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New research tunes theory of sound levitation

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have extended the theory of acoustic levitation to account for asymmetrical particles, which is more applicable to real-world experience. This new understanding enables precise control and sorting of tiny objects using ultrasonic waves.

Saturn V was loud but didn't melt concrete

Researchers used physics-based models and historical data to debunk internet claims about the Saturn V's acoustic power, finding levels of 203 decibels, comparable to commercial jet engines. The study also predicts sound levels for NASA's SLS Artemis 1 launch and provides educational tools for college-level physics classrooms.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Multi-bubble math

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have developed a theoretical model to describe the motion of ultrasound waves in liquids containing multiple bubbles, which may enable advances in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of ultrasound technology. The new equations can also be used to enhance microbubble-enhanced medical applicati...

Update noise regulations to protect seals, porpoises

Scientists review recent experiments and find noise regulations may need to be changed to protect marine mammals from pile driving noise. The current guidance is 7 years old and may not provide sufficient protection for species like harbor porpoises and seals.

'Urban canyons' prolong sonic booms in cities

Numerical simulations show that sonic booms can be prolonged by the shape of cities, with narrower streets introducing more complex boom propagation. The researchers aim to investigate this phenomenon further to better understand its impact on noise levels in urban areas.

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.

Researchers design acoustic resonator with high quality factor

A research team from USTC designed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator with ultra-high Q based on lithium niobate thin film. The quality factor at parallel resonance increased by two orders of magnitude compared to previously reported acoustic resonators.

Researchers design acoustic resonator with high quality factor

A research team from the University of Science and Technology of China designed a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator with ultra-high Q based on lithium niobate (LiNbO3) thin film. The quality factor at parallel resonance was increased by two orders of magnitude, paving the way for designing 6G communication devices.

On the way to smart hearing aids

The Collaborative Research Centre Hearing Acoustics is developing smart hearing aids that use artificial intelligence to adjust to different environments. The project, which aims to create more adaptable hearing devices, has received $8.1 million in funding for another four years.

AI learns coral reef 'song'

A new AI method can distinguish between the overall sounds of healthy and unhealthy coral reefs, making it a valuable tool for monitoring reef health. The technique uses machine learning to analyze sound recordings and track the progress of reef restoration projects.

Navigating the shallows

A team of researchers from the University of Tsukuba has developed a new approach for accurate underwater acoustic positioning in multipath environments. By using a database of signals and selectively removing reflected waves, they achieve centimeter-scale accuracy in object location, even in shallow waters.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Acoustic sensors pinpoint shooters in urban setting #ASA182

Researchers developed an approach to predict shooter localization accuracy using geometric considerations, sensor characteristics, and urban environment. The prediction is represented as an ellipse-shaped area around the true shooter location, with smaller areas indicating higher accuracy.

DeepSqueak tool identifies marine mammal calls #ASA182

A new tool called DeepSqueak uses deep learning to identify marine mammal calls with high accuracy, even in noisy environments. The tool was originally developed for rodent ultrasound signals but has been adapted to detect sounds at other frequencies, including humpback whales and delphinids.

Making racetrack noise bearable with physics #ASA182

Researchers used mathematical modeling to identify effective solutions, including strategically placed berms. A civil conversation between the source of the noise and the receiver is also crucial in finding an agreeable outcome.

Going gentle on mechanical quantum systems

Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully demonstrated a protocol for gentle, controlled measurement of mechanical quantum states in hybrid qubit-resonator devices. This breakthrough enables applications such as quantum error correction and more, paving the way for advanced technological innovations.

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.

The Rule of Two helps make spaces sound better

The Rule of Two method uses multiple measurements to collect reliable data, overcoming the limitations of single sine sweep techniques. This new approach will make it easier and faster to design rooms with optimal acoustic combinations, leading to better sound quality in various spaces.

The first topological acoustic transistor

Harvard researchers create first topological acoustic transistor, utilizing sound waves to control flow on and off. The device demonstrates scalable and controllable 'acoustic switches' with potential applications in efficient noise reduction, ultrasound imaging, and more.

CityU physicists discovered special transverse sound wave

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have discovered a new type of sound wave that vibrates transversely and carries both spin and orbital angular momentum like light. This finding provides new degrees of freedom for sound manipulations, enabling unprecedented acoustic communications and sensing capabilities.

Air bubbles sound climate change's impact on glaciers #ASA181

Researchers investigate glacial ice melting that releases acoustically distinct pressurized underwater bubbles, providing a potential tool for monitoring climate change's impact on glaciers. The team's experiments will permit the long-term monitoring of ice loss and its link to water temperature.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Filtering unwanted sounds from baby monitors #ASA181

Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL aim to create an ideal baby monitor that filters out unwanted noises, ensuring parents don't miss infant cries. The team's open-source device uses audio processing hardware to filter out background sounds, improving the overall baby monitoring experience.

Sounding off on Seattle Space Needle renovation #ASA181

The Seattle Space Needle renovation incorporated acoustic designs to limit sound transmission, enhancing visitor experience. Acoustic materials and effective reverberant sound control were selected for the observation levels and restaurant.

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.

Killer whales lingering in newly melted arctic ocean #ASA181

A study by Brynn Kimber and team reveals killer whales spending more time in the Arctic due to reduced sea ice, posing new threats to prey species. The warmer climate is altering the predators' hunting patterns, leading to increased risks for endangered bowhead whales.

Food paradox answer shows how ocean life survives #ASA181

Ocean predators survive on small, scattered areas of food rather than average concentrations found in the water. Acoustic tools reveal dynamic layered maps of ocean life by interpreting echoes from sound pulses, providing insights into how animals adapt to find and exploit resources.

