Lehigh University

Researchers have created a prediction method that comes startlingly close to real-world results. It works by aiming for strong alignment with actual values rather than simply reducing mistakes. Tests on medical and health data showed it often outperforms classic approaches. The discovery could reshape how scientists make reliable forecasts.An international group of mathematicians led by Lehigh University statistician Taeho Kim has developed a new way to generate predictions that line up more closely with real-world results. Their method is aimed at improving forecasting across many areas of science, particularly in health research, biology and the social sciences. The researchers call their technique the Maximum Agreement Linear Predictor, or MALP. Its central goal is to enhance how well predicted values match observed ones. MALP does this by maximizing the Concordance Correlation Coefficient, or CCC. This statistical measure evaluates how pairs of numbers fall along the 45-degree line in a scatter plot, reflecting both precision (how tightly the points cluster) and accuracy (how close they are to that line). Traditional approaches, including the widely used least-squares method, typically try to reduce average error. Although effective in many situations, these methods can miss the mark when the main objective is to ensure strong alignment between predictions and actual values, says Kim, assistant professor of mathematics. "Sometimes, we don't just want our predictions to be close -- we want them to have the highest agreement with the real values," Kim explains. "The issue is, how can we define the agreement of two objects in a scientifically meaningful way? One way we can conceptualize this is how close the points are aligned with a 45 degree line on a scatter plot between the predicted value and the actual values. So, if the scatter plot of these shows a strong alignment with this 45 degree line, then we could say there is a good level of agreement between these two." Why Agreement Matters More Than Simple Correlation According to Kim, people often think first of Pearson's correlation coefficient when they hear the word agreement, since it is introduced early in statistics education and remains a fundamental tool. Pearson's method measures the strength of a linear relationship between two variables, but it does not specifically check whether the relationship aligns with the 45-degree line. For instance, it can detect strong correlations for lines that tilt at 50 degrees or 75 degrees, as long as the data points lie close to a straight line, Kim says. "In our case, we are specifically interested in alignment with a 45-degree line. For that, we use a different measure: the concordance correlation coefficient, introduced by Lin in 1989. This metric focuses specifically on how well the data align with a 45-degree line. What we've developed is a predictor designed to maximize the concordance correlation between predicted values and actual values." Testing MALP With Eye Scans and Body Measurements To evaluate how well MALP performs, the team ran tests using both simulated data and real measurements, including eye scans and body fat assessments. One study applied MALP to data from an ophthalmology project comparing two types of optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices: the older Stratus OCT and the newer Cirrus OCT. As medical centers move to the Cirrus system, doctors need a dependable way to translate measurements so they can compare results over time. Using high-quality images from 26 left eyes and 30 right eyes, the researchers examined how accurately MALP could predict Stratus OCT readings from Cirrus OCT measurements and compared its performance with the least-squares method. MALP produced predictions that aligned more closely with the true Stratus values, while least squares slightly outperformed MALP in reducing average error, highlighting a tradeoff between agreement and error minimization. The team also looked at a body fat data set from 252 adults that included weight, abdomen size and other body measurements. Direct measures of body fat percentage, such as underwater weighing, are reliable but expensive, so easier measurements are often substituted. MALP was used to estimate body fat percentage and was evaluated against the least-squares method. The results were similar to the eye scan study: MALP delivered predictions that more closely matched real values, while least squares again had slightly lower average errors. This repeated pattern underscored the ongoing balance between agreement and minimizing error. Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Task Kim and his colleagues observed that MALP frequently provided predictions that matched the actual data more effectively than standard techniques. Even so, they note that researchers should choose between MALP and more traditional methods based on their specific priorities. When reducing overall error is the primary goal, established methods still perform well. When the emphasis is on predictions that align as closely as possible with real outcomes, MALP is often the stronger option. The potential impact of this work reaches into many scientific areas. Improved prediction tools could benefit medicine, public health, economics and engineering. For researchers who rely on forecasting, MALP offers a promising alternative, especially when achieving close agreement with real-world results matters more than simply narrowing the average gap between predicted and observed values. "We need to investigate further," Kim says. "Currently, our setting is within the class of linear predictors. This set is large enough to be practically used in various fields, but it is still restricted mathematically speaking. So, we wish to extend this to the general class so that our goal is to remove the linear part and so it becomes the Maximum Agreement Predictor."

