Table 4 Summary of hypotheses generated using Swanson's ABC model and its extensions

Cory et al.[76]

Proposed links between Frost (a 20th century poet) and Carneades (an ancient philosopher)

Gordon et al.[77]

Finding new applications for genetic algorithms using the WWW

Hettne et al.[73]

Proposed the role of NF-κb in the aetiology of complex regional pain syndrome

Hristovski et al.[78]

Proposed novel candidate genes that may be involved in bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria

Kostoff et al.[79]

Proposed novel non-drug treatments (such as calorific restriction) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Kostoff et al.[80]

Proposed 'lifestyle/dietary practices that could be interpreted as anti-cataract'

Srinivasan et al.[81, 82]

Novel uses for curcuma longa/turmeric in the treatment of retinal diseases, Crohn's disease and spinal cord-related disorders

Swanson et al.[83]

Classifying viruses as potential biological weapons

van Haagen et al.[74]

Predicting and identifying novel interaction partners for proteins in Escherichia coli

Weeber et al.[84]

Novel uses of thalidomide in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, chronic hepatitis C, Heliobacter pylori-induced gastritis and acute pancreatitis

Wren et al.[85]

Chlorpromazine may reduce cardiac hypertrophy (ABC model in conjunction with experimental evidence)

Wren et al.[86]

Pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes is most likely epigenetic

Zhou et al.[87]

Combined MEDLINE with traditional Chinese medicine to propose new functional knowledge about genes