Articles tagged with Sound
The UW team's system uses self-deploying microphones to divide rooms into speech zones and track the positions of individual speakers. The robots disperse as far from each other as possible, allowing for greater sound control and isolating specific areas or separating simultaneous conversations.
New research finds that pied tamarins increase scent marking in response to urban noise pollution, which affects their vocal communication. This adaptation may help them cope with the impact of human activity on their habitat.
A new project by JooYoung Seo at the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences aims to make data curation more accessible for everyone, regardless of abilities. The three-year grant will connect multimodal data representation with day-to-day reproducible workflows, enriching understanding and offering multiple perspectives.
Researchers found that phytosterols can reverse age-related hearing loss in mice by replenishing cholesterol in sensory cells. The study suggests that these plant-based compounds could be a convenient way to combat age-related hearing loss.
Scientists successfully reconstructed recognizable versions of Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1' using nonlinear modeling to decode brain activity. The study identified a unique region in the Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG) responsible for rhythm perception, with electrodes from this region crucial for accurate reconstruct...
A new study reveals that mosquitoes use a specific receptor in their ears to modulate their hearing, which is crucial for reproduction and mating. This discovery could lead to the development of novel insecticides or mating disruptors to control mosquito populations and reduce human disease.
A new study reveals that reptiles demonstrate spontaneous associations between visual and auditory information, including tortoises associating low sounds with large shapes and high pitch sounds with small shapes. This discovery shows how brains are prepared to predict visuo-acoustic correspondences likely to occur in the natural world.
Acoustics researchers have decomposed sound into its three basic components, whistles, clicks, and hisses, using ideas from auditory perception, fuzzy logic, and perfect reconstruction. The new method emerges as the winning way to decompose most sounds in a listening test.
A team of philosophers and psychologists found that people can literally hear moments of silence, producing the same auditory illusions as sounds. The study suggests that our brains treat silences similarly to sounds, blurring the line between hearing and absence.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a novel mechanism by which hair cells can repair themselves after damage. This breakthrough understanding has the potential to develop new treatments for age-related hearing loss and other conditions.
Wild orangutans produce two distinct sounds simultaneously, mirroring songbirds and human beatboxers. This finding has significant implications for the evolution of human speech and our shared ancestors' vocal capabilities.
Researchers found that deaf mice have nearly normal neural activity in the auditory system for two weeks after birth, suggesting a molecular mechanism for improved outcomes with early cochlear implants. This spontaneous activity helps train the brain to process sound before the ear canal opens.
Researchers developed methods to emphasize higher-frequency components of bone-conducted speech signals, improving intelligibility in noisy environments. The study's findings have potential real-life applications in BC-type hearing aids and auditory augmentation.
VIRTUOSO, developed by Dr. Hyunkook Lee from the University of Huddersfield's Applied Psychoacoustics Lab, enables immersive 3D audio without loudspeakers through binaural technology powered by ASPEN. This technology simulates the ambience and reflections found in a room with headphones, allowing for accurate translation to real speakers.
A team of scientists has identified 7 prehistoric flutes in Eynan-Mallaha, Israel, dated to 12,000 years ago. The flutes were made from the bones of small waterfowl and produced a sound similar to certain birds of prey.
A team from UNIGE created a book with tactile illustrations that associate sounds with objects, enabling visually impaired children to identify them more easily. The combination of gestures, shapes, and sounds helps bridge the gap between visual and tactile experiences.
Researchers at Beckman Institute found fetal exposure to PCBs made it harder for mice to recover from sound-related trauma. Oxidative stress appears to be key mediator of the effect, suppressing auditory system's ability to heal.
Researchers found that the brain's auditory cortex responds strongly to positive human sounds coming from the left, but not from the right or front. This bias may have an evolutionary advantage, as it could help detect potential threats or predators.
Researchers developed algorithms to analyze acoustic signals from fire hydrant-mounted hydrophones, pinpointing leaks in aging water distribution networks. This technology supports water conservation efforts, especially in the Western US where leaks are a significant issue.
A software program designed by Timothy G. Leighton predicts the environmental sounds of other planets and how human voices might change in distant worlds. The program uses acoustics and planetary science communities to learn about properties such as chemical composition, atmospheric temperature changes, and roughness of the ground.
