GPM measured heavy rain in Tropical Storm Estelle
GPM data showed heavy rainfall on Estelle's eastern side, later shifting west of center. Precipitation rates reached over 65 mm/h, with some storms having heights exceeding 11.6 km.
Data Analysis
Research on making sense of scientific and medical data. Covers AI error-correction, single-cell search engines, optical computing, and measurement reliability.
A mini-antenna for the data processing of tomorrow
Researchers have successfully generated spin waves with extremely short wavelengths in the nanometer range, a key feature for their future application. The new method uses a magnetic vortex as a nano-antenna, allowing for precise control over the wavelength and wave properties.
Helping doctors transform their practices into patient-centered models of health care
A new study describes a scalable solution for transforming health-care delivery in primary care into the PCMH model. A simplified form of cognitive task analysis (CTA) was used to analyze how doctors' office staff thought about and delivered care, advising them on improvements.
SourceHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society·JournalJournal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making·DateJul 18, 2016
Ancient Brazilian pit house occupied continuously for centuries
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a proto-Jê pit house in southern Brazil was continually occupied and extended over two centuries. The researchers used radiocarbon dating and Bayesian modeling to analyze the site, which revealed twelve well-preserved floors with different types of ceramics and renovation techniques.
Older women who sustain facial injuries have increased risk of facial fractures
A study found that older women with facial injuries are more likely to experience facial fractures, particularly those over 60. Black women were less likely to suffer facial fractures compared to white and Asian women.
Study uses text-mining to improve market intelligence on startups
Researchers developed a cloud-based system using big data analytics and topic modeling to analyze startup companies' business descriptions. The approach identifies potential matches based on business proximity, geographic location, social links, and common investor ownership.
July/August 2016 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet
This study reveals a significant increase in prediabetes prevalence among healthy-weight adults over 18 years, highlighting the need for revised screening recommendations. Additionally, inadequate hydration is linked to higher BMI and obesity rates, suggesting drinking more water could be an effective tool against the obesity epidemic.
Return-to-play rates high for football players after shoulder instability surgery
A new study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that surgical treatment for shoulder instability in collegiate athletes can lead to high return-to-play rates, especially for those who played at high levels previously. Athletes with scholarships were more likely to return as starters after surgery.
The BMJ reports on disclosure UK
The BMJ has released a series of infographics revealing UK doctors' payments from pharmaceutical companies, showing that those with the highest earnings are less likely to disclose payments. The database is seen as a step towards greater transparency and public accountability, but critics argue it is insufficient.
Viral hepatitis kills as many as malaria, TB or HIV/AIDS, finds study
Researchers found that viral hepatitis is now a leading cause of death and disability globally, killing at least 1.45 million people annually, surpassing TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. The disease burden is more evenly divided between high- and low-income countries.
Research: Your kids are what you eat
A recent study found that parental diet quality has a significant impact on children's diet quality, with too few vegetables and empty calories being major contributors. Researchers analyzed data from over 600 parent-child duos and found that parents had better diet scores than kids, but only by a small margin.
SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJul 6, 2016
Protein in, ammonia out
A recent study analyzed data from 25 previous studies to identify factors influencing ammonia emissions in dairy barns. Researchers found that reducing crude protein in a dairy cow's diet can significantly lower nitrogen excretion, resulting in reduced ammonia emissions. The study provides key information for farmers and farm advisers ...
Decreases in malaria transmission may be followed by increased susceptibility in children
A 25-year study found that despite decreased malaria transmission in Africa, older children are increasingly contracting the disease due to decreased immunity. The shift is attributed to changes in bednet usage, which may hinder progress toward malaria elimination.
High expectations of CERN -- focus on particle physics at Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
Researchers at CERN are investigating new particles that may shed light on the standard model of particle physics. The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 failed to explain phenomena such as dark matter and neutrino mass, sparking ongoing searches for supersymmetric particles and other explanations.
Young bowhead whales may cease growing lengthwise to grow head and baleen plates
Bowhead calves experience severe bone loss to sustain growth of their enormous heads and baleen plates, outpacing body growth by years. This unusual adaptation allows the whales to catch prey with efficient baleen, compensating for limited baleen at weaning age.
