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Convergence in the Canopy: Why the Gracixalus weii treefrog sounds like a songbird

Researchers found that Gracixalus weii treefrog's call is similar to a bird-like chirp of the Black-Breasted Thrush, highlighting the evolution of acoustic symbols in amphibians influenced by ecological interactions with birds. This phenomenon provides a reliable alternative to morphological or molecular diagnosis for cryptic species

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

How horses whinny: Whistling while singing

Horses produce high-frequency sounds by whistling through their larynx while vibrating vocal folds. Researchers found that the high-frequency component of the whinny is generated by a laryngeal whistle, shifting to higher frequencies when helium is used.

Elephant seals recognize their rivals from years prior

Researchers found that male elephant seals respond faster and change posture when hearing recorded calls of their old rivals. The seals also showed less aggressive behavior towards subordinate rivals. This suggests that the seals can remember individual voices even after a year.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Singing mice speak volumes

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are studying Alston's singing mice to better comprehend the evolutionary origins of vocal communication. The research may also hold clues for understanding strokes, autism, and other speech-related disorders. The study found that singing mice use a common brain region for both singing and ult...

Decoding a decade of grouper grunts unlocks spawning secrets, shifts

Researchers analyzed over 2,000 hours of underwater recordings to detect subtle shifts in red hind spawning behavior and population dynamics. The study found a notable shift in the balance of mating calls over the 12-year period, with calls linked to competition becoming dominant.

Twinkle, twinkle leopard seal: songs below the ice flow like nursery rhymes

Researchers at UNSW Sydney discovered that leopard seal songs share structural similarities with human nursery rhymes, featuring predictable patterns and low entropy. The study found that male seals spend up to 13 hours a day singing in two-minute cycles, with each individual creating a unique sonic signature.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Deep learning can help protect chimpanzees

Researchers are using deep learning to help protect chimpanzees in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, Tanzania. A new acoustic detector has been developed to identify chimpanzee sounds and monitor population density more efficiently, allowing for better conservation strategies.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Scientists uncover auditory “sixth sense” in geckos

Researchers found that geckos utilize the saccule, a part of their inner ear traditionally linked to balance, to detect low-frequency vibrations. This 'sixth sense' plays a complementary role in the geckos' normal hearing and sensory perception.

Researchers uncover brain region’s role in hearing and learning

A University of Maryland study reveals how the brain adapts to different listening situations, with the orbitofrontal cortex playing a central role. The findings may have implications for human health and well-being, particularly in conditions such as autism, dyslexia, or schizophrenia.

Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution

Scientists studying the rifleman bird found that its vocal signatures are similar when birds live near each other, suggesting they may learn their sounds. This challenges the traditional view of birds as either vocal learners or non-learners, and raises the possibility that many bird species possess rudimentary learning abilities.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

What do bird dreams sound like?

A team of researchers from the University of Buenos Aires has developed a method to translate the vocal muscle activity of birds during sleep into synthetic songs. This breakthrough uses electromyography data and dynamical systems models to recreate the sounds of dreaming birds, providing a new window into the subconscious mind of avians.

Midbrain awakens gift of gab in chatty midshipman fish

Research reveals that the midbrain of midshipman fish initiates and patterns sounds used in vocal communication. The findings suggest a functional comparable periaqueductal gray node between fish and mammals, which can influence acoustic structure of social context-specific vocal signals.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Broadband buzz: Periodical cicadas' chorus measured with fiber optic cables

A new proof-of-concept study demonstrates the use of distributed fiber optic sensing to detect and analyze the sound of periodical cicadas. The technology shows promise for charting the populations of these famously ephemeral bugs, with potential applications in monitoring insect abundance across seasons and years.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Fear of humans pervades the South African savanna

A recent study found that animals in the Greater Kruger National Park react with alarm to hearing human voices, fleeing waterholes and abandoning their habitat. The researchers used custom sound systems to compare the fear response of mammals to humans versus lions.

Unique voice print in parrots

Researchers discovered that monk parakeets possess a unique tone of voice, known as a voice print, similar to humans. This finding raises the possibility that other vocally flexible species may also have a voice print.

Noise from urban environments affects the color of songbirds’ beaks

A Florida Atlantic University study found that urban noise exposure during development affects the color of songbirds' beaks, which influence social interactions and mate choice. Males developed less bright beak coloration, while females developed brighter orange coloration than untreated birds.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Human empathy makes us better at understanding animal sounds

A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that individuals with high empathy scores can accurately detect emotional sounds in animals, including arousal and valence. The study involved 1024 participants from 48 countries and showed a significant correlation between empathy for humans and understanding animal sounds.

Hearing is believing: sounds can alter our visual perception

Research found that sounds can influence how we perceive objects visually, making related sounds prioritize certain features. This effect was observed in three experiments, showing that audio input influences object-morph selection speed and accuracy when played during visual discrimination phase.

