Fast and accurate synchronization in the 'blink' of an eye
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a prototype synchronizing four nodes to an accuracy of three nanoseconds, introducing the
Data Availability
Articles tagged with Data Availability
The safe use of flavorings in e-cigarettes
A new guide provides a systematic approach to evaluating the safety of e-cig flavorings, considering toxicological thresholds and thermal breakdown products. The guide aims to fill data gaps and provide guidance for regulatory standards, ensuring safer e-cigarette production.
Evidence that electronic cigarettes are effective for smoking cessation long-term is lacking
A meta-analysis of e-cigarette studies found that while they significantly improve abstinence rates at 1 month compared to placebo, this effect is not sustained over longer periods. The device is associated with frequent short-term respiratory adverse events and may pose a higher risk of serious adverse events than nicotine patches.
Increase seen in data breaches of health information
A study found that data breaches of protected health information (PHI) reported by HIPAA-covered entities increased from 214 in 2010 to 265 in 2013, affecting 29.1 million records. Most breaches occurred via electronic media or theft.
Bridging the gap between biodiversity data and policy reporting needs
A study analyzed gaps between biodiversity data and policy reporting needs, identifying essential elements like population abundances and ecosystem structure. The research used the Essential Biodiversity Variables framework to quantify indicators and proxies.
Mobile DNA sequencer shows potential for disease surveillance
A pocket-sized device has shown potential in disease detection, accurately identifying a range of closely-related bacteria and viruses within six hours. The technology relies on protein 'nanopores' to determine DNA sequences, allowing for faster and more accurate identification of pathogens.
Use of anti-clotting drug more than 3 hours after stroke should be re-evaluated, say researchers
A review of evidence suggests a possible increase in mortality with no clear benefit when using the anti-clotting drug alteplase more than 3 hours after stroke. The current guidance is based on uncertain evidence, and researchers are urging for a re-evaluation of data to guide policy decisions.
Social network analysis privacy tackled
Researchers aim to balance personal data protection with global statistics benefits using differential privacy methods. This approach restricts analyses that reveal individual records, ensuring accuracy while preventing identification.
CU Denver Business School study calls for audit transparency
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver Business School suggests that greater transparency is needed to help investors evaluate the quality of audits performed by multiple firms. The research found that when investors learn about audits being done by other firms, they react negatively and stock prices fall.
Big data may be fashion industry's next must-have accessory
Researchers analyzed 6,629 runway reviews to identify a network of influence among major designers, tracing style trends through the industry. The technology may help consumers create wardrobes within budget and predict future fashion trends.
Free urban data -- what's it good for?
A study of over 9,000 urban data sets from 20 cities reveals the growing availability and quality of these datasets, enabling better analysis and decision-making. The findings highlight the importance of integrating different data sets and overcoming challenges in accessing and utilizing this valuable resource.
UK medical schools are not attracting enough GPs
A report by Richard Wakeford highlights the shortage of doctors in general practice, with only 11% of new medical students planning a career in GP. The Medical Schools Council's lack of representation from GPs is a major concern, as it may hinder effective recruitment.
Earth to data: Making sense of environmental observations
A new DataONE project aims to provide a network of data repositories for Earth observational data, enhancing research efficiency and addressing complex environmental questions. By combining citizen scientist data with land use information, researchers can accurately assess species protection needs and public land agency responsibilities.
Collecting just the right data
Researchers develop technique to efficiently calculate mutual information between nodes in probabilistic graphical models, allowing for targeted data collection and reducing computational time. By leveraging Gaussian distributions, the algorithm can assess data usefulness before it becomes available.
EuroPCR 2014 examines vascular response and long-term safety of bioresorbable scaffolds
Experts discussed bioresorbable vascular scaffolds' potential to restore normal vasofunction and promote vascular healing. However, concerns remain regarding acute thrombogenicity, delayed endothelialisation, and uncertainty around long-term safety data.
The early earthworm catches on to full data release
Researchers have published a study providing complete open access to detailed 3-D images of earthworms, enabling the analysis of rare museum specimens. The study uses micro-computed tomography (microCT) to digitize worm structures, opening possibilities for scanning millions of specimens from museum collections.
Protein Data Bank: 100,000 structures
The Protein Data Bank has surpassed 100,000 entries, providing a wealth of structural data for researchers to understand biological mechanisms and discover new medicines. The archive's growth is driven by the efforts of structural biologists worldwide, who continue to deposit new structures and improve the resource.
In the age of open science, repurposing and reproducing research pose their own challenges
A study published in the Journal of Ecology found that between 45-48% of the world's plants are woody, contradicting initial assumptions and expert opinions. The researchers developed a statistical method to account for sampling bias and made their data and methods openly available.
Reproducible research, dynamic documents, and push-button publishing
Researchers from UK institutions released a treasure trove of data on the developing retina, pushing the boundaries of neuroscience publishing. The dataset includes 366 recordings from 12 studies and is made available in a standardized and interoperable manner, allowing for reproducibility and further analysis.
