Articles tagged with Sonar
Mexican free-tailed bats employ a unique strategy by jamming the sonar of competitors to capture prey in complete darkness. The researchers observed that bats almost always missed their prey when another bat was jamming them, and this behavior increased with precise timing and frequency.
New research suggests that bats' brains use the temporal binding hypothesis to focus on targets in cluttered scenes, which could inspire new navigation technology. By studying bat echolocation, scientists have developed a better understanding of how to design radar and sonar systems for real-time performance.
Researchers found that prestin, a key hearing gene, has evolved independently to play a critical role in echolocation of bats and dolphins. The protein enables these animals to navigate through murky waters or find food in the dark using high-frequency sound waves.
Researchers at MIT describe a new technique that could reduce the number of sensors needed for terahertz or millimeter-wave imaging by a factor of 10, enabling more practical high-resolution imaging systems. The technique exploits the sparsity of scenes in certain ranges, allowing for efficient reconstruction without aliasing.
A study by the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that commercially available sonar systems produce signals within the hearing range of killer whales and other marine mammals. The sounds are quiet but audible to animals beyond a few hundred meters, potentially affecting their behavior.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully demonstrated the world's first three-dimensional acoustic cloak, rerouting sound waves to create an illusion of emptiness. The device has potential applications in sonar avoidance and architectural acoustics, altering sound wave trajectory to match a flat surface.
Researchers found that bats detect water ripples created by male túngara frogs' calls, which aids in hunting. The discovery sheds light on an evolutionary arms race between frogs and bats.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that bats rely on vision for navigation and orientation, while using echolocation to detect small prey in low light conditions. This unique combination of senses gives bats a significant advantage in hunting and surviving in the night.
Researchers discovered that the Pallas long-tongued bat uses stealth echolocation to catch moth prey, employing high-frequency but low-intensity calls that evade the insects' auditory systems. This finding suggests that more bats may benefit from this stealthy approach, previously only known in the European barbastelle bat.
Researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute used underwater robots to survey a marked dump site off the coast of Southern California. The survey revealed numerous 55-gallon drums and other marine debris, but no chemical munitions were detected.
Researchers found that bats and toothed whales produce similar sounds for echolocation in the frequency range of 10-200 kHz. This convergent evolution helps them navigate and catch prey in their respective environments. The study reveals surprising similarities between these species, challenging traditional notions of adaptation.
Moths hear at 80 kHz to detect bats, but this ability also leads to unnecessary sound impressions and energy waste. Researchers found that moths' eardrums are more sensitive than small insects', allowing them to survive in environments with high-frequency bat calls.
Researchers found that some blue whales changed their diving behavior or temporarily avoided important feeding areas when exposed to simulated mid-frequency sonar sounds. The responses were complex and depended on various factors, including the whales' depth of feeding and location.
A new study finds that certain hawkmoth species produce ultrasonic sound as a defense against bats. The researchers used high-energy lamps and pre-recorded bat sounds to capture the insects' behavior, revealing a system that jams the echolocation ability of their predators.
Researchers at MIT have developed a system called Wi-Vi that uses low-cost Wi-Fi technology to track human movement through walls and closed doors. The system cancels out reflections from static objects, allowing it to detect only moving humans.
Researchers found a massive cone-shaped structure made of basalt stones weighing an estimated 60,000 tons, dating back to the early Bronze Age. The site is believed to be connected to ancient city of Beit Yerah and may provide insights into geological history.
Researchers at Wake Forest University found that tiger moths can detect an increase in a bat's cry rate and sound intensity, triggering the moth's defense mechanism. The study shows that the tiger moth's tymbal can jam the bat's sonar up to 93% of the time, allowing it to evade attack.
