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Model used to evaluate lockdowns was flawed

Researchers from Lund University criticized a model used to evaluate lockdowns, stating it had fundamental shortcomings and couldn't be used to draw conclusions. The Imperial College London model attributed almost all reduction in transmission during spring to lockdowns, with Sweden being an exception that offered a different explanation.

SourceLund University·JournalNature·DateDec 26, 2020

Mapping coral from the air

Researchers developed an airborne approach to map live coral distribution in the Hawaiian Islands, revealing a negative correlation between nearshore development and live coral cover. The study suggests that this cost-effective method could provide high-resolution monitoring of coral health at a low cost.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2020

Projecting the outcomes of people's lives with AI isn't so simple

A mass study collaboration found that AI predictive models are not accurate in predicting life outcomes, particularly in the criminal justice system and social programs. The study used a large dataset of 13,000 data points from over 4,000 families, but even state-of-the-art modeling was not very accurate.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Projecting the outcomes of people's lives with AI isn't so simple

A collaborative study using machine learning techniques to predict six life outcomes for children, parents, and households found that even with high-quality data and state-of-the-art modeling, the predictive models were not very accurate. The study suggests that sociologists and data scientists should use caution in predictive modeling...

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2020

Short film of a magnetic nano-vortex

Physicists at the Paul Scherrer Institute recorded a short 'film' of the three-dimensional magnetic structure inside a material with nanoscale resolution. This reveals intricate patterns and domain walls that could be used to pack data more tightly than current methods.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateFeb 24, 2020

New artificial neural network model bests MaxEnt in inverse problem example

A new artificial neural network model has been developed to solve inverse problems, demonstrating accuracy comparable to the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach. The model's versatility and robustness against noisy data have been showcased in various tests, including recovering electron single-particle spectral densities.

Incumbent CEOs working with new CFOs earn 10% more money

A recent study from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business found that incumbent CEOs working with newly hired CFOs (co-opted CFOs) take home an average of 10% more compensation. This is attributed to the CEO's power over the CFO, who may be pressured to manage earnings to meet or exceed financial analyst targets, ultimately driving...

SourceDuke University·JournalManagement Science·DateDec 4, 2019

What factors predict success?

A large-scale study of over 11,000 West Point cadets reveals that both cognitive and non-cognitive factors predict success outcomes. Grit is crucial during Beast Barracks, while cognitive ability is the strongest predictor of academic grades in the classroom. Physical ability also plays a key role in determining graduation rates.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2019

Teaching cars to drive with foresight

Scientists at the University of Bonn develop an algorithm that completes and interprets LiDAR scans to enable self-driving cars to anticipate potential hazards. The system uses a dataset of superimposed point clouds to improve scene understanding, which can lead to significant improvements in autonomous driving safety.

Deep dive for dark matter may aid all of data science

Rice astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell leads a $1 million NSF-funded project to enhance data science techniques in physical sciences, aiming to push discovery past the tipping point. The study focuses on dark matter searches and employs probabilistic graphical models to improve measurements of particle interactions.

Streamlining fee waiver requests helped low-income immigrants become citizens

A streamlined fee waiver process enabled about 73,000 low-income immigrants to become citizens each year, according to a new study from Stanford University's Immigration Policy Lab. The reform replaced a convoluted process with clear guidelines and a simple form, making it easier for those eligible to apply.

SourceStanford University - Immigration Policy Lab·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2019

Algorithm designed to map universe, solve mysteries

Cornell researchers develop algorithm to visualize models of the universe, unlocking secrets of cosmology and dark matter. The algorithm uses intensive principal component analysis to extract patterns from large datasets, providing new insights into the nature of our universe.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2019

Spotting objects amid clutter

Researchers at MIT develop a new algorithm that can accurately pick out an object, such as a small animal, in a dense cloud of dots within seconds. The technique prunes away outliers quickly, even for increasingly dense clouds, making it suitable for applications like driverless cars and robotic assistants.