Articles tagged with Sound
Researchers at EPFL have designed acoustic cavities that convert sound waves into thrust, propelling small robots and ultralight aerial vehicles without on-board actuators or electronics. These devices utilize hollow structures to harness specific frequencies of sound waves, generating directional thrust and controlled motion.
Researchers found that natural sounds, specifically biophonic ones, are associated with the highest levels of place attachment. Biophonic sounds were also perceived as more pleasant and linked to a strong sense of place attachment. The study highlights the importance of managing soundscapes near residential areas.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework to detect and classify shell-crushing sounds, enabling the quantification of predator impacts on mollusk populations. The system uses multi-step approaches and demonstrates strong performance in controlled tank conditions and field settings.
Researchers developed a new analysis of sound wave behavior, revealing surprising effects that have been overlooked for decades. At high sound levels, the shape of the wave becomes progressively distorted, with crests compressing into narrow spikes.
Researchers have captured the behavior of scissor-tailed nightjars creating a unique sound by snapping their wrists together during courtship and copulation. The study sheds light on lesser-known bird communication methods and raises questions about the nuances of mechanical sounds.
Researchers studied the impact of Capitola, California's annual firework show on local brown bat populations, finding that the noise and lights disrupted their feeding patterns. The study revealed a measurable effect on bats' ability to hunt and catch prey during the display.
Scientists have successfully demonstrated atomic spin qubit interaction with a single-quantum sound wave, opening up new possibilities for quantum information storage and sensing applications. The experiment uses phonons to interact with atomic defects in diamond, enabling precise measurement of forces and temperatures.
The new computational violin simulates the physics of string interaction with air, producing realistic sound. Luthiers can tweak parameters like wood type or body thickness before hearing the instrument's response.
Researchers developed meta-earplugs with Helmholtz resonators to address low-frequency sound issues. The earplugs use precise tuning of reflected sound waves to relieve pressure and increase protection.
Researchers have developed SmartDJ, an AI-powered editor that allows users to reshape audio experiences with simple words. The system uses language models and diffusion models to interpret high-level requests and generate edited outputs.
A study from Murdoch University found that both music and traffic noise can make people's imagination more vivid. Music was particularly effective in creating positive and emotional journeys, while adding traffic noise somewhat dampened this effect.
The Salk Institute will lead an ARPA-H-funded project to develop ultrasound-sensitive protein tools, wearable ultrasound delivery technology, and a translational path to the clinic for major unmet medical needs. The team aims to create a noninvasive therapy for conditions such as peripheral neuropathy.
Researchers have created a carbon-fiber composite that swallows sound waves while retaining the strength of industrial load-bearing panels. The design achieves an average sound absorption coefficient of over 0.9 across a frequency range of 1,500 to 5,500 hertz.
A BGU study uses 'soundscape mapping' to quantify the impact of road noise on bird habitats, revealing massive habitat loss and protected areas under threat. The research suggests integrating noise mitigation technologies into environmental planning to protect biodiversity.
A comparative effectiveness study found that lower music volume levels in group fitness classes did not significantly impact perceived exercise intensity. The research suggests implementing safer sound practices and increased awareness on hearing protection to minimize the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
Researchers developed a digital safeguard, My Music My Choice, to protect songs from generative AI cloning. The tool adds imperceptible changes to a song's waveform, making it difficult for AI models to replicate.
Researchers found that the visual design of a concert hall significantly affects perceived timbre, with more saturated colors producing colder sounds. Listeners also reported higher liking scores in darker environments, highlighting the importance of considering visual appearance in acoustic design.
Researchers at Binghamton University discovered that caterpillars can hear airborne sounds via microscopic hairs on their bodies. The study found that the caterpillars were 10 to 100 times more responsive to airborne sound than surface vibrations felt on their feet, suggesting a new approach for improving microphone technology.
Researchers developed a device utilizing sound waves to detect helium by exploiting changes in sound velocity and resonant frequencies. The triangular Kagome structure allows for accurate detection of helium leaks, even at extremely low temperatures.
