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The acoustics of laughter

A team of psychologists studied 1024 laughter episodes from young adults watching funny video clips. They found interesting sex differences in laugh types and pitches, with women producing more song-like laughs than men. Laughter is surprisingly high-pitched, with some laughs reaching frequencies of over 2,000 Hz.

Novel larynx organ preservation surgery

A new partial voice box resection procedure shows excellent local control and significant improvement in quality of life for patients with intermediate to advanced stage larynx cancers. This approach can provide a less drastic treatment option, reducing hardship on patients.

Pacemaker for larynx allows patients to breathe easier

A new Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) device has been developed to help patients with paralyzed vocal folds breathe on their own. The device was recently implanted in a Missouri woman, who was able to have her tracheotomy tube removed after 18 months of successful ventilation.