Where the tongue hits its limits
Linguistic researcher Marianne Pouplier aims to clarify why certain sound patterns are rarely encountered in languages, proposing an empirical approach using ultrasound imaging and perceptual tests.
Search results for “Sound”
1,000+ results for "Sound"
Study finds new role for protein in hearing
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified a new function for the harmonin protein, which is mutated in Usher syndrome. The protein plays a critical role in transmitting sound information to the brain.
Acoustic cloaking device echoes advances in optical cloaking
Researchers created a prototype of an acoustic cloak by arranging cylinders around an object, demonstrating that sound waves maintain their original wave-front pattern as they pass around the object. The proposed technique could enable better soundscapes in urban environments and quieter helmets for ear protection.
Caltech engineers develop 1-way transmission system for sound waves
Researchers at Caltech have created a tunable acoustic diode that allows acoustic information to travel only in one direction, controllable by frequency. This technology brings soundproofing closer to reality, with potential applications in biomedical ultrasound devices and energy-harvesting systems.
Rensselaer Ph.D. candidate Philip W. Robinson awarded Fulbright Grant
Philip W. Robinson, a Rensselaer Ph.D. student, has been awarded a Fulbright grant to conduct research in architectural acoustics at Aalto University of Science and Technology in Helsinki, Finland. His research aims to understand how architectural enclosures transform sound to produce specific perceptual effects.
The loudest animal is recorded for the first time
The tiny water boatman has been recorded as the loudest animal on Earth, with a sound equivalent to 99.2 decibels. Researchers are now exploring the biological and engineering aspects of this phenomenon to clarify its mechanisms and potential applications.
Sound localization at cocktail parties is easier for men
Research shows that men excel in both visuo-spatial and auditory-spatial tasks, such as detecting a single sound source in a noisy environment. Women struggled with the same task, indicating a 'high attentional mechanism' in the brain involved in extracting spatial information.
Simple analysis of breathing sounds while awake can detect obstructive sleep apnea
Research suggests that analyzing breathing sounds while awake can accurately predict obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. Breathing patterns and pharyngeal pressure play a significant role in OSA diagnosis, making sound analysis a viable diagnostic tool.
Dolphins use double sonar
Researchers have discovered that dolphins can generate two sound beam projections simultaneously, each with different frequencies and directions. This ability could help dolphins locate objects more accurately, according to Dr. Josefin Starkhammar, who led the study published in Biology Letters.
Noisy operations associated with increased infections after surgery
Research published in the British Journal of Surgery found a significant association between surgical site infections and noise levels in operating theatres. The study found that patients who underwent surgery in noisy environments were more likely to develop SSIs.
Language learning: CMU researchers use video games to crack the speech code
Carnegie Mellon University researchers used a video game to study adult language learning, discovering that listeners quickly recognize word-like units. With just two hours of play, participants could reliably extract sound categories and apply them to advance through the game.
Sound safety
Engineers at Asius Technologies create a device that seals the ear canal, boosting sound pressures and alleviating listener fatigue. The technology uses a sacrificial membrane to absorb pressure waves, protecting the ear drum and preventing over-activation of the acoustic reflex.
Curtains that 'quench' noise
Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a new curtain fabric that is lightweight yet absorbs sound. The new textiles absorb five times more sound than conventional translucent curtains, making them suitable for various rooms such as offices and auditoriums.
Cephalopods experience massive acoustic trauma from noise pollution in the oceans
Researchers found that low frequency sound causes severe lesions in cephalopod sensory organs, including statocysts. This damage can affect balance, spatial orientation, and other critical functions.
SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateApr 11, 2011
It’s not over when it's over: Storing sounds in the inner ear
Vibrations in the inner ear persist even after a sound has stopped, potentially serving as a short-term memory of past stimuli. This phenomenon may help explain why some gaps between sounds are too brief to be perceived by the human ear.
