A new study provides a method to estimate sample size required for microbiome studies based on effect sizes and analysis methods. For strong associations, around 500 participants were needed to achieve 80% statistical power, while weaker associations may require thousands of samples.
A POSTECH research team developed a novel multidimensional sampling theory to overcome limitations of flat optics. Their study identifies constraints of conventional sampling theories and presents an innovative anti-aliasing strategy, significantly enhancing optical performance.
A study by Texas A&M University has revealed high levels of lead, barium, and chromium in soil samples from the Greater Fifth Ward neighborhood. The findings highlight the need for environmental protection programs to address health risks associated with heavy metal exposure.
Researchers found a decline in microbial genetic richness in the western Arctic Ocean, with subtle but statistically significant changes in community structure and function. The study suggests that warming and freshening of the ocean risks strengthening the microbial loop, potentially impacting the marine food web.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new study using mass spectrometry analyzed hand scent compounds from 60 individuals and achieved a 96.67% accuracy rate in predicting sex. The analysis can be used to uncover details about a potential perpetrator, such as age and racial or ethnic group, when other evidence is lacking.
GPMeta accelerates pathogen detection in metagenomic sequencing (mNGS) tests, achieving higher accuracy while significantly reducing processing time. The approach uses a succinct hash index scheme and multi-GPU support to handle massive data sets.
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.
A recent study published in Geriatrics found that age, education, social network, pain, and depression are significant predictors of physical activity in older adults. The findings suggest that modifying these factors through targeted interventions can increase physical activity levels.
Researchers found pre-existing differences in gut bacteria between people with and without HIV, including decreased Bacteroides species and increased Megasphaera elsdenii. These changes were present even before infection occurred, suggesting a potential link between gut microbiome and HIV susceptibility.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers found that high BMI is a positive factor in eSports performance after prolonged playing time, contrary to the general expectation. Obesity has been linked to lower cognitive flexibility and decision-making abilities in adults, but the study suggests a potential counterexample in the eSports industry.
Researchers at Eötvös Loránd University detected smallest earthquakes in micron-scale metals, exhibiting characteristics similar to seismic events. The findings reveal a two-level structure of strain bursts and demonstrate the correlation between acoustic signals and plastic deformation.
A study published in the Ochsner Journal found that 28.2% of current smokers reported increased tobacco use during the pandemic, while former smokers experienced no relapse. Researchers identified correlates of increased tobacco use, including mental health concerns and coping strategies.
A new technique called Operational Genomic Units (OGU) allows for improved resolution and simplicity in analyzing microbiome samples. By using individual genomes as basic units, researchers can pinpoint biologically relevant characteristics such as age and sex with greater accuracy.
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A study by Florida Atlantic University found that only 5.4% of individuals with opioid use disorder received treatment as part of their criminal justice involvement. The study also identified predictors of treatment access for justice-involved individuals, including demographics and substance use severity.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a novel error estimator using transfer learning principles to evaluate machine-learning model performance. The technique enables fast screening of source data sets, improving the accuracy of diagnoses in complex medical issues like schizophrenia.
Researchers at University of Illinois develop new method to accurately estimate soil organic carbon using airborne and satellite hyperspectral sensing. The study leverages machine learning algorithms with a comprehensive soil spectral library, enabling large-scale monitoring of surface soil organic carbon.
A team of researchers used micro-computed tomography to examine the interior of the Venus figurine, finding that its material likely comes from northern Italy. The analysis revealed a unique combination of grain sizes and properties that match samples from Lake Garda, suggesting a journey south of the Alps.
A study found that UK adults' accuracy in estimating national statistics is influenced by their intelligence, religiousness, and political beliefs. Respondents were most accurate when estimating characteristics like vegetarianism and car ownership, but least accurate for minority groups like homosexuals.
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Researchers from Harvard University and others have found that large-scale COVID-19 vaccination surveys were off by up to 17 percentage points due to systematic biases in the data. The 'Big Data Paradox' highlights how big data sets can minimize one type of error while magnifying another, leading to misleading results.
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.
