Articles tagged with Databases
Research finds that DNA-based familial search techniques can mistakenly identify second cousins and half-siblings as siblings, with a 3-18% chance of error for first cousins and up to 42% for half-siblings. This misidentification can lead to unnecessary investigations and exacerbate ethical concerns surrounding the use of these methods.
The VASCAN database provides accepted scientific names, synonyms, and Canadian vernacular names in English and French. It also offers detailed distribution information across Canada's provinces and territories.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of California, Berkeley, simulated almost every important configuration of cloth after six months of computation. The team developed an iterative technique that continuously samples cloth motions, automatically detecting areas where data is lacking or where errors occur.
The app compensates for touchscreens' 'fat finger' problem by automatically correcting drawing strokes while preserving artistic style. A large database of celebrity photos was generated through an iPhone game, providing insights into art and perception.
The first global atlas of marine plankton catalogues an estimated 100 trillion individual organisms, revealing surprising similarities in phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass. The open-source database will aid conservation efforts and inform computer models to predict climate change impacts.
Diabetes-related mortality in UK and Canada has declined significantly since the mid-1990s, with a narrowing of the gap in mortality risk between those with and without diabetes. The excess risk of mortality for diabetic patients decreased over time, with notable reductions in all age groups.
Researchers found significant declines in diabetes-related mortality in the UK and Canada since the mid-1990s. The excess risk of mortality for diabetic patients decreased by 25%-40% across all age groups, with the greatest reductions seen among younger individuals.
A new study found that the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) is more accurate than administrative data for tracking 30-day hospital readmissions. The study analyzed colorectal surgical patients and found that 30% of readmissions could be prevented with accurate tracking, potentially ...
Researchers analyzed data from over 50,000 stroke patients to determine the critical time gap between stroke onset and treatment initiation. For every 15-minute faster interval of treatment, patients were more likely to go home, walk at discharge, and have fewer symptoms.
A new peer-reviewed data paper compiles information on Belgian ants, highlighting the FORMIDABEL database with 27,642 records. The database provides insights into the indigenous and exotic ant fauna in Belgium, shedding light on their distribution patterns based on vegetation and soil types.
A new method developed by Disney Research enables a humanoid robot to receive an object handed to it by a person with natural, human-like motion. By rapidly searching a database of human motion, the robot can predict where the human plans to make the handoff and move its arm accordingly.
Researchers found that passenger car drivers are nearly 10 times more likely to die in head-on crashes with SUVs, even if the SUV has a better safety rating. The study also showed that passengers in smaller vehicles face higher death rates in frontal crashes.
Researchers from UPV/EHU and University of La Rioja implement a distance collaboration project to enhance student performance, transversal competences, and tool usage. The study reveals positive outcomes, including improved exam marks and increased team satisfaction.
An audit of Australian millipede species records in two online databases found numerous errors, including duplicated records and incorrect locations. The study highlights the need for data aggregators like GBIF and ALA to collaborate with their providers to ensure accurate data publication.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a computer program to help evaluate and rank scientific articles in their field. The algorithm assigns relevancy scores to thousands of papers, allowing biocurators to focus on the most informative papers, increasing productivity by 27% and novel data content by 100%. Whil...
A new text-mining algorithm helps identify the most relevant scientific research for a public database correlating environmental chemicals with their effects on genes and human health. The algorithm improved the process of prioritizing relevant articles by increasing productivity by 27 percent and novel data content by 100 percent.
Researchers have developed a new method for assessing biodiversity using DNA-soup from crushed-up insects and next-generation sequencing technology. This bulk-collected insect goo reveals diverse and poorly characterized insect communities, even in small areas.
A new study found that the standard formula used to calculate LDL cholesterol levels often underestimates accuracy, especially in desirable ranges. Researchers suggest using non-HDL cholesterol as an alternative to assess risk and determine treatment.
A multicenter analysis found patients taking high potency statins for high blood pressure are at a 34% higher risk of hospitalisation for acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to those taking low potency statins. This risk remains elevated for two years after initiation, highlighting the need for clinicians to consider alternative options.
PhenoDB is a new online database that enables clinicians to document cases of unusual genetic diseases, which can then be analyzed by researchers. The database captures standardized information about a person's phenotype, including symptoms and family history, to help understand the genetic variations involved.
