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Imitation mosquito ears help identify mosquito species and sex

Researchers developed a detector that mimics a mosquito's antenna to identify species and sex based on sound patterns. The bioinspired device uses machine learning and speech recognition tools to differentiate between species and sex, offering a potential tool for disease-carrying mosquito identification and selective pesticide use.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 7, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mass Eye and Ear experts urge FDA to allow over-the-counter hearing aids

Hearing loss experts advocate for FDA regulation of over-the-counter hearing aids, citing barriers to access and the need for evidence-based products. The authors recommend premarket testing and clearer distinctions between hearing aids and wearable sound amplification products.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 18, 2020

Cows prefer "live" co-moo-nication, study reveals

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that cows are more relaxed when spoken to directly by a live human than when listening to a recorded voice. The researchers observed higher heart rate variability and lower heart rates after the live interaction, indicating improved mood.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 15, 2020

Sensory device stimulates ears and tongue to treat tinnitus in large trial

A non-invasive device has reduced tinnitus symptoms by up to 1 year, achieving high patient satisfaction. The bimodal technique uses sound and low-voltage electricity to stimulate the ears and tongue, providing a potentially effective treatment for this debilitating auditory disorder.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 7, 2020

New theory predicts movement of different animals using sensing to search

A Northwestern University research team developed a new theory that can predict the movement of an animal's sensory organs while searching for vital information. The theory, called energy-constrained proportional betting, provides insight into how animals gamble on energy expenditure to get useful information.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateSep 22, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Eyckian Lamb of God reveals her secrets

Chemical imaging modalities have helped reveal the Eyckian Lamb of God's hidden facial features, including v-shaped nostrils and forward-gazing eyes. A smaller, more naturalistically shaped body with a sagging back and rounded hindquarters has also been discovered, suggesting revisions to the original design.

SourceUniversity of Antwerp - Faculty of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 29, 2020

How bats cope with acoustic clutter

In cluttered environments, bats use lowest broadcast frequencies to detect nearby objects and ignore distant echoes. By ignoring long-delay echoes elicited by initial broadcasts, bats can accurately match echoes with corresponding broadcasts.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

In mouse study, black raspberries show promise for reducing skin inflammation

A mouse study found that consuming black raspberries can reduce swelling caused by contact hypersensitivity, a condition that triggers redness and inflammation in the skin. The researchers believe that black raspberries modulate dendritic cells, which help regulate the immune system's response to allergens.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNutrients·DateJul 2, 2020
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.

Why the Victoria Plate in Africa rotates

Researchers from GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam found that the rotation of the Victoria microplate is controlled by the configuration of weaker and stronger lithospheric regions. They used 3D numerical models to compute the dynamics of the last 10 million years, showing a best fit with GPS-derived data.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2020

Novel electric impulses relieve the pain

Researchers at TU Wien and MedUni Vienna have developed a novel method for electric stimulation of the vagus nerve in the ear. A microanatomical study revealed the optimal placement of tiny electrodes to stimulate the nerve, resulting in effective pain relief. The triphasic signal pattern was found to be particularly effective.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Neuroanatomy·DateMay 26, 2020

Causes of tinnitus

A team of researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg has developed a computer-based model to explain chronic tinnitus. The model is based on stochastic resonance, which amplifies white noise in the brain to compensate for hearing loss and increased nerve cell activity.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·DateMay 13, 2020
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.

Microbes linked to cancer in threatened California foxes, report Princeton researchers

Researchers at Princeton University have found a link between microbes and cancer in threatened Santa Catalina foxes, with ear mites and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius playing a key role. The study shows that a shift in the microbiome allows antibiotic-resistant infection to take hold, leading to chronic inflammation and tumor growth.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateFeb 4, 2020

Aarhus University opens the world's first center for ear-EEG

The university has received a grant to further develop the method, which measures small voltage changes on the surface of the skin inside the ear caused by electrical activity in the brain's neurons. The technology holds huge potential for research and applications, including characterizing hearing loss and exploring human sleep patterns.