High-volume portable music players may impair ability to clearly discriminate sounds
A study published in PLoS ONE found that listening to loud music through earphones for extended periods can cause neurophysiological changes related to sound discrimination. The researchers discovered that portable music player users had a harder time distinguishing between sounds and background noises.
Sea grant awards more than $1.1 million for research under EPA's Long Island Sound study
The Sea Grant programs have awarded over $1.1 million for six projects studying the effects of nitrogen, red tide, and climate change on Long Island Sound's ecosystem. Research results will provide valuable information to resource managers throughout the watershed.
New scientific field will study ecological importance of sounds
Researchers at Purdue University are developing a new scientific field that uses soundscapes to understand ecological characteristics and reconnect people with natural sounds. By analyzing the rhythms of natural sounds, scientists can detect early changes in climate, weather patterns, and pollution.
Rebooting the brain helps stop the ring of tinnitus in rats
Researchers use vagus nerve stimulation paired with sound tones to retrain the brain and reduce ringing in the ears. After 20 days of treatment, tinnitus disappeared in noise-exposed rats, persisting for up to 3.5 months.
SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalNature·DateJan 12, 2011
Newly developed cloak hides underwater objects from sonar
University of Illinois researchers create an acoustic cloak that hides underwater objects from detection, using metamaterials to manipulate sound waves. The technology has potential applications in military stealth, soundproofing, and medical imaging.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 5, 2011
Novel metamaterial vastly improves quality of ultrasound imaging
Researchers have developed a three-dimensional metamaterial that captures evanescent sound waves, allowing for super-resolution acoustic imaging. The device, mounted on an ultrasound probe, can resolve image features as small as one-fiftieth of the wavelength of the sound waves.
Were our tetrapod ancestors deaf?
Researchers studied the closest living relative of tetrapods, the African lungfish, and found that they lack sensitivity to airborne sound. The inner ear's structure suggests a high vibration sensitivity but limits hearing to very low frequencies, implying that early tetrapod ancestors were probably deaf to airborne sound.
See no shape, touch no shape, hear a shape?
Scientists at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital have discovered that the brain can determine the shape of an object by processing specially-coded sounds, even without visual or tactile input. This new research provides important possibilities for aiding those who are blind or with impaired vision.
Scientists closer to grasping how the brain's 'hearing center' spurs responses to sound
A team of scientists has made significant progress in understanding how the brain's 'hearing center' processes sound by mapping its acoustic space. They discovered that neurons within the auditory cortex respond to sounds based on their frequency, but also found an unexpected out-of-column pattern for some neurons.
Squid studies provide valuable insights into hearing mechanisms
Researchers have made significant discoveries about squid hearing mechanisms, shedding light on how they navigate, sense danger, and communicate with each other. Squid use statocysts to detect sound waves, but their hearing is limited to specific frequencies, which may explain why they are a prolific food source.
The sky is falling (less) onto Puget Sound
A region-wide study found that toxic pollution falling onto Puget Sound's waters has significantly decreased since 1991, with some pollutants decreasing by as much as 99%. However, industrial areas like Tacoma still have high air-deposited contamination levels, with the Port of Tacoma site recording the highest deposition rates.
NC State lands grant to research acoustics to detect landmines, bombs
Researchers at NC State aim to create a portable device using sound waves to identify landmines, roadside bombs, and suicide bombers. The project seeks to advance understanding of how sound interacts with the environment, which could have significant humanitarian applications.
Submarines could use new nanotube technology for sonar and stealth
Researchers have developed a new nanotube technology that can generate sound waves for submarine sonar while also canceling out noise. This breakthrough could enhance underwater detection and stealth capabilities for military submarines.
Researchers develop simulation to better understand the effects of sound on marine life
A team of researchers has developed a simulation to better understand the impact of sound on marine mammals like whales and dolphins. The simulation uses advanced computing and X-ray CT scanners to create a 3D virtual environment, allowing scientists to study the effects of sound on these organisms.