Researchers analyzed global pollen data to study the global rate of change in vegetation, finding a worldwide acceleration in compositional change between 4.6 and 2.9 thousand years ago. Human influence on terrestrial ecosystems exceeds climate-driven transformation during this period.
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Researchers have developed 29 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers to accurately census endangered Sumatran rhinos. These markers are ideal for non-invasive wild sampling and can help determine genetic diversity, aiding conservation plans.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that specially trained dogs can identify positive COVID-19 samples with high accuracy, recognizing the unique odor of the infection. The research suggests large-scale training with diverse samples is crucial to ensure quality and validity for future applications.
A study published in PLOS ONE finds that the tech elite hold a unique set of views, prioritizing meritocracy and progress over traditional notions of democracy. Their philanthropic statements often emphasize education, work, and social impact.
Researchers used statistical analysis of zircon ages to determine continental formation timelines. The study suggests that modern-scale watersheds formed as early as 2.7 billion years ago.
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A new UK study found that having a pet helped people cope emotionally with the lockdown and stay fit. The human-animal bond was linked to improved mental health outcomes, regardless of animal species.
A new analytical method using Gas Chromatography with Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) has been validated for faster and more reliable olive oil categorization into three categories: extra virgin, virgin, and lampante. This method analyzes two samples per hour and uses statistical tools to create calibration equations.
A new non-invasive microscopy technique uses quantitative phase microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to detect the activation state of macrophage cells and distinguish between different cell types. This approach enables high sensitivity at the single-cell level, revealing cellular heterogeneity and outlier behaviors.
Researchers found that altering sample preparation conditions in chocolate samples can significantly impact cannabis potency test results. They discovered that the matrix effect of chocolate's fat content is suppressing the signal for Δ9-THC, which could have major implications for producers and consumers of cannabis-infused edibles.
Research examines language outcomes of children born preterm and full-term using different tests, revealing statistically significant group differences in language skills. Preterm children exhibited substantial grammatical difficulties not evident from standardized assessment.
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The neuroimaging community has made significant strides in collecting large-scale datasets, but many contain insufficient data for reliable measures of brain connectivity. Increasing reliability can dramatically reduce sample size requirements, improving the field's ability to detect effects and address reproducibility concerns.
A randomized clinical trial found that financial incentives, including a $10 gift and a chance at winning $100, did not increase the completion rate of mailed colorectal cancer screening tests. The overall FIT completion rate was nearly 29 percent.
A new study published in Body Image found that higher interoceptive awareness, as measured through mindfulness practices, is associated with more positive body image. The research suggests that individuals who can better tune into their internal bodily signals are less likely to experience negative self-image.
A new study found Hispanic males are twice as likely to have fatal interactions with the police in areas with high Hispanic populations and agencies with more Hispanic officers. The research suggests reforms within police ranks are needed, even in diverse forces.
Researchers found that millennials' recognition of 1960s-1990s songs remains relatively stable, while recognition of songs from 2000 to 2015 diminishes rapidly. The study suggests that the large diversity of popular songs in the latter part of the 20th century may contribute to this phenomenon.
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People tend to criticize others for using statistics to make judgments, yet they apply the same statistical approach when making their own judgments. The study found that participants viewed others' statistically-based judgments as unfair, inaccurate, and unintelligent.
Conservation efforts rely heavily on estimates of animal populations, but monitoring periods are often short due to funding cycles and experimental time frames. Research by Easton R. White suggests that 72% of species require at least 10 years of continuous monitoring for high statistical power.
A recent study by Cornell University found that virtual reality can significantly alter the perceived pungency of blue cheese when eaten in different environments. The researchers used a sensory booth, park bench, and cow barn to test how surroundings affect food perception.
A study found that most people's attitudes towards police officers are shaped by pre-existing views, and do not significantly change even when presented with evidence of racial disparities. The study suggests that building trust in law enforcement may be a challenging task for police departments.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a statistical foundation for calculating match statistics when using Next Generation Sequencing in forensic DNA profiling. This new data enables labs to generate reliable match statistics, even with partial DNA profiles or mixtures from multiple individuals.
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Ozone concentrations in US national parks are comparable to those in largest metropolitan areas between 1990 and 2014. Higher ozone levels are linked to decreased park visitation rates during this time period.
