Mizzou researchers have discovered a way to 'listen' to molecules moving faster than the speed of sound, using photoacoustic spectroscopy. This technique could help unravel mysteries of astrochemistry and offer clues about the universe's composition, star formation, and life origins.
A large-scale study led by New York University found that children receiving biofeedback speech therapy improved their 'r' sound pronunciation at a much faster rate than traditional methods. This technology-enhanced treatment approach uses visual feedback to improve speech, making it easier for children to adjust and reducing frustration.
Researchers have found that stylolites in limestone rock samples disrupt sound wave propagation, particularly affecting secondary waves that form due to scattering. This discovery has implications for monitoring hydraulic fracture propagation in rock samples containing stylolites.
A large-scale study from the University of Michigan and University of Minnesota found no association between musical training and enhanced neural processing of sounds at early stages of auditory processing. Musicians demonstrated no greater ability to process speech in background sounds or changes in pitch than non-musicians.
A team of scientists has developed microrobots that use sound waves to coordinate into large swarms exhibiting intelligent-like behavior. The swarms can navigate tight spaces and re-form themselves, making them suitable for tasks like cleaning up pollution and delivering drugs directly to a problem area.
Researchers at Boston University developed a new ultra-open metamaterial that effectively silences a broader range of unwanted sounds while preserving airflow. This breakthrough enables practical acoustic silencing in diverse settings, such as factories, offices, and public spaces.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel nanodevice that manipulates light using sound waves, enabling precise control over color and intensity. This breakthrough has significant implications for various fields, including computer displays, virtual reality, and optical communications.
Researchers developed a low-cost visual microphone that listens with light instead of sound, capturing tiny vibrations on surfaces caused by sound waves and turning them into audible signals. The system uses single-pixel imaging to detect sound and can recover high-quality audio using everyday objects like paper cards and leaves.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method for visualizing stents through skin using photoacoustic microscopy, potentially reducing the need for surgical access and X-ray exposure. The technique uses sound waves generated by light absorption to create high-resolution images of stents in various conditions.
A study found that evaluators' musical experience influences the sight-over-sound effect, reducing its impact for those with auditory expertise. The study used Japanese high school brass band competitions and found no significant evidence of the effect in musicians, but a stronger presence in non-musicians.
A new study reveals that global ocean analysis products can replace expensive in-situ sound speed measurements for precise seafloor positioning. Global ocean analysis achieves centimeter-level accuracy, comparable to traditional methods, and reduces costs and logistical challenges in marine geodetic surveys.
Researchers developed a two-layer aerogel that mimics owl feathers and skin to mitigate sound pollution, offering high-performance, lightweight and durable sound-absorbing materials. The material can cancel out low-frequency noise and dampen high-frequency sounds, alleviating noise pollution from industrial equipment and traffic.
The research team developed a novel auditory technology that allows sound-based interaction between humans and robots, even in noisy environments. The technology facilitates sound-based recognition of human positions using only a single microphone.
A study conducted at a Japanese school found that classrooms with sound-absorbing materials experienced reduced crying rates among young children, who were able to communicate more clearly. The research aimed to raise awareness about the importance of acoustics in educational settings and inspire regulations.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED technology, allowing each pixel to emit different sounds. This breakthrough enables truly localized sound experiences in displays, enhancing realism and immersion.
Acoustic metamaterial enables pushing, rotating, and complex movements in 3D. Researchers can now move and position objects underwater without touching them directly, paving the way for applications like remote surgery and drug delivery.
A team of researchers has found that sound waves can create standing waves in semi-open spaces, potentially enabling resonance in shapes with open sides. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that resonance requires closed sides.
Researchers created a lightweight filter that can run on small microcontrollers, identifying and removing likely speech content from audio data before it's sent off the device. This helps balance utility and privacy, enabling devices like smart speakers to prioritize user security while still offering valuable sensing capabilities.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has found that cells can hear and respond to sound waves, leading to potential applications in medicine and healthcare. The study used acoustic pressure to induce cellular responses, revealing the suppression of fat cell formation and activation of mechanosensitive genes.
Scientists develop an ambisonic algorithm to simulate precise sound locations in 3D, reproducing sounds with high accuracy and precision. The AudioDome loudspeaker array achieves a spatial resolution comparable to human spatial acuity.
