Researchers found that new vibration absorbers can reduce wheel squeal in public rail systems, but had a modest impact on rolling noise. The devices attach to the wheels or tracks of rail transit systems and may be effective in reducing wheel squeal, but more testing is needed to fully understand their effectiveness.
Researchers found that even DOD-approved soundproof rooms can be compromised by poor design and sealing issues. To improve security, acoustic door seals and mandatory entry vestibules are proposed as remedies.
Brazilian researchers assessed caxirola sound levels and found them comparable to a normal conversation, with only slight differences from vuvuzela noise. They also analyzed instrument vibrations, finding variations in frequency and intensity over time.
Scientists recorded and identified the sizzling sound of glacier ice as it melts, a phenomenon caused by trapped air bubbles escaping from the disappearing ice. This discovery could help researchers better monitor polar environments and track changes in glacier melt rates using underwater hydrophone recordings.
Researchers discovered liquid foams have low effective sound velocities, ranging from 20 to 60 meters per second, lower than its constituents. The type of foaming solution influences acoustic properties, with shaving foam showing a higher effective sound velocity.
A team of researchers led by WPI's Gregory Fischer will test a new minimally invasive approach to treating brain tumors using a robot designed to work within an MRI scanner. The system promises to accurately destroy malignant tissue while leaving surrounding tissue unaffected, offering a significant improvement over current treatments.
Researchers developed an infrared camera system to automatically spot whales in the surrounding sea. The system uses a thermal sensor to detect temperature differences and software to analyze video streams for whale spouts.
Researchers developed a computer-based tool to analyze babies' cries for subtle acoustic features that can indicate neurological problems or developmental disorders. The new analyzer uses machine learning algorithms to evaluate over 80 parameters, offering non-invasive ways to measure disruptions in young babies' brains and behavior.
Margaret Cheney, a leading researcher in inverse problems and radar imaging, will deliver the AWM-SIAM Sonia Kovalevsky Lecture. Her work has developed solutions to longstanding problems in radar imaging using Microlocal Analysis, a method largely unknown to the radar community.
A £3.5 million project aims to reconstruct primitive musical instruments and reach conclusions about the type of music played on them using archaeological evidence and specialist performers.
A Stanford University study reveals that sound waves from earthquakes can reach land tens of minutes before a massive tsunami, potentially providing an early warning. The research identifies a specific acoustic signature that could indicate the presence of a tsunami-generating earthquake, allowing for faster-acting warning systems.
Researchers from UT Austin found that small fires can muffle the PASS device's alarm, merging its two distinct whistles into one. Increasing the alarm volume may help mitigate this issue.
A team of researchers has created a new type of microphone modeled on the sensitive ears of a parasitic fly, achieving better acoustical performance than what is currently available in hearing aids. The design uses a microelectromechanical microphone with active Q control and optical sensing, reducing noise floor by 17 decibels.
A study found that Cuban tree frog chorusing impairs the acoustic behavior of green tree frogs, causing them to double their call rate. The researchers suggest this may come at a cost, diverting energy away from essential functions.
Researchers found that visual cues like texting improve performance in noisy environments, making it easier to understand messages. Adding text messaging as a supplement to audio presentation significantly reduces difficulties in communication during auditory overload situations.
A new system of inflatable sound absorbers can modify a performance hall's acoustics to accommodate various musical styles, such as classical and rock. The technology has been shown to lower reverberation times by up to 45% in relevant frequency bands.
Research by Iowa State University engineers found that ultrasound consistently enhances biomass conversion into high-value fuels and chemicals. The technology also accelerates lignin removal, hydrolysis of corn starch, and transesterification, leading to faster production times and potentially significant cost savings.
Researchers have studied cicadas to understand their sound production, which is unique in the insect world. The cicada's chirp is nonlinear and involves a ribbed membrane that vibrates when its body deforms.
