SU News Services
(315) 443-3784
Members of a Syracuse University research team have shown that an obscure phenomenon called stochastic resonance (SR) can improve the clarity of signals in systems such as radar, sonar and even radiography, used in medical clinics to detect signs of breast cancer. It does this by adding carefully selected noise to the system.
The result has been a distinct improvement in the system’s ability to correctly identify precancerous lesions, plus a 36 percent reduction in false positives. The inventors have developed a novel method of calculating precisely the correct type and level of noise to add to existing noise in radiography or a similar system.
“We see a broad spectrum of applications for this technology,” says research assistant professor Hao Chen. “If a system’s performance is unsatisfactory, we add noise to the system based on a specific algorithm that can significantly improve system performance.”
A patent covering the technology has been issued to Chen, Distinguished Professor Pramod K. Varshney and research professor James Michels. All are associated with SU’s L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science.
In mammography studies carried out by doctoral candidate Renbin Peng, the challenge was to identify clusters of micro-calcifications in breast tissue. These early signs of precancerous conditions average only 0.3 mm in size and offer only subtle contrast with surrounding tissue. In addition to improving detection of these lesions, the group has reduced false positives by more than a third.
While the current focus of the research group is on medical uses of stochastic resonance, other applications are expected in enhancing audio, video, geophysical, environmental, radar and other signals. The group has been receiving support from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
Ongoing investigations by the Syracuse group are expected to produce further improvements in the efficiency and robustness of the SR-based detection techniques.
A paper by the inventors on theory of stochastic resonance stochastic resonance effect in signal detection was published by IEEE Transactions in Signal Processing in July 2007 and became one of the top 10 downloads of that month. Another paper, covering the mammography studies, co-authored by Peng was published in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing in February 2009.
Roy Gutterman, associate professor of magazine, news and digital journalism in the Newhouse School and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, was quoted by Roll Call for the article “Campus Notebook: Unattended gun in Capitol bathroom need not…
Roy Gutterman, associate professor of magazine, news and digital journalism in the Newhouse School and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, had an op-ed published in the Washington Post, “Why individuals, not governments, should safeguard free speech.” Gutterman…
Professor of Supply Chain Management and wine industry expert Burak Kazaz says along with exacting a heavy human toll, West Coast wildfires will also affect the flavor of your favorite California wine. Smoke from devastating wildfires isn’t only filling the…
David Popp, professor of public administration and international affairs in the Maxwell School, was interviewed by Bloomberg for the article “Biden Succeeds in Uniting Climate People and Labor People — For Now.” Popp, who specializes in environmental economics, says that…
Tracey Reichert Schimpff, director of clinical services at Falk College, was a guest on Bridge Street for the segment “How To Juggle Working And Parenting – Successfully!” Schimpff, who works specifically in the department of marriage and family therapy, says…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
