Articles tagged with Sound
A new algorithm called SleepGuard tracks sleep patterns using multiple smartwatch sensors, estimating sleep quality and providing users with practical advice. The technology captures key factors such as body movements, ambient lighting, and sounds related to sleep disorders.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed two approaches to improve smart devices' understanding of their environment: Ubicoustics, which uses microphone-based sound recognition, and Vibrosight, a vibration-detection system using laser vibrometry. These methods enhance context-aware computing capabilities.
A recent National Academies report on returning individual research results to participants makes recommendations that create major new roadblocks to data sharing and would roll back important privacy protections. The report's findings highlight the need for transparency and respect for participants' rights, rather than building barriers.
A study found that people generally prefer self-driving cars to stay in their lane and perform an emergency stop, even if it means risking collision with pedestrians or bystanders. The research suggests that this default action is morally acceptable, even if it doesn't minimize expected loss.
Caltech researchers develop two illusions to demonstrate postdiction, a phenomenon where later stimuli retroactively affect earlier perceptions. The Illusory Rabbit and Invisible Rabbit illusions show how sound can influence vision, highlighting dynamic neural processing.
Scientists have uncovered how mice ignore their own footsteps, offering insights into human speech and music learning. The study shows that mice develop an adjustable sensory filter to suppress movement-related sounds, improving sound detection in their environment.
A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has developed a new method for canceling noise without requiring ear-blocking headphones. By using wireless IoT networks, they can sense sounds and send them to an earpiece with enough time to produce a better anti-noise signal, effectively canceling out external sounds.
Scientists found that the brain re-evaluates speech sound interpretations at the moment subsequent sounds are heard, using surrounding context to narrow possibilities. The brain makes commitments to its best guess after about half a second, demonstrating how context can alter perception even if disambiguating information arrives later.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that policies in Puget Sound are shifting toward restoration projects that engage multiple social groups and offer various benefits. These projects, such as the Qwuloolt project, have been successful due to their inclusive planning processes and collaborative nature.
A study found that blind people need additional timing cues to accurately judge sound locations, unlike sighted individuals. Blind participants performed better with proportional delays, while uniform delays impaired their judgement.
Researchers from Duke University found that single neurons can switch between encoding information for two different sounds, suggesting a potential explanation for how the brain processes complex information. The study's results may also shed light on perceptual and cognitive limitations.
Research study found that consciousness is not fully lost during general anesthesia, with brain processing words and sounds even when subjects do not recall them. The study used EEG and PET to monitor changes caused by anaesthetics.
Early music training enhances brain processing of pitch and improves speech perception in young learners, with benefits mirroring those seen in reading instruction. The study found no broad cognitive enhancements from piano training alone, suggesting a targeted impact on sound processing ability.
A new study from MIT finds that piano lessons enhance word discrimination in kindergartners, particularly with consonants, without improving overall cognitive ability. The researchers suggest that music education is at least as beneficial for language skills and possibly more beneficial than additional reading instruction.
A new screening tool has been developed to help diagnose early cognitive decline in dementia, which can develop into Alzheimer's disease in 30-50% of people. The test uses simple sound and flash detection on a laptop or phone and may be used to improve early diagnosis and provide interventions.
Research by Zachary Estes and colleagues found that single speech sounds are statistically associated with negative or positive emotions in several languages. These associations aid survival by allowing quick reactions to vital objects.
A human neuroimaging study found that the brain creates perceptual illusions when speech is degraded due to prior expectations. The study suggests that predictive coding plays a crucial role in speech perception, with reduced activity in the left superior temporal sulcus associated with misperception.
A team from the University of Kansas investigated the Speech-to-Song Illusion, where a spoken phrase is repeated and begins to sound like it's being sung. The researchers found that word detectors initially activate, giving one the perception of speech, but fatigue as the phrase is repeated, shifting perception to a songlike state.
A study at the University of Illinois explores cost-effective options for providing global broadband services by launching satellites into orbit. The research suggests designing a satellite constellation that provides regional coverage first, then expands stage by stage to maximize profit.
Research at the University of the Arts Helsinki found that multisensory experiences improve sales and comfort in shops and restaurants by combining elements like food, lighting, sound, and atmosphere. The study showed a 20% increase in fruit and vegetable sales after playing nature sounds in a grocery shop.