Research reveals Ganges river dolphins produce low-intensity echolocation signals at surprising frequencies, while freshwater dolphins look for prey closer to home. The study provides a new perspective on the evolution of echolocation among toothed whales.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that freshwater river dolphins use lower frequency biosonar clicks, but their unique head anatomy may help keep signals focused. This study provides a valuable tool for conservation biologists to prevent species decline and estimate population sizes.
NTU scientists developed a fish-inspired sensor that uses water pressure and computer vision technology to create a 3D image of nearby objects, mapping its surroundings. This affordable sensor can potentially replace expensive cameras and sonars on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.
Researchers found that dolphins can use echolocation with near-perfect accuracy continuously for up to 15 days. Unihemispheric sleep allows them to remain alert and breathe at the surface of water even when half-asleep.
Ecologists have developed a Europe-wide online tool, iBatsID, that can accurately identify 34 different bat species across the continent. The tool uses echolocation calls to distinguish between species, with most accurate identifications reaching over 80% accuracy.
Researchers found that bats are more likely to attack fly pairs during mating due to the noisy wing movements, which can be detected by echolocation. This study provides experimental evidence that the sound of copulating flies can make them detectable for bats.
Researchers have developed a system that mimics dolphins' nonlinear sonar processing to distinguish targets from clutter in bubbly water. This technology has potential applications for detecting sea mines and other underwater targets.
Researchers have designed an algorithm that enables robots to navigate and view complex structures on ships, including propellers and shafts, using sonar data. The system can detect small mines as small as an iPod and significantly improves the robot's path length, making it competitive with divers in speed and efficiency.
Researchers deployed a combined sonar system to monitor fish and diving seabirds interacting with tidal turbines. The study aims to understand how water flow and turbulence affect marine wildlife, informing the development of renewable energy structures.
Researchers discovered that false killer whales can focus their echolocation beams on targets using a strategy called 'acoustic squint', increasing beam width when faced with harder tasks. By plotting the path of acoustic beams, they found that wider beams were focused furthest away, allowing Kina to target specific objects.
Researchers have developed an interactive tool to visualize how changes in date and weather conditions affect bat presence at wind energy facilities. The tool can help reduce bat fatalities by maximizing energy production on nights with low fatality risk while minimizing impacts on migratory bats.
Researchers found that bat brains process echolocation and social calls in a lateralized manner, with the right hemisphere handling navigation and the left hemisphere processing communication sounds. This study provides insights into the neural basis of sound processing and may lead to new treatments for human communication disorders.
Tel Aviv University researchers create mathematical models using machine learning and signal processing to improve echo localization and accuracy in medical imaging. The new technology could lead to earlier detection of defects in embryos and non-invasive cancer tumor detection.
Students from three schools will use robotic submarines to map and monitor shipwrecks scuttled by Lord Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown. The project aims to conserve these historical sites and introduce students to advanced robotics and marine science.
Researchers at Caltech found that leeches rely on two distinct methods to detect prey: hairs detecting water disturbances and simple eyes picking up passing shadows. In adulthood, the preference shifts to using water disturbances alone.
Researchers from UNH and NOAA successfully mapped over 17,000 square kilometers of the Gulf of Mexico using multibeam sonar technology. The technology detects gas seeps in the water column with remarkable accuracy, providing essential data for understanding ocean environments and regulating oil-drilling activities.
Scientists have discovered 'superfast' muscles in bats that allow them to navigate and hunt in total darkness using echolocation. These muscles can contract up to 100 times faster than typical body muscles, enabling the rapid succession of calls needed for successful hunting.
Researchers found that bats control echolocation calls with the fastest-contracting muscle type, enabling them to produce calls at rates of up to 190 calls per second. This allowed bats to better track insects in flight and make them successful hunters.
Egyptian fruit bats exhibit sophisticated spatial orientation using echolocation, adjusting their 'field-of-view' by altering sonar beam width and intensity in response to environmental complexity. This adaptability enables them to track targets and avoid collisions in dense environments.
