Articles tagged with Acoustics
UCLA researchers Patricia Keating and Jody Kreiman analyzed recordings from 50 women to identify acoustic parameters distinguishing their voices. The study aims to understand which characteristics make a speaker's voice recognizable and how much change is perceptible to listeners.
A team of researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and acoustic analysis to study how children's brains respond to emotional speech cues. They found that lower frequency characteristics in voice spectra may play a significant role in understanding brain activity and differentiating emotional processing.
A study by Canadian researcher Emily Blamire found that female listeners rank male voices as more attractive when the 's' sound is shorter, while male listeners do not. The study suggests that men and women use different criteria when judging vocal attractiveness.
Researchers found that video monitoring can detect nocturnal seizures, particularly tonic seizures, but the added value is limited due to high costs. The study suggests developing less costly and invasive devices to improve detection while addressing privacy concerns.
Researchers found that similarities between contact calls of female rhesus macaques were predicted by familiarity, not kinship. Call structure was similar among females with similar age or matrilineal membership, suggesting experience has a greater impact on acoustic similarity than genetic background.
The new NIST method uses nonlinear acoustic measurements to detect cracks in ceramic capacitors before they cause electrical failure. This approach has shown promise in rejecting over 90% of sample capacitors with visible cracks and may help prevent failures in medical implants, spacecraft, and other mission-critical electronics.
UC Davis researchers develop ultra-low-power sensors with near-zero power consumption, targeting continuous and passive monitoring of environments. The goal is to extend sensor lifetime from months to years, enabling always-on sensing without significant power drain.
Researchers found that larger vocal organs and deeper roars in male howler monkeys correspond to smaller testes and lower sperm production. This trade-off is related to the mating system, where males with large hyoids and deep roars live in small groups with one dominant male.
Scientists from Hiroshima University have observed an unusual dispersion of the acoustic mode in liquid Bi using inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS). The results resolve previous disagreements and suggest a possible mechanism involving a long-range interatomic force, which is related to local structures.
Gerhard M. Sessler, a renowned expert in acoustics, received the 2015 Gold Medal of the Acoustical Society of America for his groundbreaking work on electret and silicon-based microphones. His inventions have led to the development of highly sensitive and cost-effective microphones that dominate global production.
Humpback whales cooperate with each other to corral prey near the surface and emit specific acoustic cues when feeding on bottom prey at night. These sounds, dubbed 'tick-tock' noises, help flush out sand lance, a common food source.
A study by Queen Mary University of London and The University of Nottingham reveals that cows use distinct, individualized 'calls' to communicate with their calves, which change in frequency and pitch when separated. Researchers identified two maternal calls, one for close proximity and a louder call for separation.
Ning Xiang, Director of Graduate Program in Architectural Acoustics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been awarded the Wallace Clement Sabine Medal by the Acoustical Society of America. He is recognized for his contributions to measurements and analysis techniques, numerical simulation of sound fields in coupled rooms.
Parasitic butterfly larvae may use acoustic signals to infiltrate ant colonies, according to a study published in PLOS ONE. The larvae's sound patterns were found to be more similar to those of the queen ant than worker ants, suggesting a potential strategy for infiltration and exploitation.
Researchers found that visual cues like texting improve performance in noisy environments, making it easier to understand messages. Adding text messaging as a supplement to audio presentation significantly reduces difficulties in communication during auditory overload situations.
Researchers estimate that the ocean was even louder 200 years ago due to whales' vocalizations. New data suggest that human-generated noise in modern oceans is just a small increase compared to natural whale sounds.
A new damping technique has been developed to combat painful vibrations in baseball bats, targeting the sweet spot where vibrations between 600-700 Hz cause pain. The technique involves a mass-spring device that quickly eliminates these painful oscillations, reducing shock and discomfort for players.
Researchers created a simplified model of the brain and skull inside a helmet during a collision, illustrating how fast vibrational motion translates to sloshing brain motion. The study aims to improve helmet design for better brain protection, with potential futuristic helmets that crumple on impact like plastic car bumpers.
A study suggests that smoking, but not nicotine, may reduce the risk of developing an acoustic neuroma, a rare benign tumor near the brain. Current smokers have a 59% lower risk compared to non-smokers, while snuff users show no protection.
Research suggests that smoking can increase the impact of genes like TCF4 on acoustic stimulus filtering, potentially leading to schizophrenia. Healthy carriers of the TCF4 gene also exhibit reduced stimulus filtering abilities.
Researchers developed a new pentrometer to measure apple crispness, improving accuracy and reducing errors in traditional sensory analysis methods. The study found significant correlations between the computerized penetrometer's data and expert panel ratings, demonstrating its potential for large-scale apple breeding programs.