SourceAarhus University·DateDec 19, 2019

Shaking head to get rid of water in ears could cause brain damage

Researchers at Cornell University and Virginia Tech found that shaking the head to free trapped water in the ear canal can cause brain damage in small children, due to acceleration of up to 10 times gravity. A solution using liquids with lower surface tension, such as alcohol or vinegar, may help remove water without causing harm

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 23, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Tracing the evolution of vision

Researchers find that opsin proteins and retinal enzymes have independent biological functions beyond vision, including hearing. This discovery challenges current understanding of eye evolution and highlights the importance of molecular components in multiple sensory pathways.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 22, 2019

Neanderthals commonly suffered from 'swimmer's ear'

A recent study revealed that Neanderthals had an exceptionally high frequency of external auditory exostoses, also known as 'swimmer's ear', in their remains. This suggests that they spent a significant amount of time collecting resources in aquatic settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2019
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.

Ear motions and Doppler shifts in bats' biosonar

Bat species use self-generated Doppler shifts to detect prey motions and navigate, revealing new principles for sensory systems. The study found that pinna motion parallel to echo propagation maximizes Doppler shift, providing information on echo source direction.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2019

Iconic Australian working dog may not be part dingo after all

A recent genetic study published in Genes journal found no detectable common DNA between domestic and wild Australian dogs, contradicting myths that kelpies originated from dingos. The research characterized gene variants of both kelpie types and compared them with those in sequenced Australian dingoes.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalGenes·DateMay 27, 2019

UC Riverside study busts myths about gossip

A UC Riverside study challenges long-held assumptions about gossip, finding that younger people gossip more negatively than older adults, while extraverts gossip far more frequently than introverts. The study also reveals that women gossip more in neutral conversations with friends, contradicting popular 'best habits of the rich' books.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMay 3, 2019
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.

Study identifies how Enterococcus faecalis bacteria causes antibiotic resistant infection

A genomic study of a 1980s hospital outbreak in Wisconsin reveals how Enterococcus faecalis bacteria adapts to the modern hospital environment and causes repeated antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections. Researchers identified mutations that allow the bacteria to resist antibiotics and develop new strategies for prevention and trea...

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 17, 2019

McSteen lab finds a new gene essential for making ears of corn

A team of scientists led by Paula McSteen identified a new gene called barren stalk2 (ba2) that affects the development of axillary meristems in corn plants. The ba2 gene interacts with another gene, barren stalk1 (ba1), to regulate ear formation.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Plant·DateMar 29, 2019
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Surfer's ear points to ancient pearl divers in Panama

Researchers found seven cases of surfers' ear in males and one in a female skull from sites near the Gulf of Panama. The bony growths are believed to be caused by cold water or stress in the ear canal, similar to bone spurs.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateDec 21, 2018

Exosomes 'swarm' to protect against bacteria inhaled through the nose

A research team from Massachusetts Eye and Ear discovered a new mechanism by which the immune system protects itself against bacteria inhaled through the nose. The 'exosome swarm' process involves tiny fluid-filled sacs that directly attack bacteria and shuttle protective antimicrobial proteins along the airway to protect other cells.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 12, 2018
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.

A dog's color could impact longevity, increase health issues

Research by University of Sydney reveals a link between chocolate Labrador coat color and reduced longevity, as well as higher rates of ear infections and joint conditions. The study also found that 8.8% of UK Labradors are overweight or obese.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCanine Genetics and Epidemiology·DateOct 21, 2018

Energy harvesting and innovative inputs highlight tech show gadgetry

Dartmouth's research projects demonstrate innovative thinking and technical skills essential for developing next-gen wearables. The lab developed a battery-free energy harvester, a novel conductive system for smartwatches, and self-powered gesture recognition using ambient light to power devices.