Researchers use smartphone microphones to detect sound waves that can penetrate through rubble, helping locate trapped victims. The method achieved an error of 5.04 degrees away from the hypothetical victim in a field test on a disaster training site.
Researchers have designed a quieter dental drill to address the anxiety-causing sound of traditional drills, which can reach nearly 20 kilohertz. The new design optimizes blade geometry and exhaust port to minimize noise while maintaining performance, with the goal of reducing discomfort in patients.
Researchers from Keio University Global Research Institute successfully generated orbital currents using sound waves, establishing a foundation for integrating acoustic technology with orbitronics. The discovery paves the way for next-generation electronic devices.
Researchers from UC San Francisco have identified the superior temporal gyrus brain region responsible for tracking words in a foreign language. The study shows that this region learns to recognize word boundaries through years of experience, enabling fluent speakers to distinguish individual words.
Researchers developed a fractal-based speaker add-on that reduces sound disparities between drivers and passengers in cars. The metamaterial, inspired by the Koch snowflake fractal, creates broadband wavefront control for a more even sound field.
High-volume noise exposure in a mouse model of early-stage Parkinson's disease slowed movement and reduced balance, suggesting a connection between sound processing and movement areas. Chronic noise exposure mimicked Parkinsonian symptoms by damaging dopamine-producing cells.
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.
Researchers analyzed over 2,000 hours of underwater recordings to detect subtle shifts in red hind spawning behavior and population dynamics. The study found a notable shift in the balance of mating calls over the 12-year period, with calls linked to competition becoming dominant.
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.
A groundbreaking study reveals multiple Portland neighborhoods have unhealthy noise levels that are likely to cause harm. The research, led by Oregon State University scientists, provides a framework for studying noise pollution in other US cities and identifies patterns of noise environments across the city.
Studies have shown that emotional or psychological stress enhances pain responses, but the effects of social pain transmission remain elusive. Researchers found that ultrasonic vocalizations emitted by mice in response to pain stimuli can induce emotional transmission and hyperalgesia in other mice.
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.
A study conducted at a Japanese school found that classrooms with sound-absorbing materials experienced reduced crying rates among young children, who were able to communicate more clearly. The research aimed to raise awareness about the importance of acoustics in educational settings and inspire regulations.
Researchers at Istanbul Galata University studied the history and architecture of Derinkuyu's ancient underground city to recreate its soundscape. The project aims to provide valuable information for scholars and inspire the design of future underground urban spaces.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed Pixel-Based Local Sound OLED technology, allowing each pixel to emit different sounds. This breakthrough enables truly localized sound experiences in displays, enhancing realism and immersion.
Researchers from Brigham Young University and California State University, Bakersfield collected data on Falcon 9 rocket sonic booms to understand their impact. They found that the magnitude of sonic booms can vary greatly with weather conditions, launch time, vehicle trajectory, and time of year.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found novel biomarkers for tinnitus that correlate with nervous system's 'fight, flight, or freeze' response. Facial movements and pupil dilation measured while listening to unpleasant sounds can predict tinnitus severity.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that audio quality severely affects dogs' ability to recognize and respond to recorded words. Dogs excelled at responding to direct human speech, but struggled with AIC buttons, which lost frequencies necessary for conveying human speech.
Researchers created a lightweight filter that can run on small microcontrollers, identifying and removing likely speech content from audio data before it's sent off the device. This helps balance utility and privacy, enabling devices like smart speakers to prioritize user security while still offering valuable sensing capabilities.
Scientists develop an ambisonic algorithm to simulate precise sound locations in 3D, reproducing sounds with high accuracy and precision. The AudioDome loudspeaker array achieves a spatial resolution comparable to human spatial acuity.
Researchers found that introducing moderate natural light into the bedroom before waking improves wakefulness and reduces sleepiness. The study suggests controlling natural light in the sleep environment may help promote a more comfortable awakening.
