Articles tagged with Sound
MED-EL's new MAESTRO system demonstrates remarkable improvements in music enjoyment, with 91% of clinical investigation subjects reporting that music sounds pleasant with their cochlear implant. The FineHearing technology also provides statistically significant improvements in hearing in noisy environments.
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center used CT scans to compare wood densities of classical and modern violins. The results suggest that the homogeneity in wood density may explain the superior sound production of Cremonese violins.
Researchers at the University of Alberta found that sprinters closest to the starter pistol had significantly lower reaction times than those farther away. The study suggests that procedures used in Olympic sprint events may give runners closer to the starter an advantage.
Poor readers achieved brain activation levels seen in skilled readers after 100 hours of extra training. Remedial instruction increased the struggling readers' activation to near normal levels, changing the way their brains activated when comprehending written sentences.
Researchers found that wanting what you have contributes to happiness, but only up to a point. Having what you want also brings happiness, but in moderation. The key to true happiness lies in appreciating the possessions you already own and managing desires for more.
Researchers from Florida State University, Yale University, and Princeton University developed a new theory that analyzes music using geometry. The 'geometrical music theory' tool helps composers explore uncharted possibilities and musicians may be trained differently. It represents a culmination of the marriage between music and math.
A new patient charter aims to promote better decision-making and more patient-centered care by providing consumers with meaningful information about quality and cost. The agreement brings together consumer groups, health insurers, and physician organizations, aiming to improve the quality of care for patients in the US.
Researchers at Stanford University have created nanoscale drums that can resonate in the same way, despite having different shapes. This discovery has implications for spectroscopy and may lead to new designs for computer chip circuits.
Scientists have discovered that Broca's region in the brain plays a crucial role in interpreting speech by constructing unique interpretations of spoken words. This mechanism allows humans to hear new sounds when conflicting verbal and visual signals are present.
Researchers have identified brain regions where speech sounds are perceived with abstract meaning, independent of sensory input. The study found two left-hemisphere speech-processing regions that code speech at an abstract level.
Researchers found popular holiday toys emit sounds at decibel levels of 100 or more, equivalent to a power saw or subway train, posing a risk of permanent hearing damage. Parents are advised to provide guidance on safe toy use and volume control on personal media devices.
Researchers have identified a brain region, the left supramarginal gyrus, that selectively amplifies behaviorally significant speech sounds. This area is involved in categorical perception, which is crucial for recognizing distinct patterns in sensory input.
Researchers used neuroimaging to study how the brain processes sounds in noisy environments, finding that the left hemisphere plays a key role. The study revealed that the brain's left hemisphere is responsible for distinguishing between signals and noise, enabling us to focus on specific sounds amidst competing noises.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that older adults' ability to engage multisensory attention remains intact with age. Despite previous research suggesting otherwise, the study showed that older adults can speed up and slow down their brain's processing of relevant information, similar to younger adults.
A lack of civil registration systems and vital statistics in many low-income countries hinders evidence-based decision-making. The authors propose three options to tackle this challenge: advocating for government support, establishing an international body, and leveraging new funding flows.
A study found that African elephants strongly respond to the sound of disturbed bees, fleeing immediately after hearing it. This response could be used as a valuable tool for elephant conservation and deterrence.
Toddlers learn language skills earlier than expected and recognize how speakers use sounds to convey meaning. They ignore sounds not significant in their native tongue.
Bilingual infants learn new words differently, following a pattern that involves paying less attention to detailed sound information. This adaptive approach may help bilinguals catch up with peers who learn one language.
A rare albino ratfish with a crystalline layer on its skin was caught off Whidbey Island, marking the first time such a specimen has been seen by both experts and scientists. The fish's unusual appearance is due to a gene mutation that prevents it from producing melanin.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified a brain region, the planum temporale, as responsible for perceiving 'sound space', or the location of sounds. The study found that this region is activated when subjects are not concentrating on those sounds and can represent sound locations in a non-intentional manner.
A team of researchers has identified the region in the brain responsible for perceiving sound space. The study used an improved experimental design to map the auditory spatial location center and found that the planum temporale is activated when people locate sounds in space, indicating a nonintentional representation of spatial location.
