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Data mining made faster

A University of Utah computer scientist has devised a new method to simplify and speed up data mining, allowing for the analysis of high-dimensional data. The new approach can handle larger datasets than previous methods, making it useful for various applications in natural and social sciences.

Jetting off without the jet lag

A new study has identified a key role for adrenal glucocorticoids in resetting the internal body clock, a finding that could lead to new treatments for jet lag. The research also highlights the importance of timing and location in regulating circadian rhythms.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 23, 2010

Faculty of 1000 praised by Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust validated the Faculty of 1000's assessment model through a study analyzing over 900 publications. The scores from both models showed high agreement, highlighting the value of post-publication peer review. However, the study also emphasized that merit cannot be judged solely by citation scores.

SourceFaculty of 1000·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 22, 2009

How many scientists fabricate and falsify research?

A meta-analysis of surveys suggests that altering or making up data is more frequent than previously estimated, particularly in medical research. Up to 14% of respondents knew someone who had fabricated or falsified data, and up to 72% knew someone who had committed other questionable practices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 28, 2009

West Antarctic ice comes and goes, rapidly

Researchers modeled West Antarctic ice sheet's past movements and found it collapsed and regrew multiple times due to ocean warming. The study uses deep sea oxygen isotope ratios to deduce Antarctic temperature changes and suggests the ice sheet may collapse if ocean temperatures warm sufficiently.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2009

Studying the female form

Researchers developed a technique to extract body shape components from 3D data, classifying trunk shapes into five types. The study aims to improve clothing fit, comfort, and safety, with potential implications for body image disorders and ergonomics.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computer Applications in Technology·DateMar 12, 2009

Probably wireless

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a Probabilistic Voting-based Filtering Scheme to protect WSNs against fabricated reports with false votes and false validation votes. This scheme can detect compromised sensors in real-time, minimizing false alarms and wasteful response efforts.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Security and Networks·DateSep 3, 2008

Dartmouth launches network security study

A team of Dartmouth researchers is launching the Dartmouth Internet Security Testbed (DIST) to examine live network activity and develop methods for detecting malicious activity. The project will provide valuable insights into securing wireless networks, improving network security technology and practices for all internet users.

Rough times: NIST's new approach to surface profiling

Researchers at NIST have developed a novel technique for measuring surface roughness, which could lead to more accurate models of deformation and lower tooling costs. The new method uses data from a scanning laser confocal microscope and challenges the traditional linear relationship between surface roughness and material deformation.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMaterials Science and Technology·DateJan 9, 2008

Vital statistics: not vital enough

A lack of reliable national statistics on births, deaths, and causes of death hinders global health development. The authors of a recent study found that only a few developing countries have improved their civil registration systems in the past 50 years.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 28, 2007

Local range estimation in wild animals

A new class of computational methods, called LoCoH (local convex hull) methods, has been developed to construct distributions of where monitored organisms are most likely to be found in space and time. These methods have proven especially useful in evaluating the spatial needs of threatened species and designing parks to conserve them.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2007

Software fills in missing data on satellite images

A new software developed by Ohio State University's Noel Cressie and his colleagues can fill in missing data on satellite images with remarkable speed and accuracy. The software uses statistical techniques, including Bayesian analysis, to weight available data and calculate missing values at different image resolutions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnvironmental and Ecological Statistics·DateNov 8, 2005

New, more effective option for gene data mining identified

A new method, KL clustering, has been identified as more effective than hierarchical clustering in separating gene expression data into dense clusters. The approach uses a novel measure of similarity to create well-separated clusters, offering insights into gene-gene interactions and biological processes.

SourcePenn State·JournalBioinformatics·DateMar 7, 2003

Free web-based tool makes map colors a snap

ColorBrewer is a free web-based tool that enables users to select from various color schemes for their maps. The tool offers sequential, diverging, and qualitative schemes, allowing users to test and refine their choices. Additionally, ColorBrewer provides detailed color specifications for printing, projection, or web display.