Center for Nonlinear Science

Trying to determine when the next major catastrophe, such as a hurricane or earthquake, will likely strike the United States is one of the works of UNT's Center for Nonlinear Science. Established in 1994, the center attempts to understand the inherent complexity of natural, biomedical and social phenomena.

Center researchers study issues that cannot be solved by traditional methods but that involve complex sets of data. When studied on a large scale, the data form a predictable pattern, which the researchers examine to help them explain the unexplainable.

For example, the center collaborates with the Twin Center, part of Texas Woman's University's nursing school. The Twin Center's relationship with area hospitals allows it to collect data that is analyzed by the Center for Nonlinear Science. The two centers are collaborating on a study involving heart conditions. Their efforts can help doctors predict the chances of a transplant patient's survival based on the condition of the heart before the operation. This kind of information could be invaluable to doctors when prescribing a costly surgery or determining if an alternative treatment would be best, says Jim Roberts, director of the Center for Nonlinear Science.

An October workshop sponsored by the UNT center will include topics such as DNA sequences, teen birth rates, the distribution of prime numbers and linguistics.

To learn more about the Center for Nonlinear Science, visit its web site at www.phys.unt.edu/research/Nonlinear.

BY WILLIAM ABERCROMBIE paiswri2@unt.edu

Other web resources

• Center for Nonlinear Science web site

Other featured articles in this issue:

• UNT, Denton remember Sept. 11
• UNT study: Private businesses played vital role in WTC disaster response
• Regents rename Administration Building for Hurleys; approve emeritus appointments
• UNT regents approve fee increases, plans to build new residence hall
• UNT scientist: Spraying, prevention are key to killing West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes
• UNT creates electronic conferencing laboratory
• Food, services conveniently located in UNT's University Union
• Chinese cuisine served in Campus Chat Food Court
• Disaster Education Day at UNT Sept. 13

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