ranging from 1% to 3.7% of robot value, with smaller trade taxes, aiming to reduce wage gaps without stifling economic growth.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Review of Economic Studies·DateDec 20, 2022

Adding stratification factors can reduce a small trial’s statistical power

A computational study found that adding more than two stratification factors to a phase 2 trial can significantly reduce its statistical power, making it harder to detect a positive result. For modestly sized trials with 84 participants, using four or six stratification factors resulted in power decreases of 13% and 25%, respectively.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 3, 2022

A new tool for estimating people’s total exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is developed by Mount Sinai researchers

A new metric estimates cumulative exposure to PFAS chemicals, enabling comparisons across studies and applications. The calculator takes into account patterns of exposure to multiple chemicals, providing a robust tool for biomonitoring and disease assessment.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 2, 2022

New computational tools to help target sex, labor trafficking operations

Researchers developed computational models to identify massage businesses at risk of violating laws related to sex and labor trafficking. The models provide probability scores on the likelihood that a business is engaged in illegal activity, allowing law enforcement and organizations to prioritize investigations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIISE Transactions·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 12, 2022

As few as 1 in 5 COVID cases may have been counted worldwide, mathematical models suggest

Mathematical models suggest that only 1 in 5 COVID-19 cases were counted worldwide, resulting in an estimated 600 million to 2.4 billion actual cases globally. The wide range of estimated cases highlights the problems with accuracy of reported numbers due to data tampering, inconsistent reporting, and lack of uniformity.

New study shows higher death toll among Puerto Ricans following Hurricane Maria than reported following 2017 disaster

A new University of Toronto study finds an additional 514 deaths should be added to the official Hurricane Maria death toll due to displaced Puerto Ricans in the US. The study suggests undercounting and highlights the need for equitable disaster preparedness and cross-jurisdiction data sharing.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalBMJ Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

Cameras candidly capture bushmeat mammals to avert crisis

A team of researchers from Kyoto University and Cameroon used camera trap surveys to predict the total biomass of large rodents and duikers in southeast Cameroon. They developed six candidate indicators, including the ratio of red duikers to blue duikers, which showed positive linear correlations with total bushmeat biomass.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2022

Competition sheds light on approximation methods for large spatial datasets

A global competition between approximation methods for analyzing large spatial datasets shed light on their statistical efficiency. The competition compared various methods using synthetic spatial datasets and revealed the performance of different approaches, providing a unified framework for understanding existing approximation methods.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of Agricultural Biological and Environmental Statistics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 19, 2022

Dartmouth study reveals flaws in statistical modeling approach used in health services research

A Dartmouth study found that the stratified approach to statistical modeling in health services research can lead to inaccurate conclusions about disparities and inequities in healthcare. Joint modeling, on the other hand, provides a more accurate estimate of physician treatment patterns across different patient types.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 17, 2021

New research supports stricter social and economic mandates to reduce COVID-19 spread

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that stricter non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as policy restrictions on business operations and indoor mask mandates, are associated with reduced COVID-19 cases in Ontario. The study also suggests that increases in workplace attendance correlate with higher case counts.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Public Policy·DateSep 15, 2021

New Bayesian quantum algorithm directly calculates the energy difference of an atom and molecule

Researchers from Osaka City University have developed a Bayesian phase difference estimation (BPDE) algorithm that directly calculates the energy difference between two relevant quantum states. This breakthrough enables precise accuracy in chemistry problems and overcomes limitations of conventional full-CI calculations.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2021

Statistics say large pandemics are more likely than we thought

A new study estimates the intensity and frequency of extreme novel pandemics, finding that large pandemics like COVID-19 are relatively likely due to growing risks. The study suggests that a pandemic similar in scale to COVID-19 is likely within 59 years, highlighting the need for adjusted perceptions of pandemic risks.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 23, 2021

We like taking selfies but not looking at them

A study found that while 77% of participants take selfies regularly, 82% would prefer fewer selfies on social media. Participants perceived their own selfies as more self-ironic and authentic, while those taken by others were seen as less authentic.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 9, 2017

Most NHL players peak by age 29: Study

A new study found that NHL forwards reach their peak performance between the ages of 27 and 28, while defencemen peak between 28 and 29. The study also revealed that players perform close to their peak levels for several years before and after their optimal age range.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateMay 15, 2014

No more tasty surprises

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new method to calculate the probability of extreme events in finance. The traditional approach ignores the bulk of the relevant data, which can lead to important information being lost. By using this new method, scientists can better predict such events and improve financial models.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalThe Annals of Statistics·DateSep 26, 2011

Feeding the five thousand -- or was it three?

Researchers claim most crowd estimations are unreliable due to political bias and have devised new methods for estimating static and mobile crowds with reduced margin of error. The 'area x density' method for static crowds and the 'two-inspection-point' method for mobile crowds can provide more accurate estimates

SourceWiley·JournalSignificance·DateAug 24, 2011