Articles tagged with Sound
Scientists successfully adapted echolocation techniques from bats to human echolocation, enabling people to identify rotating targets. The method leverages time-varying echo information to decode target geometry and improve accuracy.
Researchers use computer-assisted techniques to reconstruct ancient pronunciation of undocumented words, achieving a success rate of 76% in predicting word forms. The study's findings improve understanding of Western Kho-Bwa languages and their linguistic history.
New research reveals that people with hearing impairment experience abnormal binaural pitch fusion, which can lead to sound blending together and difficulties with understanding speech in noisy environments. This discovery suggests the possibility of targeted rehabilitation strategies to improve speech perception in noise.
Researchers found that neural networks trained on sound files of human language reached higher performance in image recognition, identifying objects and animals correctly 92% of the time. Using sound as a training tool improved results even with limited training data, outperforming traditional binary input methods.
A new study in mice and people offers a promising entry point to developing new therapies for schizophrenia. Researchers found that hallucination-like events were more common among individuals who experienced spontaneous hallucinations, suggesting a link between brain circuits underlying both human and mouse minds.
Researchers found that listening to natural sounds in national parks reduces pain and stress while improving mood and cognitive performance. The sounds of water were most effective at enhancing positive emotions and health outcomes.
Researchers found that people who frequently engage in 'persuasive bullshitting' are actually poor at identifying it, making them more susceptible to fake news headlines. This frequent BSers mistake superficial profoundness for actual profundeness.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a new AI system that can track individual heartbeats using smart speakers. The system sends inaudible sounds and uses machine learning to identify signals from both regular and irregular heartbeats, achieving accuracy comparable to standard heartbeat monitors.
New research shows that explicit instruction significantly improves reading skills, especially for adults struggling with basic reading skills. The study found that learners who received explicit instruction outperformed those who learned through natural experience.
A new study found that gay men who believe they sound gay are more vigilant about others' reactions and expect acute rejection from heterosexuals. Researchers also discovered that essentialist beliefs regarding voice contribute to prejudice and stigmatization towards gay-sounding men.
A recent study published in the Journal of Marketing found that linguistically feminine brand names are perceived as warmer and more likable, leading to increased purchase intentions. Researchers discovered that brands with feminine names are more likely to be well-ranked on Interbrand's Global Top Brands list.
Researchers found that sounds can change brain circuits in newborn mice, even before the ear canal opens, and may eventually help detect and intervene in abnormal wiring. The study's findings suggest that sensory experience can alter cortical circuits at a very young age, potentially leading to neurodevelopmental problems.
A multidisciplinary team from CNRS and other institutions studied a large seashell found in the Marsoulas Cave in the Pyrenees, dating back around 18,000 years. The shell is believed to be the oldest known wind instrument of its type, with researchers able to produce sounds similar to those on a modern conch.
A dynamic and delicate connection between two pairs of protein filaments, called tip links, plays a central role in hearing. The tension held by these filaments is essential for the activation of sensory cells in the inner ear.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed an AI system called Audeo that generates music from silent video performances of pianists. The system correctly identified musical pieces using music-recognition apps 86% of the time, surpassing human accuracy in some cases.
Researchers from Cornell University and the National Park Service have pinpointed the location of a wooden fort in Alaska using geophysical imaging techniques and ground-penetrating radar. The fort, called Shiskinoow, was built by the Tlingit people in 1804 as their last physical bulwark against Russian colonization forces.
Researchers found that disposable surgical masks provide the best acoustic performance among tested masks, reducing high-frequency sound muffle and allowing speech to be heard clearly. Loosely woven cotton masks also perform well but may not block respiratory droplets as effectively.
A new UC Berkeley study suggests that individuals with clinical anxiety and/or depression have difficulty making sound judgments when faced with changing circumstances. Emotionally resilient people, on the other hand, are better equipped to adapt to these changes by focusing on their past successes.
Researchers used headphones to change sound of footsteps in real-time, finding participants walked faster with high-pitched sounds. Exposure to lemon-scented essential oils combined with high-pitched sounds made participants feel lighter than those exposed to vanilla scents.