Researchers used hydrophones to record the sounds of Pando aspen grove's leaves and root system, discovering vibrations passing through the tree during a windstorm. The study challenges traditional concepts of individual organisms and has potential applications in nondestructive analysis of environmental systems.
Researchers developed a virtual framework to investigate the effectiveness of optoacoustic tomography for breast cancer screening in people with darker skin. The results confirmed that tumors can be harder to locate in individuals with darker skin, highlighting the need to optimize imaging systems to mitigate racial bias.
Researchers found that people produce louder and slower speech with less pitch variation when communicating with AI systems, while clearer speech improves comprehension. The study aims to improve AI's ability to understand human speech and investigate language changes as technology advances.
A study found that the coqui frog's calls have changed over a 23-year period due to rising temperatures, with higher-pitched calls at higher elevations. This shift may indicate a mini-migration of frogs up the mountain as temperatures increase, posing a threat to their survival.
Researchers have found that hearing aid users are dissatisfied with the sound quality of music when using their hearing aids. However, some manufacturers' music programs have improved significantly. The team tested 200 recordings and found that two brands stood out in terms of music quality.
A new study found that people exposed to moderate aircraft noise were less likely to get the minimum recommended sleep each night. The risk increased among those living near airports or large water bodies, as well as those with no hearing loss. Exposure levels as low as 45 dB were associated with short sleep duration.
An analysis of popular song recordings from 1946 to 2020 found a significant decrease in the lead vocal to accompaniment ratio, indicating that lead singers are getting quieter. Changes in music technology appear to be behind this trend until 1975.
A new study reveals that our perception of difficulty in shouting upwind is incorrect. It's not the wind itself that makes it hard, but rather our inability to hear ourselves due to the convective attenuation effect. The study found that sound carries better within the first 100 meters upwind, making it easier for others to hear us.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm that allows electronic devices to express uncertainty when faced with unexpected data, improving cough detection technology. The new approach enables more precise detection with fewer sound samples per second, reducing computing power and addressing privacy concerns.
A nurse has shared her experience of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) after a mild COVID-19 infection. She highlights the importance of clinicians including SSNHL as a potential side effect of COVID-19 and recommends high-dose corticosteroids as treatment.
Researchers found that Luna moth tails are primarily used for bat evasion, but also make the insects conspicuous to birds and other predators. The study suggests that the tails' role in predation may have co-opted their function in attracting mates.
Astrocytes tune down overactive neurons during acute stress, helping to regulate attention and perception. This discovery provides new hope for treating attention disorders like ADHD.
A recent study found that nearly one in five UK adults (18%) have misophonia, with the most common trigger sounds being chewing and sniffing. The survey also revealed that individuals with misophonia often feel trapped or helpless around these sounds, leading to significant negative reactions.
Researchers found that anatomical variations in a speaker's vocal tract affect speech production, with factors such as horizontal and vertical length, head inclination, and hard palate shape influencing vowel frequencies. The study suggests that understanding anatomy is crucial for producing speech.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that Russian-speaking readers, including both children and adults, rely on orthographic information during parafoveal pre-processing. The participants were able to recognize words with incorrect letter order more easily than those with pseudohomophones.
A new method for estimating sound direction using monaural cues has been proposed by researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. The approach uses modulation in the frequency spectrum of the received signal to detect the signal direction, achieving accurate estimates even with human monaural hearing.
The novel portable wireless sensing system measures strain and acceleration in real-time, generating a safety assessment report to prevent damage and ensure safe delivery. While effective, the system lacks real-time data management capabilities, requiring future development of a cloud-based monitoring system.
Scientists from Poland's Institute of Physical Chemistry have discovered a way to control the population of the pine-tree lappet moth, which threatens coniferous forests. A new pheromone blend based on biocomponents of the sex pheromone has been developed to monitor and potentially control the moth's abundance.
Researchers found that breeds genetically closer to wolves are more prone to reply with howls, while modern breeds bark instead. Older dogs over 5 years also show increased stress-related behaviors when howling.
