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Marine invertebrates have noisy human neighbors

Researchers found that simulated anthropogenic noise exposure physiologically impacted blue crabs and lobsters, causing increased stress responses. The study also revealed behavioral impacts, including aggressive behaviors and reduced feeding, highlighting the need for environmental permitting in coastal areas.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 6, 2017

Submarine volcanoes add to ocean soundscape

Scientists studying submarine volcanoes have discovered distinct sound patterns emanating from two underwater eruptions, Ahyi and Bogoslof. These sounds can be detected by seismometers and hydrophone arrays, providing valuable insights into the monitoring of these volcanic events.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 4, 2017

FIREBIRD II and NASA mission locate whistling space electrons' origins

Scientists have identified a common plasma wave as the cause of high-energy electron loss into Earth's atmosphere. Whistler mode chorus waves are created by fluctuating electric and magnetic fields, efficiently accelerating electrons. The findings provide an important piece of the puzzle to understand space weather predictions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 15, 2017
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.

Underwater sound waves help scientists locate ocean impacts

Scientists have developed a new method to locate the precise time and location that objects fall into our oceans using underwater microphones. The method relies on measuring acoustic gravity waves generated when an object hits the sea surface. Researchers validated their method by locating recent earthquakes in the Indian Ocean.

SourceCardiff University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 24, 2017

Using optical chaos to control the momentum of light

A new method to control the momentum of broadband light has been demonstrated in a widely-used optical component known as a whispering gallery microcavity. This breakthrough enables coupling of all color lights with a single optical coupler, paving the way for applications in optical quantum processing and photonics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateOct 19, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

SUTD researchers developed single cell level sorting technology using sound waves

A research team from SUTD developed a highly accurate single cell level sorting technology using sound waves, which enables the isolation of rare cell populations in complex biological samples. This technology has the potential to advance precision medicine for cancer treatment by examining DNA mutations at single cell level.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalLab on a Chip·DateOct 16, 2017

New technique spots warning signs of extreme events

Researchers have developed a framework to identify key patterns that precede extreme events in complex systems. The method combines equations and data analysis to predict precursors, achieving high accuracy rates in simulations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 22, 2017

Blood testing via sound waves may replace some tissue biopsies

Scientists have devised a way to intercept exosomes from blood using microfluidics and sound waves, which can be used to diagnose problems like cancer or fetal abnormalities. The new device analyzes patient blood samples for rapid diagnosis in under 25 minutes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2017

World first: 'Storing lightning inside thunder'

University of Sydney researchers have achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in transferring digital information between light waves and sound waves on a microchip. The innovation enables faster processing and reduces energy consumption by slowing down data transfer velocity to five orders of magnitude, making it suitable for use in te...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 18, 2017

IUPUI cell biologist tackles age-related hearing loss

Researcher Benjamin J. Perrin is advancing knowledge of age-related hearing loss by exploring the function of sensory cells in the inner ear. He hopes to develop a maintenance-of-living-cells approach to prevent or restore hearing loss, with implications for millions of people.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·DateSep 14, 2017
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.

Imaging how magnetism goes surfing

Scientists have developed a method to control magnetic properties of materials using surface acoustic waves, which can induce rapid changes in strain and magnetization. This technique has the potential to enable low-power magnetic devices, which is key to developing memory, computing, and communication devices at the nanoscale.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 2017

Mouth clicks used in human echolocation captured in unprecedented detail

A new study provides in-depth analysis of human mouth clicks used in echolocation, revealing brief and focused clicks with distinct acoustic patterns. The findings enable the creation of virtual human echolocators, allowing researchers to investigate object features without impractical measurements.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateAug 31, 2017

Computer scientists use music to covertly track body movements, activity

Computer scientists at the University of Washington have developed CovertBand, a software that can transform smart devices into active sonar systems, tracking personal activity and movements through walls. The technology uses repeating pulses in the audible range to gather detailed data on body position and movements.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateAug 16, 2017
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.

