Articles tagged with Statistics
A new study analyzing over 4,000 news articles about the 2014-15 Disneyland measles outbreak found that articles with a clear bottom-line message were shared more than twice as much as those without. The research supports 'fuzzy trace theory,' suggesting that communications focusing on the gist will be more compelling.
A study from McGill University found that repeat drunk drivers and speeding offenders have unique emotional and behavioral profiles, making prevention strategies more effective when tailored to their characteristics. The research suggests that high-risk drivers respond better to targeted interventions addressing their specific traits.
A recent study found that childhood obesity rates in the US have not declined, with severe obesity on the rise among adolescents. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey and found that 33.4% of children between 2-19 were overweight, with 17.4% having obesity.
Researchers found significant increases in health insurance coverage, quality of coverage, and diagnoses for chronic health conditions among low-income adults in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and residents in states with ACA Medicaid expansions.
A new US report assesses the massive burden of chronic kidney disease on Medicare, revealing staggering statistics and expensive treatment options. The report aims to inform national healthcare policy and improve care for patients with kidney disease.
A four-month study of 94 young adult college students found that 52% fell at least once, with 16% resulting in injury, while physical activity levels increased fall rates. The most common cause of falls was talking while walking, highlighting the cognitive demand of multi-tasking on balance and stability.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University found over 10,000 problematic scenes in 105 Blu-ray discs, including 65 scenes with left-right view swap. This suggests a 21% probability of buying a Blu-ray 3D movie with at least one such scene.
Experts estimate that illegal cartels harm consumers by billions of dollars annually. Cartel screens, statistical tools to spot bad behavior, promise to enhance deterrence when used in combination with other measures.
Alicia Carriquiry's symposium aims to improve statistical and scientific study in forensics, with a focus on pattern and digital evidence. The Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence will build a solid foundation under two branches of forensics.
A study published in Nature suggests that aging does not have a single molecular cause but is rather a systemic process. Researchers found a statistical regularity in how genetic and environmental factors affect the life span of Caenorhabditis elegans worms, revealing an unexpected uniformity among life span distributions.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a $4.2 million grant to establish a CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, which will support 28 students in their pursuit of careers in cybersecurity. The program aims to address the national shortage of highly trained experts in this field.
New research on American Idol auditions finds that rejected contestants believe in their talent despite slim chances of success. The study suggests that perseverance is a reasonable mindset for creative individuals striving to achieve their goals.
A University of Gothenburg study found that separation risks are higher among co-habitating partners and those with low education levels. The researchers offer five relationship tips: clear communication, sensuality in daily life, time together, affirmation, and seeking help when needed.
Simon Singh, a renowned science writer and broadcaster, is receiving the 2016 JPBM Communications Award for Expository and Popular Books. The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) will also receive the award for Public Outreach. MoMath enhances public understanding of mathematics through its dynamic exhibits and programs.
According to the American Heart Association's 2016 statistics update, cardiovascular disease is the top killer in both the US and globally. Key risk factors include hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, which contribute to an estimated one in three deaths in the US in 2013.
A new messaging system, Vuvuzela, provides strong mathematical guarantees of user anonymity while allowing for fast communication. The system uses three servers and encryption layers to confuse adversaries and prevent them from inferring communication patterns.
Researchers at Columbia University and others present an alternative approach, Partition Retention, which displays strong power in prediction. This method identifies highly predictive variables that are not statistically significant, reducing prediction error rates from 30% to 8% for breast cancer gene analysis.
A study published in Medical Care found that trained medical interpreters can cut the error rate in half for patients with limited English proficiency, whether in person or via video conference. The results suggest that professional interpretation services are crucial for improving quality of care for LEP patients.
Total travel trips and time spent on journeys have remained stable since 1965, but increased distances traveled have nearly doubled, according to the National Travel Survey. The data suggests that investment in transport and car use have expanded employment and leisure opportunities for women and older people.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a virtual reality platform to help protect endangered animals. The platform uses 360-degree cameras and real-time data analysis to predict the locations of critically endangered species such as rock wallabies and Sumatran orangutans.