Research reveals that North American right whales adjust their calls in response to increased ocean noise levels, maintaining signal-to-noise ratio while incurring costs. This adaptation is crucial for successful communication in a noisy ocean, but its long-term effects on whale behavior and population health remain uncertain.
Researchers decoded Orangutan long calls, discovering they convey individual identity and context. Females can distinguish between spontaneous and aroused calls, reacting differently to each. Long calls may serve to repel rivals or predators, a key finding that sheds light on Orangutan communication.
A new acoustic telemetry system, JSATS, detects 98% of tagged fish in juvenile salmon migration studies, allowing for more precise survival estimates and reducing the number of fish needed. The system's smaller tag size and flexible receiver placement capabilities also improve conservation efforts.
A team of scientists used satellite and acoustic tags to study white shark migration patterns in the North Pacific, revealing a genetically distinct population that has separated from other sharks worldwide. This finding suggests the possibility of long-term population assessment and monitoring, which could help ensure their protection.
Researchers studying Idaho's Clearwater River have found that temperature differences and slow-moving water can delay the migration of juvenile salmon, allowing them to grow larger before reaching the Pacific Ocean. This delayed migration could help the fish survive better when they finish their ocean-bound trek.
Researchers used acoustic equipment to analyze the spectral patterns of stridulations produced by Guam's coconut rhinoceros beetle, revealing distinct temporal patterns that aid in communication among beetles. The method allows for early detection of feeding grubs, saving money and lives of coconut trees.
A new study found that salmon smolts survive at similar rates of 70-80% in both the Columbia and Fraser rivers, with differences attributed to stressors such as dams, water temperature, and contaminants. The research used acoustic and transponder tags to track survival rates over a four-year period.
Researchers found that higher-ranking males produced groans with lower minimum fundamental frequencies and to a lesser extent, with lower formant dispersion. Dominance status was the factor most strongly related to mating success, with higher-ranking males having higher mating success.
This study investigates the 3D rupture conformations of a surface fault under biaxial compression, revealing three stages of crack growth and introducing the concept of anti-wing cracks. The results provide fundamental understanding of surface fault propagation and have significant implications for future studies on active fault movement.
Researchers at NIST have built a system that measures temperatures with precision, which may help update the definition of the Kelvin. The system uses electrical noise to measure temperatures with accuracy and is simpler than other systems, making it ideal for industrial thermometry labs.
Researchers found that bats quickly learned new foraging behaviors, such as associating frog calls with palatable prey, through social learning. This study suggests that cultural transmission plays a role in the flexibility of bat foraging behavior, enabling them to adapt to changing environments.
University of Miami researchers are tracking black and red grouper in the Dry Tortugas National Park using acoustic telemetry technology. The study aims to improve our understanding of species movement and habitat requirements, enabling more efficient design and assessment of future marine-protected areas.
The use of underwater listening devices has yielded surprising discoveries about the movements and calling behavior of endangered large whales in Alaskan waters. These devices have enabled scientists to detect and recognize whale calls over tens of miles, providing new insights into the seasonal habits of these marine mammals.
Researchers aim to develop AI system that can assess acoustic qualities of spaces using music played in the room. The project has £70,000 funding and could provide solutions for architects and the construction industry.
New acoustic tracking technology provides detailed knowledge of fish movement and habitat use, enabling the design of effective conservation measures. Small reserves can effectively protect adult fish populations, while larger reserves may be more beneficial for overall marine biodiversity.
The Acoustical Society of America sponsors two annual awards for outstanding popular works on acoustics. Entries must be published or broadcast between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003, and meet criteria for accessibility, relevance, accuracy, and quality. The winners will receive a $1000 prize and an award certificate.
Researchers used acoustic measurements to recognize differences in vowel pronunciation among 160 Dutch and Flemish teachers. The study found that acoustic methods can map sociological differences in pronunciation with high accuracy, outperforming phonetic transcription methods which require manual expert analysis.
The American Institute of Physics and the Acoustical Society of America offer science writing awards in acoustics. The most recent winners include "Snap, Crackle and Pop" by Bennett Daviss and "Acoustic Surgery" by Shahram Vaezy et al.
Researchers from Penn State developed expendable microphones to locate survivors in collapsed buildings. The team found that placing microphones in voids reduces surface noise, allowing acoustic search to continue without interfering with rescue operations.
Researchers conducted a case-control study of 90 acoustic neuroma patients, but found no association with cellular telephone use. A slightly elevated risk was observed for infrequent users with 3+ years of cell phone use.
The award honors entries that meet accessibility, relevance, accuracy, and quality criteria, from various media including video, books, newspapers, and audio broadcasts. Submissions must include author information and contact details.