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Time perception and sense of touch: a new connection

Researchers at SISSA have discovered a new theory for how we perceive the passage of time in relation to sensory stimuli. The study proposes that the experience of elapsed time is generated when the neuronal representation of a stimulus is collected and summed by an accumulator, explaining why we feel longer vibrations as stronger ones.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateFeb 10, 2021

Spreading the sound

Researchers developed a new theoretical model explaining the spread of vibrations in disordered materials, showing that sound waves lose coherence on shorter length scales. This discovery may lead to the design of heat- and shatter-resistant glass for smartphones and tablets.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJan 15, 2021

Two molecular handshakes for hearing

Researchers create detailed models of tip links, crucial components of the inner ear, to shed light on how hearing works. The study reveals key dynamics and interactions between proteins that form tip links, providing new insights into hearing loss and balance disorders.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 1, 2020

New glove-like device mimics sense of touch

Researchers at UNSW Sydney developed a new haptic device that recreates the sense of touch, enabling users to feel virtual or remote objects in a more realistic way. The device overcomes existing issues with haptic technology by introducing a novel method to recreate an effective haptic sensation via soft, miniature artificial muscles.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalIEEE Access·DateSep 8, 2020

Nanoearthquakes control spin centers in SiC

Researchers have demonstrated the use of elastic vibrations to manipulate the spin states of optically active color centers in SiC at room temperature. The findings show a non-trivial dependence on the spin quantization direction, enabling chiral spin-acoustic resonances and full control of spin states without external microwave fields.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 4, 2020

Scientists discover a new connection between the eyes and touch

A team of scientists at New York University has found that tiny eye movements can be used as an index of humans' ability to anticipate relevant information in the environment. The study reveals a connection between eye movements and the sense of touch, with micro-saccades hindering tactile discrimination and suppressing them enhancing it.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

Utah's arches continue to whisper their secrets

Researchers assess the stresses and health of Utah's natural rock arches by analyzing seismic vibrations, revealing the effects of erosion on their shapes. The studies provide valuable information on the mechanical properties of rocks and the dominant sculpting agents behind arch formation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 11, 2020

Water molecules dance in three

Researchers have accurately described the interaction energy among three water molecules for the first time. The study uses advanced spectroscopy and quantum calculations to analyze the intermolecular vibrations of water trimers.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 24, 2020

Atoms don't like jumping rope

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have discovered that mechanical vibrations in glass fibers are responsible for heating individual atoms in nanooptical traps. This finding has important consequences for applications, including improved technology and new fields of physics.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 19, 2019

How texture deceives the moving finger

A recent study published in PLOS Biology explores how texture affects the way we perceive speed when touching objects. The researchers found that finer textures produce more vibrations in the skin, leading to a greater perceived speed. This is because specific nerve fibers in the skin are highly sensitive to these vibrations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 27, 2019

Utah's red rock metronome

Researchers measured the tower's vibrations using seismometers and found two primary resonance modes at frequencies of 0.8 and 1.0 hertz. The results help scientists understand how human-made vibrations affect seemingly unmovable rocks, offering a geological checkup for natural rock forms.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateAug 26, 2019

Development of flexible sensors mimicking human finger skin by DGIST

Researchers at DGIST developed flexible sensors that can detect pressure and vibration similar to human skin, with more sensitive detections. The sensors mimic 'Slow Adaptive' and 'Fast Adaptive' receptors, enabling accurate classification of fabric roughness and potential applications in artificial skin grafting and VR experiences.