Articles tagged with Statistics
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.
A new study by Stanford psychologists reveals that race affects juvenile sentencing, with participants who imagined a black offender more likely to support life sentences without parole. The study's findings highlight the fragility of protections for juveniles when race is in play.
An economic model by Arzu Aysin Tekindor breaks down the value of great art, finding that artist style and subject have a significant impact on prices. The study found that works sold in New York tend to fetch more than those in London, and paintings with iconic subjects increase their value by over three-quarters.
The report emphasizes the need for more attention and resources devoted to issues facing older children. Adverse trends include early marriage and birth among girls, and high adolescent birth rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
The rate of workplace deaths in Michigan remained steady in 2011, with the construction industry having the most deaths at 24. However, new research reveals a vast underreporting of workplace burns, with 1,461 work-related burns reported, more than three times the number reported by employers.
Chin augmentation saw a significant increase in 2011, with over 20,680 procedures performed, surpassing breast augmentation and Botox. The procedure was most popular among men and those aged 40 or older, with an increasing trend observed across all age groups.
A study by Penn State economists found a significant correlation between the number of Wal-Mart stores and hate groups in an area. The researchers suggest that the large-scale retail chains may contribute to the fraying of social bonds and promote intolerant attitudes, particularly through their promotion of typical Protestant values.
A study published in Significance magazine reveals three key factors that contribute to Usain Bolt's improved performance: optimizing reaction time, benefiting from favorable wind conditions, and running at altitude. By shaving off 0.13s from his world record, Bolt can achieve a faster time of 9.45s.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal disputes the notion that older drivers are inherently poor. Frailty and driving habits contribute to their overrepresentation in fatal crashes. Despite this, many physicians base licensing decisions on incorrect beliefs.
Researchers discovered that false killer whales can focus their echolocation beams on targets using a strategy called 'acoustic squint', increasing beam width when faced with harder tasks. By plotting the path of acoustic beams, they found that wider beams were focused furthest away, allowing Kina to target specific objects.
A retrospective study found that methylnaltrexone (MNTX) restored bowel function and improved feeding outcomes in critically ill patients with opioid-induced constipation. MNTX was well-tolerated and showed immediate effects, improving enteral feeding and reducing gastric residual volumes.
Research reveals that Rugby teams with taller backs, heavier forwards, and greater collective experience tend to perform better at the World Cup. The study analyzed data from 1987-2007 and found a significant correlation between team performance and these factors.
A study from North Carolina State University found that Toyota's safety-related recalls in 2009 made no significant dent in consumer perceptions of the brand. The average price of affected vehicles declined by approximately 2% relative to comparable models, a finding within the statistical margin-of-error.
A recent study by University of Toronto and Nipissing criminologists reveals that Canadian police departments largely do not report race in practice, despite only 20% having an explicit policy against it. This suppression of data hinders the development of effective initiatives to improve relations with racialized communities.
A study of 189,533 patients found that a BMI below 23.1 increased mortality risk by 40% compared to mid-range BMIs. Patients undergoing certain procedures, such as exploratory laparotomy, were also at higher risk of death.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found daily smoking and low mastery to be significant risk factors for repeat episodes of depression. High levels of mastery appeared to be protective against further depression.
A Yale University study found a 29.5% decline in heart failure hospitalization rates from 1998 to 2008, resulting in an estimated 229,000 fewer hospitalizations. One-year mortality rates also declined slightly, with black men experiencing the lowest rate of decline.
A new statistical approach, stochastic frontier estimation (SFE), has been developed to address bias in self-reported medical research data. This technique can identify bias at specific times and individual levels, ensuring more robust double-blind placebo-controlled trials.
A new study from Temple University found that medical examiners and appointed coroners are less likely to underreport suicides compared to elected coroners. This suggests that insulation from public pressure can lead to more accurate suicide reporting.
A new study found that intensive multifactoral treatment for type 2 diabetes patients detected by screening leads to small improvements in risk factors, but no significant reductions in mortality and cardiovascular events. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 patients and suggested that earlier detection and treatment may be uncerta...
Theoretical physicists propose a new method to create and detect anyons, exotic particles with continuously variable statistics. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient quantum computers.
