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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.