Engineers can generally predict within 15 to 20% where and when it will break.

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Similar to geologists evaluating how to produce a reservoir, the efficiency engineers use this comprehensive data to calibrate simulation models that predict the financial impact of a range of efficiency measures over the building life.

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Toward this end, Merck (nyse: MRK - news - people ) recently bought biotech boutique Rosetta InPharmatics, which employs astrophysicists and engineers to crunch reams of gene data to spot telltale patterns that help predict if a drug will perform as promised or might have intolerable side effects.

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