Fractals for physicians

Thamrin, Cindy; Stern, Georgette; Frey, Urs (2010). Fractals for physicians. Paediatric respiratory reviews, 11(2), pp. 123-31. London: Elsevier 10.1016/j.prrv.2010.02.001

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There is increasing interest in the study of fractals in medicine. In this review, we provide an overview of fractals, of techniques available to describe fractals in physiological data, and we propose some reasons why a physician might benefit from an understanding of fractals and fractal analysis, with an emphasis on paediatric respiratory medicine where possible. Among these reasons are the ubiquity of fractal organisation in nature and in the body, and how changes in this organisation over the lifespan provide insight into development and senescence. Fractal properties have also been shown to be altered in disease and even to predict the risk of worsening of disease. Finally, implications of a fractal organisation include robustness to errors during development, ability to adapt to surroundings, and the restoration of such organisation as targets for intervention and treatment.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Paediatric Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Thamrin, Cindy, Frey, Urs Peter

ISSN:

1526-0542

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Anette van Dorland

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:07

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:00

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.prrv.2010.02.001

PubMed ID:

20416549

Web of Science ID:

000278431800010

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/165 (FactScience: 196596)

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