Articles tagged with Mathematical Biology
A mathematical model shows that greater fitness is not enough for a population to succeed; expansion speed and position also play crucial roles. Less fit species can win if they occupy favorable positions, such as peaks or protrusions.
The study reveals that the amount of available resources determines whether an organism relies on its memory or makes decisions based on current sensory input. Memory becomes most useful when sensory information is moderately uncertain, providing a significant improvement in performance.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to reconstruct COVID-19 spread in Dutch schools, showing that targeted closures can reduce hospital admissions. The study highlights the value of mathematical models for informing public health decisions during outbreaks.
A study suggests that decentralized strategies of decision making are at least as good as centrally coordinated ones, especially in situations where a central coordinator's loss leaves the group vulnerable. The model found that leaderless groups can be more resilient by having multiple pathways for communication.
A team of scientists has found a naturally occurring Voronoi pattern in the Chinese money plant, which helps explain how plants create complex patterns on their leaves. This discovery sheds light on how plants solve problems in nature and may provide new insights into the math underlying evolution and development.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new mathematical model that simulates oxygen transport by red blood cells through tiny blood vessels and their delivery to surrounding tissues. The findings show that RBCs can naturally adjust the amount of oxygen released based on local requirements.
Researchers propose a strategy that encourages individuals to adopt a neutral stance, allowing groups to become more responsive, decisions to become easier to reach, and shifts in consensus to happen smoothly. By doing so, neutrality creates valuable breathing space for reassessment, making it easier for a group to change its mind when...
Researchers discovered a simple strategy for snakes to stand upright without limbs, concentrating bending and muscle activity into a short boundary layer near their base. This approach reduces energy required while maintaining balance, offering design principles for soft robots and medical devices.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have identified the key factor behind estrogen's protective effects against high blood pressure, finding vasodilation to be the crucial mechanism. This discovery holds promise for more effective treatment options for women after menopause, when estrogen levels naturally decline.
Researchers create a novel mathematical framework to control biological noise, enabling precise single-cell control. The 'Noise Robust Perfect Adaptation' technology suppresses stochastic fluctuations while maintaining stable average behavior, with promising applications in cancer therapy and synthetic biology.
Researchers develop ddHodge, a geometry-preserving method that accurately reconstructs cell state dynamics. The technique reveals repeating processes like the cell cycle and identifies critical biological moments in embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and cancer progression.
The new LimbNET platform enables direct simulation of complex biological growth processes, empowering researchers to test and compare hypotheses. The project aims to enhance collaboration, transparency, and knowledge building in the limb development community.
A study compares five DNA foundation language models across 57 diverse datasets to identify their strengths and weaknesses in predicting gene expression, identifying genomic components, and detecting harmful mutations. The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate models based on specific genomic tasks.
A new study reveals how circadian rhythms impact medicine interactions, suggesting that taking certain drugs at the right time can prolong their effects and improve treatment outcomes. The model also explores interactions between modafinil and an ultradian rhythm affecting dopamine levels, offering insights into fundamental biology.
Researchers from Ateneo de Manila University have identified key proteins produced by Helicobacter pylori that can trigger a strong immune response. By analyzing these proteins using immunoinformatics, the team has pinpointed potential vaccine targets to prevent stomach ulcers and cancer.
A new project aims to enhance workforce readiness in molecular bioscience by creating open-access resources and modules tailored to student needs. The Molecular Data Education Hub will host instructional materials and case studies for instructors to implement into their courses.
Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have developed a mathematical theory that can be used to design optimization strategies for dynamical networks, such as those comprising living organisms. They found that tools from information theory provided a way to simplify nonlinear optimization problem...
Researchers are decoding animal decision-making using glass knifefish, exploring the trade-off between gathering information and acting on it. The study, funded by the NIH, aims to understand how animals make decisions in uncertain environments and may lead to breakthroughs in robotics and medicine.
A new computational framework has been developed to optimize cellular self-organization, allowing scientists to understand and control how cells grow and interact. The framework uses machine learning tools to extract rules that guide cell behavior, enabling the creation of artificial organs and potential treatments for cancer.
Researchers developed a software fueled by genomics to predict cancer cell behavior, combining genomics technologies with computational modeling. The new 'grammar' enables communication between biology and code, allowing scientists to build digital representations of multicellular biological systems and simulate diseases like cancer.