The unconscious mind can detect a liar -- even when the conscious mind fails
Research published in Psychological Science suggests that unconscious associations may be more accurate than conscious thought in detecting deceit. Participants were only able to detect liars 43% of the time and truth-tellers 48% of the time in a mock-crime interview scenario.
MATH, HPV status in HNSCC patients effective markers of improved patient outcome
Research using next-generation sequencing data and clinical records from HNSCC patients found that combining MATH with HPV status is an effective marker of improved patient outcome. High tumor MATH at surgery is associated with poor outcomes, while HPV-positive patients have lower average MATH values than HPV-negative patients.
New global stroke repository offers regional comparative statistics
A new global stroke repository provides regional comparative statistics on stroke incidence and mortality, highlighting significant disparities between countries. The repository aims to inform local and global strategies to reduce the burden of stroke by analyzing gaps in existing data.
Study assesses amount, patterns of sedentary behavior of older women
A recent study assesses the amount and patterns of sedentary behavior among older women, revealing that most of their waking time is spent in sedentary periods. The findings suggest that total sedentary time increases with age and body mass index, highlighting the importance of addressing this behavior to improve health outcomes.
EU support for sharing field operational test data
The European Commission has granted funding for FOT-Net Data project, aiming to make traffic data from field operational tests more widely available. This will enable researchers to reuse the data for new studies on different research questions, contributing to the introduction of safety technologies.
Race and romance online
A study of 126,134 users on OkCupid.com found that racial barriers to romance are not insurmountable online. While people tend to self-segregate by race, they are more likely to reciprocate a cross-race overture and initiate interracial contact in the future.
The MGC Herbarium: Information source of plant diversity in the Mediterranean
The MGC Herbarium is a vital repository for Mediterranean plant diversity, containing over 76,000 vascular plant species, with 63% georeferenced and 97% taxonomically identified. The herbarium's data is accessible through the GBIF portal, supporting biodiversity research and conservation efforts.
Scientists who share data publicly receive more citations
A new study found that papers with shared data received increased citation numbers for at least five years, with data reuse on the rise over time. The researchers concluded that actual data reuse contributed significantly to the citation difference.
NOAA launches website holding millions of chemical analyses from Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a comprehensive dataset containing millions of chemical analyses from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The dataset, which includes data on underwater hydrocarbon plumes and dispersants, is now publicly available online.
National registry report shows increase in radial stenting, other CV trends
The American College of Cardiology's clinical data registries report a significant increase in radial stenting, reducing complications and recovery times. The study also highlights successes in heart disease care, including improved Door-to-Balloon times and optimal medical therapy prescriptions.
UN: Rising reuse of wastewater in forecast but world lacks data on 'massive potential resource'
A new UN-backed study reveals that treated wastewater has 'massive potential resource' globally, but data on its usage is scarce. Only 55 countries out of 181 studied have information on wastewater generation, treatment, and reuse.
ITN achieves scientific manuscript first -- provides open, interactive access to clinical trial data
The ITN has made its clinical trial data and analysis code publicly available through the TrialShare portal, allowing researchers to access raw study data, confirm published conclusions, and perform interactive analyses. This move aims to enhance scientific collaboration and speed up the sharing of research results.
Experts propose restoring invisible and abandoned trials 'to correct the scientific record'
A group of experts proposes restoring unpublished and misreported clinical trials to publish previously confidential trial documents, ensuring accurate treatment information. The effort aims to address the issue of unreported trials that have misled public health decisions and wasted public money.
Failure to use linked health records may lead to biased disease estimates
A recent study found that using linked health records can significantly reduce biased disease estimates, with up to half of heart attack cases missed using just one data source. This highlights the importance of using multiple sources in healthcare and research.
'Catastrophic' malpractice payouts add little to health care's rising costs
A new review of malpractice claims suggests efforts needed to reduce errors leading to claims. The largest payouts were for diagnosis-related events, which showed twice the odds of a catastrophic payout compared to equipment- or product-related errors.
Study finds data on experience-related outcomes limited in children's surgery
A review of medical literature reveals limited data on experience-related outcomes in children's surgery, with hospital-level characteristics strongly associated with improved outcomes for complex procedures. Surgeon-level factors appear more important for common, less resource-demanding procedures.
Shadows over data sharing
The human genome sequencing project's experience highlights current challenges in accessing data, particularly in social sciences and personalized medicine. Researchers often withhold data due to competitive advantages or confidentiality agreements, hindering open access.
Human Connectome Project releases major data set on brain connectivity
The Human Connectome Project has released a major dataset on brain connectivity, featuring high-resolution imaging and behavioral information from 68 healthy adult volunteers. The data will enable scientists to explore relationships between brain circuits and individual behavior.
Data paper describes Antarctic biodiversity data gathered by 90 expeditions since 1956
A new data paper provides comprehensive, georeferenced information on Antarctic macrobenthic communities, including species such as echinoderms, sponges, and crustaceans. The database will facilitate future biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the Southern Ocean.
Unrestricted access to the details of deadly eruptions
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.
State-mandated planning, higher resident wealth linked to more sustainable city transportation
Research suggests that metropolitan areas with state-mandated comprehensive planning and higher per-capita income tend to have more sustainable transportation practices. These areas experienced a smaller decline in transportation ecoefficiency between 1980 and 2008 compared to others.
