New Web Tool for Researchers in the Life Sciences Facilitates Information Retrieval & Sharing
Research tool leverages collective knowledge base of online community.
Coram, New York (PRWEB) March 17, 2006
Today Scientific Information Processing and Health Sciences (SIPHS, LLC), announces the release of a peer based search engine for the life sciences research community. Unlike conventional search engines, which direct users to static content, siphs. com connects users with other researchers, effectively allowing them query the collective knowledge-base of their peers.
"Conventional search engines do an adequate job of providing a wealth of information, but oftentimes fail to focus and clarify the search results,” said Tom Sharpton, SIPHS, LLC co-founder. “This is where siphs. com can really help researchers. Directly engaging the information source expedites and enhances the search process."
The tool, available free of charge at www. siphs. com, is designed for life scientists in both industry and academia. Queries are submitted to the system in the form of a question and annotated with "Areas of Expertise" by the user. The question is then delivered to all Siphs users that have designated themselves as experts in the predefined areas. Information is supplied in the form of replies to the original message and discussions may ensue between users.
The Internet has provided scientists with many search tools, but none offer scientists the ability to efficiently interface with each other on the web to enhance their search experience. Prior to launch, researchers BETA tested siphs. com and their feedback was used to better tailor the tool’s utility to the life sciences research community.
In addition to providing a peer based search tool, siphs. com makes all queries and their respective replies available under a Creative Commons license. The information generated will be archived and serve as a repository of knowledge freely available on the web.
For more information, visit http://www. siphs. com (http://www. siphs. com).
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