Scientists have developed a new tool named scICE to tackle the stability problem in single-cell RNA sequencing data. The tool provides a way to validate clustering outcomes mathematically, ensuring higher confidence in conclusions drawn from single-cell data.
The foundation recognizes five early-career scientists who apply computational methods to cancer research, with a focus on developing new protein designs and understanding chromatin modifications. Their work aims to improve treatment strategies and precision oncology for various cancers.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that combining two tiny vibrating elements can amplify their signal up to 100 million times, enabling the transmission of clear signals over long distances. This finding could innovate long-distance communications and remote medical devices without requiring high energy consumption.
A new study predicts that common noctule bats' hibernation areas will shift northeastward by up to 14% by 2100 due to warmer winters. The model accurately tracks the northward range shift of this species over the past 50 years, driven by shorter and warmer winters in Europe.
Researchers developed a new method to predict the effectiveness of mangroves in protecting coastlines against extreme weather events. The HU method uses wave non-linearity and can calculate wave height attenuation with ease, saving billions of dollars worldwide.
Increasing dietary potassium and reducing sodium can effectively regulate blood pressure, according to a new mathematical model developed by the University of Waterloo. The study suggests that a higher ratio of potassium to sodium intake may be more effective for lowering blood pressure than simply reducing sodium intake.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed 'synthetic worms' that can move independently using active matter, a new class of materials. The 3D structures were created by applying an electric field to micron-sized particles suspended in a liquid mixture, and exhibit fascinating life-like behavior.
A study investigated gene-chemical interactions on bacterial growth, revealing varying impacts of chemicals depending on sugar presence. Machine learning analysis found a countervailing effect between genetic and environmental changes, suggesting a strategy for bacterial survival in nature.
Researchers developed a new tool called SigRM to analyze single-cell epitranscriptomics data, enabling the study of RNA modifications in individual cells. This can provide valuable insights into gene regulation and its impact on health and disease, particularly in complex conditions like cancer.
Researchers found a strong link between depression and menstrual pain in a new study published in Briefings in Bioinformatics. Depression may be a cause of dysmenorrhea, rather than a consequence, according to the findings.
A team of biologists and mathematicians from the University of Oxford and Manchester have solved the mystery of the squirting cucumber's explosive seed dispersal. The study used a combination of experiments, high-speed videography, image analysis, and mathematical modeling to reveal the key components of the plant's dispersal strategy.
A team of FSU researchers created the first model that explains the phenomenon of trail formation to multiple food sources. The model reveals that ants will leave pheromone trails connecting their colony to multiple food sources when they're available, creating an equilibrium where equidistant food sources maintain multiple trails.
A new study from the University of Waterloo suggests that men and women should eat different breakfasts to lose weight. The research found that men's metabolisms respond better to high-carbohydrate meals after fasting, while women are better served by higher-fat meals.
Researchers have discovered that small networks of neurons in the fruit fly's brain can generate an accurate internal compass, contrary to previous assumptions. This finding expands our knowledge of what small networks can do and challenges traditional views on brain size and function.
Researchers introduce a new mathematical framework that analyzes self-organization in embryonic development. The framework, which uses information theory, predicts optimal parameters for the process and provides insight into how cells interact with each other. This discovery has implications for understanding complex biological processes.
A new AI method developed by Swedish researchers can identify toxic substances based on their chemical structure, potentially replacing animal testing. The method has been shown to be more accurate and broadly applicable than existing computational tools, offering a promising alternative for environmental research and authorities.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel analysis to explore the impact of parasite virulence and infection probability on species coexistence in a complex system. The study found that stochasticity plays a significant role in determining whether species coexist or go extinct.
The study reveals two distinct modes of endosomal fusion: homotypic fusion, where small vesicles fuse rapidly, and heterotypic fusion, where large vesicles absorb endosomes. Mathematical analysis and experiments suggest that actin dynamics plays a crucial role in promoting homotypic fusion.
A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo and Dalhousie University have developed a method for forecasting short-term disease progression using limited data. The Sparsity and Delay Embedding-based Forecasting model, or SPADE4, uses machine learning to predict epidemic progressions with high accuracy.