Researchers discovered how monkeys produce 'voice breaks' and 'ultra-yodels' using their vocal membranes, which allow for a wider range of calls. These unique vocalizations enable monkeys to communicate in different ways, particularly in complex social lives.
A study by Dr. LEE Seung-Hee reveals how the brain dynamically adjusts sensory input prioritization depending on movement, with vision taking priority for navigation. The posterior parietal cortex and secondary motor cortex play key roles in this process.
A new eNeuro study explores how competing sounds affect subcortical brain activity, revealing increasingly smaller responses as multiple speech streams are introduced. This finding has implications for understanding hearing loss and difficulties with auditory processing in noisy environments.
A team of researchers developed an innovative acoustic method to detect hidden stones in coffee beans, preventing damage to grinding machines. The system uses empirical mode decomposition and field programmable gate arrays to identify stone presence with near-perfect accuracy.
A new neural network can identify fish activity on coral reefs by sound, faster than human experts, enabling real-time monitoring of fish populations, species identification, and disaster response. This technology has the potential to revolutionize ocean monitoring and research.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen have discovered a molecular 'spring' that triggers the opening of ion channels in sensory hair cells of the ear. The findings provide new insights into how hearing begins at the molecular level and shed light on the function of ion channels.
Research reveals that AI-generated voices are perceived as more trustworthy and likable, with potential applications in deep-fakes and manipulation. The study found a positive correlation between the similarity of an AI voice to a human voice and its perceived trustworthiness.
The article presents guidelines for designing consent materials and procedures for autistic adults and people with intellectual disability, highlighting the importance of multiple modes to deliver content. These guidelines aim to improve accessibility and respectfulness in research with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that chronic stress changes how the brain processes sounds, with higher decibel levels needed to trigger similar responses. This effect may be driven by a type of inhibitory cell becoming more active under repeated stress.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that repeated stress in mice reduces their ability to perceive loud sounds, as measured in the auditory cortex. This altered brain processing is reflected in a behavioral task where stressed mice were more likely to report louder sounds as soft.
A study reveals how skateboarders utilize skatesound as a sensory aid and social cue, despite being aware of its noise. The research also highlights the inclusive nature of skateboarding for those with neurodiverse traits.
A team led by University of Rochester professor Edmund Lalor aims to understand how the brain processes audiovisual information to improve speech comprehension for individuals with cochlear implants. They will use noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) brainwave measurements to study how people respond to multisensory speech.
Researchers are studying individuals with a silent mind, known as anauralia, to understand its effects on attention and creativity. The University of Auckland is hosting a global conference to share insights from scientists, philosophers, musicians, and writers.
Researchers found that babies' first vocalizations and attempts at forming words coincide with fluctuations in their heart rate. This discovery may indicate that successful speech development depends on predictable ranges of autonomic activity during infancy.
Researchers found that rutting calls of Siberian wapiti stags reflect their harem-holding status and individual characteristics. The study suggests that these acoustic displays enable females to assess a male's quality from a distance, while also signaling to rivals whether it's worth challenging him.
A new study from Tel Aviv University uses smartphone data to predict wildfire risk, overcoming individual device errors by averaging large amounts of public data. The method provides valuable insights into wildfire evaluation, especially in remote areas lacking traditional weather stations.
Researchers are developing a system to instantly conceal and anonymize voices through computer-generated speech. The technology will allow users to control factors like age, gender, and dialect in real-time conversations.
A new study found that local and non-Anglo artist representation in Australian charts has declined since the rise of digital streaming. Indigenous music from Australia and New Zealand saw a significant decline in singles chart share, from 16.6% to 2.5%, while albums chart share also decreased.
A study suggests that increased marine traffic and noise from wind farm surveys may be contributing to whale deaths. Whales died off the coast of New Jersey near proposed wind farms, leading researchers to investigate the impact of survey work on cetacean populations.
Researchers in New Zealand recorded repeating, quack-like sounds in the '80s that were likely a conversation between multiple animals. The sounds, known as Bio-Duck, have never been conclusively identified despite theories that they may be made by Antarctic Minke whales.