Healthy ears hear the first sound, ignoring the echoes
A team of University of Oregon scientists has found that when a sound is loud enough, auditory neurons simply accept it and ignore subsequent reverberations. This simplifies the filtering process, suggesting that a sophisticated system to suppress echoes may not be necessary.
New research to improve management of harmful algal blooms in Puget Sound
Researchers will develop a forecasting ability to predict toxic dinoflagellate blooms and build a mobile lab to investigate the key driver behind fish-killing algae. The goal is to provide seasonal predictions and minimize public health risks.
Submarines could use new nanotube technology for sonar and stealth
Researchers have developed carbon nanotube speakers that can generate sound waves and cancel out noise, ideal for submarine sonar. These 'nanotube speakers' can also be tuned to specific frequencies to detect underwater objects, enhancing stealth capabilities.
New cochlear implant could improve outcomes for patients
Researchers developed a new cochlear implant with more electrodes and a thinner, more flexible wire, which can improve the quality of sound and preserve residual hearing. This innovation allows for more precise stimulation of the auditory nerve, resulting in better sound resolution.
Key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location identified
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, finding that neurons are sensitive to rise times and detect differences between input shapes on a microsecond scale. This contradicts previous theories, which held that biophysical properties were identical for both ears.
NYU researchers identify a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, challenging existing theories. The study found that neurons respond to the rise time of synaptic inputs rather than their width.
Imaging reveals how brain fails to tune out phantom sounds of tinnitus
Researchers propose a testable model of human tinnitus suggesting that the brain's limbic system, which normally blocks sound sensations sent from non-real sources, is compromised in people with tinnitus. This could lead to new therapeutic approaches by restoring the feedback loop and eliminating phantom sounds.
The sound of seduction
A study by Susan Hughes found that both sexes use lower-pitched voices when speaking to more attractive partners, indicating a potential means of demonstrating attraction. The researchers suggest that altering one's voice may be a learned behavior based on cultural stereotypes rather than actual vocal characteristics.
Baby corals dance their way home
Researchers discovered that coral larvae can detect sound waves to locate suitable habitats, which is essential for their survival. The study highlights the importance of understanding how corals respond to their environment, particularly in light of human noise pollution.
Flag has ladies all of a flutter
Scientists at the University of Manchester have discovered how male common snipes use their outer tail feathers to produce a highly seductive drumming sound. By observing deformations in the feathers as they produce the sound, researchers found that the feathers flutter like flags in the wind.
Barn owl auditory spatial cues and more
Researchers investigated the role of low-frequency auditory spatial cues in barn owls' ability to localize sounds. They found that these cues dominate azimuth representation, while high-frequency cues dominate elevation representation. These findings have implications for understanding sound localization in other species, including hum...
Caltech researchers create 'sound bullets'
Researchers at Caltech develop a nonlinear acoustic lens producing highly focused sound bullets for advanced medical imaging, nondestructive evaluation, and potentially even cancer treatment. The device exploits particle contacts to create compact acoustic pulses with high amplitude and low distortion.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 21, 2010
Structure of inner-ear protein is key to both hearing and inherited deafness
Scientists found that a vital region of cadherin-23, a protein in the inner ear, is critical to both hearing and inherited deafness. The research revealed that calcium ions play a crucial role in holding the protein together, and mutations that weaken this bond can cause deafness.
Now in broadband: Acoustic imaging of the ocean
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developed two advanced broadband acoustic systems to improve interpretation of echoes. These systems measure sound scattering across a continuous range of frequencies, generating broadband acoustic spectra that can distinguish between different fish sizes and densities, as well as ide...
Quantum leap for phonon lasers
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing practical phonon lasers, which could enable new medical imaging devices and precision measurement tools. Two separate teams, one in the US and the UK, have reported advancements in phonon laser development, using different approaches to overcome technical challenges.
Researchers find how brain hears the sound of silence
A University of Oregon team has isolated an independent channel in the brain's auditory cortex that deals specifically with shutting off sound processing at appropriate times. This finding supports an emerging theory that a separate set of synapses is responsible for both processing sounds and their disappearance.