NIH-developed crowdsourcing platform makes public gene expression data more accessible
The NIH has developed a crowdsourcing platform, OMics Compendia Commons (OMiCC), to make public gene expression data more accessible. Researchers can create groups of data and annotate them with standardized parameters, allowing for the reuse of existing data to address new research questions.
SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 20, 2016
As Olympics near, study finds low levels of physical activity in Brazil
A Brazilian study found that only 21% of women and 29% of men met international standards for moderate weekly physical activity. Active participants were healthier, with lower blood pressure and heart rates, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Migraine as a risk marker for stroke and heart attack
Research suggests that female patients with migraines have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attacks. The study found a 50% higher risk of developing cardiovascular events in women with a diagnosis of migraine.
Not only in Hollywood: Gender pay gap persists in the arts
New research finds that artistic careers are subject to the same social forces driving gender wage gaps in other fields. Despite flexible nature of many artistic careers, female artists earn significantly less than their male counterparts, with a $19,884.30 difference on average.
Prevalence of obesity in the US increases among women, but not men
The prevalence of obesity in the US has increased among women, with a significant rise between 2005 and 2014, while rates for men have remained stable. Obesity affects over 38% of adults in the US, with class 3 obesity affecting around 7.7% of both sexes.
Web panels build customer loyalty
Researchers found that web panel participants made 17% more purchases and increased cross-buying by 14%. The profit per customer also rose by 36%, demonstrating the economic benefits of these panels.
Study of UK diabetic patients suggests obesity surgery could save National Health Service almost £100,000 per patient
A small study suggests that obese UK diabetics who undergo bariatric surgery can save the NHS around £95,000 over their lifetime due to reduced medication costs. The study found that 44 patients with type 2 diabetes who no longer required treatment after surgery resulted in significant outpatient and inpatient savings.
Novel type 2 diabetes risk model more accurately assesses disease trajectory
A novel type 2 diabetes risk model has been developed to better understand disease progression, revealing people on atypical trajectories face significantly increased or decreased risks of developing T2D. The new model has overcome challenges associated with estimating T2D onset based on comorbid conditions.
UTA engineer wins Air Force grant to help unmanned vehicle systems work together
Kamesh Subbarao, a UTA aerospace engineer, has received a $201,000 grant from the Air Force Research Laboratory to develop an algorithm for cooperative control of multiple spacecraft. The algorithm aims to address uncertainties and time delays in data transmission, enabling better analysis of collected data.
Wildfire -- it's not spreading like wildfire
A new analysis of global data reveals that global area burned has seen an overall slight decline over past decades, with around 4% of the global land surface affected by vegetation fires each year. The researchers also found that there is increasing evidence that there is less fire in the global landscape today than centuries ago.
SourceSwansea University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMay 24, 2016
Screening strategy identifies adults at risk for developing kidney disease
A targeted screening program in Canada identified a high proportion of individuals with risk factors for chronic kidney disease and many with unrecognized CKD. The See Kidney Disease (SeeKD) program successfully promoted good kidney health and provided early detection of CKD, emphasizing the importance of targeted screening.
SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 19, 2016
Ocelot density in the Brazilian Amazon may be lower than expected
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that ocelot densities in the Brazilian Amazon may be stable but lower than predicted. The research used camera-trap surveys to estimate ocelot density in a pristine forest area and found an average of 25 ocelots per 100 km2, which is lower than expected for the region.
Plasma physics' giant leap
Researchers analyze MMS data to understand magnetic reconnection, a process that produces powerful phenomena including solar flares and large releases of plasma from the sun's corona. The mission provides high-resolution measurements of particles and electric and magnetic fields at the electron scale.
Attending religious services associated with lower risk of death in women
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that frequent attendance at religious services was associated with a lower risk of death for women from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Women who attended services more than once a week had a 33% lower risk of death compared to those who never attended.