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.

Stuttering starts at speech initiation, not due to impaired motor skills #ASA181

A new theory suggests that stuttering is caused by anomalies in the brain's initiation circuit, which chooses a word to speak. This circuit is separate from the muscle-coordinating circuit, and its impairment leads to stuttering. Researchers believe this could lead to targeted treatments for stuttering with fewer side effects.

Build your own office podcast studio #ASA181

Converting empty offices into podcast studios poses unique acoustic challenges. Experts recommend optimizing space for better sound quality, using minimal absorptive treatments and selecting suitable microphones. Aesthetically pleasing room finishes are also crucial for visually appealing recording spaces.

Echolocation builds prediction models of prey movement

Bats build prediction models of prey movement by analyzing echoes of their own vocalizations. This acoustic information facilitates navigation and foraging in total darkness. By integrating representations of prey echoes, bats can determine distance, size, shape, and density, as well as identify what they are tracking.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Adding sound to electric vehicles improves pedestrian safety #ASA181

A study by Penn State University and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that electric vehicle sounds can improve pedestrian safety, but with some cases of false negatives at close ranges. Adding sound to electric vehicles increases detection distances beyond minimum safe detection ranges.

Can we perceive gender from children's voices?

Researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of Texas at Dallas found that listeners can reliably identify the gender of individual children as young as 5. They also discovered that identification of gender must take place jointly with the identification of age and likely physical size.

Listen to your tempura!

Researchers from Utah State University and KAUST found clear acoustic signatures of oil temperature in deep-frying sounds. The unique bubble patterns near the oil surface create distinct noises that vary with heat levels.

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.

To better understand speech, focus on who is talking

Researchers from Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University found that matching the locations of faces with speech sounds significantly improves understanding of speech, especially in noisy areas. Spatial alignment is more important when background noise is louder.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Imagined music and silence trigger similar brain activity

Researchers used EEG to measure brain activity while musicians listened to or imagined Bach piano melodies. Brain activity during imagined music had the opposite polarity of actual listening, indicating prediction-driven responses. The study found that the brain continues to respond to music even when none is playing.

Hitting the right note

Research reveals that even professional female sopranos tend to be inaccurate in self-assessing their own singing abilities. However, those with higher singing competence are better at evaluating themselves. The study's findings suggest that self-evaluation plays a crucial role in developing exceptional musical skills.

Light pollution at night affects the calls of migratory birds

Research published in Ibis found that call rates of migratory birds were significantly higher in urban areas compared to villages, indicating a impact of artificial light on bird migration. The study suggests that improved management of urban lighting is necessary to mitigate this effect.

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.

Research contributes to understanding of hypersonic flow

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois replicated hypersonic flow conditions in a NASA Langley Mach 6 wind tunnel using a numerical simulation. The study aimed to better understand the complexities of hypersonic flows, including pressure, temperature, and fluid velocity.

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.

Detecting early-stage failure in electric power conversion devices

A study published in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics detects the earliest stages of failure in silicon carbide power electronics through real-time acoustic monitoring. The researchers found that increasing acoustic emission signals correspond to progressive damage to aluminum ribbons, allowing for early warning of device failure.

Physicists find ways to control gamma radiation

Researchers have created an optical switch that can direct high-frequency gamma radiation by switching the acoustic field. This effect demonstrates controlled transparency of a resonant medium for gamma radiation, which may be useful for controlling generated radiation in modern synchrotron sources and X-ray lasers.

X-ray vision and eavesdropping ensure quality

Researchers from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a method to detect keyhole instability in laser deep penetration welding. The technique uses an acoustic sensor and optical measurements analyzed with artificial intelligence, allowing for real-time monitoring of weld quality.

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.

Gestures heard as well as seen

Researchers found that gesturing while speaking affects the sound of a person's voice, adding acoustic emphasis. The study suggests that gestures carry additional information about bodily tension and motion, contradicting traditional views on language.

Using a smartphone to diagnose COVID-19 at home

Researchers are developing a smartphone app to diagnose COVID-19 at home using acoustic sensing and AI techniques. The system measures changes in human airway mechanics, which are uniquely correlated to COVID-19 infection.

Automated speech recognition and racial bias

Researchers found that state-of-the-art ASR systems performed worse on black speakers than white speakers, with error rates of 0.35 and 0.19 words per hour respectively. The study attributes these disparities to limitations in the acoustic models' ability to capture African American Vernacular English pronunciation and prosody.

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.

Whales stop being socialites when boats are about

Humpback whales tend to socialize less in the presence of small fishing boats compared to when there are no vessels present. The noise from boats may be masking their signals, making it difficult for them to communicate and join together.

Lost Lou Reed recording for Andy Warhol discovered by Cornell musicologist

A cache of 12 previously unreleased songs by Hall of Fame artist Lou Reed has been unearthed on a cassette tape from 1975, according to a study published in the Journal of Musicology. Cornell musicologist Judith Peraino discovered the rare recordings while conducting archival research at the Andy Warhol Museum.

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.

Cardiac feedback and perceived effort

Researchers found that participants overestimated their effort when the feedback indicated faster heartbeat and did not underestimate it when the feedback indicated slower heartbeat. The study suggests that false cardiac feedback can produce an interoceptive illusion of effort.

Illinois research team introduces wearable audio dataset

Researchers have introduced a new wearable audio dataset with up to 80 microphones, which can simulate different hearing scenarios and improve the performance of devices like smart headphones. The data set is now available for free under an open-access license, making it easier for future researchers to access and build upon.