Riding the wave: Pioneering research tames nanoquakes

Scientists develop a phononic crystal structure that can steer and guide surface acoustic waves, or 'nanoquakes,' in devices. The breakthrough could pave the way for lab-on-a-chip biosensors and earthquake protection.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 2, 2017

ESA, NASA's SOHO reveals rapidly rotating solar core

Scientists have discovered evidence of a type of seismic wave in the Sun using data from NASA's SOHO. The waves, called g-modes, reveal that the solar core is rotating approximately once every week, nearly four times faster than its surface.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 1, 2017

NASA mission surfs through waves in space to understand space weather

A new NASA study using data from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft has discovered that plasmaspheric hiss waves are more complex than previously understood. Low-frequency hiss waves interact with high-energy particles and can efficiently remove them from the radiation belts, protecting satellites.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 24, 2017

NASA listens in as electrons whistle while they work

Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are analyzing the eerie sounds made by plasma waves in space, including whistler-mode waves and chorus waves. By understanding how these waves interact with particles, scientists can improve predictions of space weather and protect satellites and telecommunications signals.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 17, 2017
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.

Musical sun reduces range of magnetic activity

Researchers studied the Sun using sound waves to find that its significant magnetic activity layer has grown thinner in recent years. This change is being investigated as a possible cause of unusual solar activity.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 3, 2017

New photoacoustic technique detects gases at parts-per-quadrillion level

Researchers have developed a new photoacoustic technique that can detect gases at the parts-per-quadrillion level using three resonances to amplify the signal. This breakthrough enables the detection of low-concentration pollutants and has potential applications in environmental monitoring.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2017

Could this strategy bring high-speed communications to the deep sea?

Researchers at Berkeley Lab found a way to pack more data in single acoustic beams for underwater communications, increasing information transmission rates. They demonstrated this by encoding binary data onto an acoustic signal, effectively increasing the amount of information that can be transmitted.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2017
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.

Using body noise to improve cancer detection

Researchers have developed a new approach to remedy the problem of hard-to-reach organs, such as the liver, by analyzing the natural shear waves produced biologically. Passive elastography uses this technology to measure tissue elasticity and diagnose cancer at an early stage.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateJun 25, 2017

Making waves with the hot electrons within Earth's radiation belts

A recent study by the American Institute of Physics reveals that high-frequency quasi-electrostatic fluctuations in the Earth's radiation belts are driven by hot electrons. These fluctuations allow radiation belt electrons to remain inside the outer Van Allen band for a long time, influencing radiation exposure for orbiting satellites.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateJun 20, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Sound waves direct particles to self-assemble, self-heal

Scientists at Berkeley Lab demonstrated how particles synchronize in response to acoustic waves, exhibiting a phononic bandgap that emerged only when collectively organized. The study provides a simple platform to study non-equilibrium systems and could lead to the development of intelligent networks with sentient-like decision making.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 19, 2017

Raucous crystals

Scientists have discovered that organic crystals send out acoustic signals when their crystal structure changes, providing insight into the phenomenon. The crystals' rapid transformation of heat into movement is potentially useful for developing artificial muscles or microscale robotic arms.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 15, 2017

X-ray study reveals way to control molecular vibrations that transmit heat

Researchers at Brookhaven Lab create method to track dynamic molecular features in soft materials, enabling control of vibrational waves and flow of energy. The technique has potential applications in thermal and acoustic insulators, waste heat conversion, and light-mechanical motion.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 8, 2017

Device designed to exploit scattering of light by mechanical vibrations

Researchers developed a silicon photonic device that can exploit the scattering of light by mechanical vibrations, called Brillouin scattering. The device uses two silicon microdisks with tiny cavities, enabling light and mechanical waves to interact at high frequencies.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 6, 2017

New sound diffuser is 10 times thinner than existing designs

Researchers from NC State University developed an ultra-thin sound diffuser that is 10 times thinner than existing designs, reducing echoes and improving sound quality. The new design uses less material and takes up less space, making it lighter and less expensive.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 6, 2017
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.

