Google flu tracking
Google.org's Flu Trends is a fascinating attempt to map emergent trends based on their insight into geo-based search terms ("tickly coughs", "where can I get headache medicine").
Larry Brilliant talked about his idea to use search terms as a trend analyser for pandemic outbreaks on TED.com.
It's an extraordinary idea...for once a good example of the benefits of information centralisation (although such information should be legislated as a public good?)
Interesting to see them launching this on a 'local' level first (I guess where internet penetration and Google market-share is highest).
update: The Google blog has written up a note on the project, and better still, is the O'Reilly Radar writeup, which links to the worldwide 'Predict & Prevent' initiative, which is more directly connected with Brilliant's TED talk.
Oh, and the data is able to be downloaded, which is a great move by Google.
