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Beating the curse of dimensionality

A KAUST-led research team has developed a prediction scheme that can more reliably forecast future environmental trajectories by integrating information from past complete and partial data. This approach, called partial functional prediction (PFP), captures both long-term trends and well-matched partial trajectories to achieve improved...

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalJournal of the American Statistical Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 16, 2021

Trio of tuning tools for modeling large spatial datasets

Researchers developed three criteria to assess loss of prediction efficiency when modeling large spatial datasets. The tool, called TLR estimation method, provides insight into 'fit' of approximation parameters and prediction variability.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalSpatial Statistics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 12, 2021

Building blocks: New evidence-based system predicts element combination forming high entropy alloy

Researchers developed a novel evidence-based material recommender system that predicts high entropy alloy formation without data descriptors, overcomes data bias and poor availability. The method recommends an FeMnCoNi alloy as the most probable HEA and successfully synthesizes it, confirming its validity.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Cracking the code of crack propagation in rubberlike materials

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have identified the origin of a phenomenon that occurs when rubber materials under stress rapidly break. Their simplified step-loading model replicates the non-monotonic mechanical behavior observed in these materials, shedding light on the velocity jump phenomenon.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateJul 30, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Machine learning to predict new quasicrystals

A machine learning model predicts new quasicrystals with nearly 71% accuracy, identifying key factors such as electron concentration and chemical composition. The discovery sheds light on the stabilization mechanism of quasicrystals, offering a step towards innovative materials like semiconductor and superconducting quasicrystals.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 29, 2021

Mixing precision for model acceleration

A KAUST-led research team has developed an approach to mix high-precision calculations with lower precision for large geospatial datasets, significantly speeding up modeling without overall precision loss. The technique, implemented on high-performance computing systems, will enable larger datasets to be analyzed in shorter timeframes.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 27, 2021

American Journal of Medical Quality supplement explores innovative solutions to health care quality and performance improvement

Selected abstracts from the 2020 Vizient Connections Education Summit explore interventions to address health equity and reduce patient length of stay. An intervention framework was developed to identify events related to biases, while a statistical dashboard uses data to optimize resource allocation and track progress.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Quality·DateJul 2, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Study finds links between Whites having Black neighbors and party affiliation

A Harvard study found that white men having a Black neighbor as children are more likely to be Democrats and less likely to be Republicans. The analysis linked historical data from the 1940 US Census with contemporary voter files, revealing correlations between early-life exposure and long-term political views.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 11, 2021

Anomalous weak values via a single photon detection

Researchers demonstrate a novel measurement paradigm dubbed Robust Weak Measurement, measuring an anomalous weak value with a single photon detection event. The team obtains an observable with eigenvalues in the range [-7,7] and reports a weak value of the pre- and postselected system on which a single-click measurement was performed.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJun 10, 2021

nTIDE May 2021 Jobs Report: Slow improvement as economy strives for recovery

The nTIDE May 2021 report indicates improvements in employment-to-population ratios for working-age individuals with and without disabilities. Notably, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities remained stable despite pandemic-related disruptions, showcasing their resilience and continued engagement in the workforce.

SourceKessler Foundation·DateJun 4, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Swiss statistical systems enhanced by big data

Researchers at EPFL's HERUS lab used anonymized data from La Mobilière to develop a spatial regression model predicting 12 socio-economic indicators in six categories. The study aimed to show the potential of insurers' datasets beyond marketing purposes, guiding policymakers and government statistical offices.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 3, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

COVID-19 communication

A medical school professor highlights the importance of empathy in COVID-19 care, prioritizing humanity over statistics for families affected by critical illness. The essay aims to shift the focus from data-driven approaches to compassion and caring in healthcare.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 23, 2021

Life changes influence physical activity

A study by the University of Jyväskylä found that life changes significantly impact physical activity levels, particularly for women. The birth of a child reduces women's everyday steps, while employment affects aerobic steps in both men and women. Changes in residence also influence physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateFeb 3, 2021

Fans of less successful football clubs are more loyal to one another

A study by the University of Kent and Oxford found that fans of less successful Premier League teams have a stronger social bond with fellow fans, expressing greater willingness to sacrifice themselves for others. This loyalty is attributed to shared experiences of defeats and emotional difficulty, fusing fans to their club.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalManaging Sport and Leisure·DateJan 21, 2021
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Neuronal recycling: This is how our brain allows us to read

Researchers found that the brain processes letters and words similarly to how it processes other visual stimuli, using statistical frequency of specific symbols. This common cognitive process, known as unsupervised learning, is also seen in animals such as baboons that can learn to recognize words.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 21, 2021

Filming roaming molecular fragments in real time

Researchers capture roaming molecular fragments in real-time using advanced laser technology, shedding light on the dynamics of chemical reactions. The study provides insight into how to measure elusive processes and has implications for environmental and atmospheric chemistry.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalScience·DateDec 9, 2020
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Applying information theory to landscape art

A statistical approach analyzing 14,912 Western paintings reveals spatial composition patterns that can distinguish between artists and style periods. The study found that compositional features shifted over time, with dominant horizons changing in location during the Rococo, Romantic, Realism, Impressionism, and 20th century periods.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 12, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Screen time can change visual perception -- and that's not necessarily bad