Scientists have created global maps showing how shipping noise affects the ocean, with high levels appearing in northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and along major shipping routes. The models take into account factors like water temperature, pressure, and sediment type to predict sound wave propagation.
A new approach achieves independent listening zones within a car by using small, modified speakers to produce directional sound fields. The new design optimizes audio signals used to drive each of the speakers, reducing intergenerational audio conflict in cars.
Researchers studied how speakers from central Ohio pronounce 'for' and 'for a,' finding that Neil Armstrong's quote is highly compatible with either interpretation. The study sheds light on understanding how people perceive meaning in spoken language.
Scientists at KIT successfully demonstrated a method to influence the propagation of heat around objects by using specially arranged materials. By creating an annular structure with copper and silicon, they can control how heat flows around hidden areas, making it ideal for applications such as microchips and machines.
Researchers will showcase advancements in sound technology, including virtual acoustic environments, novel microphone designs, and innovative methods for monitoring oil spills. The event aims to bring together experts from physics, engineering, and medicine to share their latest discoveries.
A new study published in PLOS ONE tracks the movements of individual humpback whales to their singing patterns on a Northwest Atlantic feeding ground. The researchers used passive acoustic tracking to localize whale songs and relate them to specific behaviors, providing valuable insights for marine mammal conservation and management.
Researchers used acoustic monitoring to record cod grunts in the wild for the first time, finding that male cod produce low-frequency sounds during spawning season. The study provides insights into cod behavior and distribution, informing conservation efforts.
The NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft is undergoing rigorous environmental testing at Lockheed Martin facilities. The tests simulate extreme temperatures, vacuum, and vibration to ensure the spacecraft can operate in space.
Ant pupae employ acoustics to signal their rightful place in the colony's hierarchy, influencing adult ants' behavior. Researchers discovered that pupae make sounds similar to adults with 'file and scraper' organs, essential for maintaining social status.
The Jordan Baruch Stem Cell Research Fund was dedicated at Ben-Gurion University to support scholarly collaboration and the Center for Regenerative Medicine, Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Research. The fund aims to develop treatments for debilitating diseases such as diabetes, ALS, Parkinson's, and leukemia.
The 'Smart stethoscope' assesses the effectiveness of shock wave lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones by analyzing echoes after each shock wave hits the stone. This device has been shown to achieve high accuracy (94.7%) in clinical trials, reducing the need for repeat therapy and x-ray monitoring.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science graduate student won a video contest recognizing her pioneering work on bio-acoustics and larval fish navigation. The award highlights the importance of science communication, with Erica co-directing a marine science film festival.
A recent study published in Autism Research found that six-month-old infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder produce cries with higher and more variable fundamental frequency than low-risk infants. The study suggests the potential of cry acoustics as an early screening method for autism.
Researchers have developed self-powered sensors that can harness heat from nuclear reactors to transmit data, addressing a critical monitoring issue. The sensors use thermoacoustic technology, exploiting the interaction between heat and sound waves to operate without electronic power or moving parts.
A new damping technique has been developed to combat painful vibrations in baseball bats, targeting the sweet spot where vibrations between 600-700 Hz cause pain. The technique involves a mass-spring device that quickly eliminates these painful oscillations, reducing shock and discomfort for players.
Researchers predict that global warming will acidify saltwater sufficiently to make low-frequency sound travel twice as far as it currently does. This could lead to a clearer understanding of the sound environment of marine mammals and the effects of human activity on their habitats.
The U.S. Navy awarded Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory a $853 million contract over the next 10 years to support critical defense research and development. The award enables ARL to carry out research in guidance, navigation, and materials science.
A NOAA-led study reveals that high levels of background noise from ships have reduced the ability of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales to communicate with each other by about two-thirds. The study found that right whales now find themselves living in a world full of acoustic smog, making it difficult for them to gather ...
The Navy awarded nearly $4.5 million to six research projects led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers, including Eric Terrill, to acquire instruments from California and Massachusetts manufacturers. The funding will support studies in coastal oceanography, deep-ocean acoustics, and other areas.
