Research on making sense of scientific and medical data. Covers AI error-correction, single-cell search engines, optical computing, and measurement reliability.
New Caledonian crows show expertise in tool use, adapting their technique to optimize performance. The study reveals that these crows possess cognitive mechanisms beyond simple associative learning, allowing them to understand the functional properties of novel tool types.
Researchers used functional MRI to assess cerebral activity in doctors while they diagnosed lesions. The results showed that the brain areas active during this task were strikingly similar to those activated while naming line drawings of animals.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that students' ability to estimate time is correlated with their math skills, suggesting a common reliance on spatial ability. The researchers suggest that developing this skill could improve mathematical intelligence.
A large study published in PLOS Medicine has found a positive association between rotating night shift work and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women. The study, which analyzed data from over 230,000 women, suggests that long duration of shift work may also be associated with greater weight gain.
Counterfeit medicines pose significant health risks, and experts argue that the World Health Organization (WHO) should play a key role in combating them. The authors propose an international treaty on medicine quality under WHO auspices to address this issue.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that hospital-acquired C. difficile infection increases length of stay in hospital by an average of six days.
Researchers developed an algorithm that accurately identifies potential 'red-light violators' within seconds, reducing false alarms. The algorithm's accuracy surpasses existing safety-prediction technologies, with a 85% success rate in identifying violators.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded $6 million to three West Coast universities to create a prototype earthquake early warning system. The goal is to provide seconds to several minutes of warning before the ground shakes, saving thousands of lives and millions of dollars in the event of an earthquake.
Researchers from Brown University report that dark matter must have a mass greater than 40 GeV to explain the universe's accelerated expansion. This limits potential weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) candidates, which were previously suggested by other experiments.
Researchers used DNA barcoding to discover several previously undiscovered butterfly species in the Yucatan peninsula, correcting four cases of mistaken identification. The study showcases the utility of this method in characterizing biodiversity.
Wyngaard and Thompson are honored for their contributions to understanding atmospheric turbulence and ozone dynamics. They received the Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal and Verner E. Suomi Award, respectively.
A study by Mona Loutfy and colleagues found that women experience a complex system of stigma related to HIV, sexism, racism, homophobia, and sex work. The researchers identified resilience, social networks, and challenging stigma as effective coping strategies.
Researchers surveyed over 5,000 people in the Fukushima region and found that almost all had safe contamination levels. The exposure gradually decreased over time, with indoor air having one-tenth the radiation dose of outdoor air.
A recent survey of Italian high school students found that both underweight and overweight teens consume more illegal drugs than their normal-weight peers. The study suggests that social factors such as self-esteem and friendships play a key role in the relationship between abnormal weight and substance abuse.
A study by Binghamton University found that positive observational behavior data increases sales, while negative observations have little impact. This discovery should ease fears for online retailers, who can now display statistics on consumer behavior without discouraging purchases.
Researchers developed a computational model to predict justice's votes, outperforming legal expert forecasts and case content algorithms. The study found decreasing court predictability over the Warren-Rehnquist era and lower predictability during Democratic presidencies.
Astronomers found two distinct populations of neutron stars, suggesting different supernova channels. The findings shed light on stellar evolution and open new research areas.
Global health training programs should be evaluated by the quality of experience for trainees from all settings and by the incremental improvement in in-country care, infrastructure, and research. Investments in human resources are crucial to discovering and delivering innovations in prevention and treatment.
Patients treated by physicians who billed for both technical and professional fees were more likely to undergo cardiac stress imaging after coronary revascularization. The incidence of nuclear stress testing was higher among these physicians compared to those who did not bill for the service, with 12.6% vs 5.0%.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds a strong correlation between precipitation patterns in the Northeast and Southwest. Researchers used sediment layers to reconstruct records and found that extreme weather events are predicted by climate models.
A team of scientists using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has discovered a young millisecond pulsar named PSR J1823−3021A, challenging existing theories about its formation. The discovery pushes the total count of detected pulsars to over 100, with NGC 6624 globular cluster contributing significantly.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that big cats' square-shaped vocal cords allow for louder roars at lower lung pressure, making it easier for the tissue to respond to airflow. This discovery contradicts a long-held theory and could potentially help doctors reconstruct damaged vocal fold tissue.