A new study published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery concludes that additional training in managing face and neck injuries and improvements in body armor could be beneficial. The majority of injured service members had mild to moderate injuries, with females being at higher risk of survival.
Researchers developed an algorithm that can identify last names using Y chromosome data, compromising individual privacy. The study highlights the risk of revealing personal information through genetic data, calling for better encryption techniques and legislation to protect participants' identities.
The LaMEVE database offers rapid searchability of information on large volcanic events with a quantitative data quality score. It focuses on magnitude 4 or greater eruptions, which are typically responsible for the most loss of life in historical periods.
Researchers identify nearly 50 individuals with publicly available genetic data, highlighting potential breaches of privacy in genomics studies. The study's findings emphasize the need for better security algorithms and policy guidelines to mitigate risks associated with sharing genetic information.
The January issue of Neurosurgical Focus explores the science of neurosurgical practice, shifting priorities from medical discoveries to patient safety, quality of care, and economic implications. Professional societies have launched a national practice data collection platform, N2QOD, to advance quality and outcomes.
A recent study used bird watching records to build the first bird watching database in China, finding new national-level records and a trend of species moving to higher latitude and elevation regions. The database provides valuable data for scientific research on ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Researchers have created two new databases, APPRIS and ChiTaRS, to study the human genome and its variants. The databases contain thousands of genomic variants associated with specific diseases, providing a powerful tool for analyzing mutations in protein variants related to illness.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released a 20-year updated version of the US National Solar Radiation Database, providing critical information for solar system designers. The updated database features improved cloud algorithms and an enhanced State University of New York model for gridded data based on satellite observations.
A study comparing plant chromosome numbers among Italian, Slovak, and Polish floras found significant differences, confirming that mean chromosome number increases with increasing latitude. The findings suggest a relationship between polyploidy and latitude, but more research is needed for the Austral hemisphere.
A study by Temple University found that fast food menus have doubled in size, but calorie counts have changed little between 1997 and 2010. The average calorie content of foods offered by major U.S. fast food restaurants remained stable, while entree salads and sweetened teas became increasingly popular additions to the menus.
A new report by Caltech and MIT found that voting technology has improved the election process, reducing residual votes by 50% since 2000. However, concerns remain about absentee and early voting, as well as voter identification laws, which can make it harder for some voters to participate.
A new web-based data network aims to make existing knowledge available to policymakers and scientists worldwide, improving science and innovation policy. Researchers propose a unified set of standards between databases and platforms to overcome data sharing challenges.
The Sandia Wind Plant Reliability Benchmark helps the wind industry compare performance, identify vulnerabilities and enhance productivity. The benchmark is based on data from over 800 turbines, showing that the fleet is now producing electricity or available to produce electricity at 97% of the time.
Rutgers receives funding for two projects: one to speed information retrieval from large databases and another to improve scientific literature search accuracy. The projects aim to extract useful information from massive collections of data, with potential applications in fields like physics, psychology, and medicine.
The La Jolla Institute has secured a seven-year, $22 million contract renewal to further develop the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), a global resource for mining information on immune responses to diseases. The database contains thousands of epitopes and experimental data points, which are crucial for designing vaccines and treatments ...
A new digital compilation of geological data provides valuable insights into the seismic hazards associated with active fault zones. The Active Tectonics of the Andes Database includes over 400 mapped faults and will allow geoscientists to better understand the long-term history and evolution of deformation in fault zones.
Researchers from Brown University developed a computer program that recognizes sketches as they're drawn in real time, with around 56-percent accuracy. The program uses a large database of sketches to teach a computer how humans sketch objects, enabling better sketch-based interface and search applications.
A massive online metabolite database, METLIN, has been developed to provide comprehensive biochemical information about cellular metabolism. The database includes over 60,000 compounds with detailed tandem mass spectrometry information on more than 10,000 metabolites.
Patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received radiation therapy had an increased median survival of 21 months compared to 16 months. The percentage of patients not receiving treatment declined from 20 percent to 16 percent between 1999-2003 and 2004-2008.
Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory presented a new system called Pyxis that automatically streamlines website database access patterns. This results in significant speedups of up to three times and reduced bandwidth usage. Pyxis works with languages already favored by web developers, such as Java.
