Researchers are analyzing large volumes of data, often referred to as big data, to determine better research models to fight the spread of breast cancer and test potential drugs. Current models used in the lab frequently involve culturing cells on flat dishes, or cell lines, to model tumor growth in patients. In a new study,…

Researchers have proposed a new quantitative strategy for pooling COVID-19 tests in order to monitor spread and detect outbreaks early within closed communities, such as nursing homes or universities. In the face of limited supplies, some communities have achieved large-scale COVID-19 testing by grouping individuals’ saliva or nasal swab samples into pools. If a pool…

A new computational model suggests that certain mutations that block infection by the most dangerous species of malaria have not become widespread in people because of the parasite’s effects on the immune system. Malaria is a potentially lethal, mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus. Several protective adaptations to malaria have spread widely…

Scientists are now using new quantum chemistry computing procedures to categorize hypothetical electrocatalysts that are ‘too slow’ or ‘too expensive’, far more thoroughly and quickly than was considered possible a few years ago. University of Pittsburgh Associate Professor John A. Keith and his lab group at the Swanson School of Engineering are using new quantum…

The study of cellular dynamics is crucial to understand how cells develop and how diseases progress. Scientist have now created ‘scVelo’ — a machine learning method and open source software to estimate the dynamics of gene activity in single cells. This allows biologists to robustly predict the future state of individual cells. Single-cell velocity Researchers…

Researchers developed the novel and publicly available computational tool Millefy to visualize heterogeneity in RNA biology between single cells. Using mouse embryonic stem cells and cells from triple-negative breast cancer patients, they demonstrated the utility of Millefy to identify cell-to-cell variability in read coverage in scRNA-seq data. These findings could help understand disease formation and…

Researchers have carried out an analysis of the largest datasets from fertility awareness apps. Analyzing data from 200,000 users of the apps Sympto and Kindara, they have been able to make population-level observations regarding user demographics, tracking behavior patterns and accuracy in measuring menstrual health and ovulation. On the other hand, many women today are…

TACC’s Frontera supercomputer aids in building infection models of COVID-19 variants. The UK variant, also known as B.1.1.7, was first detected in September 2020, and is now causing 98 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom. And it appears to be gaining a firm grip in about 100 other countries it has spread…

New research suggests that these increased hours spent online may be associated with cyberbullying behaviors. According to a study, higher social media addiction scores, more hours spent online, and identifying as male significantly predicted cyberbullying perpetration in adolescents. New research suggests that these increased hours spent online may be associated with cyberbullying behaviors. According to…

A computer vision technology developed by engineers has now been developed into a free mobile phone app for regular monitoring of glucose levels in people with diabetes. The app uses computer vision techniques to read and record the glucose levels, time and date displayed on a typical glucose test via the camera on a mobile…