Research from the University of Chicago Press Journals reveals that intense desires, like hunger, lead to a desire for more variety in choices. When hungry, participants preferred fewer familiar snacks over multiple new options.
Researchers found that vowel sounds associated with positive attributes make brand names more favorable among consumers. Front vowel sounds were preferred for fast or sharp objects, while back vowel sounds were preferred for large or dull objects.
Researchers at the University of Washington used functional MRI to study brain connectivity in dyslexic children. A three-week instructional program improved their ability to connect letters and sounds, normalizing brain activity patterns. The study suggests that temporal connectivity is crucial for reading skills.
As infants grow, their visual and auditory systems fine-tune to relevant distinctions, but also lose the ability to discriminate irrelevant stimuli. Environmental input helps refine these neural connections, enabling infants to better perceive salient inputs.
Researchers found that brain structure Heschl's Gyrus predicts successful second language learning. Adults with smaller left HG gray matter need not despair of learning another language, as training strategies can improve outcomes.
In a population of bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland, New Zealand, males form complex alliances and coalitions to compete for female choice, rather than coercing females into mating. This phenomenon challenges traditional views on male-female relationships in dolphins, offering insights into the evolution of social behavior.
French CNRS scientists have shown that a traumatic memory can be wiped out using a drug, while other associated recollections remain intact. This result could lead to the development of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorders.
A study at Temple University found that listening repeatedly to heart sounds on an iPod improved the stethoscope skills of general internists, increasing correct identification rates to 80%. This technique relies on intensive repetition and is essential for recognizing abnormal heart sounds and identifying dangerous conditions.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that two anti-epileptic drugs can significantly reduce permanent hearing loss in mice exposed to loud noises. The drugs, trimethadione and ethosuximide, work by inhibiting the movement of calcium ions into nerve cells, which play a role in causing damage to hair cells and nerve cells.
Research finds that music training fine-tunes brainstem's sensitivity to speech sounds, benefiting learning activities, and potentially improving sound encoding skills. The study suggests a dynamic relationship between the brainstem and neocortex, allowing basic sensory circuitry to be malleable.
A novel Brandeis University study confirms that sight and sound use similar neural mechanisms for encoding and retrieving short-term memories from both senses. The study found that the errors made in memory for sounds are the same types of errors made in memory for sight, suggesting a common brain process.
Janet Werker's groundbreaking research on infant language development has earned her a fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her work demonstrates that infants can distinguish between sounds not present in their native language, suggesting they learn by recognizing patterns in speech.
Researchers at UCI have identified a novel approach to treating tinnitus by applying a low-pitched sound through an MP3 player, providing temporary relief from high-pitched ringing tones. The treatment, which is only effective while applied, suggests customized stimulation and balanced stimulation as key to suppressing tinnitus.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that deaf children with two cochlear implants can more accurately localize sounds over time. The study, led by Ruth Litovsky, suggests that having two implants allows children to better integrate sound information from both ears in their brain.
Researchers propose that dyslexia stems from faulty filters for irrelevant data, struggling to form solid mental categories for identifying letters and word sounds. Training in noisy conditions may help supplement existing interventions and improve reading abilities.
Researchers at UCL and Imperial College London found that positive sounds like laughter trigger a brain response similar to smiling. This response occurs in the premotor cortical region, preparing facial muscles for laughter, and may play a role in building strong bonds between individuals.
Native languages influence how people group non-language sounds into rhythms, contradicting long-held beliefs. The study suggests exposure to certain patterns of speech can shape perceptions of musical rhythms.
A Bowling Green State University biologist believes long-dormant influenza strains can be unleashed by melting ice in remote global outposts, posing a potential threat to human immunity.
Researchers found that connecting sounds with rewards triggers significant changes in the brain's sensory cortex, enabling better behavioral responses. This study has wide implications for learning and cognitive development, particularly in individuals with language learning impairments like dyslexia.
Researchers at CU-Boulder and Children's Hospital developed guidelines for safe earphone listening levels using iPods. Typically, individuals can safely listen to music for 4.6 hours a day at 70% volume without risking hearing loss.