How giant-faced owls snag voles hidden in snow

Great gray owls have a broad disc-like face that acts as radar to find food, while their facial features help correct for sonic distortions caused by snow. The owls' ability to hover above prey allows them to pinpoint location and avoid acoustic mirages created by the snow.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Bats growl like death metal singers and Mongolian throat singers

A new study reveals that bats use the same technique as human death metal singers and throat singing members to produce sounds. Bats can span 7 octaves with their vocal range, surpassing most mammals. The research team filmed what happens in a bat's larynx when producing sound, showing heavy vocal folds vibrating at low frequencies.

The case for speaking politely to animals

A study found that domesticated pigs and horses, as well as Asian wild horses, can tell the difference between positively and negatively charged sounds. The animals reacted stronger to negatively charged voices and showed mirroring of emotions.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

DeepSqueak tool identifies marine mammal calls #ASA182

A new tool called DeepSqueak uses deep learning to identify marine mammal calls with high accuracy, even in noisy environments. The tool was originally developed for rodent ultrasound signals but has been adapted to detect sounds at other frequencies, including humpback whales and delphinids.

These bats deter predators by buzzing like hornets

Researchers found that greater mouse-eared bats imitate the buzzing sound of a stinging insect to avoid predatory owls. The study, published in Current Biology, provides evidence of interspecific mimicry between mammals and insects.

Research reveals the sex secrets of amphibian singing choruses

A Dartmouth study using advanced recording technology reveals that females prefer lower frequency songs with low variance, while males time their songs to follow neighbors. The research shows how chorus composition and individual songs impact mating in wood frogs.

Echolocation builds prediction models of prey movement

Bats build prediction models of prey movement by analyzing echoes of their own vocalizations. This acoustic information facilitates navigation and foraging in total darkness. By integrating representations of prey echoes, bats can determine distance, size, shape, and density, as well as identify what they are tracking.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

A new approach to identify mammals good at learning sounds

A recent study found that most vocal learners, such as dolphins and whales, sound higher than expected based on their body size, not lower. This challenges the idea that faking body size is linked to vocal learning and suggests a different evolutionary scenario for vocal communication in mammals.

Baby seals can change their tone of voice

Researchers studied harbour seal pups' vocal responses to sea noise, finding they lowered their tone to adapt. The study reveals young seals have advanced control over their vocalizations at an early age.

How to decode the meaning of melodies in animal vocalizations

Studies have shown that melodies in animal vocalizations share similarities with human languages, suggesting a parallel evolution. This led researchers to investigate how animals perceive melodic patterns, finding potential candidates in universal structures across languages.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Decoding birds’ brain signals into syllables of song

By reading electrical signals in a bird's brain, researchers can predict specific syllables and when they will be sung. This breakthrough technology has the potential to develop vocal prostheses for humans with speech disorders.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

The phantom chorus: birdsong boosts human well-being in protected areas

A recent study by California Polytechnic State University found that exposure to recorded birdsong can significantly improve humans' sense of well-being, especially in protected areas. The researchers discovered that even short periods of time spent listening to birdsong can have a positive impact on mental health.

Zebra finches amazing at unmasking the bird behind the song

Researchers found that zebra finches can distinguish between 16-56 different birds based on their unique sounds, a feat previously thought possible only for humans. The birds' ability to recognize each other's vocalizations suggests sophisticated social communication and complex mapping skills.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Animals who try to sound 'bigger' are good at learning sounds

A study found that animals who try to sound 'bigger' are often skilled sound learners. Researchers analyzed the sounds and body size of 164 mammals and discovered that those who fake their size are frequently good at learning new sounds. This discovery may provide insight into human speech evolution.

APS tip sheet: Using bird song to determine bird size

Researchers analyzed recorded bird songs and found a relationship between sound frequency and body size, suggesting a biomechanics-based method for predicting bird sizes. The study also confirmed the correlation using museum specimens.

Study traces evolution of acoustic communication

A study tracing acoustic communication across land-living vertebrates reveals that the ability to vocalize dates back to 350 million years ago. The researchers found that this trait is associated with a nocturnal lifestyle, which provides an advantage for sound-based communication.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

National Park Service scientists: Does aircraft noise make birds more vocal?

Researchers analyzed nearly 1 million audio recordings from national parks, discovering a small increase in bird sound detection when aircraft noise is detected. The odds of hearing a bird sound rise by 2%, with effects lasting up to three hours and being more pronounced for birds previously exposed to similar sounds.

Building blocks of bird babble identified

Researchers at the University of Zurich and others identified two perceptually distinct sounds in chestnut-crowned babbler calls that are shared across different arrangements. The findings suggest that these elements are meaningless and may be an early step in the emergence of human language.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.