Researchers at Skidmore College are developing a unique musical scale for each element based on its spectral signature, allowing students to visualize atomic structures through sound. The project has led to collaborations with Carnegie Hall and London-based DJs, creating soundscapes from celestial data.
A new study tests machine learning on detecting borrowed words in world languages, showing some promise in specific situations, such as high loanword proportions or single donor languages. However, the results are unsatisfying, highlighting the difficulty of identifying borrowings with mono-lingual information alone.
A team of researchers from the University of Sussex created a sound projector that can deliver spatial sound at a distance by forming a beam of audible sound. The system uses a portable speaker, metamaterial lenses, and tracking hardware to track users and send sound directly to them.
Researchers developed a detector that mimics a mosquito's antenna to identify species and sex based on sound patterns. The bioinspired device uses machine learning and speech recognition tools to differentiate between species and sex, offering a potential tool for disease-carrying mosquito identification and selective pesticide use.
A digital stethoscope with artificial intelligence can accurately detect irregular lung sounds, making it easier to diagnose COVID-19 and other respiratory conditions. The device features noise suppression technology, allowing for clear body sounds without the need for training.
Blind soccer players use larger downward head rotations when trapping a ball, outperforming sighted non-athletes. The study may lead to improved smart-assistant devices that utilize similar techniques.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a way to change baby brain activity through associative learning, which could lead to innovative rehabilitation methods for infants with brain injuries. The study involved 24 infants who learned an association between sound and movement, resulting in altered brain activity.
A new study found that noradrenaline helps us adapt to uncertain situations by allowing rapid learning and adjusting our behavior. In contrast, Propranolol blocks the action of noradrenaline, making people more reliant on past experiences in the face of uncertainty.
A study by RUDN University linguists found that vocabulary size in a foreign language impacts the ability to distinguish between vowel sounds. Russian and English speakers were tested on their ability to match L2 vowels with those of their native tongue, regardless of their vocabulary size.
Researchers confirmed ogre-faced spiders use metatarsal sensitivity to detect sound cues from up to 6 feet away, triggering a split-second backflip to strike airborne insects. The spiders' finely tuned sensory systems and unique hunting strategy enable them to capture prey in mid-air.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a new method to predict speech perception for individual recipients, enabling personalized cochlear implant configurations. This study aims to further improve the performance of cochlear implants in noisy environments.
A new software tool called ATLAS measures children's phonological awareness, a critical skill for literacy development. The study found that the software was effective in assessing over 1,100 children aged 3-7 with varying levels of speech and language impairment.
A recent study shows that robot swarms can follow instructions to create paintings, using a system where an artist selects areas of the canvas to be painted a certain color. The resulting images are abstract and pleasing to the eye, with unique areas of color flowing into each other.
Researchers found daily average sound levels dropped approximately 3 decibels during the pandemic, which could have a significant impact on people's overall health outcomes. The analysis shows that digital devices can be used to evaluate daily behaviors and exposures.
Experts argue that the assisted dying debate needs a radical shift in perspective, moving beyond a medical framework. Studies show that depression, hopelessness, and perception of being a burden are stronger predictors of desire to hasten death.
The ultra-low-cost LoCHAid device uses electronic filters to shape frequency response and is designed for easy manufacture and repair in low-income countries. It has the potential to provide sufficient value for users despite its limitations, particularly in comparison to luxury hearing aid options.
Researchers from HSE University developed seven phonological tests to assess children's reading skills. The study found that more complex tests predicted reading fluency and identified phonological deficits, suggesting their use in diagnosing and addressing reading problems like dyslexia.
Researchers have identified how brain cells work together to join up memories of separate experiences, allowing us to make educated guesses. The process happens in a region of the brain called the hippocampus and is also linked to creativity.
Researchers discovered that cortical representations of new words form in just 1-2 hours after exposure, suggesting a faster-than-thought process. This finding has implications for diagnosing speech disorders and improving language learning efficiency.
A RUDN University linguist found a potential correlation between the number of COVID-19 cases in a country and the presence of aspirated consonants in its main language. The study, published in Medical Hypotheses journal, suggests that languages like English with more aspirated consonants may lead to faster spread of the virus.
