In this paper, researchers present a new approach for interrogating sources of variance in correlation called 'Correlation by Individual Level Product’ (CILP).

It allows identification of factors associated with inter-individual variation in correlation. The study demonstrated that environmental exposures lead to systemic loss of correlation, defined as 'decoherence'. In longitudinal setting, decoherent metabolites were characterized as better predictors of metaboic syndrome than routine biomarkers. This work adds molecular insight into biological processes and why their coordinated functions break down in chronic diseases.