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Biggest database for cancer drug discovery goes 3-D

The canSAR database has been upgraded with 3D protein structures and maps of cancer communication networks, allowing scientists to design new treatments more effectively. The updated database will enable researchers to identify key targets for future cancer drug discovery and develop innovative drugs more rapidly.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJan 3, 2016

Earth's magnetic field is not about to flip

New measurements suggest the Earth's magnetic field is trending back to its long-term average intensity, contrary to predictions of a potential flip. The research uses advanced analysis techniques to re-evaluate paleointensity data, finding a 60% decrease in the field's strength over the past 5 million years.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2015

Brooding brittle star babies in 3-D

Researchers used microCT scanning to visualize brooding chambers and juveniles in live-bearing brittle stars. The 3D images provide an in situ view of developing young and the position of bursae inside adults, allowing for comparative morphological analyses.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateNov 17, 2015

Rapidly assessing the next influenza pandemic

A recent study by international researchers has developed a predictive tool to assess the likely impact of a new influenza pandemic. By analyzing clinical episode data from military personnel, they estimated key parameters such as transmissibility and severity, enabling early mitigation strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 24, 2015

Climate research: Where is the world's permafrost thawing?

The first global permafrost database has been launched, offering a comprehensive dataset on permafrost temperature and active layer thickness. The GTN-P database, compiled by an international team of researchers from 25 countries, will help scientists better understand the extent to which climate change is causing permafrost thawing.

Intelligent big multimedia databases

The book explores how hierarchical organization, wavelet transformation, subspace trees, and deep learning can overcome the curse of dimensionality to develop efficient big multimedia databases. It introduces essential statistical supervised machine learning algorithms for information retrieval.

Computers get with the beat

Researchers developed a simple system to automate music genre categorization by focusing on just pitch, tempo, and amplitude variation patterns. The approach uses random sample consensus (RANSAC) as a classifier and demonstrated accuracy in seven major musical genres.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computational Intelligence Studies·DateJun 29, 2015

License plate decals don't seem to curb learner driver crash rates

Research published in Injury Prevention found that license plate decals did not reduce crash rates among young drivers with learner permits in New Jersey. The study analyzed data from January 2006 to June 2012 and found no association between decal provision and crash rates, citing high compliance with passenger restrictions

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateJun 29, 2015

Proximity to bike-sharing stations augments property values

A study by McGill University researchers found that homes near BIXI bike-sharing stations in central Montreal saw an average increase of 2.7% in sales price, with each station valued at $700 more in property value. The study suggests that other cities with similar systems may also experience similar effects on housing prices.

SourceMcGill University·JournalTransport Policy·DateJun 23, 2015

Colorful life-form catalog will help discern if we're alone

A team of international scientists has created a colorful catalog of reflection signatures from various Earth life forms to aid in the search for extraterrestrial life. The database features 137 diverse life forms, including extremophiles from extreme environments, which can help astronomers spot potential biosignatures on exoplanets.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 16, 2015

Despite broad awareness, only half of doctors use prescription drug monitoring programs

A survey of 420 primary care physicians found that nearly three-quarters reported accessing their state's database easily, but most faced barriers to using the data. The study suggests that improving program usability and information sharing between states could increase participation and reduce prescription drug abuse.