Public health officials want better statistical models than can help them identify outbreaks of a disease faster. Government officials worried about bioterrorism attacks want the same thing.

They're turning to the National Institute of Statistical Sciences in Research Triangle Park to get them that model.

The Institute has been awarded $664,019 to develop just such a model to improve what is called syndromic surveillance. The money comes from the National Science Foundation and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.