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Noise from ships scares porpoises

A new study by researchers at Aarhus University found that porpoises stop feeding and change their movement patterns when exposed to heavy ship noise. The study, which used electronic tags to track the porpoises' behavior, provides insight into how human activities impact these marine animals.

Music really is a universal language

Vocal songs serving similar functions tend to sound similar worldwide, regardless of cultural background. Listeners from diverse countries accurately inferred song functions based on brief musical excerpts.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 25, 2018

Computational study of world music outliers reveals countries with distinct recordings

A computational study by Queen Mary University of London has identified Botswana as the country with the most distinct musical recordings globally. The researchers found that China has the most spatial outliers compared to its neighboring countries, highlighting unique timbral characteristics such as the butterfly harp string instrument.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 21, 2017

New method for monitoring fetal heartbeat

Researchers have successfully isolated fetal heart sounds from background noise using a mathematical technique, allowing for potential non-invasive and low-cost fetal monitoring at home. This could inform doctors about fetal health and make pregnancy safer by enabling long-term monitoring between checkups.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateSep 11, 2017

Researchers design sounds that can be recorded by microphones but inaudible to humans

Researchers at the University of Illinois have designed a sound that is completely inaudible to humans yet is audible to any microphone. This technique, called 'BackDoor,' has numerous applications, including securing private conversations and protecting confidential meetings from electronic eavesdropping. The signal can also be used t...

So long, stethoscope? New device and iPhone alter exams

A new portable device called HeartBuds detects sounds inside the body as well as traditional stethoscopes, while also being more sanitary. The technology has been shown to perform just as well as expensive stethoscope models in detecting heart murmurs and carotid bruits.

SourceMediaSource·JournalJournal of Mobile Technology in Medicine·DateNov 11, 2015

Sticky situation

Researchers at the University of South Carolina developed a method to identify deteriorated magnetic tapes using infrared spectroscopy. The technique can distinguish between intact and degraded tapes, which have similar appearances but different chemical compositions.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateOct 14, 2015

Keeping hungry jumbos at bay

Elephant soundscapes tested for effectiveness in deterring night-time raids on farmland in southern India, with results showing 90% success rate using tiger sounds and 73% using leopard sounds. The study's findings suggest a potential solution to the growing problem of human-elephant conflict in agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalOryx·DateMar 31, 2015

World-class orchestras judged by sight not sound

Researchers found that world-class orchestras can be accurately identified by silent video footage, but not through sound recordings. Participants scored significantly better when shown video-only clips than when played audio clips, suggesting visual cues about group dynamics and leadership play a crucial role in judgment.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateMar 3, 2014

Whither the teakettle whistle

A team of engineers has accurately modeled the whistling mechanism in a classic stovetop kettle, identifying two-mechanism process of whistle production and potential solutions to noisy plumbing issues. The study's findings reveal that swirling vortices create the siren sound, which could help eliminate annoying noises.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 15, 2013

Making music with real stars

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology's Sonification Lab converted numerical data from Kepler telescope star data into sounds to create a musically appealing melody. The team used this sound in a song by Echo Movement, showcasing the potential of sonification as a tool for analyzing large data sets.

Brain center for 'sound space' identified

A team of researchers has identified the region in the brain responsible for perceiving sound space. The study used an improved experimental design to map the auditory spatial location center and found that the planum temporale is activated when people locate sounds in space, indicating a nonintentional representation of spatial location.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateSep 19, 2007

Moths mimic sounds to survive

Researchers discovered that tiger moths use ultrasonic clicks to warn bats of their bad taste, allowing them to survive in a predator-rich environment. The study provides the first definitive evidence of acoustic mimicry as a defensive strategy.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 30, 2007

Folded sediment unusual in Sumatran tsunami area

The study reveals that sediment folding may have contributed to the massive 2004 Sumatra tsunami. The unusual shape of the upper plate boundary, resembling a suspension bridge, created an area with multiple peaks and valleys that amplified water displacement when the plate snapped back.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeology·DateFeb 2, 2007

Among Wrens, Moms Teach Daughters To Call, Dads Teach Sons, Study Reveals

Researchers discovered that certain male songbirds like stripe-backed wrens learn calls only from their fathers, while females exclusively learn from their mothers. This unique vocal instruction system reflects sex and kinship in birds' communication, providing insights into avian behavior and social dynamics.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateApr 7, 1998