Researchers found that moths can detect and respond to bat calls, even when others cannot. The yellow underwing moth's ear adjusts its sensitivity in response to changing sound frequencies, allowing it to stay 'tuned' for up to several minutes after the call stops.
Researchers found that otoferlin is essential for a late step of neurotransmitter release and may act as the major calcium sensor triggering membrane fusion at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse. The study suggests cochlear implants could benefit individuals with otoferlin-linked deafness.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect metastasizing melanoma cells in the blood using photoacoustic detection, which can identify as few as 10 cancer cells. The technique uses laser techniques and ultrasound methods to emit noise from cancer cells, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists have detected loops and rings of hot gas surrounding the supermassive black hole, indicating periodic eruptions that generate pressure waves and sound. The sound waves are found to be more discordant and complex than previously detected, with a range of frequencies below middle C.
Engineers are developing a new technique that accurately measures how sound behaves in indoor environments, enabling the design of acoustic spaces based on realistic information. This could lead to improved hearing aids and better listening experiences for millions of people.
A sensor package is installed on Cape Cod ferry Katama to measure water temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and take images of plankton. The project aims to build a detailed portrait of changing water conditions in Nantucket Sound over long time scales.
A Cornell study discovered that the sound of a word can reveal its grammatical role, affecting how it is processed in sentences. The researchers analyzed the sounds of over 3,000 nouns and verbs to show how phonological typicality influences comprehension.
A new mathematical method provides a better way to analyze noise by visualizing areas with no sound. Researchers credit this approach for its ability to tease out specific sounds from complex white noise.
Researchers developed an ultrasonic metamaterial that captures sound wave's fine details and expands instead of compresses like natural materials. This allows for higher modulation of the acoustic wave, enabling better ultrasound image resolution.
Researchers discovered that males of the extinct species Thyrohyrax had oversized, swollen lower jaws shaped like a banana, which may have been used to produce sound. The discovery suggests that Thyrohyrax and its fossil relatives were the only mammals to use this skeletal structure for sound production.
Yale researchers found that environmental toxins like TBT can alter the balance of chloride ions in outer hair cells, causing profound changes in sound amplification in the inner ear. This study confirms that whales and other marine mammals exposed to TBT have altered hearing and may contribute to beaching incidents.
Researchers found that birds control overtones by changing the shape of their upper esophagus and larynx. This technique allows for more tonal purity in song production, mirroring a human vocal tract used for speech.
A study found that experienced physicians can effectively auscultate the third heart sound (S3), a crucial indicator of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The presence of S3 was associated with decreased ventricular compliance and may indicate early signs of heart failure.
Scientists discovered that rare Chinese frogs can communicate using high-pitch ultrasonic sounds, a trait previously thought to be exclusive to mammals. The frogs' ability to hear and respond to these sounds allows them to facilitate communication in noisy environments.
Researchers trained adult ferrets to localize sounds despite obstructed hearing, finding that frequency of training was crucial for improvement. The study showed that the brain can adapt to abnormal spatial cues rapidly with intensive training, suggesting potential benefits for patients with hearing disorders.
Devices called PALs can detect sounds coming from ships, whales, volcanic eruptions, rainfall, and breaking waves. By analyzing these sound sources by frequency, researchers can create a 'sound budget' that helps establish noise regulations for different ecosystems.
Researchers develop a new mathematical framework to understand sound processing and find that the brain's signal coding is highly optimized for natural sounds. This breakthrough could lead to improved signal processing for compressed digital audio files and more efficient cochlear implants.
Scientists use hydrophones to distinguish sounds made by different whale species, finding rare right whale sightings in the Gulf of Alaska and distinct 'dialects' among species. The study also reveals surprisingly robust populations of sperm whales during winter months.
Scientists at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam developed a new type of valve producing its own vocal sound by a small silicone rubber flap acting as an artificial vocal chord. Female patients with weak voices benefit from this prosthesis, regaining a natural female pitch.
Neurons in the inferior colliculus of the brain can detect changes in pitch, loudness, and duration of sounds, as well as complex patterns. These 'novelty detector neurons' prevent unimportant sounds from reaching the cortex, enabling people to ignore background noises.