Selected acoustic research papers are now available in lay language summaries. The collection explores various topics including microorganism trapping for water purification and the development of speech perception in monolingual and bilingual infants. Researchers also investigate ways to improve orchestra pit acoustics for musicians.
Researchers explore how humans perceive sound in complex environments and track patterns over time. Volcanoes' low-frequency sounds offer insights into eruption behavior, while acoustic diodes promise improved ultrasound imaging.
Researchers at KIT have successfully manufactured a pentamode metamaterial, also known as a metafluid, which exhibits unique mechanical properties. The material's behavior is determined by varying parameters, allowing it to mimic the properties of water and other substances.
A new study found that each step of the marine food chain is controlled by the trophic level below it, with prey distribution playing a crucial role. The research reveals that the spatial pattern of resources, or patchiness, is more important than the overall abundance of food.
A new coupled normal mode method is presented to solve range-dependent propagation problems in underwater acoustics. The proposed method is accurately validated through comparison with analytical solutions and demonstrates high computational efficiency.
Charles C. Church will receive the prestigious award for his 30-year commitment to AIUM and extensive research on high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy, among other notable achievements.
New research reveals that toddlers don't respond to their own voice in the same way as adults, requiring alternative strategies for controlling speech production. Four-year-olds are shown to monitor their speech similarly to adults, while two-year-olds do not, hinting at a possible reliance on caregivers' feedback.
Researchers are developing innovative technologies to improve hearing, including adaptive noise control and speech enhancement. Additionally, musical training has been shown to enhance speech perception, while artificial ears inspired by bats and ultrasounds are being explored for medical applications.
A team of scientists, including students from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, studied the sounds of California mantis shrimp to understand their communication methods. They found that males made rhythmic 'rumbles' in groups of three to attract females and defend territories.
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.
North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay are at high risk of being struck by boat propellers while feeding on copepods, which school just below the surface. Researchers have found that these whales spend most of their time between the surface and 13 feet below, making them invisible to boats.
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.
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.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique to calm the vibrations of a microscopic aluminum drum to the quantum ground state, allowing for longer storage of individual packets of energy. The drum's motion is slowed by applying microwave light, enabling applications in quantum computing and testing of quantum theory.
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.
Acoustics researchers at the University of Adelaide are developing a computer model to predict wind farm noise output, aiming to reduce 'wind turbine syndrome'. The team hopes to control noise through blade shape changes and active devices, improving wind energy efficiency.
Researchers at the Boys Town National Research Hospital found that noisy classrooms significantly affect young students' ability to learn. Meanwhile, a new study on deaf infants with cochlear implants shows they don't automatically know how to listen when people speak. Cognitive psychologists also explored the power of single words in ...
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.
Researchers found beaked whales use specific ocean features like salinity and temperature to find their prey, which varies from 400-1000 meters. The study provides evidence of the distribution and feeding habitat of Blaineville's beaked whales relative to ocean features.
Researchers have created a simple bench-top technique to harness the force of acoustical waves, enabling the creation of various 3D structures. This technology has the potential to become a platform technology for the creation of new materials with extensive flexibility in terms of periodicity and material variety.
A team from Vienna and Munich has developed a numerical solver to predict the design-limited damping of mechanical resonators, enabling the creation of more efficient devices. The solver uses quantum mechanics to calculate the radiation of phonons from the resonator, removing the need for trial and error prototype fabrication.
Benjamin Clough, a doctoral student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has developed a novel method for eavesdropping on terahertz information hidden in invisible plasma acoustic bursts. His technique uses sound waves to boost the distance from which researchers can use powerful terahertz technology to remotely detect hidden explosiv...
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing artificial hair cell sensors that mimic nature's ability to sense vibrations and movement. These biologically inspired sensors have the potential to improve medical device performance, enhance robotic capabilities, and create new consumer goods.