A statistical study of first-year college rape found that 18.6% of freshmen women experienced completed or attempted rape, with a significant increase in risk among women who had previously been victimized. The study emphasizes the need for colleges to develop effective prevention and counseling programs.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a mathematical theory on game intelligence in team sports. They studied former NHL player Nicklas Lidström's moves during games and found that he used principles such as minimizing the opponents' best alternative to gain an edge.
A new study by The Lancet reveals that two-thirds of global deaths and one-third of births go unreported. This lack of data hampers informed policy-making and decision-making, leading to lost opportunities to improve population health. Mobile phone data collection and technology advances are proposed as solutions to crack the problem.
A nationally representative survey shows that natural product use in the US has shifted since 2007, with some products becoming more popular and others falling out of favor. Fish oil was the top natural product among adults, while melatonin saw a significant increase in use among children.
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) reported a 35% increase in the use of biodiversity data accessed via its open-access infrastructure. Meanwhile, web traffic saw significant annual gains, with over 1.13 million sessions logged by users from 236 countries and territories.
A new study reveals that Charlotte the spider embodies more intellectual traits of humility than Wilbur the pig, showcasing the importance of love for learning in humble individuals. The study found two clusters of traits: social humility and intellectual humility.
A study by Ting Qian and Richard Aslin shows that our brains are wired to detect patterns in data, even if they don't lead to correct conclusions. This tendency is built into cognitive processes, providing information on possibilities that might not have been considered otherwise.
Researchers have developed a new theory that aims to bring flexibility to computer communication by allowing devices to tolerate some degree of imprecision. By gauging the minimum amount of information needed to convey a point, designed communication schemes can achieve reliable transmission, even in uncertain environments.
A Danish study found that changes in diagnostic criteria and registration systems account for most of the increase in autism cases since the 1990s. The study analyzed data from over 677,000 individuals born between 1980-1991.
Researchers analyzed NYC lot data to conclude the city has a significantly smaller rat population than previously believed. The estimated 2 million rat count is a more conservative assessment than the widely-cited 8 million figure.
A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University's Kathryn Roeder and the University of Pittsburgh's Bernie Devlin has identified 33 genes that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study analyzed data from over 14,000 DNA samples and found that small differences in some of possibly 1,000 risk genes can increase autism risk.
A new study found that providing statistical information about injury risks can increase public support for road safety laws. The survey of 2,397 adults showed significant increases in support for laws aimed at drunk driving and red-light running after participants were given statistics on related injury risks.
Weak measurements aim to gain information from quantum systems by minimizing disturbance. However, researchers Joshua Combes and Christopher Ferrie found a classical analogy for the same process, casting doubt on its quantum nature.
Despite significant increases in R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP, China has seen a decline in funding for applied research, with basic research funding plummeting from 5.2% to 4.7%. The authors argue that further reforms are needed to bring transparency and coordination to the country's R&D spending.
A new study found that the reclassification of PTSD diagnosis in DSM-5 potentially excludes soldiers who were previously diagnosed under previous criteria. The authors surveyed 1822 US soldiers and found that just under a third were excluded when using DSM-5 criteria, highlighting concerns for treatment and benefits.
A team of researchers has developed an algorithm that can determine whether a video is running forward or backward with 80% accuracy. The algorithm analyzes subtle visual cues and identifies regions of frames to make its judgments, potentially leading to more realistic graphics in gaming and film.
Researchers found that bicyclists tend to be in the best mood, followed by car passengers and drivers, while bus and train riders experience negative emotions. The study suggests improving transit riders' emotional experience may be as important as traditional service features.
To predict finish times for nearly 6,000 runners who didn't complete the 2013 Boston Marathon, researchers developed a statistical procedure using pace data up to the last checkpoint. The KNN method proved effective in predicting completion times, and its potential use was expanded to assist with real-time predictions during the race.
Since 2000, breast lifts have grown by 70 percent, outpacing implants two-to-one, with women between 30-54 making up nearly 70 percent of procedures. Breast lift surgery is becoming increasingly popular as women seek a more natural look using their own tissue.