Researchers have developed a new sensor based on a human organ that can detect specific frequencies of sound waves. The device, which is a microelectromechanical system, has three main benefits over existing artificial cochlea designs: mass production potential, comparable size, and efficiency.
Researchers found a dramatic change in electrical conductivity at 60 kilometers below the ocean floor, with sound waves traveling rapidly above and slowly below. This discovery sheds new light on the process of forming oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges.
The club-winged manakin, a rare species found in Ecuador's cloud forest, produces a unique sound by rubbing its inner feathers together. This adaptation is driven by sexual selection and makes the male more attractive to females.
Scientists captured T waves from the Sumatra earthquake using underwater microphones at Diego Garcia, providing a direct look at the entirety of the large underwater event. The study reveals two phases: faster rupture to the south and slower to the north, with implications for tsunami risk and emergency relief.
Researchers have discovered the inverse Doppler effect, a phenomenon where electromagnetic waves compress and expand, leading to new advances in optics and communications equipment. This discovery challenges the basic laws of nature and could lead to breakthroughs in material engineering.
A new underwater listening device has been developed by Boston University engineers using off-the-shelf hardware, combining sophisticated engineering to create a highly sensitive device. The array can be towed behind small craft, making it easier to launch, and is less expensive than current multi-million dollar systems.
Scientists have discovered a subset of learning disabilities resulting from a dysfunction in the brainstem's encoding of basic sounds of speech. BioMAP, a simple neurophysiological test, can identify children with sound processing disorders and improve their speech discrimination skills through auditory training.
Cornell University researchers have developed multimedia teaching tools for neuroscience, including Koé, a CD-ROM that explores sound, and Fruitfly, which delves into neurogenetics. These interactive tools aim to make complex concepts more engaging and accessible for students of all levels.
A new model of sound change shows that evolutionary principles can account for striking phonetic similarities across unrelated languages, as well as the rarity of certain sounds. Human perception and articulation make certain kinds of sound change more frequent than others, resulting in emergent properties of language.
The audio file captures the tone of Huygens' antenna as it changes frequency in response to signal strength fluctuations during descent. The tone shifts dramatically at 43 seconds, indicating the probe's touchdown on Titan's surface.
A UCI study discovered that enhancing frequency modulation on cochlear implants and hearing aids can significantly boost performance by separating background noise and increasing tonal recognition. This improvement can particularly benefit users of hearing aids, affecting music and certain spoken languages like Mandarin.
Blind individuals with superior localization skills exhibit increased activity in the visual cortex while performing monaural tasks. This suggests that the visual cortex is specifically recruited to process subtle monaural cues more effectively.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that the brain can be retrained to process sound in an alternative way, allowing for improved hearing sensitivity. This new system enables neurons to selectively fire at specific volume levels, making it more responsive to subtle changes in loudness.
Researchers have discovered a long-sought protein called TRPA1 that converts sound into nerve impulses, transmitting to the brain. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for deafness and balance disorders in the next five to ten years.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified TRPA1 as the hair-cell transduction channel, which converts sound vibrations into nerve signals. The discovery has significant implications for understanding normal hearing and inherited forms of deafness, potentially leading to new treatments.
Research reveals that both early- and late-onset blind individuals possess supra-normal auditory abilities in far-space, surpassing those of sighted subjects. This challenges the long-held belief that only early-blind individuals can develop superior spatial hearing skills.
A new system uses fuzzy logic to automatically detect room acoustics and speaker placement, providing each listener with their own personalized
Researchers identified a brain region that processes sound location and motion, with impaired function leading to 'cortical motion deafness'. The study provides evidence of an auditory motion module within the right posterior superior temporal gyrus.
A UCLA/UA study reveals that the ear plays a crucial role in processing auditory signals, influencing speech and language development. The left ear provides extra amplification for tones like music, while the right ear enhances rapid sounds like speech.
Researchers at Indiana University and Leiden University found that tiny changes in a parrot's tongue position can significantly affect the qualities of its sounds. This discovery sheds light on the complex communication systems of birds, which are comparable to human speech.
