Location: Friday, February 23, 2024 1:45 pm, Mendenhall Laboratory Room 291 or online using this Zoom link
Dr. Motomu Ibaraki
School of Earth Sciences
The Ohio State University
Email: ibaraki.1@osu.edu
Host: Demian Gomez
Data mining approaches have become indispensable tools in scientific inquiry, offering a robust and efficient methodology for exploring complex problems. This presentation showcases the effectiveness of data mining techniques in extracting valuable patterns, trends, and insights from vast and intricate datasets. Through specific case studies, it demonstrates how data mining has played a crucial role in revealing hidden relationships and patterns within datasets, thereby enhancing our understanding of scientific phenomena. The first study employs a data mining approach to investigate the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV) in the United States. The study explores spatial and temporal patterns of WNV cases, employing correlation analyses to uncover underlying factors contributing to the year-to-year variability in case numbers. By examining the Central Flyway and the Great Plains Region, the research aims to enhance our understanding of WNV transmission dynamics and inform targeted mitigation efforts. The second study tackles the challenge of navigating the extensive volume of scholarly research in academia, particularly in fields witnessing exponential growth in published literature. It suggests employing computer-based approaches like data mining and machine learning to systematically analyze extensive paper collections, with a specific focus on waterborne diseases. The analysis highlights a predominant emphasis on two types of agents - viruses and parasites - and identifies schistosomiasis and malaria as major diseases associated with water. The third study delves into the increased attention towards climate change topics in academic and media-based literature. Employing data mining algorithms, the research tracks the progression of attention over time, identifying critical points of interest. The investigation extends to analyzing the interconnections between academic research and media coverage, seeking to unravel the underlying drivers of this surge in interest.