Studies reveal that 73% of tickertape synesthetes experienced this ability during childhood reading acquisition. This characteristic can be both an advantage and a nuisance, aiding memorization but disrupting attention in crowded places.
A new study suggests that office noise levels between 50 decibels can boost physiological well-being, while loud noises above 50 decibels decrease it. Researchers found that even low sound levels trigger a higher stress response, highlighting the need for optimal acoustics in workplace design.
A new study in deaf rats demonstrates that stimulating the locus coeruleus region of the brain can improve how quickly they learn to use their cochlear implants. The findings suggest that differences in neuroplasticity may contribute to variations in hearing improvements among implant recipients.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that individuals with high empathy scores can accurately detect emotional sounds in animals, including arousal and valence. The study involved 1024 participants from 48 countries and showed a significant correlation between empathy for humans and understanding animal sounds.
Researchers used hydrophones to monitor two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, finding that they produce subtle sounds near the low end of human hearing range. Characterizing these sounds can help predict and prevent environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.
Researchers aim to provide the highest quality of care possible by understanding the sound environment of child care centers. A 48-hour monitoring period and staff evaluations helped identify factors influencing child and provider experiences.
Acoustic engineers use techniques like impulse responses to reproduce dialogue and other sounds in film. This process creates a believable audio experience for viewers, drawing them into the story. By carefully balancing dialogue, effects, and music, sound mixers achieve cinematic magic.
Researchers have developed a text-to-audio model that can generate coherent and relevant music and sound from text, opening up new avenues for creative application and exploration. The model employed data compression methods to improve output quality and reduce training time.
An experimental music piece by Alvin Lucier can be used to reveal details of the surrounding room and teach important lessons about acoustic resonance. Students can analyze the frequencies that make up the recording to determine which frequencies are resonances of the room, and then calculate the distance between pairs of walls.
A team of researchers created 3D-printed violins using modern materials and techniques, producing a darker, more mellow sound. The project aims to make music education accessible through the printing of affordable instruments.
A team of researchers conducted laboratory experiments and online surveys to study the perceived annoyance of impact sounds. They found that thudding sounds created by people walking barefoot are not captured by current standardized performance metrics, which may lead to improved guidance for architects and building code developers.
A study of parrot vocal learning reveals species-specific differences in mimicking human speech, with some birds using words in context. Researchers also found that age and sex are weak predictors of vocal mimicry, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for these complex communicators.
Researchers developed a noninvasive microphone sensor that uses machine learning to detect bowel diseases like cholera. The algorithm analyzes audio data from toilet sounds, identifying consistent tones for urination and singular tones for defecation.
The Lombard effect is a cycle where individuals speak louder to be heard over background noise, increasing overall din. Researchers propose technology solutions and design changes to minimize the effect, such as individualized conversations via smart earbuds or altering wall absorption in spaces.
A new app uses customized playlists to console, relax, and uplift users, aiming to improve emotional states. The app's creators found that relaxing and uplifting methods can significantly move listeners from negative to more positive emotional states.
Research suggests a universal pattern in profanity across different languages, with the lack of approximants being a common feature when perceiving swear words. Participants rated pseudo-words with and without approximants differently, indicating that approximant-free words were more likely to be considered swear words.
Researchers developed a machine learning algorithm to identify cough sounds and determine if someone has pneumonia, aided by room impulse responses. The algorithm can work in any environment, facilitating non-face-to-face treatment and reducing medical costs.
Researchers investigate how voice technology affects consumers' willingness to disclose personal info, with potential benefits for marketers and policymakers. The study reveals that voice technology can both increase and decrease disclosure, depending on the context.
A new study reveals that bats use the same technique as human death metal singers and throat singing members to produce sounds. Bats can span 7 octaves with their vocal range, surpassing most mammals. The research team filmed what happens in a bat's larynx when producing sound, showing heavy vocal folds vibrating at low frequencies.
Wild geese in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands experience significant changes in their behavior after fireworks, including flying further and foraging more, even after the disturbances end. The effects persist for up to two weeks, with birds leaving their sleeping sites and flying hundreds of kilometers non-stop.
Researchers from Aarhus University found that seal pups can distinguish and react differently to various rhythms. This study provides a significant step forward in understanding human musicality and language development.