Articles tagged with Statistics
A University of Washington computer scientist has led a statistical study comparing the pattern of symbols in the Indus script to various linguistic scripts and nonlinguistic systems. The results found the Indus script's pattern is closer to that of spoken words, supporting the hypothesis that it codes for an as-yet-unknown language.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a nine percent drop in surgical procedures and a five percent increase in minimally-invasive procedures in 2008. Reconstructive procedures saw a three percent increase, with tumor removal and hand surgery being among the top performers.
A recent report by Professor David Spiegelhalter suggests that London's murder numbers follow a predictable pattern, with certain aspects being statistically expected. The study found that the number of murders in London is not unusually high and has remained stable over the past five years.
A new study reveals that socially desirable responding, where people present a more favorable image of themselves, affects the accuracy of surveys globally. Cognitive busyness and cultural orientation play a significant role in this phenomenon.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that despite strict abortion laws in Peru, nearly 12% of women reported having induced abortions. The study, which surveyed over 8,000 women aged 18-29, highlights the need for improved access to contraception and education to reduce abortion rates.
Researchers developed a precise orbit determination method for the Jason-1 satellite using on-board GPS data, achieving centimeter-level accuracy. The study found that the method provided highly accurate GPS-based solutions, with systematic biases between POE and orbit solutions and SLR residual statistics.
The 2008 financial crisis was a result of excessive risk-taking and lack of regulation, likened to the Tulip Mania of 1636. Experts recommend learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating them.
A study by University of Illinois economist Darren Lubotsky found that immigrants' earnings growth is slower than expected, with only a 10-15% annual increase over their first 20 years in the US. This challenges widely used census-based projections and highlights the need for more accurate data on immigrant earnings.
Most presidential election forecasts predict Senator Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 popular vote, with an average of 52% predicted. The forecasts, developed by nine different models, use various statistical and historical data to make their predictions.
Rice University's Connexions is making a popular elementary statistics textbook available free for fall classes, reducing costs for over 700 students. The book has been used in California community college courses accepted for transfer credit by the University of California.
A study using MRI found that lower eyelids get fatter with age due to increased orbital fat. Plastic surgeons also discovered the importance of excision in treating under-eye bags during eyelid surgery. Meanwhile, body contouring procedures after gastric bypass surgery are performed by only 11.3% of patients.
A recent study published in PNAS found that the human brain's perception of fast-moving objects is biased by the slow-paced world around us. This affects our ability to catch balls and make decisions in high-speed environments, with implications for road safety and robotic vision systems.
Research on British, French and Brazilian cuisines reveals they evolve slowly due to the founder effect, with idiosyncratic ingredients persisting over time.
New research published in 'Significance' magazine finds that UK school league tables are based on flawed methodology, leading to inaccurate judgments of a school's quality. The study suggests that the tables do not provide sufficient evidence to support institutional choice or accountability.
A study found no significant association between exposure to coarse particulate matter and emergency hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. However, there was a statistically significant association between fine particulate matter and increased risk of illness and death.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that mice and humans exhibit similar behavioral patterns, with no differences in statistics between resting periods and activity durations. This discovery has implications for the development of new treatments for depression and challenges current models of human-specific disorders.
Despite increased life expectancy, Americans aged 65+ face disparities in health status, economic security, and education. Key findings include a widening gap in median net worth between white and black households, as well as lower life expectancies compared to other industrialized countries.
A study by Charlotte Radiology found that single reading of screening mammograms with computer-aided detection (CAD) is more efficient and yields higher sensitivity than double reading. The use of CAD resulted in a lower recall rate compared to double reading, making it an effective alternative for increasing sensitivity.
A new study by Georgia Tech predicts China will soon pass the US in technological standing, driven by its growing emphasis on research and development. China's rapid advancements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are expected to make it a major player in the global economy.
A study found that individuals with fewer years of education are more likely to have a delayed realization of cognitive problems that could be Alzheimer's disease. Patients with lower education levels were also more severely impaired on their first visit, suggesting they may only seek medical attention after symptoms become unbearable.
A new report from Cornell reveals that people with disabilities are underrepresented in the workforce, with only 38% employed compared to 80% of those without disabilities. Additionally, Americans with disabilities face a higher risk of living in poverty, with 25.4% facing economic hardship.