Aiming to the side
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that bats aim their sound beams off-center when locating objects, making this strategy more efficient than aiming directly at the center. This approach allows bats to better track movement across the beam.
'Squeaker' catfish communicate across generations
Researchers have found that young squeaker catfish can detect sounds made by their older relatives, challenging prior assumptions about auditory development. The study suggests that fish of all ages use the 'squeaking' sound to communicate, increasing in level and duration as they grow.
Design vs. dyslexia: UC innovation promises new hope for children with dyslexia
Researchers at UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning have developed an online toolkit to help educators assist children with dyslexia. The 'Reading by Design' project uses a multisensory approach to increase reading and retention abilities for children aged 9-11 with dyslexia.
Cochlear implants associated with improved voice control over time in children who are deaf
Children with bilateral cochlear implants exhibit poor initial voice control but show significant improvement as they use their hearing aids for extended periods. Targeted speech therapies could help address these voice abnormalities.
Man-made carbon dioxide affects ocean acoustics
Human carbon dioxide emissions impact ocean acoustics by increasing transparency to low-frequency sound, potentially affecting marine mammals' communication. The pH of surface seawater will drop by 0.6 units by 2100, leading to a 70% decrease in sound absorption.
Ecologists sound out new solution for monitoring cryptic species
Researchers have created a method using microphone arrays to estimate bird population density from recorded sounds, which may also be applied to tracking whales and dolphins. This innovative approach eliminates the need for observers to count birds, providing a more accurate index of abundance.
Auditory illusion: How our brains can fill in the gaps to create continuous sound
A new study reveals how our brains fill in gaps to create continuous sound by suppressing slow brain waves during interruptions. This mechanism enhances our understanding of human hearing and may inspire future devices for people with hearing deficits.
New UAB study sheds light on brain's response to distress, unexpected events
Researchers at UAB used fMRI to analyze the brain's response to surprising sounds, finding activity in the frontal lobe controls emotional expression. The study aims to develop biological markers using fMRI that can help identify and treat PTSD sufferers.
Berkeley researchers create first hyperlens for sound waves
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed the first acoustic hyperlens, allowing for 8-fold magnification of sound-based imaging technologies. The device resolves details smaller than one sixth the length of the waves themselves, enabling new applications in medical ultrasound and underwater sonar.
Caltech scientists first to trap light and sound vibrations together in nanocrystal
Researchers at Caltech have created a nanoscale crystal device that confines both light and sound vibrations in the same tiny space. This enables the manipulation of sound and light waves with frequencies as high as tens of gigahertz, opening up potential applications in lightwave communication systems, biosensors, and more.
Now hear this
Scientists have identified a new type of cell in the inner ear that carries sound signals to the brain, responding only to extremely loud sounds. The discovery sheds light on how the human ear processes sound and may have implications for understanding hearing loss.
High-tech nuke detectors check Puget Sound small vessels for WMD
The pilot demonstration evaluated radiation detection sensors and protocols for small vessel maritime environment. Small vessels, including recreational boats and commercial vessels, are screened for radiological materials using portable hand-held sensors and boat-mounted systems.
Ultra-flat loudspeakers with powerful sound reproduction
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT created ultra-flat loudspeakers with resonant properties, enabling improved sound quality. The new design allows for integration into surroundings without sacrificing audio quality.
Acoustic tweezers can position tiny objects
Researchers have developed acoustic tweezers that can position single cells or nanosized beads using sound waves, allowing for efficient manipulation without damaging live cells. The technology has significant advantages over existing methods in terms of versatility, miniaturization, and power consumption.
New technology helps Parkinson's patients speak louder
Researchers developed a new technology using ambient sound to aid Parkinson's patients speaking louder and more clearly. The system, which plays background babble noise when the patient begins to speak, shows significant improvement in speech changes after eight weeks of training.