A PLOS ONE study found that listening to an aggressive conversation nearby increases a person's comfortable interpersonal space by up to 2.5 seconds
A study found that Norwegian boys continue to trail behind girls in reading skills, with 21% of 15-year-old boys unable to read well. The discrepancy persists despite instruction and suggests inadequate teaching practices.
A recent Baycrest study suggests that learning music or speaking another language trains the brain to be more efficient. Researchers found that musicians and bilinguals utilized fewer brain resources when completing a working memory task, with less brain activity compared to monolingual individuals.
Researchers at the University of Seville have developed an automatic classifier for frog calls using artificial intelligence. The system can identify temperature fluctuations and detect changes in reproductive behavior, providing a powerful indicator of global warming.
Research found that higher aerobic fitness levels are directly related to lower incidence of 'tip-of-the-tongue' states, a common language failure in older adults. Regular exercise was shown to improve language skills and reduce negative consequences for older adults.
Researchers found degraded coral reefs are quieter than five years ago, with 40% fewer juvenile fishes attracted compared to healthy reefs. The loss of reef sounds could have devastating consequences for reefs, as fish play critical roles in maintaining their health.
A new study has found that researchers can detect killer whales in Puget Sound by analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples. The eDNA persists for up to two hours after the whales have passed through, providing a potential game-changing advance in whale tracking and identification.
The brain uses a two-step process to categorize both visual and auditory inputs, increasing sensitivity to acoustic features in the lower-level auditory cortex. This discovery has important implications for understanding individual differences in language learning and developing treatments for people with learning disorders.
A study using electroencephalography found that brain activity in the precuneus region of the parietal cortex plays a crucial role in detecting changes in natural sounds. Participants who were exposed to a longer sound stimulus reacted faster and identified changes more accurately.
Researchers found that visually-evoked auditory response (vEAR) is more common than other types of synaesthesia, affecting up to 21% of the population. The study suggests a connection between vEAR and physiological factors such as raised cortical excitability in the brain.
Researchers found no relationship between a candidate's voice pitch and their leadership ability, contrary to previous findings that voters tend to favor lower-voiced candidates.
Researchers found that people closely watch lip movement and shape when perceiving speech, with subtle distinctions between vowel sounds suffering without these cues. The study's findings have implications for designing more intelligible avatars and improving communication devices for the hearing impaired.
Researchers found that humans can efficiently localize sounds when moving, using auditory motion parallax to estimate relative distances. This mechanism is particularly useful in noisy environments and allows for improved sound discrimination.
Researchers found that the brain's auditory cortex does not solely represent acoustic environments but also incorporates perception. Custom ear molds disrupted participants' elevation perception, revealing different responses to sounds between sessions, indicating a dynamic relationship between sensory encoding and perception.
A new study of Tommo So folk songs reveals that artistic expression often prioritizes harmony over pitch accuracy, despite the potential for confusion. The authors found that melodies in tonal languages like Tommo So tend to avoid direct contradictions between sung and spoken pitches.
A team of researchers from NYU Shanghai and NYU found that the 'loudness' of our thoughts affects how we judge external sounds. This is because imagery and perception activate the same auditory brain areas, leading to a decrease in sensitivity to actual loudness perception.
Researchers have turned salmon migration patterns into sound using sonification, enabling untrained listeners to interpret large amounts of complex data. The approach has shown promise in helping scientists feel less overwhelmed by interpreting big data, leading them to spend more time exploring the experience.
A new study reveals that noise sensitivity is related to differences in brain structure and sound processing, affecting individuals' ability to tolerate background noise. Research suggests that noise-sensitive people may experience difficulties with unexpected sounds and altered emotional responses to music.
Most UK doctors (79%) and 80% of the public support legislation for assisted dying. A series of articles explores the debate around assisted dying, with personal accounts and expert opinions. The proposed legislation aims to provide safeguards for terminally ill patients who want to end their lives.
Researchers have discovered a fundamental energy field guiding formation of complex patterns in materials that crystallize, altering current understanding of metal solidification. This finding has the potential to improve casting and welding processes, leading to stronger alloys and improved metallurgical process control.