A Woods Hole team joins forces with NOAA to map and survey shipwrecks off North Carolina, a critical piece of WWII history. The mission aims to create detailed 3D images of wrecks using ROVs and dive teams, providing insights into the marine environment and potential new discoveries.
Researchers reveal how bats interpret echoes to distinguish targets from background clutter, using a mental fingerprint of emitted sound and echo. The bat's neurons process the information in as little as 3 microseconds, allowing for precise targeting even in complex environments.
Researchers at Brown University discovered how bats can distinguish between target echoes and background clutter using subtle changes in sound intensity. By delaying their neural response to weaker echoes, bats can effectively 'defocus' clutter, maintaining a clear image of the target.
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.
Blind individuals who have learned to echolocate use the 'visual' part of their brain to process clicks and echoes, allowing them to sense their surroundings and perform tasks like mountain biking and basketball. This study provides insight into the neural basis of natural human echolocation in blind experts.
Researchers found blind echolocators' brains process clicks and echoes in the 'visual' part of their brain, enabling independence. Sighted controls did not show similar echo-related activity.
Bats' varying ear shapes influence biosonar functionality, with implications for engineering applications such as SONAR and RADAR. The study's findings provide insights into the role of biodiversity in customizing general principles for different species.
A WHOI-led research team found that beaked whales respond to naval sonar exercises by ceasing foraging and making slow ascents to the surface. The study suggests that whales may require lower exposure thresholds than current regulations, but appropriate monitoring can reduce the risk of stranding.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered neurons in bats' brains that 'shush' irrelevant signals and amplify relevant ones, allowing bats to filter out background noise. This finding may help humans better understand how we process sound in complex environments.
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 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.
Researchers discovered that bats can differentiate between their own and different species using individualized echolocation calls, similar to how humans recognize voices. This ability may provide an advantage in hunting grounds, while also influencing community-level interactions.
Researchers have recorded and recreated Egyptian fruit bats' echolocation calls, allowing them to apply the technique to human engineering systems. The study will enhance information on robotic vehicles' locations, detecting structural flaws.
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.
A new study reveals that Egyptian fruit bats use an alternative strategy to detect and track targets. By alternating the direction of their sonar beam, they can pinpoint the location of a target but make it harder to detect in the first place. This approach optimizes pinpoint accuracy while sacrificing some detection ability.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that dolphins and bats evolved the same specialized inner-ear hair cells for echolocation, resulting in identical genetic changes. This unprecedented example of convergence highlights the complexity of evolutionary processes.
Two studies show that bats and toothed whales' echolocation abilities converge in the prestin gene, a hearing gene, leading to similar adaptations. The research suggests that convergence of complex traits like echolocation may be more common than previously thought.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario used state-of-the-art micro-computed tomography systems to collect detailed 3D scans of bat internal anatomy. The study identified a unique bone connection that distinguishes bats using laryngeal echolocation from those using tongue clicks.
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.
A Virginia Tech researcher has solved the mystery of the Bourret's horseshoe bat's unusually large nose, discovering it uses the elongated snout to create a highly focused sonar beam. The study provides insights into the evolution of biological shape and its physical function.
Researchers have successfully developed echolocation in humans, allowing blind individuals to identify objects and navigate their surroundings. The technique involves producing specific tongue clicks to detect echoes, with results showing potential for practical applications beyond aiding the visually impaired.
Researchers found that bats can distinguish between each other's vocalizations, which may aid in social behavior and recognition. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of bat behavior and social interactions.
Researchers Annemarie Surlykke and Elizabeth Kalko measured the volume of two 'whispering' bat species' calls, discovering they were actually shrieking at levels up to 110 decibels. The findings suggest that these bats use high-volume calls for echolocation in complex forest environments.
Researchers discovered that spinner dolphins engage in a choreographed 'dance' to enclose prey, before darting in organized pairs to feed. The study's findings expand knowledge of spinner dolphin behavior and open new avenues for scientific inquiry into underwater ecosystems.