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Earplugs unavoidable for musicians in the orchestra and at home

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.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateNov 22, 2017

Tracking mosquitoes with your cellphone

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.

SourceStanford University·DateOct 31, 2017

Maternal responses to infants' cries

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.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

You would not ask a firefighter to perform open-heart surgery

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.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateOct 17, 2017

Ancient amphibian had mouthful of teeth ready to grab you: UTM research

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.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPeerJ·DateSep 15, 2017

How should we handle boys who can't read?

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.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 12, 2017

Cannot sleep due to stress? Here is the cure

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.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 4, 2017

Potential Tropical Cyclone 10 soaks Mid-Atlantic

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 29, 2017
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

People who hear voices can detect hidden speech in unusual sounds

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.

SourceDurham University·JournalBrain·DateAug 20, 2017

Live-in grandparents helped human ancestors get a safer night's sleep

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.

SourceDuke University·DateJul 11, 2017
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Gaze direction affects sensitivity to sounds

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.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 5, 2017

Immersive journalism in a post-truth world

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.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Digital Humanities·DateJun 29, 2017

Now or later: How taste and sound affect when you buy

New research finds that advertisements highlighting more proximal sensory experiences (touch/taste) lead to earlier purchases, while those emphasizing distal sensory experiences (sight/sound) delay them. This study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, suggests new ways for marketers to differentiate their products and services.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 28, 2017

The brain's fight and flight responses to social threat

Researchers found that avoiding social threats leads to decreased mentalizing network activity and increased amygdala activity, indicating heightened threat detection. The study used a Lord of the Rings-themed experiment to investigate neural correlates of social threat perception.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 26, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How viewing cute animals can help rekindle marital spark

Researchers found that couples who viewed positive images of their spouses paired with cute animals showed improved marriage quality. The intervention used evaluative conditioning to create automatic associations between the spouse's face and positive feelings.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 19, 2017

Spying on fish love calls could help protect them from overfishing

A team of marine scientists developed an inexpensive yet accurate method to estimate the number of fish in a spawning aggregation based on their mating calls. This technology can help fisheries managers design effective management practices and monitor the ongoing health of a fishery, protecting endangered species from overfishing.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 13, 2017

New discovery: Cormorants can hear under water

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have found that cormorants can detect sounds under water, which may help protect these birds from man-made noise pollution. This new ability is comparable to that of seals and whales, and could also benefit other aquatic bird species.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateMay 29, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Blind people have brain map for 'visual' observations too

Researchers at KU Leuven found that blind individuals, including those without eyeballs, use the ventral-temporal cortex to categorize visual observations. This region is divided into smaller areas, each recognizing a particular category, such as faces, body parts, and objects.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2017

Internet of things made simple: One sensor package does work of many

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a plug-in sensor package that can transform any room into a smart environment, detecting various phenomena such as sounds, vibration, and temperature. The 'Synthetic Sensors' approach uses machine learning techniques to combine raw sensor feeds and identify dozens of events and obj...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMay 10, 2017

A good night's sleep

Researchers designed a new technology that uses machine learning to model personal sleep patterns based on recorded sounds made during sleep. This method allows doctors to diagnose patients under normal sleeping conditions, leading to better treatment outcomes.

SourceOsaka University·DateApr 20, 2017

Common antibiotic may help to prevent or treat PTSD

A new study found that doxycycline can reduce fear memory responses in healthy volunteers by 60%, suggesting its potential to treat PTSD. The antibiotic disrupts the formation of negative associations in the brain, which is crucial for learning to fear threats.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateApr 4, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

New program improves hearing aid use for older adults

A new program developed by Kari Lane at the University of Missouri has shown significant improvement in hearing aid wear time among older adults. The program, called Hearing Aid Reintroduction (HEAR), uses a systematically gradual approach to support adjustment to hearing aids, increasing wear time from one hour to 10 hours over 30 days.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Phonetics & Audiology·DateMar 20, 2017

Is the human brain hardwired to appreciate poetry?

Researchers found that participants' brains responded positively to sentences conforming to traditional Welsh poetry rules, even when they couldn't explicitly identify the correct form. This suggests an innate appreciation for poetic structure in the human brain.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 17, 2017

Words can sound 'round' or 'sharp' without us realizing it

A new study found that people unconsciously map sounds to shapes, influencing awareness before conscious recognition. The 'bouba-kiki' effect, observed across cultures and age groups, shows that soft-sounding words pair with round shapes and sharp-sounding words with angular shapes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 9, 2017

NICU study highlights need to reduce loud noises, boost beneficial sounds

A recent NICU study found that preemies are exposed to noise levels higher than recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, while also lacking essential language stimulation. The researchers recommend engaging parents in providing sensory exposures to promote healthy development.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateFeb 8, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Wired for sound: Enraging noises caused by brain connection overdrive

Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered abnormal changes in the brain's frontal lobe and emotional control mechanism in individuals with misophonia. The study found that trigger sounds evoked increased heart rate and sweating, and that patients had strikingly similar clinical features despite being undiagnosed by current me...

SourceNewcastle University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 3, 2017
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Noise sensitivity traced to changes in brain functions

Research at University of Helsinki finds that noise sensitive individuals' brains process sounds differently, leading to decreased responsiveness to new sounds. This adaptation may help protect against overreacting to noise, suggesting a physiological basis for noise sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 19, 2016

Jumping spiders can hear sound without eardrums

Researchers discovered that jumping spiders can detect sounds in the 80-380 Hertz range at distances up to 10 feet, even without ears or ear drums. This ability helps them respond to predators like the Mud Dauber wasp.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 31, 2016

Making sense of the seneses: 'Context' matters when the brain interprets sounds

A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that nerve cells dedicated to hearing rely on surrounding context to properly interpret and react to familiar sounds. Researchers observed patterns based on a basic divide in the nature of nerve cells, with excitatory and inhibitory neurons working together to balance brain activity.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 31, 2016
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

What's in a name? For young Chinese consumers, it's about culture mixing

A new study by University of Illinois professor Carlos J. Torelli found that younger, more educated Chinese consumers tend to favor phonosemantic brand translations, which integrate both sound and meaning into a product's name. This approach signals cultural sensitivity and respect for the local culture.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Cross-Cultural Psychology·DateOct 3, 2016

A nose by any other name would sound the same, study finds

Researchers found strong associations between certain sounds and common objects/ideas across languages, including body parts and natural phenomena. The study's findings suggest that humans tend to use similar sounds to describe basic concepts, regardless of language.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2016
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

What makes Southerners sound southern?

Researchers will analyze 64 interviews with speakers from eight Southern states using computer software to identify variations in spoken language. The goal is to provide a database of Southern speech patterns that can be used for industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·DateAug 25, 2016

Maternal language shapes infants' cry melodies

Researchers found that infants whose mothers speak tonal languages exhibit higher melodic variation in their cries, which sounds like chanting. This suggests that babies are learning language patterns from the womb and can mimic them in their early vocalizations.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Voice·DateAug 19, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Reach in and touch objects in videos

Researchers from MIT's CSAIL have developed an imaging technique called Interactive Dynamic Video (IDV) that lets users reach in and interact with objects in videos. By analyzing video clips for 'vibration modes,' the team can predict how objects will move in new situations, enabling realistic simulations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, CSAIL·DateAug 2, 2016

Voice control in orangutan gives clues to early human speech

A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that orangutans have the potential capacity to control their voices, which could have led to the evolution of human speech. The research found that an adolescent orangutan named Rocky was able to copy the pitch and tone of sounds made by researchers, mimicking vowel-like calls.

SourceDurham University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2016

At the insect singles bar, cicadas provide the soundtrack

Male cicadas use their calls to attract mates, but they also draw in pregnant female flies looking to lay eggs. The study found that both males and females demonstrated reproductive intent and successfully mated with each other.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Insect Science·DateJul 8, 2016

Sea star death triggers ecological domino effect

A study by Simon Fraser University researchers found that the loss of sea stars led to a quadrupling of green sea urchins, which prey on kelp, causing its decrease by 80 per cent. The ecosystem is still recovering, with no sign of recovery in sea stars.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalPeerJ·DateJun 23, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

The new system that uses sound to alleviate water shortage

Concordia University researchers have developed a technique to locate underground leaks with 99.5 percent accuracy using noise loggers. The system helps reduce costs and time involved in repairing leaks, ensuring public health and safety.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Infrastructure Systems·DateJun 22, 2016

Cats seem to grasp the laws of physics

Researchers at Kyoto University found that cats use causal logic to infer object presence based on sounds. The study revealed cats' expectations are shaped by what they hear, enabling them to predict prey locations.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJun 14, 2016

UTSA professor's new study emphasizes the impact of leaders' language

A UTSA professor's top-tier research shows that clearly stated company values and vivid vision statements have a profound effect on overall success. The study reveals organizations with well-coordinated employees operating under consistent, easily imagined visions outperform those without such focus.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalOrganizational Dynamics·DateMay 31, 2016
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Rethinking hospital alarms

Researchers aim to develop optimum alarm systems by analyzing alarm errors and predicting their occurrence. The new models will prioritize alarms that reflect urgent situations while balancing staff alertness with patient recovery concerns.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 27, 2016

High performance golf club comes with annoying sound

Researchers at Penn State tracked the cause of a loud noise made by a type of golf club and found it was due to vibrations in the club head. The vibrations were strongest in the most sensitive range of human hearing, leading to an annoyingly loud sound that some players compared to a cookie tray hitting a car.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 24, 2016

Words, more words ... and statistics

Researchers used transitional probability to segment natural language and found it effective for 49-86% of word identification across languages. The method performed better on stress-timed languages, while mora-timed languages required relative thresholding.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateMay 17, 2016

Slips of the lip stay all in the family

A new study from Duke University reveals that misnaming follows predictable patterns, with people often using relationship categories and phonetic similarities to mix up names. The study found that family members frequently call other family members by the name of the family dog, suggesting a special bond between humans and canines.

SourceDuke University·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateMay 16, 2016
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Music improves baby brain responses to music and speech

A recent study by the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences found that 9-month-old babies who participated in music play sessions showed improved brain responses to music and new speech sounds. This suggests that early musical experiences can have a lasting impact on cognitive skills such as pattern percept...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2016

Using data to explore poetic sound

A researcher from Michigan State University is using a fellowship to study the role of sound in modern South Asian poetry, exploring rhyme, stress and patterns of repetition. The project aims to develop best practices for encoding linguistic data and preserve cultural forms in the region.

SourceMichigan State University·DateApr 19, 2016

Do we judge distance based on how a word sounds?

A new study by the University of Toronto reveals that people intuitively pair front vowel sounds with things close by and back vowel sounds with distances away. This knowledge can inform marketing strategies, such as choosing names for products or brands that align with their intended distance from customers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCognition·DateApr 18, 2016