Researchers recorded laboratory-quality brain activity measurements outdoors using portable equipment, revealing differences in brain processing stimuli compared to indoor conditions. The findings suggest the brain may be compensating for environmental distractions, which could inform the creation of safer public spaces.
Researchers have developed a new approach to treating tinnitus by targeting unruly nerve activity in the brain with precisely timed sound and skin stimulation. Human participants reported improved quality of life after four weeks of daily device use, while sham treatment did not produce similar effects.
A new drone system detects voices and sounds from disaster victims through background noise, helping rescue teams locate them faster. The system combines microphone array technology, sound source localization, and automatic speech recognition.
Noise in hospitals is a significant problem, with alarms sounding an average of 133 times per day, leading to patient stress, impaired communication, and reduced healing. To address this issue, hospitals are developing noise control programs using engineering and administrative interventions.
The clarinet's unique sound in early New Orleans jazz is attributed to its size, shape, reed, and mouthpiece. Michael G. White's research aims to refine this tone on the Boehm system clarinet, exploring factors such as internal bore shape, fingerings, and player embouchure.
A new study by Ohio State University found that a composting program in Costa Mesa, California led to residents increasing their energy and water conservation efforts. The research suggests that when people start engaging in one environmentally friendly behavior, they are more likely to adopt other pro-environmental habits.
A recent study by Remy Wenmaekers reveals that physical measures have little effect in reducing sound levels due to instrument contribution. Earplugs are the only solution to help musicians reduce excessive sound levels, especially for trumpet and flute players.
Researchers at Stanford University developed a platform called Abuzz that uses cellphone recordings to track mosquito populations and distributions. The platform aims to create the world's largest network of mosquito surveillance, enabling targeted control efforts and reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers observed maternal responses to infant crying across 11 countries, finding common brain activity patterns in new mothers. The study suggests a neurobiological and evolutionary basis for the human maternal response to infant cries.
A study by Iowa State University researchers found that collective intelligence theory does not apply to real-world teams due to factors like leadership and communication skills. The research contradicts previous findings supporting the concept, which has been widely adopted in business and management.
A team of paleontologists at the University of Toronto discovered that ancient amphibians had a vast array of tiny teeth, called denticles, on the roofs of their mouths. These toothy plates were ideal for holding onto prey and may have facilitated swallowing prey via eyeball retraction, similar to modern amphibians.
A Norwegian University study found that girls outperform boys in reading by six years old due to better letter recognition and sounds knowledge. The study suggests a multifaceted approach to address the disparity, including early identification and targeted training, to prevent students from dropping out of school.
A study found that octacosanol, a compound rich in sugarcane and other natural products, can reduce stress and restore normal sleep in mildly stressed mice. The researchers also suggest that octacosanol may be useful for treating insomnia caused by stress due to its potential to increase sleep.
A Potential Tropical Cyclone 10 is expected to bring heavy rains and tropical-storm-force winds to the North Carolina coast, particularly in areas such as Wilmington. The system's track will take it along the Mid-Atlantic region before moving out to sea, with a high chance of it becoming extratropical by Aug. 30.
A study published in Brain found that people who hear voices can detect disguised speech-like sounds more quickly and easily than non-voice-hearers. Voice-hearers' brains automatically responded to meaningful sounds in the regions linked to attention and monitoring skills.
Children start recognizing and following important rules governing English letter patterns, even before learning how letters represent sounds, around 3-5 years old. As they get older, their invented spellings improve, becoming more word-like in appearance.
A new technology analyzes lung sounds in children to predict asthma attack symptoms and identify asymptomatic kids at high risk. The approach was useful in a study of 70 severely asthmatic children.
A study of modern hunter-gatherers in Tanzania found that mismatched sleep schedules and restless nights may be an evolutionary leftover from a time when predators lurked in the shadows. This natural variation in sleep patterns helps ensure at least one person is awake to keep watch, reducing the need for nighttime sentinels.
A new UCL study found that looking away from the sound source while focusing on another one can lead to slower reactions and increased listening effort. The researchers used EEG to monitor brain activity in participants, revealing an increase in oscillatory neural activity when gaze was misaligned with auditory attention.
The rise of immersive journalism poses challenges to traditional journalistic principles, as it offers a personal experience that can be subjective and relativistic. However, when used thoughtfully, immersion can enhance the narrative and create a powerful emotional impact.