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Google Algorithm to Search Out Hospital Superbugs

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the bug-rank dept.

Googling Yourself writes "Researchers in the UK plan to use Google's PageRank algorithm to find how super-bugs like MRSA spread in a hospital setting. Previous studies have discovered how particular objects, like doctors' neckties, can harbor infection, but little is known about the network routes by which bugs spread. Mathematician Simon Shepherd plans to build a matrix describing all interactions between people and objects in a hospital ward, based on observing normal daily activity."

8 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. no ties! by Davak · · Score: 4, Funny

    For purely selfish reasons I love that the superbugs invasion means I no longer have to wear ties when seeing my patients. Now if I could just figure out a way to get rid of my nasty pager. :)

    1. Re:no ties! by haystor · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'd start by demonstrating the strong correlation between the pager going off and someone being in need of a doctor. Clearly if you get rid of the pager, fewer people would be in distress.

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      t
    2. Re:no ties! by gstoddart · · Score: 2, Funny

      For purely selfish reasons I love that the superbugs invasion means I no longer have to wear ties when seeing my patients. Now if I could just figure out a way to get rid of my nasty pager. :)

      Sew it up in one of them? It'll take 'em months to find it unless you have it set to vibrate! ;-P

      Cheers
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      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  2. Re:Inaccurate summary by tjstork · · Score: 2, Funny

    e PageRank reference is just for media attention/allowing non-compsci people to understand it, though.

    An inaccurate summary on slashdot? I'm shocked!

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    This is my sig.
  3. Re:Yes, Math Works by MoonFog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Indeed it is!

  4. Adwords by autophile · · Score: 3, Funny

    Looking for tuberculosis? Buy tuberculosis now!

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    Towards the Singularity.
  5. Re:Inaccurate summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Somebody tase you, bro?

  6. Ayn Rand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ayn Rand is endorsing Ron Paul. It's like how one infection points to another- just like Google!