Research on making sense of scientific and medical data. Covers AI error-correction, single-cell search engines, optical computing, and measurement reliability.
Researchers analyzed how neurons in V2 respond to natural scenes, discovering three principles: combining edges, cross-orientation suppression, and repeating patterns. This work provides insight into the brain's ability to recognize faces, cars, and other objects.
A new study suggests that comets may have delivered up to 22% of the element xenon found in Earth's atmosphere. The finding is based on analysis of spectrometry data from the Rosetta spacecraft, which detected isotopic signatures of cometary xenon that closely match those on Earth.
A new analysis suggests that non-selective beta-blockers are associated with a 22% increased risk of falling compared to selective beta-blockers. The study of over 10,000 individuals found no association between selective beta-blocker use and fall risk.
A team of researchers from the University of Idaho challenges a 2016 study that suggested eastern and red wolves are not distinct species but rather recent hybrids. The new review argues that the data do not definitively prove recent hybridization, instead supporting the genetic and evolutionary distinctiveness of red and eastern wolves.
Researchers found that neurons initially rely on many neurons for good prediction of a macaque monkey's decision, but eventually each neuron is maximally predictive as the decision point approaches.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that duration, biomechanics, and force influence the subjective effort associated with arm movements, while movement amplitudes have no effect. The researchers also discovered a link between brain functions involved in decision-making and movement execution.
A recent study found that frail patients are almost twice as likely to die in the year following critical care admission, with nearly 40% dying within one year. Additionally, frail patients were more than twice as likely to need institutional care and become increasingly dependent after discharge from hospital.
Scientists using LRO data identified bright areas near south pole craters that are cold enough for frost to be present. The analysis combined surface temperatures with light reflection information.
Scientists have developed a new model that predicts Sahel summer rainfall with high accuracy, enabling decision-makers to anticipate future cycles of droughts and floods. This improved understanding has the potential to help local communities become increasingly resilient to the region's variable climate.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that the increase in extreme Northeast storms occurred as an abrupt shift in 1996, particularly in the spring and fall. The region experienced a 53% increase in extreme precipitation from 1996 to 2014, with tropical cyclones and nor'easters being key drivers.
In-hospital COPD mortality declined substantially between 2005 and 2014, with a 62% decrease in deaths among patients hospitalized for the condition. Women accounted for the majority of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths, making up 57-58% and 51-55%, respectively.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed data from a clinical trial and found no benefit of statins for all-cause mortality or coronary heart disease events when started for primary prevention in older adults. The authors concluded that treatment recommendations should be individualized for this population.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new memristor chip that can process complex data, such as images, much faster and with less power than traditional systems. Inspired by how mammals see, the chip uses pattern recognition to shortcut energy-intensive processes.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) mortality is lower in high-volume Intensive Care Units (ICUs), according to a new study analyzing the French CUB-REA database. The research found that despite increased ARDS severity, ICU mortality decreased in high-volume ICUs compared to low and moderate volume ICUs.
Researchers analyzed data from 1,863 participants and found a significant association between air pollution exposure and low sleep efficiency. The study suggests that improving air quality may be one way to enhance sleep health and reduce health disparities.
Researchers at Duke University have developed new algorithms that enable analysis of sensitive data while guaranteeing individual privacy. The tools use a customized definition of privacy similar to differential privacy, injecting just enough noise to satisfy regulations and uphold the law.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Myanmar's intact forest cover declined by 11% between 2002 and 2014, with a significant loss of 2 million hectares. The researchers suggest prioritizing protection of intact forests and exploring alternative sustainable forest management practices.
A study in Illinois found a link between glyphosate use and reduced monarch butterfly abundance, particularly during warmer springs. Wetter and cooler conditions also boosted summer monarch populations.
A new estimate suggests that dryland forests, which cover 40% of the Earth's land surface, are more extensive than previously thought, with an additional 467 million hectares reported. This increase in forest area increases current estimates of global forest cover by at least 9%
A new method for analyzing data from atomic nucleus collisions has been developed, revealing wavy energy potential patterns that were previously considered anomalous. The study uses these patterns to gain insight into the physical characteristics of colliding nuclei.