The earthquake risk and Europe
Scientists have created a new, harmonized earthquake catalogue for Europe and the Mediterranean that spans over 1,000 years. The catalogue, known as the European-Mediterranean Earthquake Catalogue (EMEC), covers earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 3.5 and larger in the northern part of the region, and Mw 4.0 in the southern part.
Positive words: The glue to social interaction
A study published in EPJ Data Science found that words with positive emotional content are more frequently used in online communication, enhancing social relations and facilitating interaction. This positive bias is linked to the use of less informative words for emotional expression.
New online energy harvesting data repository launched
A new online resource, Energy Harvesting Open Access Data Repository, provides detailed data on energy availability and characteristics for researchers worldwide. The repository aims to standardize the evaluation of energy-harvesting devices and systems by offering a common dataset.
Grant to fund research into psychosocial impacts of epilepsy testing
A $2 million grant from NINDS funds research into the psychosocial impacts of epilepsy testing. The study aims to explore how genetic information affects individuals and their families, with a focus on reducing stigma and discrimination associated with epilepsy.
Human population the primary factor in exotic plant invasions in the United States
A recent study reveals that human population is a primary factor in exotic plant invasions in the United States, with many non-native species spreading considerable distances and crowding out native plant populations.
Teen school drop-outs 3 times as likely to be on benefits in later life
A study of nearly 9,000 Norwegian teenagers found that school drop-outs were three times more likely to receive benefits than their peers who completed their education. The findings suggest a strong link between poor health and higher rates of social exclusion in young adulthood.
NASA details achievements of lunar spacecraft
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has successfully completed its one-year exploration mission, providing unprecedented detail of the moon's surface and subsurface. The orbiter's instruments have captured over 192 terabytes of data, including the most precise topographic maps to date of the moon's complex landscape.
Many new drugs did not have comparative effectiveness information available at time of FDA approval
A recent study found that only about half of new drugs approved by the FDA had available comparative effectiveness data. The researchers analyzed data from 2000 to 2010 and found significant variability in the availability of this information, with some therapeutic indications having much higher rates of availability than others.
NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter delivers treasure trove of data
The LRO mission has released a comprehensive collection of data, including global maps with resolutions as low as 100 meters per pixel. The dataset includes more than 192 terabytes of raw information, equivalent to approximately 41,000 typical DVDs.
CDC makes reproductive health surveys available through IHME's new Global Health Data Exchange
The CDC has partnered with IHME to make its reproductive health survey data available worldwide, covering topics such as pregnancies, births, and contraceptive use in over 30 countries. This move aims to improve population health by providing high-quality evidence for health policy decisions.
ChesapeakeView: Everything you need to know about the bay
ChesapeakeView consolidates various datasets on land use, habitat changes, and biodiversity for research and planning purposes. The project makes these datasets available to the public via its website.
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to launch new Global Health Data Exchange
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has launched the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx), a user-friendly platform for searching and sharing global health data. The GHDx contains over 1,000 datasets, including surveys, censuses, administrative data, and hospital data, making high-quality metadata freely available.
CCNY-led interdisciplinary team recreates colonial hydrology
A CCNY-led interdisciplinary team recreated colonial hydrology by synthesizing historical records with present-day data. The study identifies broad hydrologic trends for the northeastern US between 1600 and 1800, highlighting the impact of human factors on waterways.
Gene activity in the brain depends on genetic background
A new study found that gene activity patterns in the brain differ significantly among individuals with varying genetic backgrounds. The study, published in PNAS, mapped gene expression across 49 genes in seven genetically distinct mouse groups, revealing localized differences in gene activity.
Alcohol taxes can reduce death rates among chronic heavy drinkers
A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that increasing alcohol taxes can significantly reduce death rates from diseases caused by chronic heavy drinking. The study analyzed data from 1969 to 2004 and estimated that adjusting for inflation, would save around 1,500 Floridian lives per year.
The penalty points system driver's license reduces accidents on a temporary basis
The penalty points system driver's license resulted in a significant reduction of 12.6% in highway deaths and injuries within the first two years after its implementation in Spain. However, this effect is temporary, lasting only nine months for deaths in urban accidents.
New lunar images and data available to the public
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has released seven instruments' data sets to the Planetary Data System, providing low-level data for research flexibility. The mission will deliver a comprehensive map of the lunar surface and search for resources in its one-year exploration phase.
Research shows profit, not politics, drives sovereign wealth fund
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that the Norway Fund, a leading sovereign wealth fund, operates primarily driven by profit. The research suggests that other sovereign wealth funds may also be profit-driven, contradicting concerns about political motivations.
NASS releases new geospatial data products
The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released new geospatial data products, including satellite images of agricultural land cover across most of the nation. These cropland data layers can be used to monitor crop rotation patterns, land use changes, and water resources.
Carnegie Mellon releases data on Haitian Creole to hasten development of translation tools
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University's Language Technologies Institute have released spoken and textual data on Haitian Creole to support the development of translation tools. The data will aid relief workers, doctors, and nurses on the earthquake-ravaged island.