Image via CrunchBase
Big data! It turns out that search engine data can actually more medical science forward. In this case, much increased search queries for high blood sugar (AKA hyperglycemia in the guild) among folks taking two different medications led researchers to show a previously unknown drug interaction:
Should You Mix Those Two Drugs? Ask Dr. Google – ScienceNOW.
Big data usually seems ominous or only helpful to the big boys, but this case gives me some optimism: we little people can benefit from a thoughtful analysis of each others’ routine Googling etc., without invading anyone’s privacy. I like it!