Research from Duke University finds that optimism relates to various behaviors, including wise decision-making in small doses. However, extreme optimists display unwise financial habits such as working fewer hours, saving less money, and making impulsive investment decisions.
A study by Dr. Philip Setel highlights the need for comprehensive civil registration in developing countries to track vital statistics, benefiting individuals and societies. The authors argue that affordable remedies exist to overcome stagnation, but their implementation is crucial for policy formation and accountability.
A lack of civil registration systems and vital statistics in many low-income countries hinders evidence-based decision-making. The authors propose three options to tackle this challenge: advocating for government support, establishing an international body, and leveraging new funding flows.
A lack of reliable national statistics on births, deaths, and causes of death hinders global health development. The authors of a recent study found that only a few developing countries have improved their civil registration systems in the past 50 years.
A new study by University of Colorado at Boulder researchers found that the average Major League Baseball player career lasts 5.6 years, with one in five position players having a single-year career. The study also revealed that a player's chance of ending their career is at least 11 percent at every point in their career.
Doubling state HCBS expenditures per person over age 65 reduces the risk of nursing home admission among childless seniors. States with lower HCBS funding, such as $35 per person annually, show no significant reduction in nursing home admissions.
Studies by University of Missouri-Columbia professors Lilliard Richardson and David J. Houston found that upgrading to primary seatbelt enforcement laws increases belt use and improves public safety considerably. States with primary laws consistently had the highest seatbelt usage rates, while those with secondary laws had the lowest.
Syphilis rates among US gay and bisexual men have seen a significant increase, rising by 19% between 2000 and 2003. The rates jumped by 62% among men, with 62% of those infected being gay or bisexual, while rates among women continued to slide.
A new study confirms the US Census Bureau provided information on persons of Japanese ancestry to US surveillance agencies during WWII. The researchers call for the bureau to disavow its denials and set the record straight.
The Ohio State University software analyzes crash data to pinpoint traffic accident hotspots, revealing surprising patterns such as increased speeding accidents during weekday rush hours. The tool also indicates that drunk-driving accidents tend to occur on specific interstates and routes near major cities.
A University of Oregon psychologist argues that genocide prevention efforts fail due to a lack of emotional response to increasing numbers of victims. Research suggests that people's capacity for empathy decreases with larger groups, making it difficult to reach critical mass for decision-making.
Researchers found that continuous fetal oxygen saturation monitoring had no significant effect on Caesarean delivery rates for both normal and abnormal fetal heart rates. The study enrolled over 5000 women across 14 hospitals, with no statistically meaningful differences in Caesarean deliveries between the groups.
Pfizer is funding a series of seminars for graduate students and faculty at Rutgers, valued at $23,000 over five years. The company's commitment reflects the increasing importance of mathematics in life sciences, with nearly three-quarters of statistics graduates pursuing careers in pharmaceuticals.
A landmark study found that routine follow-up by a nurse improved heart failure patients' functionality and reduced hospitalizations. The study showed significant benefits for both African-American and Hispanic communities, with nurse-managed patients experiencing fewer limitations in physical activities.
A five-year project funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies aims to improve Vietnam's health system by gathering detailed birth and death data. UQ health experts will work with Vietnamese researchers and government personnel to develop policy, advanced mortality, and cost-effectiveness analyses.
Researchers emphasize the need for modern definitions of 'family' due to changing household and family structures, including rising cohabitation, divorce, and re-partnering. The report highlights the importance of considering complex living arrangements beyond traditional household units.
A study by a Carnegie Mellon professor highlights the use of DNA evidence in exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals. Despite its potential to free the innocent, the use of DNA evidence is hindered by political considerations and legal uncertainties.
Researchers and academics explored ways to reduce oral health disparities and increase health literacy. Progress toward achieving Healthy People 2010 objectives was highlighted, with future directions for national surveillance also discussed.
Researchers found that U.S. News rankings particularly impact students with high LSAT scores, with effects strongest for top-ranked schools. Rankings also influence the number of applicants accepted by selective institutions.
