news 2011

Business/Economics - Mathematics - 4.05
Oxford's new datalab for financial research
Oxford researchers trying to improve the understanding of financial systems have new facilities to store and analyse huge volumes of financial data, which should speed up the research process. The Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance (OMI) has established a virtual 'data lab', which mirrors the systems that are being used by commercial financial institutions worldwide.

Medicine/Pharmacology - Mathematics - 17.04
Using maths to feed the world
In the race to breed better crops to feed the increasing world population, scientists at The University of Nottingham are using maths to find out how a vital plant hormone affects growth. Gibberellin is a hormone which plays a key part in development throughout the plant, from the root to the flowers and leaves.

Physics/Astronomy - Mathematics - 13.02
Rapunzel, Leonardo and the physics of the ponytail
New research provides the first mathematical understanding of the shape of a ponytail and could have implications for the textile industry, computer animation and personal care products.

Mathematics - Psychology - 18.01
Poor self-image cannot explain maths gender gap
Studies showing that women's underachievement in maths is due to their own poor self-image are fundamentally flawed, according to psychologists Gijsbert Stoet, from the University of Leeds, and Professor David Geary from the University of Missouri.

Mathematics - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 15.12.2011
Less knowledge, more power: Uninformed can be vital to democracy, study finds
Contrary to the ideal of a completely engaged electorate, individuals who have the least interest in a specific outcome can actually be vital to achieving a democratic consensus. These individuals dilute the influence of powerful minority factions who would otherwise dominate everyone else, according to new research published in Science.

Mathematics - 19.06.2011
10% of middle-aged Europeans are on antidepressants
New research from the University of Warwick and the IZA Institute in Bonn shows that 10% of middle-aged Europeans took antidepressants in 2010. The researchers looked in detail at the lives of a randomly selected sample of nearly 30,000 Europeans.

Mathematics - Computer Science/Telecom - 19.04.2011
Swapping 'dance partners' in the brain is key to learning
A new way of examining networks is revealing how different areas of the brain team up to help people learn. Researchers collected brain imaging data from people performing a motor task, and then analysed this data using new computational techniques.

Mathematics - Veterinary Science - 9.03.2011
From the Asian elephant to the roadrunner: study of 90 animals’ thigh bones reveals how they can efficiently carry loads
The structures inside animals' thigh bones that enable them to support huge loads whilst being relatively lightweight are revealed in research published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The researchers say their work could lead to the development of new materials based on thigh bone geometry.

Medicine/Pharmacology - Mathematics - 11.02.2011
Flu reduction policies don’t need to start at the beginning of an outbreak, study suggests
Under embargo until 2200 hrs London time Thursday 10 February 2011 It might be better to implement policies to reduce the impact of a flu epidemic a few weeks after the start of an outbreak rather than straight away, according to a new study that uses mathematical models to simulate the effects of different interventions.

Medicine/Pharmacology - Mathematics - 1.02.2011
Boys will infect boys, swine flu study shows
Boys will infect boys, swine flu study shows Study will help researchers model how epidemics spread and how interventions such as school closures can contain outbreaks Boys predominantly pass on flu to other boys and girls to girls, according to a new study of how swine flu spread in a primary school during the 2009 pandemic, published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Life Sciences - Mathematics - 26.11.2010
How the stingray got its spots
Science Pete Wilton | 26 Nov 10 Patterns are everywhere in the animal kingdom but understanding the mechanisms that produce them is a real challenge. In this week's Physical Review E Thomas Woolley and Ruth Baker of Oxford University's Mathematical Institute report on mathematical simulations that may explain how stingrays generate their distinctive spots.

Mathematics - 12.10.2010
Are patient surveys a reliable way to assess the performance of doctors and practices?
To assess the performance of general practices, it is better to ask patients about their actual experiences of care rather than ask for satisfaction ratings, according to new research from the University of Bristol published on bmj.com today.

Mathematics - Literature/Linguistics - 15.09.2010
Numbers, books & apps
Science Pete Wilton | 15 Sep 10 When he came to write his latest book Oxford University's Marcus du Sautoy decided he wanted to go beyond the printed page. For The Num8er My5teries he created a series of 'apps' that enable iPhone users to explore the ideas and games within the book and recently wrote for The Guardian on what apps can bring to books.

Mathematics - 26.07.2010
“Professor Risk” versus the psychic octopus
Having devoted his career to using statistical analysis to make accurate predictions, Professor David Spiegelhalter will this week attempt to explain how Paul the “psychic” octopus appears to be beating him at his own game.

Mathematics - Computer Science/Telecom - 19.07.2010
’The friend of my enemy is my enemy’: Virtual universe study proves 80 year old theory on how humans interact
'The friend of my enemy is my enemy': Virtual universe study proves 80 year old theory on how humans interact New research proves paychological theory about society for the first time - News Release A new study analysing interactions between players in a virtual universe game has for the first time provided large-scale evidence to prove an 80 year old psychological theory called Structural Balance Theory.