First underwater carpet cloak realized, with metamaterial

Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences create first underwater acoustic carpet cloak using transformation acoustics, controlling sound wave propagation. The carpet cloak, composed of layered brass plates, successfully mimics a reflecting plane and makes the cloaked object imperceptible to sound detection.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 4, 2017

Deep sleep may act as fountain of youth in old age

Researchers at UC Berkeley argue that restorative deep sleep is vital for warding off memory loss and a range of mental and physical disorders in older adults. The aging brain's decline in slow wave sleep and neurochemical regulation can lead to cognitive and physical impairments.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNeuron·DateApr 5, 2017

Lego figures don't stand a chance against time reversal

Physicists at Brigham Young University have developed an acoustic technique called time reversal that uses targeted sound vibrations to knock over Lego figures. This technology has far-reaching implications for fields like private communication, targeted noise cancelation, and even medical treatments such as destroying kidney stones.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 5, 2017
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.

Sound waves boost older adult' memory, deep sleep

A new study from Northwestern University finds that sound wave stimulation synchronized to brain waves triples memory scores in older adults and enhances deep sleep. The technique, which uses real-time brain wave analysis, shows promise as a non-meditation approach to improving brain health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMar 8, 2017

Optical generation of ultrasound via photoacoustic effect

A team of University College London researchers created a method for generating ultrasound via the photoacoustic effect by tailoring optoacoustic surface profiles. They used 3D printing to create samples with specific shapes, allowing them to control where sound fields would focus and even create continuous shapes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 28, 2017

Sound-shaping super-material invented

Researchers have invented a super-material that bends, shapes and focuses sound waves, pushing the boundaries of metamaterials. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize medical imaging and personal audio, allowing for precise control over sound waves.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 27, 2017

Origin of spooky meteor noises reappraised by Sandia researchers

A team of scientists, led by Richard Spalding, discovered that the brilliant pulsating light emitted by burning asteroids can heat surrounding objects and generate sounds. This phenomenon, known as photoacoustic coupling, produces faint sounds similar to rustling leaves or whispers.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 20, 2017
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.

Sound waves create whirlpools to round up tiny signs of disease

Researchers at Duke University have developed a tiny device that uses sound waves to create whirlpools to gather proteins and other biomarkers from blood, urine or saliva samples. This innovative technology has the potential to form the basis of a small, inexpensive point-of-care device for early disease diagnosis.

SourceDuke University·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 26, 2017

How to 3-D print your own sonic tractor beam

Researchers have developed a 3D printable sonic tractor beam that can trap small beads, insects, and even biological samples using sound waves. The device is created by designing a metamaterial with tubes of different lengths, which shape the sound waves to create a trapping environment.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 3, 2017

Measuring radiation damage on the fly

Researchers developed a method to continuously assess the aging of materials in high-radiation environments, speeding up testing and reducing material replacement. Transient grating spectroscopy induces acoustic waves that reveal subsurface defects, allowing for real-time monitoring without physical contact.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateDec 13, 2016

Scientists reconstruct formation of the southern Appalachians

A team of geophysicists has reconstructed the terminal phase of the collision between North America and Gondwana, revealing a 300km-long shear zone that stretches from Alabama to Florida. This discovery provides new insights into the formation of the southern Appalachians and has implications for understanding mountain-building processes.

SourceBrown University·JournalGeology·DateNov 21, 2016
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.