SourceDartmouth College·DateOct 15, 2018

People donate more when they sense they are being watched

A field study found that exposure to eyes increases donations by an average of $0.01 per patron, with a significant increase of $12 per week. The presence of eyes enhances people's reputational concern and motivates self-presentational behaviors.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateOct 15, 2018

Built-in sound amplifier helps male mosquitoes find females

Researchers found that male mosquitoes amplify female wingbeats using a phantom tone, creating an auditory illusion that helps them locate mates. The study's findings could lead to the development of acoustic lures for controlling disease-carrying mosquito populations.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2018
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.

Illinois researchers develop method to cancel noise without ear-blocking headphones

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has developed a new method for canceling noise without requiring ear-blocking headphones. By using wireless IoT networks, they can sense sounds and send them to an earpiece with enough time to produce a better anti-noise signal, effectively canceling out external sounds.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateAug 24, 2018

Autoimmune response drives vision loss in glaucoma

Researchers discover immune cells in eye contribute to progressive vision loss from glaucoma. Elevated eye pressure triggers autoimmune response attacking neurons, leading to optic nerve degeneration and permanent vision loss. The findings offer a promising new target for future therapies.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 10, 2018
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 Scream: What were those colorful, wavy clouds in Edvard Munch's famous painting?

Researchers at Rutgers University suggest that nacreous clouds with iridescent colors may have inspired the iconic red-and-yellow sky in Edvard Munch's The Scream. The study provides a detailed analysis of cloud patterns and color content in relation to volcanic sunsets, potentially linking Munch's painting to these atmospheric phenomena.

SourceRutgers University·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJul 23, 2018

Study: Small talk not as bad as previously thought

Researchers confirm that quality conversations are linked to greater happiness, but find small talk has no relationship with happiness. The study's results hold true for both introverts and extroverts, contradicting previous findings.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 3, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Microglia protect sensory cells needed for vision after retinal detachment

Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear found that microglial cells rapidly migrate into the injured retina, forming close connections with infiltrating immune cells and removing injured photoreceptors. This protective role of microglia may suggest a new therapeutic avenue for preserving photoreceptors after retinal detachment.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2018

Virtual reality technology opens new doors of (spatial) perception

Researchers use virtual reality to study sound perception in immersive settings, revealing variability in brain processing of spatial cues. The technology holds promise for developing more accurate diagnoses of auditory disorders and enhanced audio experiences in video games.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 9, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Sound localization: Where did that noise come from?

Researchers found that humans can efficiently localize sounds when moving, using auditory motion parallax to estimate relative distances. This mechanism is particularly useful in noisy environments and allows for improved sound discrimination.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018

How the brain represents sound elevation

Researchers found that the brain's auditory cortex does not solely represent acoustic environments but also incorporates perception. Custom ear molds disrupted participants' elevation perception, revealing different responses to sounds between sessions, indicating a dynamic relationship between sensory encoding and perception.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMar 5, 2018

Sea swimming associated with increased ailments

A large-scale research analysis found that sea bathing doubled the odds of reporting general ear ailments and increased the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses by 29%. The study suggests pollution is still an issue affecting swimmers in high-income countries like the UK.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateFeb 26, 2018

Want to listen better? Lend a right ear

Researchers at Auburn University discovered that both children and adults rely more on their right ear for processing information in noisy environments. The study found that when cognitive demand increases, the right-ear advantage persists in mature auditory systems.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 6, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New method analyzes corn kernel characteristics

A new imaging machine developed at the University of Illinois estimates the number of kernels per ear and provides detailed information about each kernel's shape, size, and location. The technology has the potential to revolutionize plant breeding and genetic research by enabling high-throughput phenotyping.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·DateNov 16, 2017
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.

Wearables to boost security of voice-based log-in

Researchers developed a wearable device called VAuth that creates a unique and secure signature using speech-induced vibrations on the user's body. The technology has achieved a 97-percent detection accuracy and successfully thwarts various practical attacks, making it a promising solution to enhance voice authentication security.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateOct 17, 2017