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Political left, right similarly motivated to avoid rival views

A new report from social psychologists at the University of Illinois Chicago reveals that people on both sides of the political aisle are motivated to dismiss opposing ideas and information. Approximately two-thirds of respondents declined a chance to win extra money to avoid reading statements that didn't support their position.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 25, 2017

A mother's voice may help stabilize preterm infants

A recent review of published research found that hearing their mother's voice can benefit the health of preterm infants. The study linked maternal voice exposure to physiological and behavioral stabilization, including fewer cardiorespiratory events.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateApr 5, 2017

When writing interferes with hearing

Researchers found that certain 'super-readers' with reorganized brain circuits perform better in tasks involving written words, while others with intact auditory-visual integration achieve more accurate results. This study highlights the crucial role of brain interactions in cochlear implant success.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2017

58 million Americans are exposed to loud, frequent noises, including firearms, at work and home

A recent study published in The Laryngoscope found that substantial noise exposures occur in occupational and recreational settings, with only a small percentage of those exposed wearing recommended hearing protection. Firearms use is a significant contributor to noise exposure, with only 58% of gun owners using hearing protection.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe Laryngoscope·DateMar 16, 2017

It's not your ears, it's your brain

Researchers found that older adults' brains degrade speech processing in quiet environments, making it harder to comprehend speech amidst background noise. The study suggests that brain training techniques may help improve speech comprehension in older adults.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Neurophysiology·DateOct 18, 2016

That jumping spider can hear you from across the room

Researchers discovered that jumping spiders can detect sounds at distances of over three meters, a finding that changes scientists' understanding of the world spiders live in. The spiders' hearing is most sensitive to frequencies associated with the wingbeats of parasitoid wasp enemies, prompting a startle response.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 13, 2016

How the brain merges the senses

Scientists propose a computational model explaining multisensory integration in humans, utilizing a Multisensory Correlation Detector. The brain detects similarity across visual and auditory signals to integrate stimuli, opening new clinical perspectives for neurological syndromes like Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dyslexia.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 2016

Brit accents vex US hearing-impaired elderly

A study from the University of Utah finds that older Americans with hearing loss have more trouble understanding British accents when there is background noise. The study also explores how transgender women can adopt a clearer speaking style to sound more feminine and how fast-talking affects speech intelligibility.

It is critical to screen patients with rheumatoid arthritis for hearing impairment

Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at risk of developing hearing impairment due to various factors such as synovial destruction and environmental exposures. Regular audiometric tests and TEOAEs can detect early stages of the disease, and treatment options include oral steroids and intensifying Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Rheumatology Journal·DateApr 22, 2016

Study shows levels of panda hearing

A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation reveals that giant pandas can detect sound into the ultrasonic range, potentially disrupting their reproductive success due to noise from human activities. The San Diego Zoo's contribution to this research has provided crucial insights into panda hearing sensitivity.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateMar 22, 2016

Wbp2 is a novel gene implicated in deafness

Researchers discovered a direct link between Wbp2 and progressive high-frequency hearing loss in mouse models and human clinical cases. The study found that Wbp2 expression loss leads to reduced hormone receptor expression and hearing impairment.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2016

Brain's 'amplifier' compensates for lost inner ear function

Researchers found that the adult brain's natural plasticity can compensate for a near-complete loss of auditory nerve fibers, restoring sensitivity to faint sounds but not complex sounds like speech. The brain's 'amplifier' at higher stages of processing acts as an amplifier, increasing sound detection abilities within normal limits.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNeuron·DateJan 28, 2016

The way you sound affects your mood

Researchers created an audio platform that modifies voices to sound happier, sadder or more fearful, and found participants' emotional state changed accordingly. The study suggests people don't always control their own voice to match emotions, but listen to it to gauge feelings.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2016