Researchers found that Monk parakeets change their vocal-tract formant frequencies and amplitudes with tongue movements, suggesting a role for lingual articulation in mimicking human speech. This discovery also implies that lingual articulation may underlie the natural vocalizations of parrots.
Researchers at University College London found that humans use a strategy similar to barn owls for sound pitches above middle-C, while gerbils adapt to detect low-pitched sounds. The study suggests the brain adopts an efficient strategy to locate sound sources, adapting to different frequencies.
Researchers studied beaked whale responses to sound frequencies and decibel levels, revealing overestimated deep water impacts and new insights into shallow water reverberations. The study aims to improve safety guidelines for seismic operations in U.S. waters.
A new method of recording sound uses multiple microphones spaced around a head-sized ball to capture cues for direction, distance and movement. The system reproduces what the listener would hear in reality, including ambient sounds and echoes in different spaces.
University at Buffalo researchers have created an innovative animal model to study tinnitus treatment, allowing them to monitor individual neurons in the brain during phantom sound perception. The model, developed with a $167,000 grant, enables researchers to measure changes in neural activity before and after inducing tinnitus.
Research reveals that specialized teaching can give dyslexic brains a 'jump start,' activating key areas used by normal readers. Training the meaning word form and sounds improves ability to analyze sounds and words in specific brain regions.
A team of Tufts researchers analyzed 10 trumpets, including five cryogenically treated ones, and found no improvement in sound quality. The study suggests that differences from player to player and instrument overshadow any changes caused by freezing the trumpet.
Research by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center reveals that hearing can significantly improve the ability of individuals with mildly impaired eyesight to locate objects in space. The study found that when sound was added, participants with nearsightedness were able to perform as well as those with normal vision.
Researchers have discovered that three species of cassowaries can produce low-frequency sounds that may be similar to those made by dinosaurs. The birds' helmet-like casques are thought to serve a function in sound reception and could provide clues about dinosaur communication.
Researchers found that exposure to synthetic cannabinoids can disrupt attention and performance in tasks requiring sustained focus. The study's findings suggest that cannabis users may experience serious long-term attention problems.
Dr. Thomas Rossby is recognized for his groundbreaking acoustically tracked floats and innovative methods to measure ocean currents, offering new insights into the North Atlantic circulation. His work has revolutionized our understanding of physical ocean processes using sound in the sea.
Research found that young children prefer and pay more attention to sounds than visual images when presented simultaneously. The study suggests that processing visual information is not difficult for children, but they have an auditory preference that helps them acquire language.
Researchers discovered a corollary discharge inhibition mechanism that enables crickets to hear external sounds during song production, preventing desensitization. This allows males to defend their territory and respond to noisy predators.
The URI Oceanography team is conducting a two-year research expedition off the coast of Africa to investigate horizontal ocean mixing. The deployment of 92 subsurface RAFOS floats will help scientists understand eddy stirring and mixing in this poorly understood region.
Researchers discovered that fusiform cells in the cochlear nucleus integrate acoustic information with head and ear position information to pinpoint sound sources. The study found that synapses transmitting acoustic information are stable, while those carrying head and ear position information exhibit plasticity.
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a compact chiller that uses sound waves to cool ice cream, achieving temperatures below freezing point with minimal energy consumption. The innovative system, powered by high-amplitude sound energy, has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume refrigerated foods.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a compact freezer case using sound waves to substitute chemical refrigerants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Navy has funded the project and is exploring its potential for distributed cooling systems on carriers.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a small 'thermoacoustic refrigerator' that uses sound energy to generate cooling, potentially replacing chemical refrigerants. The device operates near resonance frequencies and achieves efficiencies as high as 89% without lubricants or sliding seals.
The study found that household damages were not always proportional to levels of ground motion, with average damages being almost identical in high and medium ground motion zones. The majority of damage ($913 million) occurred in the medium ground motion zone, which is where nearly 60% of Puget Sound households are located.
Researchers measured the chemical reactions and light emission from a single water bubble excited by sound waves, finding temperatures high enough to break water molecules apart. The experiment showed that only a small fraction of sound energy is converted into light, with most energy going into mechanical energy.