Researchers at UT Austin capture as few as sixty atoms in a laser trap, achieving repeated measurements of quantum atom statistics. The study creates a new field and places scientists one step closer to realizing quantum computing by controlling individual atoms.
Research by University of Alberta's Dr. Michael Haan found that immigrants' housing rates dropped in the last few years, while those born in the country increased their homeownership rates. The decline may be linked to diminished labour market fortunes, discrimination, and decreasing median wealth among immigrant groups.
Researchers Rebecca Sparks and David Abrahamson developed a formula predicting starting pitchers' top three finishes in Cy Young voting. Their analysis found that wins carry significant weight, while ERA and strikeouts have more importance than winning percentage or losses.
A recent study found that tobacco brand appearances in PG-13 movies did not significantly decrease after the Master Settlement Agreement, leaving adolescent audiences exposed to tobacco advertising. The percentage of R-rated movies with tobacco brand appearances dropped by 55.4%, but that for PG-13 films remained unchanged since 1998.
Researchers in the Jefferson Lab CLAS collaboration found no evidence of a pentaquark, contradicting earlier signals. The team will take more data in 2006 to search for the particle in a different channel and at higher energies.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, massive weight loss patients are driving growth in body contouring procedures. The demand for these procedures has increased by 77% since 2000, with lower body lifts seeing a significant surge of 72% between 2003 and 2004.
A powerful tool, BeatTheTraffic.com, crunches commutes by predicting the best time to hit the road and suggests alternate routes. Researchers have found that many commuters can save more time by altering their departure time than using mass transit.
A computer simulation study found that firing poorly performing employees can lead to significant improvements in workforce quality. The study showed an average annual improvement of 16% for the first two years and 2% thereafter, with the greatest benefits seen when reliable rating systems are used.
The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of data-mining tools in identifying threat levels and national security interests. The UC Riverside team, including graduate students and staff, will work closely with experts from Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies.
A recent study found that smoking reduces wealth by approximately $410 per year for every smoker, with the wealth gap growing over time. The study analyzed data from about 8,900 people and found that non-smokers had a net worth of around $50,000 in 1998, while heavy smokers had significantly lower wealth.
New York interventional cardiologists opt out of treating critically ill patients if their death would negatively impact their state mortality report card. The study found that 83% of respondents believed patients who benefit from angioplasty may not receive the procedure due to public reporting of physician-specific mortality rates.
Research by Dr David Voas reveals that the people of Hereford are the strongest Christmas churchgoers in Britain, with more than 10% taking to the pews during the festival. In contrast, Manchester and Guildford have much lower attendance figures, with fewer than 2% of people attending Anglican services at Christmas.
The teen birth rate has declined to a record low, and youth are less likely to be involved in violent crimes. However, the prevalence of overweight among children has increased, posing a risk for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Farid's algorithm uses statistical clues to detect tampering in digital images, making it harder for people to manipulate photos. The technology has the potential to prevent fake photos from influencing public opinion and trust, especially in news reports.
Studies show humans can recognize word boundaries in complex languages through statistical analysis of sound patterns. A new test reveals people can distinguish regularity in consonant relationships and use them to divide sounds into words with great accuracy.
The American Statistical Association is seeking nominations for its Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award, recognizing individuals and organizations that promote statistics in public life. Eligible nominees include commentators, reporters, writers, and others who use communications media as their primary product.
A Carnegie Mellon statistics student has developed a method to mitigate noise in brain imaging, allowing for clearer pictures of brain activity. This technique could lead to more efficient experimental procedures and pave the way for more challenging experiments.
A study by NASA researchers found that tropical cyclones with 'hot towers' in their eyewall are twice as likely to intensify within six hours. The researchers used TRMM satellite data to compile global statistics on hot tower occurrence and define a nine-mile high threshold for classification.
Teen ecstasy use declined for the second consecutive year due to increased perception of its risks, according to a University of Michigan study. Marijuana use also decreased in upper grades, with perceived risk increasing and overall use falling.
A study of the American Stop Smoking Intervention Study (ASSIST) found that states participating in the program experienced a greater reduction in adult smoking prevalence and lower per capita cigarette consumption compared to non-participating states. If all 50 states had implemented ASSIST, an estimated 278,700 fewer smokers nationwi...