ICUs strained by increased volume and a near doubling of opioid-related deaths
Research highlights a critical need to address rising opioid-related ICU admissions and deaths, with a near doubling since 2009. The study's findings emphasize the strain on ICUs and the need for increased training and resources for clinicians to manage addiction.
How Arctic spring kills birds in Africa
Scientists found that an early Arctic spring in Africa is killing red knots by disrupting their food supply. The birds' short beaks limit their access to shellfish, essential for survival.
Suspense in the movie theatre air
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and Johannes Gutenberg University found that every movie leaves a characteristic pattern in the air, with increases in carbon dioxide and isoprene levels indicating suspense or humor. The study uses mass spectrometry to analyze exhaled air and differentiate between scenes in movies.
How to boost online ratings
A study by Temple University researchers discovered that people who waited longer or traveled farther before writing a review gave more favorable evaluations. This suggests that businesses can improve online ratings by asking out-of-town customers to review, and companies may want to reconsider their immediate feedback strategies.
Collaborative effort leads to unique informatics degree program
A new doctoral training program at the University of Missouri aims to create a unique type of data scientist by combining expertise from life sciences, medicine, and computing. The six-student program will focus on massive and complex data analytics for one health, using Big Data practices to improve medical discoveries.
Specific changes to non-coding RNA may be part of what makes us human
A study found that human-specific variants of four microRNAs may have altered expression levels and gene targets compared to other great apes. The variations were linked to neural functions and development, suggesting a possible role in shaping human-specific traits.
More than half of streamflow in the upper Colorado River basin originates as groundwater
A new USGS study reveals that more than half of the streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin comes from groundwater, with an average of 56% originating from this source. This finding has significant implications for water management and highlights the need to consider both groundwater and surface water as a joint resource.
Large-scale study of Super Storm Sandy utility damage shows 'small' failures, big impact
A large-scale study of Super Storm Sandy's utility damage found that 'small' failures accounted for more than half the outage impact, defeating traditional repair strategies. The research suggests that prioritizing repairs to substations and other major facilities is not effective in restoring service quickly.
Study finds link between handedness and mathematical skills
Researchers discovered a moderate correlation between handedness and mathematical skill, accounting for around 5-10% of mathematics scores. The study also found that degree of handedness influenced by age, task type, and gender, with lateralized children performing worse in certain tasks.
New study shows we are bad judges of friendship
Researchers found that only half of perceived friendships are reciprocal, while most people overestimate the level of mutual support in their relationships. The study's algorithm accurately determines the nature of friendships with high accuracy.
Comparative analysis reveals use patterns of deeper Caribbean coral reefs by shark species
A comparative analysis of three shark species in the Virgin Islands reveals distinct use patterns in deeper coral reefs. Lemon sharks show increased activity near group spawning aggregations, suggesting a link between fish prey location and shark movements.
Obesity rates are not declining in US youth
The study found a significant increase in obesity rates from 1999 to 2014, with no decline in any age group, despite clinical and policy efforts targeting the issue. The data suggests that more than 4.5 million US children and adolescents have severe obesity.
Hunting wolves near Denali, Yellowstone cuts wolf sightings in half
Researchers found that visitors to national parks are half as likely to see wolves when hunting is permitted outside park boundaries. In contrast, when hunting was prohibited, visitors were twice as likely to spot a wolf. The study suggests a tradeoff between harvesting and viewing wolves.
Hip fracture surgery is 'inconsistent and inequitable' warn experts
A study published in The BMJ found that hip fracture surgery is inconsistent and inequitable, with patients from higher socioeconomic backgrounds more likely to receive it. The use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) also varies by day of week, with weekends seeing lower rates.
Old-growth forests may provide buffer against rising temperatures
Researchers found that old-growth forests can reduce maximum spring and summer air temperatures by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to plantation forests. This cooling effect is due to the dense canopy and complex understory vegetation of old-growth forests, which create microclimates for temperature-sensitive species.
Seismologists ask: How close are we to an eruption?
Researchers use new tools to detect patterns of seismic activity before volcanic eruptions, comparing them to past eruptions to determine when a particular volcano might erupt. The study also examines swarms of small earthquakes that appear to precede many eruptions, aiming to learn more about magma movement.