The Ontario Genomics Institute's Toronto Centre of Genomic Services (TCAG) has received a $5 million injection to continue providing cutting-edge genomic services. Led by Dr. Stephen Scherer, TCAG supports over 1,600 labs worldwide in various disciplines.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that physical activity can substantially reduce the effect of the FTO gene on obesity risk. The research, which analyzed data from over 218,000 adults, showed that individuals who were physically active had a nearly 30% weaker association with the FTO gene compared to those who were inactive.
Researchers studied woodpecker anatomy and behavior to understand how they resist head impact injury. Key findings include the relative 'spongy'-ness of cranial bones and beak features that absorb shock, leading to a combined effect of multiple morphological features.
Researchers have created a novel EEG-based brain-computer interface that allows users to control a virtual helicopter using only their minds. The system was tested with great success, reaching targets 85% of the time in a task requiring users to navigate randomly positioned rings in three-dimensional space.
A Stanford University study demonstrates that indigenous peoples can collect reliable environmental data through training and collaboration with scientists. The researchers trained over 340 villagers in methods of collecting field data, and found that the accuracy of their data was comparable to that of trained scientists.
Researchers found that subordinate males in cichlids increase defense against predators when they sire offspring. Cooperative breeding behavior is affected by direct fitness benefits and indirect benefits like safety.
Researchers are developing new data analysis and modeling methodologies to aid the transition from the decennial census to the annual American Community Survey. These methods could impact how over $400 billion in federal and state funds are distributed annually.
A multi-institutional project based at the University of Chicago aims to apply data mining methods to understand the genetic and environmental factors behind neuropsychiatric disorders. The Sylvio O. Conte Center will combine statistical power from pre-existing genetics, pharmacogenomics, text-mining, and clinical record databases.
Researchers analyzed 300,000 NBA free-throws, finding strong support for the hot hand phenomenon, which suggests a streak of positive outcomes is likely to continue. This study sheds new light on an old question, supporting fans' view that the phenomenon exists and opens doors for further physiological and psychological investigations.
Home-based supervised oral HIV self-testing has been shown to be feasible in high-HIV-prevalence settings in urban Africa. The study found strong community readiness for this approach alongside other HIV counseling and testing strategies.
Asperger individuals display uneven profiles of performance in common intelligence test batteries, but scores are much higher on a reasoning-based test called Raven's Progressive Matrices. This suggests a common information processing mechanism for both Asperger and autistic individuals.
A study analyzing Medicare data found that older patients treated by low-volume operators had a significantly higher risk of death within 30 days after receiving a carotid artery stent. Patients treated early in an operator's career also faced a higher mortality rate.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that older patients who underwent carotid artery stenting from lesser experienced physicians had a higher risk of death within 30 days. The study analyzed Medicare data and found that doctors with less than six procedures per year performed worse outcomes.
Astronomers at Yale University have discovered the first two potential exoplanets found by Planet Hunters users analyzing real scientific data from NASA's Kepler mission. The candidate planets orbit their host stars with periods ranging from 10 to 50 days and radii that range in size from two-and-a-half to eight times Earth's radius.
A recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that married women's autonomy and decision-making power are linked to their sexual activity. Women who have more control over household decisions tend to have sex less often, with a significant increase in time since their last intercourse.
A new analysis of census data estimates that 750,000 soldiers died in the American Civil War, a 20% increase from the commonly cited figure of 620,000. This reevaluation is based on a more detailed comparison of male and female survival rates using historical census data.
TheSkyNet project allows public to contribute spare computing power to radio astronomy data processing. The initiative aims to complement primary data processing work of supercomputing facilities, generating real outcomes for scientific research.
A new evidence-based tool has been developed to evaluate doctoral programs in African universities, incorporating perspectives from students, staff, and policy makers. The tool aims to strengthen capacity and justify external funding inputs, benefiting universities across different countries.