PortHadoop reader enables seamless data transfer between Hadoop and parallel file systems, accelerating big data analytics. The NSF-funded Chameleon cloud testbed facilitates the development of PortHadoop reader for NASA Cloud library applications.
A study analyzing raindrop size distribution data over Tibet and southern China reveals significant microphysical differences in precipitation. The results indicate lower raindrop number concentrations for convective precipitation in Tibet, while larger raindrops show similar characteristics in both regions.
A reanalysis of raw data from a widely used study on formaldehyde exposure shows no link between formaldehyde and leukemia. The study challenges the original conclusions that linked formaldehyde to an increased risk of leukemia, highlighting a need for reconsideration of formaldehyde health risks.
The Biomedical Big Data to Knowledge Training Program aims to accelerate advances in biomedical research by training the next generation of scientists in data analysis and visualization. The program, funded by Penn State and the National Institutes of Health, will support up to nine graduate students per year.
A University of Alberta study found that women with atrial fibrillation have a 40% higher risk of dying within a month of hospital discharge compared to men. The study analyzed data from 21,062 Albertans and controlled for factors such as age and health-related variables.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals that gut bacteria control food preferences in fruit flies by inducing metabolic changes that mimic protein satiety. The research identifies two bacterial species responsible for altering appetite behavior, shedding light on the complex interaction between diet and microbes.
A new method has been developed to ensure reproducibility in computational experiments, addressing a major challenge in science. Nextflow, a workflow management system, provides a standardized framework for managing computational workflows and integrating resources such as data repositories and cloud computing.
Researchers have discovered how individual neurons coordinate to anticipate events in the brain's auditory cortex. This process is impaired in neurological and psychiatric disorders such as dyslexia and ADHD. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists hope to develop new models for studying predictive signals in the brain.
A study by Maureen Storey, PhD, found that consumers of frozen fruits and vegetables have significantly higher intakes of key nutrients like potassium, fiber, and calcium. Additionally, adult consumers of frozen fruits and vegetables have lower BMI than non-consumers.
The probability of children attaining a higher income than their parents has dropped dramatically since 1940, from over 90% to 50%. Restoring economic mobility would require greater economic redistribution. Policies such as fostering productivity growth and increasing the minimum wage can help achieve this goal.
A new study reveals a strong association between colder climates and higher rates of alcoholic cirrhosis, a disease caused by excessive drinking. The research found that countries with lower temperatures and less sunshine had higher rates of alcohol-attributable liver cirrhosis.
Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) use increased from 7.5% to 15.6% between 2011 and 2014, but disparities persist in certain groups. Patients from higher-income areas and those affiliated with Accountable Care Organizations were more likely to receive an AWV.
Researchers at Penn found that vivid visualization of the future does not increase delayed gratification as previously thought. Instead, they discovered that better visualizers tend to be more impulsive when making choices about smaller rewards.
A study of 500,000 Chinese adults found that higher fresh fruit consumption was associated with a lower incidence of diabetes and reduced occurrence of complications in people with diabetes. Fresh fruit consumption was linked to an estimated 0.2% reduction in the absolute risk of diabetes over 5 years.
A study of almost 3000 Finnish women found no association between religiosity and the development of anorexia nervosa. In fact, moderate religiosity may even have a small positive effect on body image.
A study found that three-spined stickleback fish evolved the same genetic changes in their color-vision gene to adapt to dark and clear water environments. The research demonstrated convergent evolution across vastly different time scales, showing that mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution are predictable.
Researchers from NUS develop a novel ultra-thin multilayer film that harnesses the properties of tiny magnetic whirls, known as skyrmions, as information carriers. The invention could lead to more energy-efficient and faster data storage devices.
A popular online game's data suggests linguistic and cultural factors influence language accuracy. Players were better at identifying languages geographically far apart and with distinct sounds. Cultural associations also play a role in correct identifications.
A study found that sustained smoking abstinence with e-cigarettes was more likely in countries with fewer restrictions on their sale and use. In the US and UK, 73% of EC users reported sustained cigarette abstinence, compared to 32% in Canada and Australia.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to automatically improve the design of scatterplots by exploiting models and measures of human perception. The optimized designs effectively communicate relationships between two data variables, reducing unintended miscommunication.
