# Case Studies

## Case Studies Projects

### Bitcoin’s future looks bright, but is the technology up to the task?

Interest and investment inthe cryptocurrency Bitcoin has skyrocketed in the last few years, pushing up its market value from just $0.39 in 2010 to around$12,000 at the end of 2017. But its increasing value and popularity has also been met with a surge in problems, particularly in processing transactions and verifying accounts.

### Complex modelling research informs national cancer strategies

Where you live could have important implication on your chance of developing cancer and surviving the disease, according to pioneering research at ACEMS.

Dr Susanna Cramb, a former ACEMS PhD student and now an ACEMS Associate Investigator who is currently with Cancer Council Queensland, is investigating small-area differences in cancer incidence, survival and screening in Queensland and across the country.

### How statistical analysis is keeping your favourite pair of jeans in stock

How statistical analysis is keeping your favourite pair of jeans in stock

### How statisticians are using maths to predict what you share on social media

How popular are you on social media?

According to a theory known as the ‘friendship paradox’, the answer to that question is: not as popular as your friends. This paradox basically states that friends of individuals tend to have more friends than the individual him/herself.

### The power of mathematics: Using statistics to fight bushfires

There are about 50,000 bushfires every year in Australia, according to a 2009 report by the Australian Institute of Criminology.

For many Australians, this number is probably not that surprising. What is more surprising, though, is that mathematicians may have a key role to play in fighting these fires.

One of these fire-fighting mathematicians is Dr Sevvandi Kandanaarachchi – a postdoctoral fellow and Associate Investigator at ACEMS. She works closely with Professor Kate Smith- Miles, one of ACEMS’ Chief Investigators.