Research found that people with math anxiety struggle to comprehend messages about genetically modified foods, while those with high math skills and confidence can better understand. The study highlights the importance of improving math skills and building confidence in math abilities.
Research by Linköping University's Alireza Behtoui reveals that migrant children have less education but equal job prospects to Swedish-born peers when adjusted for parent's education level. The difference in salaries remains, but decreases with factors such as education and family status.
A team of researchers used a statistical network analysis to examine recurring characters in the Icelandic sagas and found connections to modern comic book franchises. The study reveals that the properties of these social networks are remarkably similar to those of real-world societies.
The American Heart Association's annual statistical update reveals that heart disease and stroke remain major public health concerns in the US, claiming over 787,000 lives annually. Cardiovascular diseases account for more deaths than all forms of cancer combined, with nearly half of African-American adults affected.
A study of former elite male athletes found that those who were previously elite athletes had a 28% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. The risk was even higher for endurance sports athletes, with a 61% reduction in risk.
Professor Speed has developed tools to help biologists analyze and explain their results, making it possible to look at hundreds of genes in a DNA sequence at once to understand genetic changes involved in complicated diseases. He is also working on determining the genetic traits that make normal and cancerous cells different.
A new study found that Cinderella teams in the NCAA Men's Final Four have a 35 percent larger TV audience than powerhouse schools. This translates to an additional 3 million viewers for semifinal games and 4.5 million for championship games.
Cities are likened to social reactors and networks, attracting people and accelerating social interaction. The new framework predicts statistical relationships observed in thousands of real cities worldwide, providing insights into urban growth and development.
A recent University of Chicago study reveals that couples who met online have higher marital satisfaction and lower break-up rates. The research found that online relationships benefit from selectivity and advance screening, providing a larger pool of prospective partners.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a 4,378% increase in upper arm lift procedures for women over the past decade, with over 15,000 procedures performed in 2012. Women's desire for toned arms is fueled by celebrity influence and sleeveless fashion, with Michelle Obama and Jennifer Aniston being top inspirations.
Researchers have identified four verbs uniquely describing Pinterest, highlighting the site's focus on consumption. Female users tend to re-pin more than male users, with men having more followers. The study provides insights for both academia and industry, including Pinterest's commercial potential.
A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that public officials located out of state from their constituents are more likely to gain approval by framing their arguments around the abstract rather than specific incidents. This prompts people to consider the larger picture, according to researchers.
The Scottish government has implemented a program to address heart disease inequalities, providing health checks to deprived communities and promoting lifestyle changes. Health care professionals are encouraged to be proactive in seeking out marginalized patients and providing targeted services.
Researchers applied the maximum entropy principle to Spain's population distribution, finding a 'socio-thermodynamic' theory that applies thermodynamics to human behaviour. The study predicts patterns in population growth and urbanization, with average 'q' value of 1.2 across provinces.
The report highlights increased representation of women, minorities, and foreign nationals among US doctorate recipients. Employment opportunities after graduation are also a focus, with the expansion of the postdoctoral pool noted as a trend.
Researchers found that female bloggers enjoyed blogging due to feelings of empowerment and community connection. Site metrics like traffic visitors and comments predicted continued interest in blogging. Bloggers who felt a strong sense of agency were more influential.
A new UGA study finds that national recession affects travel to national parks, with decreases in visitation since 1998. Despite this, some parks experience notable increases due to international recognition.
Domestic violence rates surged by 30% with England's wins and losses during the 2010 World Cup, while draws had little impact. The study highlights the need for improved education and awareness about the link between major sporting events and peaks in domestic violence.
Researchers found that people's overconfidence is driven by their desire for social status, which leads to better performance in groups and more admiration from peers. In organizational settings, this can result in incompetent individuals being promoted due to displays of confidence.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that community health center physicians performed as well as their private practice colleagues in 13 of 18 measures. Community health center physicians followed recommendations a higher percent of the time for certain conditions, such as congestive heart failure...
A new econometrics study shows that bank robberies yield modest proceeds, often lower than the cost of security devices. The average UK bank robbery generates £20,331, while US robberies yield $4,330. Firearms presence increases rewards, but also raises costs.