Does a 'triple package' of traits predict success?
A new study by Union College psychology professors Joshua Hart and Christopher Chabris found that a 'triple package' of traits, including intelligence, conscientiousness, and economic advantage, are more likely to predict success than previously thought, contradicting Amy Chua's theory.
Don't count on strangers in medical emergencies, especially if you're African-American
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that only 2.5% of people received help from strangers during medical emergencies, with African-Americans less likely to receive assistance. Lower-income and densely populated counties also saw low rates of bystander support.
Coding and computers help spot methane, explosives
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new technology using coded apertures to improve the performance of mass spectrometers, enabling portable devices to detect environmental hazards in the field. The innovation could lead to miniaturized mass spectrometers for detecting trace amounts of methane and explosives.
First description of 2015 Zika virus outbreak in Rio de Janiero
Researchers analyzed data and samples from 364 patients with acute skin rash, detecting ZIKV RNA in 119 blood samples. The study found the virus was introduced to Brazil from Asia, with at least some cases transmitted locally through mosquito bites or person-to-person contact.
When will a neutron star collapse to a black hole?
Physicists have found a simple formula for the maximum mass of neutron stars, which depends on their rotation rate. The research, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests that rotating neutron stars can support masses up to 20% higher than non-rotating ones.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 7, 2016
Hannover Messe: Engineers develop smart conveyor rollers for the factory of the future
Researchers at Saarland University are developing intelligent roller conveyor systems that can adapt to changing conditions and detect faults, improving production efficiency. The system uses advanced sensor technology to analyze motor data and adjust its performance in real-time.
NATO taps UH professor to keep big data secure on the cloud
Researchers at University of Houston are developing a new framework to protect big data processing and minimize risks of data breaches on the cloud. The project aims to address security concerns in large-scale data analytics, with potential commercial value in the growing $125 billion market.
The National Dental PBRN as a learning health system
The National Dental Practice-Based Network (PBRN) has been established as a learning health system, leveraging data infrastructure to advance scientific knowledge and improve patient care. The network's collaborative processes have enabled over 25 studies, 100 peer-reviewed papers, and demonstrated practice change since its inception.
Wrangler Supercomputer speeds through big data
The Wrangler Supercomputer utilizes 600 terabytes of flash memory to process massive datasets, enabling scientists to analyze thousands of files quickly. This allows researchers to explore new questions and drive previously unattainable discoveries in fields such as gene analysis and building energy efficiency.
SLU scientist helps move structural biology into 'big data' era
Enrico Di Cera's work on the Structural Biology Data Grid allows researchers to share and reproduce findings faster, advancing the field of structural biology. The grid supports archiving of raw experimental datasets, enabling rapid access for validation and improving existing models.
Misleading p-values showing up more often in biomedical journal articles, Stanford study finds
A recent study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that p-values are being misapplied in millions of biomedical journal articles, leading to the illusion of credible research. The study suggests that this widespread misuse may not indicate an improvement in research conduct or data analysis.
Toward the IoT -- A framework for data analytics on digital device networks
Researchers developed a framework to simplify data analytics on digital device networks, reducing the need for custom algorithms. The project aims to improve the Internet of Things by analyzing and learning from massive amounts of generated data.
Harnessing new technologies and policies for better ocean observation
Automatic Ship Identification Systems (AIS) have vast potential to provide valuable marine data and inform international marine policies. However, inconsistent use of this technology and data falsification by users must be addressed.
Climate change less politicized among minority groups
A recent study by Cornell University researchers reveals that climate change attitudes are less politicized among minority groups compared to white respondents. Non-whites were found to care as much about the environment as whites, yet are underrepresented in addressing the issue due to social barriers and socioeconomic realities.
UTA researcher would transform sensor network into device with supercomputer power
Ioannis Schizas is creating a sensing environment that uses simple devices to process data previously requiring a supercomputer. The network can be applied to surveillance, defense, healthcare, and environmental monitoring applications.