A team of researchers developed a computational simulation that explains key mechanism of DNA segregation, providing new insights into the distribution of genetic information during bacterial cell division. The study reveals fundamental biochemical principles relevant to synthetic biology and medical applications.
Researchers at City of Hope have identified new molecular targets on a cell receptor that play a major role in cardiovascular regulation. The findings could lead to improved drugs for heart disease, an unfortunate side effect of some cancer therapies.
Researchers have developed a simplified method to assess the synchronization properties of the body clock with internal and external rhythms. The study demonstrated that phase response curves can be assessed from a single measurement, revealing varying responses depending on tissue type.
A new study by Pitt mathematicians uses math borrowed from neuroscience to describe how swarms of synchronous fireflies coordinate their light show. The researchers found that varying distances between fireflies affects the resulting blinks, producing patterns like ripples or spirals.
Researchers from University of Colorado Boulder develop equation learning technique, WSINDy, to grasp how body rebuilds skin and accelerate wound healing. The method can apply to various phenomena in the natural world, including flocking behavior in birds.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the efficiency of nanoparticle delivery into cells, particularly in stem cells. They found that nanoparticles become trapped in bubble-like vesicles, preventing them from reaching their targets.
A recent study out of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna developed a mathematical and computational framework for analysing neural activity in C. elegans, a tiny worm used to study neural activity. The study proposes a way to unmask the roles of neurons by using more natural perturbations.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that combining diuretics and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors with ibuprofen can lead to acute kidney injury in people with certain medical profiles. The combination may be a 'triple whammy' that exacerbates dehydration, which is a major factor in acute kidney injury.
A team of researchers found that evolution has an overwhelming preference for simple algorithms, leading to the emergence of highly symmetric structures in biology. This is because simple recipes are more efficient and easier to follow than complex ones, resulting in a higher probability of producing symmetrical outcomes.
Researchers have developed a machine learning framework called dynamo that can predict a cell's path over time, including its fate and genetic changes. The tool uses data from individual cells to create mathematical equations describing the cell's trajectory.
Damaged coral reefs exhibit a two-phase recovery pattern, with the first phase lasting up to six years, and the second phase being faster. This pattern was observed in 60% of severely disturbed reefs on the Great Barrier Reef.
Using observations, lab experiments, theory, and computation, researchers have developed a simple theory to explain the form and growth of apples' cusp-like features. The team found that mechanical instability and underlying fruit anatomy play joint roles in giving rise to multiple cusps in fruits.
A novel mortality risk prediction method helps tailor treatment decisions and transplant needs for patients based on individual symptoms. The new tool uses a random survival forest algorithm to predict individual mortality risk curves, calculate mortality at any given time, and provide a 95% confidence interval.
Scientists have discovered four basic patterns of how connections are made in the brain of a tiny worm, which could provide insights into human brain development. The researchers used electron microscopes to reconstruct the full brain of eight individuals and found that new connections are added as animals grow older.
Researchers from Gero discovered that Strehler-Mildvan correlation has no real biological basis, contradicting long-held assumptions. This finding opens up new possibilities for anti-aging therapies and life extension.
Researchers found that more news reports resulted in fewer hospital visits and vice versa, indicating media coverage can help halt disease spread. The duration of coverage also mattered, with longer coverage leading to further behavior changes and fewer new infections.
Carlos Castillo-Chavez receives SIAM Prize for his distinguished service to the profession and contributions to applied mathematics. He has made significant impacts in disease dispersal, addiction, and complex systems through his research at Arizona State University.
Joshua Plotkin, a young professor at Penn, has won the prestigious prize for his innovative theoretical work in mathematical biology. His research on the evolution of influenza virus has significant implications for public health and vaccine design.
Scientists propose a new hypothesis explaining the evolution of bird wings. According to this theory, the little finger was reduced first, followed by the ring finger, resulting in the modern bird hand configuration.
New research published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology found that bumblebees are unstable when hovering and flying slowly, but become neutral or weakly stable at medium and high flight speeds. This is due to a sideways wind made by the movement of their wings, which can be reduced by increasing speed.
The journal Fundamenta Informaticae publishes a special issue commemorating Alan Turing's work on reaction-diffusion theory, which is considered a foundation of chaos theory and theoretical biology. The issue explores the applications of mathematical theories inspired by Turing's work to natural phenomena.