Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Contact-tracing apps could improve vaccination strategies      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Mathematical modeling of disease spread suggests that herd immunity could be achieved with fewer vaccine doses by using Bluetooth-based contact-tracing apps to identify people who have more exposure to others -- and targeting them for vaccination.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

A statistical fix for archaeology's dating problem      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Archaeologists have long had a dating problem. The radiocarbon analysis typically used to reconstruct past human demographic changes relies on a method easily skewed by radiocarbon calibration curves and measurement uncertainty. And there's never been a statistical fix that works -- until now.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

Quantum networks in our future      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Investigators outline how a time-sensitive network control plane could be a key component of a workable quantum network. In addition to the well-understood requirements of transmission distance and data rate, for quantum networks to be useful in a real-world setting there are at least two other requirements that need to be considered. One is real-time network control, specifically time-sensitive networking. The second is cost.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Statistics say large pandemics are more likely than we thought      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The COVID-19 pandemic may be the deadliest viral outbreak the world has seen in more than a century. But statistically, such extreme events aren't as rare as we may think, asserts a new analysis of novel disease outbreaks over the past 400 years. A newly assembled record of past outbreaks was used to estimate the probability of a pandemic with similar impact to COVID-19 is about 2 percent in any year. And that probability is growing.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

One material with two functions could lead to faster memory      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new light-emitting memory device by integrating a resistive random-access memory with a light-emitting electrochemical cell that are both based on perovskite. The results are promising for faster data storage and reading in future electronic devices and open a new avenue of applications for perovskite optoelectronics.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

Is your mobile provider tracking your location? New technology could stop it      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Right now, there is a good chance your phone is tracking your location -- even with GPS services turned off. That's because, to receive service, our phones reveal personal identifiers to cell towers owned by major network operators. This has led to vast and largely unregulated data-harvesting industries based around selling users' location data to third parties without consent. For the first time, researchers have found a way to stop this privacy breach using existing cellular networks. The new system protects users' mobile privacy while providing normal mobile connectivity.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

Impenetrable optical OTP security platform      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An anticounterfeiting smart label and security platform which makes forgery fundamentally impossible has been proposed. The device accomplishes this by controlling a variety of information of light including the color, phase, and polarization in one optical device.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

New framework applies machine learning to atomistic modeling      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new method could lead to more accurate predictions of how new materials behave at the atomic scale.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Novel method predicts if COVID-19 clinical trials will fail or succeed      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have modeled COVID-19 completion versus cessation in clinical trials using machine learning algorithms and ensemble learning.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Cancer: Information theory to fight resistance to treatments      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A major challenge in cancer therapy is the adaptive response of cancer cells to targeted therapies. Although this adaptive response is theoretically reversible, such a reversal is hampered by numerous molecular mechanisms that allow the cancer cells to adapt to the treatment. A team has used information theory, in order to objectify in vivo the molecular regulations at play in the mechanisms of the adaptive response and their modulation by a therapeutic combination.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

Compact quantum computer for server centers      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Quantum computers have been one-of-a-kind devices that fill entire laboratories. Now, physicists have built a prototype of an ion trap quantum computer that can be used in industry. It fits into two 19-inch server racks like those found in data centers throughout the world. The compact, self-sustained device demonstrates how this technology will soon be more accessible.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

New twist on DNA data storage lets users preview stored files      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have turned a longstanding challenge in DNA data storage into a tool, using it to offer users previews of stored data files -- such as thumbnail versions of image files.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

'PrivacyMic': For a smart speaker that doesn't eavesdrop      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Microphones are perhaps the most common electronic sensor in the world, with an estimated 320 million listening for our commands in the world's smart speakers. The trouble is that they're capable of hearing everything else, too.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Researchers explore ways to detect 'deep fakes' in geography      (via sciencedaily.com) 

It may only be a matter of time until the growing problem of 'deep fakes' converges with geographical information science (GIS). A research team are doing what they can to get ahead of the problem.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Scientific software - Quality not always good      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Computational tools are indispensable in almost all scientific disciplines. Especially in cases where large amounts of research data are generated and need to be quickly processed, reliable, carefully developed software is crucial for analyzing and correctly interpreting such data. Nevertheless, scientific software can have quality quality deficiencies. To evaluate software quality in an automated way, computer scientists have designed the SoftWipe tool.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Accurate evaluation of CRISPR genome editing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new software tool to detect, evaluate and quantify off-target editing activity, including adverse translocation events that can cause cancer. The software is based on input taken from a standard measurement assay, involving multiplexed PCR amplification and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

Graphene key for novel hardware security      (via sciencedaily.com) 

As more private data is stored and shared digitally, researchers are exploring new ways to protect data against attacks from bad actors. Current silicon technology exploits microscopic differences between computing components to create secure keys, but artificial intelligence (AI) techniques can be used to predict these keys and gain access to data. Now, researchers have designed a way to make the encrypted keys harder to crack.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Smartphone breath alcohol testing devices vary widely in accuracy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The latest generation of personal alcohol breath testing devices pair with smartphones. While some of these devices were found to be relatively accurate, others may mislead users into thinking that they are fit to drive, according to a new study.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Quantum drum duet measured      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Like conductors of a spooky symphony, researchers have 'entangled' two small mechanical drums and precisely measured their linked quantum properties. Entangled pairs like this might someday perform computations and transmit data in large-scale quantum networks.

Computer Science: Encryption
Published

An uncrackable combination of invisible ink and artificial intelligence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Coded messages in invisible ink sound like something only found in espionage books, but in real life, they can have important security purposes. Yet, they can be cracked if their encryption is predictable. Now, researchers have printed complexly encoded data with normal ink and a carbon nanoparticle-based invisible ink, requiring both UV light and a computer that has been taught the code to reveal the correct messages.