Daily exposure to noise on subway platforms and cars can cause hearing loss, with average maximum levels exceeding recommended limits by up to 30 minutes. Researchers found that frequent long-term rides and other high-noise activities increase the risk of hearing damage.
A UK researcher has won a major science prize for his work on the region of the brain that helps us hear someone in a noisy place. The researcher, Sam Irving, is studying how the brain adapts to hearing loss and uses feedback systems to compensate.
A recent study published in Injury Prevention calls for increased vigilance on car manufacturers' commitment to road safety initiatives. The research analyzed word frequency analysis of road safety documents from the Global Road Safety Partnership and found that commercial interests often conflict with evidence-based recommendations.
In response to a parasitic attack, male crickets on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai developed silent wings, allowing them to mate with females despite the loss of their sexual signal. The new behavior enabled males to capitalize on the few remaining callers and escape the deadly fly, ensuring evolutionary success.
A sensor package is installed on Cape Cod ferry Katama to measure water temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, and take images of plankton. The project aims to build a detailed portrait of changing water conditions in Nantucket Sound over long time scales.
Composer Dmitri Tymoczko has developed a geometric model to understand musical structure, representing every conceivable chord as a point in space. This approach helps connect familiar harmonies with dissonant cluster-type harmonies, revealing the melodic relationship between chords.
Researchers found that a significant component of the muscle reaction in whiplash injuries arises from being startled by the abrupt motion and loud sound of impact. This new understanding may lead to improved prevention and management techniques for this common injury.
A recent study by researchers at the National Marine Fisheries Service has found significant amounts of Exxon Valdez oil buried in sand and silt in tidal feeding grounds of sea otters, ducks, and other wildlife. This discovery highlights the potential long-term impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems.
Researchers at WWU are studying the impact of harbor seals on rockfish populations in northern Puget Sound. The five-year grant will provide baseline data on harbor seal numbers and diets, shedding light on the effect of these marine mammals on the region's fish populations.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a vast repository of casual conversations, labeling every syllable and sound. The Buckeye Speech Corpus offers a unique resource for scientists studying communication, speech sciences, linguistics, and more.
Varibel, a new Dutch invention, provides directional sensitivity and improves speech understanding for seniors with hearing impairments. The glasses use microphones to selectively intensify sounds from the front while dampening surrounding noise.
The study found that middle-aged donors (40-59 years old) are the largest group, representing 45% of all donors. E-mail reminders and 'Bring a Friend Day' events will be used to engage young donors in the future.
A study found that experienced physicians can effectively auscultate the third heart sound (S3), a crucial indicator of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The presence of S3 was associated with decreased ventricular compliance and may indicate early signs of heart failure.
A virtual classroom was found to be superior to a traditional one in teaching medical students to identify heart sounds, with accuracy rates increasing from 32% to 81% after intensive repetition. The study, led by Michael Barrett, suggests that cardiac auscultation can be mastered through online training.
A study at Temple University School of Medicine found that medical residents improved their ability to identify abnormal heart sounds by up to 69% with the use of electronic stethoscopes. Researchers used these devices to play back recorded heart sounds repeatedly, allowing residents to practice and improve their skills.
A study at Rice University found that brain activity differs between merged and unmerged dialect groups when hearing similar sounds. This suggests that the merged-dialect group processes the words differently, relying on explicit memory for previous visual stimuli.
Researchers Kerry Jordan and Elizabeth Brannon found that seven-month-old infants spent more time looking at video images matching the number of women talking, similar to monkeys who chose videos with matching sounds. The study suggests an internal representation of 'two-ness' or 'three-ness' in preverbal infants.
Scientists use hydrophones to distinguish sounds made by different whale species, finding rare right whale sightings in the Gulf of Alaska and distinct 'dialects' among species. The study also reveals surprisingly robust populations of sperm whales during winter months.
Neurons in the inferior colliculus of the brain can detect changes in pitch, loudness, and duration of sounds, as well as complex patterns. These 'novelty detector neurons' prevent unimportant sounds from reaching the cortex, enabling people to ignore background noises.