A new study by USC and Australian researchers finds that audio quality affects people's perception of information credibility. When sound quality is poor, viewers think talks are worse, speakers less intelligent, and research less important.
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Researchers developed new, open-source algorithms to automatically detect bat echolocation calls in noisy audio recordings using deep learning approach. The algorithms were trained on thousands of annotated audio datasets collected by citizen scientists, enabling reliable detection of bat calls in real-world recordings.
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.
The passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria over Puerto Rico temporarily disrupted the acoustic activity of snapping shrimp, reducing their calls, while increasing fish choruses. The storms also had lasting effects on insect sounds in dry forests, with a marked reduction in sounds after Hurricane Maria.
Researchers have detected snapping shrimp off the Oregon coast and believe their loud clicking noise may attract eastern Pacific gray whales. The crustaceans are typically found in warm waters but were previously unknown to inhabit the cooler coastal areas.
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.
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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.
A pilot study analyzing over 1,100 hours of birdsong reveals insights into the spread and diversity of bird species on Okinawa island. The research uses acoustic monitoring to track the influence of human activity on endemic species such as the Okinawa Rail and Ruddy Kingfisher.
A tsunami in Hawaii's Kona Coast provided a rare glimpse into underwater soundscapes without human disruption, revealing that boat traffic and sonar exercises create the loudest disruptions in bays. This study validates concerns about human noise pollution disrupting dolphin sleep patterns.
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.
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Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new approach to deliver immersive audio experiences by utilizing all available devices in a living room, such as laptops and wireless mini-speakers. The 'Media Device Orchestration' concept enables users to enjoy spatial audio in a more immersive and multi-layered way.
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...
Researchers from NC State University developed an ultra-thin sound diffuser that is 10 times thinner than existing designs, reducing echoes and improving sound quality. The new design uses less material and takes up less space, making it lighter and less expensive.
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VoCo enables users to edit audio tracks by typing a transcript, automatically synthesizing new words in the speaker's voice. The system uses an optimization algorithm to find and stitch together phonemes, producing natural-sounding results.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that providing a judicial warning when presenting transcript and video evidence to jurors improves their assessment of witness reliability. The research suggests that warnings are necessary in some cases, such as when video evidence is presented alone, and can help jurors consider the credib...
A new digital library of artery sounds recorded during Doppler ultrasound procedures will be created to help clinicians better interpret the data. The database aims to increase accuracy and confidence in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new, complex baleen whale call, named the Western Pacific Biotwang, with characteristics similar to those of minke whales. The five-part call was recorded in the Mariana Trench and features deep moans and a metallic finale.
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Researchers are investigating various vinyl formulations to enhance sound quality in classic vinyl records. Early studies suggest that materials such as wax cylinders are surprisingly stable when handled properly.
A study found that ICU noise levels significantly exceeded recommended limits, with average sound levels above 45 dBA and peaks exceeding 52 dBA. The authors recommend measures to reduce sound levels, including earplugs for patients and smart alarm systems.
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.
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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.
A team of neuroscientists identified a specific acoustic characteristic called 'roughness' that is unique to screams. This trait refers to how fast the sound changes in loudness, and it's measured in Hertz (Hz), typically between 30-150 Hz.
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.
Scientists at Toyohashi University of Technology used supercomputers to model air-reed instrument flow and sound. The study reveals the relationship between shape/material changes and tone generation, paving the way for new musical instrument designs.
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Fish larvae produce distinct 'knock' and 'growl' sounds within the hearing range of adult fish to maintain group cohesion during their pelagic journey. The sounds were observed in 70% of nighttime trials, suggesting a mechanism for larval communication.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London developed an automatic analysis technique to identify characteristics of bird sounds from recordings. The system combines feature-learning and classification algorithms to distinguish between bird species in a large dataset, with promising results in public contests.
Researchers found the bio-duck sound is made by Antarctic minke whales, which stay in ice-covered waters year-round or migrate to lower latitudes. The discovery helps improve understanding of the species' distribution, abundance, and behavior.
