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Neural network helps design brand new proteins

Researchers have developed a novel neural network approach to design brand new proteins with unique arrangements and dynamic functionalities. The method combines attention neural networks with graph neural networks to predict existing protein properties and envision new proteins that nature has not yet devised.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 29, 2023

Sweet corn yield at the mercy of the environment, except for one key factor

A new study by the University of Illinois and USDA-Agricultural Research Service has identified the key factors influencing sweet corn yield. The analysis found that seed source is a significant variable, with processors having a choice over which hybrids to use, and high nighttime temperatures also impact yield.

For a new generation of antibiotics, scientists are bringing extinct molecules back to life – and discovering the hidden genetics of immunity along the way

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered dozens of small protein sequences with antibiotic qualities in extinct organisms like Neanderthals and Denisovans. They then synthesized these molecules using artificial intelligence and tested their efficacy against pathogens.

AI models are powerful, but are they biologically plausible?

Researchers propose a hypothesis that astrocytes, non-neuronal cells in the brain, can perform core computation as transformers, providing insights into human brain function and machine learning success. This discovery could spark future neuroscience research and help explain transformer performance across complex tasks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 15, 2023

Can AI help hospitals spot patients in need of extra non-medical assistance?

A new study shows that a rule-based natural language processing tool successfully identified patients with unstable access to transportation, food insecurity, social isolation, financial problems, and signs of abuse or exploitation. The tool performed better than deep learning algorithms in identifying these social determinants of health.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 14, 2023

Exploiting nonlinear scattering medium for optical encryption, computation, and machine learning

Researchers have discovered a way to utilize nonlinear scattering media for optical computing and machine learning. They created a novel theoretical framework involving third-order tensors, which can represent the complex relationships between input and output signals. This breakthrough has potential applications in real-world settings...

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2023

Tennis anyone? Researchers serve up advances in developing motion simulation technology’s next generation

A machine learning system capable of learning diverse tennis skills from broadcast video footage has been created by a research team led by Simon Fraser University's Jason Peng. The system can generate long-lasting matches with realistic racket and ball dynamics between two physically simulated characters.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 1, 2023

A unified theory of the lexicon and the mind: Researchers find common cognitive foundation for child language development and language evolution

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that child language development and language evolution share a common cognitive foundation, based on a core knowledge base. The team built a computational model that predicts word meaning extension patterns across languages and time scales, highlighting the role of visual, associative,...

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 27, 2023

Researchers develop machine learning models that could improve suicide-risk prediction among children

Researchers designed machine learning models to identify children at risk of self-harm, finding that incorporating more data points and diagnostic codes improved detection rates. The models were particularly effective for detecting underrepresented groups, such as Black and Latino youth.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJMIR Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2023

Predicting lifespan-extending chemical compounds for C. elegans with machine learning

A new study uses machine learning to analyze data from DrugAge, a database of chemical compounds modulating lifespan in model organisms. The researchers create four types of datasets to predict whether or not a compound extends the lifespan of C. elegans, using features such as compound-protein interactions and Gene Ontology terms.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 26, 2023

Understanding social media discussions about female genital mutilation

An analysis of English Twitter data reveals a 17-fold increase in daily FGM conversations on International Day of Zero Tolerance, suggesting opportunities for social media education. At least 200 million women and girls have undergone FGM, leading to short- and long-term health consequences.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 25, 2023

Rice U.’s Kaiyu Hang wins NSF CAREER Award

Hang aims to develop general-purpose robots that can handle complex physical interactions without requiring perfect input from sensors or extensive instructions. His project seeks to improve robotic manipulation tasks by reducing assumptions about how the robot acts in real-world conditions.