Researchers in India have developed a non-invasive approach to determine total cholesterol levels using image processing and a database of known cholesterol levels. The test uses a digital camera to capture the back of a patient's hand and compares it with images in a database for accurate cholesterol readings.
A new database reveals that landslides kill ten times more people than previously thought, with 32,300 fatalities documented between 2004 and 2010. The Durham Fatal Landslide Database identifies areas most at risk, enabling policymakers to prioritize action to manage hazards and lessen human population risks.
The Office of Naval Research's PROMIS tool allows command staff to submit human research protocols and track studies. The system provides a centralized database for the nation's first Defense Department-wide tracking of human subject studies.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that choosing sustainable seafood also means selecting healthy options, with larger longer-lived fish being high in toxins. Safer alternatives include Alaskan Pollock and Atlantic Mackerel.
An interdisciplinary research team from UMass Amherst and Harvard warns that federal regulators need to improve how they track security and privacy problems in medical devices. Despite a high prevalence of recalls related to software, the current classification methods are not well suited to emerging types of device malfunctions.
GigaScience offers a new era of publishing with its open access, open data format, hosting large datasets and analysis tools alongside traditional articles. This allows readers to test scientific conclusions using underlying data and analysis tools, overcoming reproducibility issues.
Restricting daily sitting time to less than 3 hours and watching TV for less than 2 hours a day may extend US life expectancy by 2 and 1.4 years respectively, according to an analysis of published research in BMJ Open.
The Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists are warning of the impending loss of specialist libraries and databases due to continued closures. Over 25 libraries worldwide have been downsized or closed since SALIS' campaign began eight years ago, with valuable grey literature and documents at risk of being lost forever.
Researchers have created a massive database of Mars' impact craters, containing 635,000 craters over 1km in diameter. This will aid in dating Mars' regions and understanding water volcanism and potential past habitability.
The Belgian Biodiversity Platform has released a new website to visualize the distribution of vascular plants in Belgium, featuring over 23,000 checklists and 2.5 million observations. The platform can be used for analysis and comparison of floral data over successive periods.
A study found that critically ill patients taking antidepressants in ICU had higher mortality rates, with risk increasing by 73% compared to those not on the medication. The risk was highest among patients with acute coronary syndrome and those who had undergone cardiac surgery.
Scientists are building an evolutionary tree that connects all living things, from bacteria to trees. The Open Tree of Life project aims to create a central resource for synthesized phylogenetic data, enabling researchers to compare and download the entire tree.
Duke University researchers create a mathematical formulation to unlock the data stored in a database of potential TI ingredients, providing specific recipes for searching for TIs with desired properties. This breakthrough enables efficient alloys creation and discovery of new classes of systems.
A study reveals a £300 million annual funding shortfall for emergency laparotomies in England, with high death rates among elderly patients. The study also found that older patients were three times as likely to die in hospital and within 30 days of surgery.
A new study by UCSF doctors suggests that publicly available overall readmission rates may overestimate unplanned readmissions by up to 25 percent. The team found that 'all cause' readmission rates do not distinguish between planned and unplanned surgeries, potentially leading to misinformation about hospital quality.
A Stanford study reveals that an invasive heart test is being dramatically overused, particularly among patients who recently underwent similar tests. The study found that the procedure, left ventriculography, was performed as an add-on during coronary angiograms at a rate of 81.8% in some cases, despite less-invasive methods available.
The US Pharmacopeial Convention's new database highlights olive oil, milk, and honey as top adulterated ingredients. Food fraud, a collective term for substitution or misrepresentation of food products for economic gain, poses significant risks to consumers.
The Plant Metabolic Network has launched four new online databases for corn, soybeans, wine grapes, and cassava, providing a comprehensive view of their biochemical pathways. The databases will aid researchers in increasing crop production, developing biofuels, and exploring novel medicines.
The IMEx Consortium provides a single interface for querying experimental interaction data, making it easier to understand an organism's interactome. With over 100 million curated binary pairs, scientists can identify supported protein interactions and compare new results with publicly available data.
A recent study found that stemmed metal-on-metal (MOM) hip replacements fail at much higher rates than other types, especially in women and those with larger head sizes. The authors call for a ban on the use of stemmed MOM implants due to poor implant survival.