NYU Researchers Fight Flu With Math
With an estimated 7 million Americans affected by the flu so far this year, leading researchers at New York University (NYU) [Tandon School of Engineering] have found a novel approach to help prevent the spread of seasonal bugs: use math. NYU professor Maurizio Porfiri is collaborating with two Italian researchers with visiting appointments at NYU [Tandon] to develop a mathematical model that will ultimately help healthcare decision-makers lessen the impact of the flu by predicting when the season will peak, who should be vaccinated and when, and whether to quarantine infected patients. They’re finding answers by studying human behavior and social interactions.