Researchers studied dipole eddies in the South China Sea, revealing unique sound-speed structures and acoustic propagation patterns. The team found that warm-core AEs decrease temperature, salinity, and sound speed, while cold-core CEs increase these factors.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique sound stimulation technology that alleviates motion sickness, reducing symptoms by up to a minute of stimulation. The device stimulates the inner ear with a specific wavelength of sound, activating the vestibular system and improving balance.
The study found that the 'pop' sound is caused by sudden expansion of carbon dioxide and air mixture in the bottle, as well as a strong cooling effect, resulting in high decibel emissions. The liquid level rises after opening, causing sloshing due to momentum transfer from the lid hitting the glass.
Scientists have developed a technology called 'audible enclaves,' which can create localized pockets of sound zones where only one person can hear. This innovation uses nonlinear ultrasonic beams to generate a privacy barrier between people for private listening, enabling sound and quiet zones.
Eliza Michalopoulou is leading a research project to improve ocean floor mapping using sound waves, aiming to understand the seabed's properties and characteristics. The goal is to enhance anti-submarine warfare strategies and contribute to global efforts like Seabed 2030 and Ocean Decade.
A study published in Physical Review Research reveals the intricate physical mechanisms involved in handclapping, including air flow, sound production, and resonance. The researchers found that the size and shape of the hand cavity affect the frequency of the clap, with cupped hands producing lower frequencies.
The study characterizes three key features of C. elegans auditory sensation: skin vibration, neuronal activation, and behavior. The research highlights the importance of the nAChR DES-2/DEG-3 receptor in auditory transduction.
A new study using OCT imaging revealed that nerve fibers in the inner ear adjust sound levels and compensate for hearing loss. In healthy mice, cochlear activity remained stable, but in mice with genetic hearing loss, cochlear function increased to enhance sensitivity.
A study reveals how skateboarders utilize skatesound as a sensory aid and social cue, despite being aware of its noise. The research also highlights the inclusive nature of skateboarding for those with neurodiverse traits.
Researchers analyzed over 30 years of data to discover key influences on fast ice thickness in McMurdo Sound. They found that storm events, air temperature, and winter wind speed cause annual fluctuations in thickness.
Researchers at Yale University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the human ear, revealing two previously unknown sets of modes that govern sound detection and amplification. These modes, which include low-frequency mechanical responses, place constraints on how hair cells respond to incoming sound waves.
Researchers in New Zealand recorded repeating, quack-like sounds in the '80s that were likely a conversation between multiple animals. The sounds, known as Bio-Duck, have never been conclusively identified despite theories that they may be made by Antarctic Minke whales.
A new study found that speech sounds have texture and shape to them, with R sounds associated with roughness and L sounds with smoothness. The research showed strong tendencies for matching trilled R sounds with jagged lines and L sounds with straight lines across cultures.
Researchers created digital reconstructions of Aztec death whistles and found they produce unique air turbulence, creating a chilling sound. Listeners perceived the whistle's sound as natural and organic, similar to human voices or screams, suggesting a symbolic association with mythological entities.
Researchers aim to shed light on how hearing impairment affects auditory perception, particularly in complex environments. They will use animal models to examine neural mechanisms contributing to difficulties in sound localization.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a headphone prototype that can create 'sound bubbles' around the wearer, allowing them to focus on conversations without external noise. The system uses AI algorithms and machine learning to track sound sources and suppress distant noises.
Researchers successfully generate guided sound waves on a microchip using lasers, enabling interactions with the environment and paving the way for new sensing technologies. The innovative approach uses special glass to contain sound waves, making it ideal for applications in signal processing and communication technologies.
An international team of researchers has discovered seven new species of tree frogs in Madagascar, characterized by their high-pitched whistling calls. The unique vocalizations are believed to serve as self-promotional advertisement calls to convey information about the male frog's suitability as a mate.
A new article investigates whether auditory magic tricks can be created for a blind audience, finding that the brain processes visual and auditory information differently. This study underscores the importance of making magic more inclusive for people with blindness.
A team of researchers at ETH Zurich created a method to suppress sound wave propagation in the backward direction without deteriorating forward propagation. They achieved this using self-oscillations and a circulator, which allows sound waves to travel only one way.