Andras Vasy to receive 2017 AMS Bôcher Prize

Andras Vasy's prize-winning paper resolves a 35-year-old conundrum in geometric scattering theory, developing a systematic framework for analyzing certain partial differential equations. The paper has had a major impact and stimulated subsequent research, including Vasy's own work.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateNov 18, 2016

Researchers use acoustic waves to move fluids at the nanoscale

Acoustic waves were used to manipulate fluids in nanoslits, enabling the creation of small, portable devices for sorting cells, filtering particles, and sensing biological components. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like drug discovery and microrobotics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateNov 14, 2016

WHOI study reveals previously unknown component of whale songs

Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered a previously unknown element of whale songs, particle motion, which could travel further than expected. This finding raises concerns about potential interference with whale communication due to human-made noise in the ocean.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 2, 2016

Controlling ultrasound with 3-D printed devices

Researchers have developed a new 3-D printed device that can harness high-pressure ultrasound to manipulate tiny objects like particles, drops or biological tissue. This control enables precise applications in surgery, material analysis and scientific research.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 25, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Supersonic phenomena, the key to extremely low heat loss nano-electronics

Researchers found that supersonic solitary waves in nano-electronics crystals can be used for electric charge or matter transport and energy storage with extremely low heat dissipation. These localized excitations could lead to the development of transistors without silicon, revolutionizing the field of nano-electronics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateOct 25, 2016

Lego-like wall produces acoustic holograms

Researchers at Duke University have developed a simple, energy-efficient way to create three-dimensional acoustic holograms using Lego-like metamaterials. The technique manipulates sound waves into desired patterns, enabling applications such as improving sound quality in speakers and creating realistic ultrasound images.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 14, 2016

SwRI to demonstrate low-cost miniature solar observatory

Researchers at Southwest Research Institute successfully demonstrated a low-cost miniature solar observatory on a six-hour high-altitude balloon mission. The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP) collected data on solar soundwaves, which are undetectable by ground-based observatories due to their high frequency.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateAug 29, 2016
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.

The sound of a healthy reef

A new study suggests that sound plays a limited role in attracting coral larvae to reef systems. By recording particle motion using accelerometers, researchers found that the signal drops rapidly below levels detectable by most marine species just a few meters away from the reef. This finding challenges previous studies and highlights ...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 26, 2016

Designing ultrasound tools with Lego-like proteins

A team of scientists engineered protein-shelled nanostructures called gas vesicles to exhibit properties useful for ultrasound technologies. The modified gas vesicles were shown to produce distinct signals, target specific cell types, and help create color ultrasound images.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 25, 2016

UA phononics pioneer probes the untapped powers of sound

Researchers at the University of Arizona are pioneering phononics, the science of sound, with potential repercussions in fields like energy, biomedicine, and computing. The team, led by Pierre Deymier, is using unconventional materials to manipulate sound waves in new ways.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateAug 17, 2016
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.

NSF wants engineering researchers to bend rules (of classical physics)

The National Science Foundation has awarded $18 million to nine teams of engineering-led researchers to pursue transformative research in new light and acoustic wave propagation. The goal is to disrupt conventional ways of designing electronic, photonic, and acoustic devices and enable new functionalities.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateAug 15, 2016

Knots in chaotic waves

Computer models reveal a vast array of knots in chaotic waves, including those tabulated by mathematicians, with implications for understanding optical and acoustic landscapes

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2016

Building a Moebius strip of good vibrations

Researchers at Yale University have created a Moebius strip-like structure by manipulating the shape of connected vibrating springs, demonstrating a new way to control waves. The experiment showcases an extension to the adiabatic theorem, which predicts a robust method for wave manipulation.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateJul 25, 2016

The exception and its rules

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology and colleagues around the world have discovered exceptional points in wave physics, where complex frequencies emerge. By steering a system around these points, they have observed surprising effects, including asymmetric mode switching.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 25, 2016

Columbia Engineering researchers use acoustic voxels to embed sound with data

Researchers have developed a method to control sound waves using acoustic voxels, small hollow cube-shaped chambers that can modify acoustic filtering properties. This enables the creation of unique acoustic signatures for objects, potentially replacing QR codes and RFID tags.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 18, 2016
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.