Researchers found that when people use summary perception to perceive general properties of objects, they are unable to learn relationships between the objects. On the other hand, when there are relationships to be learned, people are worse at perceiving general properties.
A study from Romania highlights the importance of traditional agriculture in protecting amphibians, finding that roads have a direct and indirect negative impact on their populations. Preserving traditional agricultural practices could be key to protecting these species in Central and Eastern Europe.
A small study on yoga in rheumatoid arthritis patients showed statistically significant improvements in disease activity scores, while another study demonstrated positive effects on the quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia. Yoga practice has been found to reduce anxiety levels and improve overall well-being.
The study found a significant rise in US home births between 2004 and 2008, driven primarily by an increase in non-Hispanic white women's choices. Home birth rates for other groups remained low or showed little change.
A study by Bank of Spain's Research Department finds that Spanish inflation is more heavily affected by oil price changes, with changes in crude prices accounting for over 50% of variability. The study attributes this to lower indirect taxation in Spain.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found a statistically significant increase in microearthquakes after the Chilean earthquake in February. The study suggests that seismic waves from distant earthquakes can trigger events on the other side of the Earth, with secondary and tertiary waves playing a key role.
The Fraunhofer Institute's Government Mashups research project utilizes mobile applications and GPS coordinates to facilitate the reporting of problems, such as potholes, to government departments. This allows for real-time tracking of communications and identification of duplicate reports, streamlining issue resolution.
Researchers developed a method to quantify player performance in team activities, ranking soccer players based on their contributions. This approach uses network analysis and statistical methods to evaluate player performance, producing results that closely match expert opinions.
Dr. Beverly L. Hall was recognized for her courageous leadership in enrolling the Atlanta Public Schools in the NAEP Trial Urban District Assessment. The award also acknowledges her strategic use of education data to promote school reforms and increase student achievement.
Researchers found a higher likelihood of cataract diagnosis or surgery among patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with varying degrees of risk depending on the specific drug. The study suggests a statistical association between SSRIs and cataracts, but does not prove causation.
The 2008 Organic Production Survey found that US organic farms had higher average sales ($217,675) and production expenses ($171,978) compared to conventional farms. California dominated the market with $1.15 billion in sales, accounting for 36% of nationwide sales.
Researchers found no statistically significant differences in post-transplant survival rates between cirrhotic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcoholic liver disease. However, NASH patients were at increased risk for metabolic syndrome complications, including cardiovascular mortality.
Clinical studies show B&L's Lo-Torque design delivers better rotational recovery, resulting in more consistent vision. The design demonstrated statistically significantly better results compared to Acuvue's accelerated stabilization design.
The UC Davis program aims to develop methods to associate probabilities with forensic evidence, particularly in bullet matching and duct tape analysis. Researchers will create a bullet-matching database using confocal microscopy and identify key characteristics for comparison.
Area-wide traffic calming schemes have been shown to be effective in reducing traffic-related injuries and deaths in high-income countries. However, more research is required to determine their effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries, where the situation is expected to worsen over the next decade.
A recent study at the University of Illinois used computer models PnET-II and LANDIS-II to simulate possible forest landscape scenarios up to 200-400 years in the future. The study found that temperature and photosynthetic active radiation are the most important variables predicting forest landscapes, with uncertainties increasing afte...
A new adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) technique significantly reduces patient radiation doses during CT scans, enabling improved image quality. The study found that ASIR can reduce radiation doses by up to 65% without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
The US public spends billions annually on CAM therapies, including herbal supplements, meditation, and acupuncture. Approximately 11.2% of healthcare expenditures are attributed to CAM, totaling $33.9 billion out-of-pocket expenses.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that older cancer patients have higher rates of disability and frailty. As the population ages, this trend is expected to pose significant challenges for physicians, with older adults accounting for 70% of cancer patients by 2030.
Boston College has been awarded $11.5M to conduct the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2011, a global assessment of fourth and eighth-grade student math and science achievement. The study's findings will help nations and states compare their children's math and science achievement with others.
Canada's persistent weakness in productivity growth is attributed to business strategy choices, including inadequate investment in information and communications technologies. The report highlights the need for Canadian businesses to adopt more innovative strategies to serve customers effectively.