A study found that MLB umpires call strikes more often for white pitchers than minority pitchers, leading to a decrease in performance and pay. Minority pitchers responded by playing it safe with their pitches, resulting in decreased performance.
A multi-country analysis shows that ITN ownership reduces child malaria parasites by 20% and child deaths by 23%. The findings support the widespread provision of ITNs as a key intervention in controlling malaria.
Researchers monitored two million anonymous mobile phones after Haiti's earthquake and cholera outbreak, providing real-time data on population movements. The method improved humanitarian aid delivery by tracking the migration patterns of people in need of help.
A study using mobile phone positioning data tracks population movements after disasters, providing more accurate estimates than ad hoc methods. The method can be used for close to real-time monitoring of population movements during outbreaks, leading to better allocation of relief supplies.
A large-scale meteorological event, an abnormal Rossby wave, sparked extreme heat in Russia and unusual downstream wind patterns that shifted rainfall in the Indian monsoon region, fueling heavy flooding in Pakistan. The study analyzed satellite data to show the connection between the two events.
Researchers used innovative fMRI technique to pinpoint areas of the brain dedicated solely to language. Eight out of nine analyzed regions uniquely supported language tasks, while remaining regions showed no activation for non-language tasks.
A new medication, ivabradine, has been shown to reduce both heart rate and volume in patients with cardiac insufficiency, leading to a significant reduction in mortality and hospitalizations. This discovery holds promise for a new approach to treating this condition.
Researchers analyzed molecular markers in three Italian pine vole species, revealing 'hidden' chromosome variations that distinguish them from one another. These findings provide insights into the evolution of this rodent group and may improve their taxonomy.
A study analyzing nearly 500,000 individuals found that the risk of bladder cancer among smokers is significantly higher than reported in previous studies. The risk for women smokers was comparable to men's, and former smokers had a 2.2 times increased risk, while current smokers faced about 4 times higher risk relative to never smokers.
A study found that narcissistic leaders inhibit the free exchange of information, leading to poorer decision-making outcomes. Narcissism is not a trait beneficial for everyday leadership in organizations.
Researchers can now search for models that best explain complex data using an evolutionary computation approach, allowing for flexibility and insights. This method enables the simultaneous evaluation of many candidate solutions, speeding up the work and providing additional insights.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will extend its role as a coordinating hub for a nationwide research consortium studying the link between obesity and cancer. The initiative aims to understand the underlying behavioral causes of obesity and ways to prevent it, particularly among high-risk populations.
A study by the University of Minnesota found that full moons increase lion attacks on humans in Tanzania, with most attacks occurring between dusk and 10pm. The research suggests that lions are hungrier after a full moon due to limited hunting success under daylight conditions.
A new set of guidelines addresses how to manage emergency situations with minimal equipment in an African context. The guidelines can be used by individuals and organizations involved in first aid training programs in Africa.
According to a recent VHA report, the rate of adverse events and wrong-site surgery has decreased significantly since 2006. The study attributes this decline to improvements in safety measures and team training, resulting in a 14% annual reduction in 'highest harm' adverse events.
Scientists at Georgia Tech analyzed data from the March 11 Japan earthquake, finding that subsurface materials were weakened by as much as 70%, affecting how faults deliver movement to buildings and bridges. The study could improve building design and help predict effects of rare and extremely powerful events.
A new study suggests that changes in the labor market since the 1970s have led to more Republican and Democratic partisans, with fewer independents. The growth in partisanship is linked to people's current income and expectations of job security.
Researchers from Dartmouth used waist-mounted wireless mobile devices to track elderly patients' physical activity and social interactions, finding strong correlations with established questionnaires. The study suggests that automated inference of behavior using mobile devices could be a valid and feasible tool for older populations.
A new statistical method predicts the size of seasonal influenza epidemics by analyzing weekly CDC data. The analysis suggests that early circulation of one strain is associated with a reduced incidence of other strains.
USDA scientists conducted a four-year project to sample emissions from seven cotton gins across the Cotton Belt. The research aims to better understand PM2.5 emissions and support stricter federal standards. By analyzing data collected from 126 ambient air samplers, researchers hope to improve the accuracy of dust particle measurements.