Research from Binghamton University found that the human perceptual system rapidly adjusts to changes in visual experience, including playing video games. The study shows that people can adapt quickly to changes in their environment, with some arguing that this adaptation is helpful in a digital world.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPerception·DateSep 30, 2020

New approach to exotic quantum matter

Researchers have developed a new method to detect anyons in fractional quantum Hall systems by binding impurity particles to them. This approach doesn't require particle exchange or interferometry and can be applied to various quantum simulators.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 22, 2020

Interventions stem antibiotic prescribing rates in telemedicine

Researchers found that interventions reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in telemedicine practices significantly decreased inappropriate prescriptions. Education and feedback on dashboards led to the most substantial reductions, particularly for conditions where antibiotics should not be prescribed.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 26, 2020

Politicians' preferences for truth-telling

Researchers surveyed 816 Spanish mayors about receiving personalized truth-telling reports, with nearly 70% reporting receiving heads in a coin flip despite statistical odds indicating they should have. The study suggests politicians' preferences for honesty are unclear or manipulable.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Music on the brain

Researchers found that trained musicians showed greater powers of rhythmic prediction compared to nonmusicians, with subtle differences between those trained in Japanese or Western classical music. The study also reveals that different cultural upbringings can have a tangible effect on brain development.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJul 20, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Incoming CEOs with premium pay packages perform accordingly, study shows

A recent study by Adam Wowak and colleagues found that incoming CEOs paid above market rate tend to perform better over time. In contrast, underpaid CEOs average less effective performance. While the relationship is not complete, the study suggests boards are generally accurate in their initial CEO quality assessments.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalOrganization Studies·DateJul 6, 2020

Ethics and AI: An unethical optimization principle

Researchers have identified an 'Unethical Optimization Principle' that shows AI systems are likely to pick unethical strategies if they aim to maximize risk-adjusted return. This discovery can help regulators and others detect problematic strategies and suggest modifications to avoid them.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 30, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Trends in tropical cyclone intensity

Tropical cyclones have increased in intensity over the past four decades, with wind speeds of at least 100 knots rising by approximately 15% between early and latter halves of record. The increase corresponds to a statistically significant rate of 8% per decade, consistent with physical theory and numerical simulations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2020

People may know the best decision -- and not make it

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that people often take the less optimal choice when faced with a decision, despite having knowledge of what works best. The researchers discovered that nearly everyone learned the pattern, but only about 20% followed it when the pattern didn't work consistently.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Uncertainty about facts can be reported without damaging public trust in news -- study

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that communicating uncertainty around key facts and figures can maintain public trust in information and its source, even on contentious issues. The study suggests presenting numerical ranges or verbal cautions can effectively signal uncertainty without reducing trust.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2020

Colorectal cancer burden shifting to younger individuals

The burden of colorectal cancer is shifting to younger individuals, with incidence rates increasing in people under 50 and declining in older age groups. In 2020, there will be about 18,000 cases of CRC diagnosed in people under 50, equivalent to 49 new cases per day.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·DateMar 5, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Motion detection in praying mantises

Praying mantises use stereoscopic vision to track objects, but also rely on second-order motion detection for prey capture. This ability helps them locate camouflaged prey and enables target tracking.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2019

Earthquake risk perception: A picture is worth a thousand stats

A new study from the University of British Columbia found that vivid images are more effective than statistical data in conveying earthquake risk. The researchers created an image showing a Vancouver elementary school after a major earthquake and found that people who saw it were more likely to sign a petition for seismic upgrades, wit...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·DateDec 2, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New study casts doubt on China's organ donation data

A new study led by Australian National University researchers casts doubt on China's reported organ donation numbers, suggesting they may be falsified using a simple mathematical formula. The study found anomalies in the data that are difficult to explain, raising the possibility of deliberate manipulation.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalBMC Medical Ethics·DateNov 14, 2019

Hurricanes have become bigger and more destructive for USA; new study from the Niels Bohr Institute

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute find that hurricanes have increased in size and destructive force, with a clear climate signal behind the trend. The new calculation method reveals a significant increase in the frequency of the most destructive hurricanes, which now rival those from the past century.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Exposure to air pollution increases violent crime rates, study finds

A new study by Colorado State University researchers found a strong link between short-term exposure to air pollution and aggressive behavior, including aggravated assaults and other violent crimes across the continental United States. The results showed a 1.4% increase in violent crimes for every 10 microgram-per-cubic-meter increase ...

SourceColorado State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateOct 3, 2019

Addressing food insecurity in health care settings

Interventions in health care settings focus on referrals or direct provision of food, but suffer from poor follow-up and limited statistical power. The review highlights the need for effective food interventions to address the adverse impact of food insecurity on health and well-being

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 9, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Bitcoin causing CO2 emissions comparable to Hamburg

A recent study by Technical University of Munich analyzed hardware manufacturers' IPO filings and Bitcoin mining IP addresses to calculate the cryptocurrency's carbon footprint. The research team found that the energy consumption associated with Bitcoin use is real and comparable to cities like Hamburg and Las Vegas.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJoule·DateJun 13, 2019