A new approach to estimate seabird populations uses sound recordings to monitor colony size. Researchers set up recorders on remote islands in the North Atlantic and developed an algorithm to automatically count seabird calls, resulting in a more accurate population estimate.
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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.
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.
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.
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A new technology allows for real-time acoustic recording and species identification in remote locations, providing reliable long-term data on tropical species. The system has been tested in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, enabling the analysis of over 1 million recordings and supporting conservation efforts.
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.
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.
New research reveals that medical ICU noise levels often exceed recommended limits, potentially leading to worse patient outcomes. Sleep disruption in the MICU has been linked to increased risk of delirium and immune dysfunction.
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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.
Researchers used hydrophones to record 24-hour sounds from the sea floor and found a wealth of biological sounds, including whale and dolphin calls. The study suggests that man-made noise could be a problem for some species, highlighting the importance of passive acoustic monitoring.
Scientists observed male topi antelopes in southwest Kenya faking alarm snorts to deceive females in heat, allowing for additional mating opportunities. The males' false alarms only occurred when females were in estrus, and the researchers found that these deceptions increased the males' chances of mating by nearly three times.
A recent study published in Psychological Science reveals that individuals with higher well-being engage in fewer solitary activities and more social interactions. The research suggests a link between deeper, more meaningful conversations and overall happiness.
Scientists have developed a new method to monitor underground movements using earthquake data, allowing for comprehensive mapping of the Earth's seismic activity. This breakthrough increases the number of locations that can detect seismic activity and enables monitoring from far deeper within the Earth.
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In diverse habitats, species in variable climates sing more complex tunes, indicating environmental adaptability. This connection reveals that birds may use song complexity as a display of learning ability and intelligence.
A team of scientists from Oregon State University and NOAA has documented the presence of endangered North Atlantic right whales in an area off Greenland, contrary to previous belief. The discovery highlights the importance of identifying key habitats for these fragile species as shipping lanes expand.
Researchers are developing a global monitoring network for ocean noise to protect endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale. The project uses 3-D buoys to record sounds from whales, fish, ships, and other sources in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
Researchers have released new audio recordings of ivory-billed woodpeckers, showing striking similarities to existing evidence. The findings suggest a high probability that multiple birds exist in the area, providing additional hope for the species' survival.
Cornell researchers have discovered audio recordings that suggest at least two birds, including the ivory-billed woodpecker, are present in Arkansas. The sound of a distinct double rap and nasal 'kent' calls have been confirmed by several top ornithologists, who initially disputed the initial evidence.
A research team has rediscovered the ivory-billed woodpecker in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas, with multiple sightings and frame-by-frame analyses of brief video footage. The evidence gathered during an intensive year-long search confirms that at least one male ivory-bill still survives in vast areas of bottomland swamp forest.
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.
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Researchers at the University of Florida found that human fetuses likely hear mostly low-frequency rather than high-frequency sounds, suggesting they hear vowels rather than consonants. The study's findings may have implications for premature babies exposed to a range of frequencies in their nursery environment.
A McGill University research project demonstrates streaming high-quality multichannel audio over the internet from Montreal to Los Angeles. The demonstration features renowned recording engineers mixing 12 channels of audio in real-time.
Marshall engineers reported a peak of 1,700 Leonids meteors per hour, confirming the accuracy of computer models used to predict meteor showers. The joint operation center worked well, with representatives from NASA, U.S. Air Force and University of Western Ontario collaborating to ensure safe satellite operations.
The Swissair disaster revealed a flaw in the rules governing black box flight recorders, leaving investigators without critical data. The aircraft's recorders stopped working six minutes before the crash due to a power failure, highlighting the need for backup power to prevent data loss.
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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.
The USGS network has been severely impacted by recent floods, with 146 streamflow measuring stations damaged or destroyed. This has hampered efforts to provide basic floodflow measurements, particularly in California where 79 gages were affected.
The USGS has prioritized flood-level data to emergency-management teams, providing information on past floods, likelihood of recurrence, and flood effects. Field crews have repaired telemetry equipment, despite interrupted real-time transmission, and will study landslides to determine cause and effect.