Carnegie Mellon researchers create large dataset capturing interaction between sound, action, and vision to improve robotic perception. The study found that sounds can help robots differentiate between objects and predict physical properties of new objects.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UCSF developed a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve to improve language learning. Participants showed significant improvements in distinguishing Mandarin tones, with some reaching peak performance twice as quickly as control participants.
The NIH has funded a project to develop an AI-based system, PHK, that analyzes patients' clinical and genomic data to find new connections between biochemical pathways. This system could help doctors treat cancer and complex diseases more effectively by providing personalized treatment recommendations.
The SoundWear device uses sound augmentation to expand children's play experience, triggering imagination and distinct play behaviors. It also helps children gain a sense of achievement and ownership towards sound.
A new Ohio State University study found that people can't completely ignore how someone looks or sounds, even when told to do so. This has implications for racial stereotyping, as participants were more careful to avoid showing bias when evaluating accents, but not when judging physical attractiveness.
A Cornell-led study reveals that sound combinations elicit emotionally intense responses, linking them to meaning. The research suggests that early humans may have used emotion to associate words with meanings, paving the way for language development.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have discovered that pupillary responses can objectively estimate English language processing abilities, including distinguishing sounds like L and R. This method shows promise for efficient studying and may become a new indicator of language ability.
A recent study found that the human brain processes speech with exceptional temporal fidelity, unlike other sounds. The researchers used millisecond-scale brain recordings to decode and reconstruct spoken words, discovering a unique time-locked encoding mechanism for speech.
Research at Goethe University Frankfurt reveals that both hemispheres of the brain contribute to speech control, with the left hemisphere handling fast processes and the right hemisphere controlling slower processes. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that the right hemisphere only analyzes spoken words.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University's Vision and Eye Research Institute found that people with severe vision loss can less accurately judge the distance of nearby sounds. This impairment may put them at risk of injury in real-life situations.
A novel neural circuit has been discovered in rats that responds to the sound of silence, triggering defense responses. The study found that a specific combination of brain regions, including those involved in sound processing and emotional responses, are necessary for rats to freeze in response to silent danger.
Researchers at KAUST developed a cost-effective approach to detect red palm weevil infestation using laser pulses and optical fibers. The system can identify larvae as young as 12 days old and provide noninvasive, 24/7 monitoring of large-scale farms.
A study at the University of Gothenburg found that wind turbine noise influences people's perception of restorative effects of sleep and has a small but significant effect on dream sleep. Participants who lived near wind turbines reported worse sleep quality during quiet nights.
Research by Chris Meyer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute suggests that businesses with substantial human interaction or changing service offerings may not benefit from AI automation. In contrast, companies that limit customer choice and interaction are more likely to see success with AI technologies.
Researchers recorded 2,750 minutes of underwater sounds in five major river systems, identifying over 7,000 distinct sounds. Most were from unknown biological sources, while human-caused noise dominated the landscape, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems.
A study on Amazon road expansion projects found that implementing all proposed roads would lead to deforestation of at least 2.4 million hectares and 17% legal violations related to environmental statuses or indigenous rights. Focusing on the lowest-impact projects could generate $4 billion in net gain while avoiding significant losses.
A study by University of Alberta scientists found that sound and visual effects on slot machines make them more attractive and winning more memorable. The researchers discovered that people prefer to play on virtual slot machines with casino-related cues, regardless of the machine's risk level.
Researchers analyzed a massive corpus of spontaneous speech from French-English bilinguals, discovering that pronunciation is not a reliable indicator of linguistic proficiency. Contrary to stereotypes, many speakers often pronounce borrowed words in English-style, even when code-switching into their native language.
A study by LMU linguists reveals that language learners believe their own pronunciation is better than others', even when they make the same mistakes. This overestimation hinders progress in learning foreign languages, highlighting the importance of external feedback to improve skills.
Researchers developed an algorithm that uses first-order echoes from microphones to reconstruct a room's shape. The method is a theoretical problem but has potential applications in various fields, such as vehicle navigation and sound localization.
A study by RMIT University found that melodic alarms can improve alertness levels, while harsh alarm tones are linked to increased morning grogginess. The research suggests that the sound used to wake up could have important implications for people who need to perform at their peak soon after waking.