Access to UK sexual health clinics has worsened over the past few years, with women being less likely to receive appointments. Clinics in England show the sharpest decline, falling below recommended standards of offering 98% of patients an appointment within 48 hours.
The National Institute for Health Research Innovation Observatory will apply Big Data analytics tools to explore trends in health innovation. The £10 million centre, based at Newcastle University, aims to provide better and more efficient healthcare for patients.
A collaborative project led by Clemson University aims to improve and simplify large-scale data analysis using the Scientific Data Analysis at Scale (SciDAS) system. The goal is to provide a more fluid and flexible system for researchers to analyze vast datasets, enabling faster discovery and complex computations.
A new study found that birds with longer beaks have larger blind areas in front of their heads, resulting in narrower fields of binocular vision. This finding suggests that the size of the blind area plays an important role in birds' vision.
Researchers have discovered small molecule drugs that activate signaling pathways leading to specific adult brain cell types from stem cells. These findings provide new insights into neural development and repair, identifying several new approved drugs with potential therapeutic value for brain injury repair.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that knee replacement surgery for patients with osteoarthritis has limited effects on quality of life and is economically unattractive. However, restricting the procedure to patients with more severe symptoms may improve effectiveness and make it more economically viable
Scientists use relative strength index from stock market to detect slow slip earthquakes, matching results with exhaustive analyses. The technique detects millimeter-scale changes in position at surface, providing clues on plate boundary physics.
Researchers have discovered a molecule sent by fat cells to the fly brain that signals when energy stores are sufficient, inhibiting feeding behavior. This finding suggests a potential appetite-suppression mechanism in humans and may lead to new weight management strategies.
A new study by an international team of scientists has found that Antarctica's biodiversity and conservation management are similar to those globally. Despite some areas of improvement, such as invasive species management, overall progress is lagging behind global targets.
Researchers found no association between mosquito abundance and dengue virus risk, but longitudinal indicators showed individuals living with mosquito evidence were more likely to contract dengue. Alternative surveillance frameworks incorporating human outcomes may be necessary for effective dengue control programs.
Researchers identified molecules as potential biomarkers for early detection of type 2 diabetes, up to nine years before diagnosis. SIB's role in IMIDIA project demonstrates its unique value and capabilities as a competence center in large-scale health-data projects.
A new study discovered a chemical compound that selectively stalls the production of specific proteins by targeting the ribosome. This approach offers a promising strategy for treating diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.
A systematic analysis examined the global burden of oral conditions between 1990 and 2015, finding a significant increase in disability-adjusted life years due to oral diseases. The study suggests that oral health goals should be developed to advance global public health.
Research published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care found that higher outdoor temperatures are associated with increased diabetes incidence and glucose intolerance prevalence worldwide. A 1°C rise in temperature could account for more than 100,000 new diabetes cases per year in the USA alone.
Scientists have discovered the world's oldest plant-like fossils, estimated to be 1.6 billion years old, in sedimentary rocks in central India. The findings suggest that advanced multicellular life evolved much earlier than previously thought, challenging our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth.
Rippleshot uses machine learning and data analytics to detect payment-card fraud, identifying at-risk cards and suggesting counteractions to prevent loss. The Innovate Indiana Fund investment will help expand the company's technical team and product offerings for merchants and banks.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research used topological data analysis to identify new insights into the organization of complicated protein interaction networks. The study revealed topological network modules composed of proteins with shared properties, providing insight into biological functions and disease mechanisms.
Researcher Neil Johnson studied sub-second delays in electronic stock exchange data, finding that natural delays already exist in these systems, which can become correlated and cause unexpected behaviors. Introducing more delays could be disastrous, as humans wouldn't be able to respond quickly enough.
A new analysis found drastic changes in animal populations occur in about 4% of cases, most commonly in birds, with extreme events driven by parasites, climate and predators. Developing management plans to withstand sudden swings could help buffer against black swan disasters and prevent extinctions.
A new study found that approximately 10% of intense droughts travel between continents in predictable patterns, with the largest and most severe ones having the highest potential for damage. The researchers analyzed drought data from 1979 to 2009, identifying hotspots on each continent where similar tracks were followed.