Researchers develop phonon lasers with enhanced power and precision, paving the way for real-world applications in medical imaging and deep-sea exploration. The breakthrough enables more sensitive and less harmful medical imaging techniques and improved communication and navigation for deep-sea vehicles.
A new deep learning-based inverse design method allows for the optimization of complex acoustic metamaterials, reducing noise pollution while maintaining ventilation. The approach enables ultra-broadband sound attenuation across various peak frequencies.
Researchers have confirmed the presence of two critically endangered shark species, broadnose sevengill and soupfin, in Puget Sound, highlighting changes in the Salish Sea's ecosystem. The discovery indicates potential changes in food webs and the need for continued monitoring.
A new study published in Optometry and Vision Sciences found that people with early vision loss are less accurate at estimating the distance of sound compared to those who lose sight later in life. This difficulty can have safety implications, such as judging distances while crossing roads.
Researchers discovered that fish like Danionella cerebrum use a combination of sound pressure and particle velocity to detect the direction of sounds underwater. This mechanism allows them to locate prey or predators despite the challenges of directional hearing in water.
Researchers used a closed-loop auditory stimulation approach to target alpha rhythms in the brain, revealing that sounds at specific phases can manipulate alpha oscillations. The study's findings suggest that sound stimulation could be used to enhance cognition and sleep in people with dementia.
Scientists at TIBI employed AI to enhance the design and production of nanofibers used in acoustic energy harvesters, resulting in higher power density and energy conversion efficiency. The AI-generated nanofibers produced better performance than conventionally fabricated devices.
Researchers found that the auditory system uses simple acoustic parameters to distinguish music from speech, with slower rates and more regular amplitude modulation sounding more like music. This understanding can potentially benefit people with aphasia and inform the design of rehabilitation programs using music therapy.
Researchers found spider webs match acoustic particle velocity for wide range of sound frequencies. Spider silk responds to air particles in a sound field, not just sound pressure, and may inspire new microphone designs.
Researchers found that electric guitar pickups generate an electric current through vibration of a magnetized string, affected by coil winding and variables like wire thickness and magnet type. This understanding enables guitarists to make informed pickup selections and adjustments.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed the first wide field-of-hearing metalens, overcoming traditional acoustic lens limitations. The device achieves up to 140 degrees of field-of-hearing without sound distortion, enabling new applications in acoustic imaging and high-sensitivity sensing.
A team of researchers from MIT created a lightweight, compact, and efficient mechanism to reduce noise transmission using a sound-suppressing silk fabric. The fabric uses vibrations to cancel out unwanted sounds in two different ways, one for small spaces and another for larger areas like rooms or cars.
A study by Staffordshire University has pinpointed microplastic pollution 'hotspots' in Long Island Sound using a new scientific method. The technique identified two primary and two secondary hotspots, with potential similarities between areas of high shipping traffic and higher microplastic concentrations.
Researchers found that synchronization of tail flaps in a school of fish reduces sound, with the single biggest key being alternating flaps rather than unison movement. This phenomenon could have significant implications for prey fish, allowing predators to perceive them as individual fish rather than a group.
The computational results show that tonal sound radiation occurs due to vortex collisions with orifice plates. The vortical structures change with velocity and orifice radius, leading to variations in frequency and sound mode.
A novel AI-based noise suppression system has been developed to improve the effectiveness of search and rescue drones during natural disasters. The system uses Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to accurately learn UAV propeller sound data and eliminate noise, allowing operators to clearly hear and recognize human sounds.
Researchers visualize second sound, a wave-like movement of heat, independent of physical particle motion in a superfluid. The findings expand understanding of heat flow in superconductors and neutron stars.
A new type of mechanical sensor, powered by sound waves, could monitor infrastructure and medical devices without battery replacement, reducing waste. The sensor can distinguish between different words and sounds, triggering processes or alarms.
Scientists from the Stiller Research Group have successfully cooled the temperature of a sound wave in an optical fiber to 74K (-194C), reducing phonon number by 75%. This achievement brings researchers closer to bridging the gap between classical and quantum mechanics.
A systematic review of 14 peer-reviewed studies found that video gamers are exposed to high sound levels, often exceeding permissible safe limits. The authors urge greater public health efforts to raise awareness of potential risks, as there were over 3 billion gamers worldwide in 2022.