A new study found that forensic handwriting experts are marginally better than novices at estimating the frequency of specific features in handwriting samples, but with large overall error rates. The researchers advise courts to take a cautious approach when using experience-based likelihood ratios as evidence.
Scientists have created a new way to measure the temperature of materials at the nanoscale using electron energy gain spectroscopy. This technique promises to advance microelectronic devices and semiconducting materials by mapping atomic-scale vibrations due to heat.
Statisticians Steve Lund and Hari Iyer argue that Likelihood Ratio's Bayesian reasoning approach is flawed for courtroom use, risking conclusions driven by assumptions rather than data. NIST recommends using the method only in cases where probability-based models are warranted.
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A new method, NLLE, generates ensemble initial perturbations with similar forecast skill to ETKF scheme. It offers a time-saving alternative to ETKF scheme in high-dimensional models.
Researchers found that observers on aerial surveys miss some large animals, like elephants, due to factors such as herd size and habitat type. Their study suggests population estimates from aerial surveys are biased low by 13 percent, highlighting the importance of accurate counting for conservation efforts.
Researchers found a significant association between migraines and nitrate-reducing microbes in the mouth and gut. These microbes can convert nitrates into nitrites, which can contribute to cardiovascular health but may also trigger migraines in some individuals.
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Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have devised a method to achieve static pressures vastly higher than any previously reached, using transparent nano-crystalline diamonds. This breakthrough enables the study of materials under extreme conditions, potentially leading to the discovery of new materials with unique properties.
The NIST Internet Time Service serves much of the world, receiving 316 million unique IP address requests from 20 servers in one month. This represents at least 8.5 percent of devices on the entire internet, highlighting its importance as a reliable source of time.
A consortium of 270 scientists found that more than half of psychology studies couldn't be replicated due to methodological issues and statistical errors. Reanalysis of the data by Harvard professors reveals that the original study's conclusions are unwarranted, as the replicators made significant mistakes in their methodology.
A University of Sydney study found that swapping one hour of sitting with physical activity decreases the chance of an early death by 12 to 14 per cent. Replacing one hour of sitting with standing is linked to a five per cent reduction in risk of premature death.
Using data from a citizen science project, researchers created a statistical model that analyzes fungal taxa in dust samples to predict their geographic origin. The model achieved an accuracy rate of about 95%, allowing law enforcement and archaeologists to trace dust samples back to specific locations within the continental US.
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A Duke University study found that job candidates who share the minority partisan view of voters in a geographic district are less likely to receive a callback than those with neutral resumes. Employers appear not to favor majority-partisan views. The study suggests partisanship may play a role in hiring, but further research is needed.
Researchers will develop algorithmic methods and models to aid in complex DNA mixture interpretation, including identifying multiple contributors and determining match strength. The goal is to achieve accurate and reliable methods for interpreting forensic data from physical evidence.
Researchers have discovered 108 genetic loci associated with schizophrenia, a significant increase from the 30 previously reported. The study suggests that these genetic variations may exert their effects by turning genes on or off rather than coding for proteins.
A new study suggests that breast-feeding may have overstated benefits for children's long-term health and well-being. The research analyzed data from over 8,000 siblings and found no significant differences in most health outcomes between those who were breast-fed and bottle-fed.
Researchers developed a microscale thermogravimetric analysis technique that can analyze tiny nanoparticle samples, detecting mass changes as small as a nanogram and using samples as little as one microgram. The technique has potential for studying nanomaterials in biology and the environment.
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Scientists have created a new statistical method to analyze individual cells, allowing for more accurate detection of cell properties. By combining data from multiple cells, researchers can reduce errors and overcome statistical noise, leading to better understanding of cellular behavior and development.
A new MRI technique has been developed with a spatial resolution of roughly 10 nanometers, significantly improving sensitivity. The team used a novel protocol and nanoscale metal constriction to overcome obstacles in applying classic pulsed magnetic resonance techniques.
A study by Indiana University found that higher-performing elementary school students received a disproportionate number of resources from their parents. These resources included extracurricular activities, shared meals, and increased parental involvement in school activities.