By mapping citations of scientific papers into a graph database it is possible to be able to generate a graph or network which as well as revealing the connections between papers will give the reverse dependency mapping giving the historic evolution of a field.
Also by looking at who wrote papers and their connections in papers it can establish the inherent schools of thought and research.
Looking at what papers do not cite other papers and particular terms it is possible to find whole new regions of areas for discovery or possible discovery and folly.
Hopefully a whole new tool set or tools will become available.
aaronngray 