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Transforming acoustic waves with a chip

Researchers have developed a new acoustic wave-producing technology on an electronic chip, enabling customizable curved waves for trapping objects, routing wave information, and transporting fluids. This innovation has significant potential in medical applications, such as noninvasive surgery and biosensors.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2025

How sound moves on Mars

Researchers used NASA's measurements to simulate sound propagation on Mars, providing insight into weather and terrain effects on acoustic propagation. The study focused on the Jezero crater, where it simulated how sound moves through complex terrains, helping scientists understand how other atmospheres compare to Earth's.

Vietnam’s sound decision

In her book 'Sonic Socialism: Crisis and Care in Pandemic Hanoi', Christina Schwenkel explores how Vietnam used sound technologies to inform, regulate, and connect people during the pandemic. The country's success was largely due to its rapid communication systems, including loudspeakers and public health videos.

How the brain becomes a better listener: How focus enhances sound processing

Researchers discovered that neurons in the brain's auditory cortex show large bursts of activity tied to specific moments in a task, suggesting a deep connection between behavior and sound processing. This 'tuning' mechanism enables the brain to produce smaller but more distinctive responses to sounds guiding task performance.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 17, 2025

Twisting sound: Scientists discover a new way to control mechanical vibrations in metamaterial

Researchers at CUNY ASRC introduce twistelastics, a technique using tiny rotations to manipulate mechanical waves, allowing unprecedented adaptability in sound and vibration control. The breakthrough enables flexible wave behavior for applications in medical imaging, consumer electronics, and microfluidics.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2025

How to find a cryptic animal: Recording the elusive beaked whale in the Foz do Amazonas Basin

Beaked whales are recorded in the Foz do Amazonas Basin using passive acoustic monitoring, demonstrating their first documentation in Brazilian waters. The study contributes to understanding cetacean biodiversity and showcases the effectiveness of acoustic monitoring for categorizing elusive sea creatures.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateSep 9, 2025

What makes an opera singer stand out? New research decodes 'black box' of opera evaluation

A new study found that vibrato is the most significant vocal attribute in determining an opera singer's score, while acoustic features like SPR and HNR have a greater impact than previously thought. The research provides objective insights into how judges evaluate performances and offers tools for vocal training.

SourceKeio University Global Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 5, 2025

Proboscis monkeys' big noses boost vocal identity

A new study links the size of male proboscis monkeys' noses to their unique vocal characteristics, suggesting a significant impact on individual identity. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between anatomy, acoustics, and social behavior in animals, with potential implications for human communication.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2025

Seven-octave ultrabroadband metamaterial absorbers

Researchers have developed a metamaterial absorber spanning seven octaves that demonstrates an average absorption coefficient of 0.944, covering the entire audible spectrum. The absorber's compact profile and ultrabroadband performance show promising applications in aerospace noise reduction and precision acoustic environment control.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 6, 2025

Light-based listening: Researchers develop a low-cost visual microphone

Researchers developed a low-cost visual microphone that listens with light instead of sound, capturing tiny vibrations on surfaces caused by sound waves and turning them into audible signals. The system uses single-pixel imaging to detect sound and can recover high-quality audio using everyday objects like paper cards and leaves.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJul 31, 2025

"High notes from one side, deep tones from the other" – Janus-like wave transmission

A research team has experimentally demonstrated a nonlinear wave phenomenon that changes its frequency depending on the direction of incoming waves. The system exhibits different responses to waves entering from one side versus the other, with potential applications in medical ultrasound imaging and noise control.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 24, 2025

Playing an instrument may protect against cognitive aging

A study published in PLOS Biology found that long-term musical training can mitigate age-related declines in speech perception by promoting a more youthful pattern of brain activity. This suggests that musical training may build cognitive reserve, helping older adults maintain optimal cognitive performance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2025

Hear here: How loudness and acoustic cues help us judge where a speaker is facing

In a recent study, researchers found that loudness is a strong indicator of the speaker's facing direction, but also rely on spectral cues. The findings have implications for designing more realistic virtual interactions, particularly those involving human speech, and can enhance user experience in immersive media.

SourceSophia University·JournalAcoustical Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2025

The hidden science of hand clapping

A new study from Cornell and Ole Miss universities reveals the hidden science of hand clapping, showing that it involves a cavity of air being compressed and pushed out of a small space. The researchers found that the volume and duration of claps can be modified by factors such as speed and skin softness.

SourceUniversity of Mississippi·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMay 29, 2025

Songbirds socialize on the wing during migration, new study says

Researchers have found evidence of songbirds forming social connections and potentially exchanging information about their migration routes through vocalizations. The study suggests that social cues play a significant role in shaping migration behaviors, particularly for young birds learning from observing other birds.

First evidence in the Levant (and among the first in the world) of communal worship in caves and the development of religious rituals

A 35,000-year-old ritual complex in the Manot Cave offers insight into the spiritual practices of Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups. The discovery reveals evidence of human-made engravings, ash remains from fire, and acoustic tests that suggest a unique auditory experience for communal activities.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 10, 2024