New research shows AI can ask another AI for a second opinion on medical scans

Researchers at Monash University developed a co-training AI algorithm that can effectively mimic human oversight in medical imaging. The algorithm achieved an average improvement of 3% compared to state-of-the-art approaches using limited annotated data, enabling AI models to make more informed decisions and uncover accurate diagnoses.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 25, 2023

New algorithm may fuel vaccine development

Researchers have developed a computational tool to compare large datasets and predict immune responses to disease, potentially leading to better vaccines. The new algorithm, designed by La Jolla Institute for Immunology scientists, uses machine learning to identify underlying patterns in immune system data.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2023

Fengyun-4A satellite and machine learning model advance solar photovoltaic resource mapping in China

The Fengyun-4A satellite in collaboration with a machine learning model generated a detailed PV resource map for China, providing new insights into the country's solar energy potential. This advancement sets a new standard for solar resource mapping, empowering decision-makers to make informed choices for a sustainable future.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateJul 24, 2023

Insilico Medicine scientists propose stricter standards for evaluating generative AI-produced molecules

The study evaluates recent research on artificial intelligence-generated molecular structures from the perspective of medicinal chemists, recommending guidelines for assessing novelty and validity. Insilico Medicine's recommendations aim to improve the process of generating and evaluating novel AI-generated drugs.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 18, 2023

AI-guided brain stimulation aids memory in traumatic brain injury

Researchers have developed a new study showing that targeted electrical stimulation in patients with traumatic brain injury improved memory recall by 19%. The technology delivers the right stimulation at the right time, informed by the wiring of the individual's brain and that individual's successful memory retrieval.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalBrain Stimulation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 18, 2023

Eyes in the skies confirm the end of trash burning in the Maldives

A new AI approach has confirmed that the Maldivian government effectively enforced its ban on open trash burning and single-use plastics, eliminating toxic smoke plumes from satellite imagery. The tool, trained using transfer learning and image segmentation, achieved 88% accuracy in identifying plumes.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Better and faster design of organic light-emitting materials with machine learning and quantum computing

A joint research team has developed a novel approach combining machine learning with quantum-classical computational molecular design to accelerate the discovery of efficient OLED emitters. The optimal OLED emitter discovered is a deuterated derivative of Alq₃, which is both extremely efficient at emitting light and synthesizable.

SourceIntelligent Computing·JournalIntelligent Computing·DateJul 12, 2023

AI can accurately predict potentially fatal cardiac events in firefighters

Researchers at NIST and their colleagues used machine learning to identify abnormal cardiac rhythms in firefighters, achieving 97% accuracy. The Heart Health Monitoring model could lead to a portable heart monitor to detect early warning signs of heart trouble and prevent fatal cardiac events.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalFire Safety Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Generative AI ‘fools’ scientists with artificial data, bringing automated data analysis closer

A new AI technology has been developed to generate artificial scientific data, allowing for faster and more efficient detection of material features. The AI uses generative adversarial networks to incorporate background noise and experimental imperfections into the generated data, making it virtually indistinguishable from real data.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateJul 11, 2023

Machine learning helps identify the cause of an old phenomenon in meat tenderness

Researchers used machine learning algorithms to explain how calpain-1 activity is modified on the molecular level, finding that lipid peroxidation products like MDA and HNE can increase or decrease activity. The study provides new insights into protein modification and its role in meat tenderness.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Using AI to save species from extinction cascades

Researchers at Flinders University use machine learning to identify species interactions and predict which species are most likely to go extinct. By analyzing species traits and interactions, the algorithm can help plan interventions before extinctions occur.

SourceFlinders University·JournalEcography·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 10, 2023

Machine learning model identifies mild cognitive impairment from retinal scans

A machine learning model developed by Duke Health researchers can differentiate normal cognition from mild cognitive impairment using retinal images from the eye. The model achieved a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 83%, identifying specific features in OCT and OCTA images that signal cognitive impairment. This non-invasive metho...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalOphthalmology Science·DateJul 10, 2023

Machine learning enhances X-ray imaging of nanotextures

Researchers at Cornell University developed a new method that uses machine learning to visualize nanotextures in thin-film materials. This technique overcomes the challenge of preserving the sample, allowing for dynamic study of thin films and discovery of new morphologies.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2023