BOSTON and SAN DIEGO, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kailera Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing a broad pipeline of next-generation therapies for the treatment of obesity and related conditions, today announced the appointments of Adam Koppel and Christopher Hite to its Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to welcome Adam and Chris to our Board of Directors. Their extensive track records as respected advisors to biopharma companies on corporate and financial strategy will be incredibly valuable as we continue to execute on our mission to advance next-generation therapies for the treatment of obesity,” said Ron Renaud, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kailera. “It’s an exciting time to join Kailera’s Board as they progress their pipeline toward late-stage global trials, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success and long-term value creation,” said Dr. Koppel. Mr. Hite added, “I am pleased to join the Board of Kailera at this important time of innovation in the obesity space that has positively impacted millions of patients worldwide. Kailera has a clear strategy to advance their diversified pipeline, and I look forward to supporting the leadership team as they work towards achieving their mission.” Dr. Koppel is a distinguished investor and strategic leader with more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience. He is a Partner on Bain Capital’s Life Sciences team and initially joined Bain Capital in 2003. Previously, Dr. Koppel was EVP of Corporate Development and Chief Strategy Officer at Biogen. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Areteia Therapeutics and Cardurion Pharmaceuticals and serves on the Board of Trustees at Newton Wellesley Hospital. Dr. Koppel also co-chairs the Harvard Medical School Discovery Council and serves on the Mass General Brigham Innovation Growth Board. He received an M.D. and Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Koppel also received an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Palmer Scholar, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with an A.B. and A.M. in History and Science. Mr. Hite, a seasoned financial executive with over 25 years of financial and strategic experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, will serve as an independent board member and audit committee chair. Mr. Hite currently serves as Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman at Royalty Pharma. Prior to joining Royalty Pharma in 2020, he was at Citibank for over a decade, serving most recently as Vice Chairman of Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory (BCMA) and a member of the BCMA Executive Committee, and previously as the Global Head of Healthcare Investment Banking. Prior to joining Citibank, Mr. Hite was the Global Head of Healthcare Investment Banking at Lehman Brothers. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Lehigh University, the Board of Advisors of Faster Cures, a center of the Milken Institute, and served on the Board of Directors of Acceleron Pharma Inc. until its acquisition by Merck in November 2021. Mr. Hite has a B.S. from Lehigh University, and a J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. About Kailera Therapeutics Kailera Therapeutics (Kailera) is developing a broad, advanced, and differentiated portfolio of clinical-stage injectable and oral therapies for the treatment of obesity and related conditions. Kailera’s most advanced program, KAI-9531 (being developed in China as HRS9531), is an injectable GLP-1/GIP receptor dual agonist that has demonstrated positive results in Phase 2 trials in obesity and type 2 diabetes in China. The Company is also advancing a diversified pipeline leveraging several mechanisms and routes of delivery, including oral administration. Kailera’s mission is to develop next-generation weight management therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. The Company is based in Waltham, MA and San Diego, CA. For more information, visit www.kailera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Contact Information Maura Gavaghan Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations maura.gavaghan@kailera.com

NASA's latest SpaceX resupply mission to the space station returns with ISS National Lab-sponsored projects advancing biomedical R&D, technology development, and physical sciences KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ELVIS is back. Samples from the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS)—a new holographic microscope—have returned from the International Space Station (ISS). The samples splashed down off the coast of California alongside more than two dozen other investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. Experiments returning on SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA include a project to manufacture nanomaterials in space to treat osteoarthritis and cancer on Earth and several investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). These are a few highlights of the investigations that returned to Earth for further study to benefit humanity: Using innovative holographic technology, ELVIS delivers detailed 3D views of cellular life, allowing scientists to study the adaptability and resilience of life under extreme conditions. Findings could reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, potentially enhancing the search for life beyond Earth. Portland State University, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., tested the advanced microscope system onboard the orbiting laboratory. A collection of samples examined on the space station returned for further analysis so the team can determine ELVIS' next steps in space. Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech, with support from Axiom Space, built on previous research to improve the production of innovative nanomaterials in space. Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) are composed of synthetic molecules that self-assemble into structures resembling human DNA. The injectable nanomaterials could help regenerate cartilage in the joints of osteoarthritis patients and could be used to carry cancer drugs into hard-to-penetrate solid tumors. The team's groundbreaking research is featured in the most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab. A project that is part of a series of investigations developed by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Academy, in partnership with Rhodium Scientific, examined how genetically modified tomato plants grow in the space environment. The team aimed to better understand how genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and shoot development. The researchers will compare results from this experiment with those from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments. An experiment from Sophie's BioNutrients, supported by BioServe Space Technologies, aims to develop plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. The investigation examined how microgravity affects protein yields in microalgae that require nutrition from organic compounds to grow. Results could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of microalgae cell growth, metabolism, and protein production. In addition to serving as a food source on long-duration spaceflight missions, microalgae could also be used in life support systems and to provide oils for fuel production. Four investigations funded by NSF seek to advance fundamental science with valuable applications, continuing a strong, multiyear collaboration between NSF and the ISS National Lab. One of these projects, from Lehigh University, could enable the next generation of portable microfluidic devices that use bioseparation for virus detection. This process, which separates particles from fluids, relies on thermophoresis—the tendency of particles suspended in a solution to move from hot to cold regions along a temperature gradient. Bioseparation can be used in medical lab tests to detect the presence of a virus by separating virus particles from bodily fluids in samples. To learn more about these projects and others that launched on this resupply mission, please visit our launch page. For additional information on the ISS National Lab and its mission to enable R&D in space for the benefit of humanity, see our website. Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page. SOURCE International Space Station National Lab WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED