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Augmented reality system could make medical ultrasounds easier to interpret

Researchers at MIT developed an ultrasound system that creates a real-time 3D representation of the object being imaged, making it easier to identify and analyze. The AR-VIU technology can be deployed in hospitals for tasks such as placing needles during biopsies, reducing training time and increasing accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCommunications Engineering·DateJun 10, 2026

How bats suppress background noise for prey detection

Bats use ultrasonic voices to perceive their surroundings with remarkable precision, actively manipulating sounds to enhance important signals. By controlling echolocation calls, they create a 'silent frequency zone' that improves hunting success in noisy environments.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New biochar-based technology boosts antibiotic removal from water using low-energy ultrasound

Researchers developed a novel composite material that combines biochar, carbon nanotubes, and iron carbide, significantly accelerating the breakdown of antibiotics in water. The system achieved up to 15 times higher removal rates compared to conventional materials, while requiring substantially less energy.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2026

Study finds early imaging after pediatric UTIs may do more harm than good

Researchers found that ultrasounds performed too early during hospitalization were more likely to produce false positives, leading to additional invasive testing. Waiting until a fever resolved and closer to discharge did not prolong the hospital stay, but reduced unnecessary tests and added stress for families.

SourceWake Forest University School of Medicine·JournalHospital Pediatrics·DateFeb 17, 2026
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.

Broadband ultrasonic imaging shows defects in all types of concrete

Researchers developed a high-resolution 3D ultrasonic imaging system for concrete that automatically adapts to different materials, improving contrast between defects and background material. The system uses a wide range of frequencies and can handle diverse materials without manual tuning.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 27, 2026

New tech reduces false positives from breast ultrasounds

A new ultrasound technology developed at Johns Hopkins University can distinguish fluid from solid breast masses with near perfect accuracy, improving the diagnostic certainty of radiologists. In initial tests, doctors accurately identified masses 96% of the time, compared to 67% with traditional tools.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalRadiology Advances·DateDec 17, 2025

Ultrasonic device dramatically speeds harvesting of water from the air

MIT engineers have developed an ultrasonic device that vibrates at high frequency to shake out water molecules from a material, recovering clean drinking water in minutes. This design is 45 times more efficient than existing heat-based systems, which can take hours or days.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 18, 2025
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

New technique uses focused sound waves and holograms to control brain circuits

Researchers at NYU Langone Health have developed a new technique using focused sound waves and holograms to activate brain circuits in living animals. The study shows that ultrasound waves can temporarily activate neurons, which can lead to widespread effects on neural networks.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2025

Breakthrough in fuel cell recycling turns ‘forever chemicals’ into renewable resources

Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a technique using soundwaves to separate valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes from catalyst-coated membranes. This breakthrough addresses critical environmental challenges posed by PFAS, which contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalRSC Sustainability·DateMay 6, 2025
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Automatic detection of breast lesions in automated 3D breast ultrasound with cross-organ transfer learning

Researchers developed a deep learning framework using cross-organ transfer learning to improve breast cancer detection, leveraging experience from pulmonary nodules. The study applied supervised contrastive learning to distinguish normal tissue features from breast nodules, boosting model performance.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalVirtual Reality & Intelligent Hardware·DateAug 16, 2024

Research to enable cheaper and safer battery storage

Researchers developed a unique electrochemical ultrasonic force microscopy (EC-UFM) technique to observe sodium-ion battery interfaces during operation. The new method guides passivating layer formation, preserving charge carrier transport and enhancing battery performance.

SourceLancaster University·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Catch and release can give sea turtles the bends #ASA186

Researchers evaluated the health of accidentally caught sea turtles using ultrasound imaging to monitor gas levels in their organs. Veterinarians found that ultrasound brightness could be used to differentiate gas levels over time, helping them predict treatment outcomes for bycaught sea turtles.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 13, 2024

Neurobiology: How bats distinguish different sounds

Scientists have discovered that the bat brainstem processes echolocation and communication calls differently, with a stronger response to less frequent calls due to better neural synchronization. The findings may also be relevant to medical applications in humans, such as understanding diseases like ADHD or schizophrenia.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2024
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

New framework for super-resolution ultrasound

Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have developed a new framework for super-resolution ultrasound using deep learning, reducing processing speeds from minutes to seconds. The new technology enables real-time blood flow visualization, overcoming challenges faced by conventional methods.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 25, 2023

Insight into brain’s waste clearing system may shed light on brain diseases

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way to enhance glymphatic transport using focused ultrasound with microbubbles, opening new opportunities for studying brain diseases and function. The non-invasive method shows promise for potentially mitigating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2023

These sounds are out of this world! #ASA184

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.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 11, 2023

Wearable patch can painlessly deliver drugs through the skin

Researchers create patch that uses ultrasound to deliver drugs directly to the site of need, reducing systemic toxicity and improving local drug delivery. The device shows promise for treating a range of skin conditions and could also be adapted for hormone delivery and cancer treatment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateApr 20, 2023

Global breakthrough: Plants emit sounds!

Researchers at Tel Aviv University recorded and analyzed plant sounds emitted under stress, identifying specific identifiable sounds. The study suggests that plants may communicate with other plants and animals through these sounds.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalCell·DateMar 30, 2023
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.

The drone that could save bats from the terror of wind turbine blades

A new study uses drone-mounted technology to deter bats from flying into wind turbines, reducing fatalities by 40% and allowing turbines to operate efficiently. The device transmits ultrasonic signals and lights to warn bats of danger, leading them to fly over the turbine and out of harm's way.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation·DateDec 15, 2022

New research tunes theory of sound levitation

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have extended the theory of acoustic levitation to account for asymmetrical particles, which is more applicable to real-world experience. This new understanding enables precise control and sorting of tiny objects using ultrasonic waves.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2022

How the brain filters out sounds

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt recorded brain waves of bats to understand how they filter out essential signals from echolocation calls and communication signals. The study shows that rare sounds elicit stronger neuronal responses than frequent ones.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022
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.

Echolocation builds prediction models of prey movement

Bats build prediction models of prey movement by analyzing echoes of their own vocalizations. This acoustic information facilitates navigation and foraging in total darkness. By integrating representations of prey echoes, bats can determine distance, size, shape, and density, as well as identify what they are tracking.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateNov 30, 2021

'PrivacyMic': For a smart speaker that doesn't eavesdrop

Researchers have created a system called PrivacyMic that uses ultrasonic sound frequencies to identify household and office activities, with greater than 95% accuracy. This technology enables smart home systems to recognize services needed without recording audible speech.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateJun 9, 2021
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.

How improving acoustic monitoring of bats could help protecting biodiversity

New research suggests that existing acoustic monitoring measures are insufficient to reliably predict bat mortality risk at large wind turbines. To improve coverage, scientists recommend installing supplementary ultrasonic detectors and complementary sensor technologies like radar systems or thermal imaging cameras.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalMammal Review·DateMar 25, 2021

Simpler and faster microscopy system enabling broader biomedical applications

A team of scientists has developed a novel 2D MFOR-PAM system utilizing a 2D microlens array and an acoustic ergodic relay to detect PA signals in parallel. This system can shorten scanning time by at least 400 times compared to conventional OR-PAM systems, while maintaining a simple and economic setup.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 12, 2020

Physicists propose new filter for blocking high-pitched sounds

Researchers have designed a system that uses tapered chains of spherical beads to effectively dampen high-frequency noises above human hearing range. The material's potential applications include use in headphones or other barriers to filter out such sounds, which may alleviate symptoms like nausea and headaches.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalGranular Matter·DateMar 17, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Century-old food testing method updated to include complex fluid dynamics

Researchers have developed a new method to test the rheology of complex liquids, such as gelled desserts, using ultrasonic spinning rheometry. This updated method can capture time-dependent properties and has applications in chemical engineering, civil engineering, and cosmetics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateNov 8, 2019

Lung cancer: Less invasive surgery for faster recovery

A new surgical technique using ultrasonic energy to seal pulmonary artery branches has been shown to reduce post-operative bleeding, complications, and pain in patients with lung cancer. The study's results have the potential to make this less invasive procedure more widely available, leading to faster recovery times for thousands of C...

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateMay 4, 2019
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.

'Robat' uses sound to navigate and map unique environments

The 'Robat' uses echolocation to navigate novel environments by emitting sound and analyzing the returning echoes to generate a map of space. It is equipped with an ultrasonic speaker and two microphones that classify borders and shapes of objects encountered, avoiding obstacles.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 6, 2018

Intelligent drone swarm

Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a multi-agent robotic system for flying a swarm of intelligent drones. The drones can synchronize their movements, reconfigure their flightpath, and land with high accuracy, avoiding obstacles up to 5 meters away.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·DateFeb 9, 2018

Researchers design sounds that can be recorded by microphones but inaudible to humans

Researchers at the University of Illinois have designed a sound that is completely inaudible to humans yet is audible to any microphone. This technique, called 'BackDoor,' has numerous applications, including securing private conversations and protecting confidential meetings from electronic eavesdropping. The signal can also be used t...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateJun 22, 2017
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.

Male mice model human speech defect

Researchers at Duke University found that male mice carrying a genetic mutation known to affect human speech struggle with sequencing phonemes into words. The study used new statistical tools to analyze the structure of ultrasonic mouse songs, revealing a similar impact on sequence complexity as seen in humans.

SourceDuke University·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateOct 20, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Small droplets feel the vibe

The team created highly uniform arrays of low surface tension functional water-based droplets for biochemical experiments, overcoming current patterning limitations. This non-contact method has potential applications in drug discovery and clinical diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2016

New research identifies role of tiny bubbles in teeth cleaning

Researchers have identified the formation of tiny bubbles around the head of ultrasonic scalers as crucial to the cleaning process. The study's findings aim to develop new instrument designs that maximize cavitation to improve plaque removal, reducing pain and increasing effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 2, 2016
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Nondestructive 3-D imaging of biological cells with sound

Scientists at Walailak University and Hokkaido University report the first full 3D scan of a single biological cell, achieving micron resolution with picosecond ultrasonics. This technique allows for nondestructive imaging of living cells, opening new avenues for studying their physical properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 22, 2015

Tiger moths: Mother Nature's fortune tellers

Researchers at Wake Forest University found that tiger moths can detect an increase in a bat's cry rate and sound intensity, triggering the moth's defense mechanism. The study shows that the tiger moth's tymbal can jam the bat's sonar up to 93% of the time, allowing it to evade attack.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 3, 2013
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Discovery could hold the key to super-sensory hearing

Scientists identify a novel structure that converts sound waves to mechanical energy, enabling insects to hear at remarkable frequencies. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in acoustic sensor design and development.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalScience·DateNov 15, 2012