A new study reveals that Spotify significantly increases exposure and access to lesser-known indie artists while decreasing consumption of top 100 artists. The study monitored the music consumption habits of over 5,000 users for 2.5 years, finding a 62% increase in unique artists listened to within two weeks of joining Spotify.
A brain imaging study reveals that musical training sharpens and bonds ears and tongue to hear speech better by enhancing neural foundation in bottom-up auditory encoding, top-down speech motoric prediction, and cross-modal auditory-motor integration.
Researchers found that young zebra finches are biased to produce specific sound patterns, similar to those in human languages and music. This bias is thought to be influenced by innate brain mechanisms, supporting the idea of a 'universal grammar' for language learning.
Researchers found that sixth-graders who learned Hands-Only CPR through music and video games performed better than those who only watched a video. Most students recalled calling 911 and providing high-quality compressions, suggesting that tempo-reinforcing tools can help children learn effective CPR.
Researchers tested participants' hearing and speech abilities before and after extreme noise exposure to determine if it caused permanent damage. The study found temporary changes in some functional tests but no evidence of hidden hearing loss.
A new gesture control technology, Matchpoint, allows users to interact with screens by moving everyday objects, such as cups or toys, in front of a webcam. This enables spontaneous spatial coupling, which activates desired functions without requiring calibration or prior knowledge of objects.
A recent study has found no evidence of auditory nerve injury or permanent hearing difficulties in young adults after attending a loud event. The research suggests that traditional hearing tests may not detect hidden hearing loss caused by recreational noise, highlighting the need for alternative testing methods.
Researchers at Brown University plan to conduct a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized music program in improving care and outcomes for nursing home residents with dementia. The new study aims to provide clearer evidence on the impact of MUSIC & MEMORY, which has shown promising results in previous studies.
Researchers will combine personalized music choices with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to improve memory among patients with MCI. The study aims to strengthen the brain pathway used by music to activate memories and slow down memory decline.
The study found that breakout songs conform to current musical preferences while infusing individuality. Songs with a 'typicality' score below average tended to do better on the Hot 100, indicating a balance between familiarity and novelty.
A study found that listening to happy music, specifically classical music with positive valence and high arousal, facilitates more divergent creative thinking. Participants who came up with the most original solutions scored higher in divergent creativity.
Researchers found that fast-paced songs stimulate spending, while ballads have little effect, as social density increases. In crowded stores, up-tempo music boosts average spending by 8% and motivates customers to buy more low-priced items.
Researchers conducted two experiments with UCLA students to test the impact of multitasking on memory. They found that divided attention impairs memory recall but does not affect focus on critical information.
The paper highlights the value of considering multiple viewpoints and levels of description to tackle complex scientific and philosophical questions. By recognizing unconscious assumptions and leveraging the strengths of both brain hemispheres, science can achieve more powerful problem-solving.
A new analysis concludes that music uses abstract animated components to convey information about an extra-musical reality, similar to sign languages. The study suggests that the diverse inferences drawn from musical sources are combined using iconic rules, creating a 'fictional source' for what is perceived as real.
Computer scientists at the University of Washington have developed CovertBand, a software that can transform smart devices into active sonar systems, tracking personal activity and movements through walls. The technology uses repeating pulses in the audible range to gather detailed data on body position and movements.
A recent study published in JAMA found that improvisational music therapy did not improve symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study, which lasted five months, showed small improvements and no significant difference between the groups.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that on-site pill-testing services can reduce the risks associated with recreational drug use. The researchers found that people are more likely to reject taking a pill if it contains harmful additives or is adulterated.
A new study found that learning with music significantly develops white matter pathways in the brain, improving motor skill execution. Researchers used musical cues to help volunteers learn a physical task, showing increased structural connectivity between auditory and motor regions.
A process-oriented teaching approach to improvisation in music is proposed, focusing on developing cognitive processes that enhance creativity. This approach encourages students to think about their creative processes and self-assess their experiences, leading to improved improvisational skills.
A recent grant from the NEA will study the impacts of arts enrichment on students' academic and social outcomes. The Arts Access Initiative in Houston, a partnership between schools and dozens of arts organizations, is being evaluated to gauge its effectiveness.
A new study suggests that tailored music sessions can transform the lives of people with speech impairments by improving communication and reducing feelings of isolation. The research highlights the potential benefits of music for post-verbal individuals, including enhanced creativity and self-expression.
Musicians can predict each other's moves without verbal cues through subtle body sway, according to a McMaster University study. The findings improve understanding of nonverbal communication and could lead to better techniques for individuals with autism or dementia.
College women who endorse traditional gender stereotypes and music media's degradation of women are more likely to engage in unhealthy sexual relationships. Acceptance of these attitudes can lead to less consent negotiation and refusal of unwanted advances.
The Chromos EP captures microscopic elegance of gene organisation using moving soundscapes, revealing how genes interact and influence each other. Researchers from the Babraham Institute's nuclear dynamics research are changing our understanding of biology with their findings.
New research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that group music listening can either exacerbate or alleviate depression, depending on the individual's coping style. Younger individuals with tendencies towards rumination are more susceptible to negative outcomes from group interactions.
A new study reveals that people can be altruistic and intentionally induce negative emotions in others to help them achieve a specific goal. The study found that empathy played a key role in this process, with participants who took another person's perspective choosing specific negative emotional experiences.
Research analyzing popular song lyrics across five decades reveals men singing about romantic love and sex more frequently, while female artists focus on love. The study highlights gender-based differences in sexuality and stereotyping, with women's bodies being objectified more often than men's.
The study found that personalized music playlists reduced the use of antipsychotic medications by 20.1% and antianxiety medications by 24.4%, while also reducing behavioral problems by 56.5%. These improvements were seen in nursing homes that implemented the MUSIC & MEMORY program, but not in similar homes that did not adopt the program.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that swinging in unison enhances cooperation in preschoolers, enabling them to adapt to situations and work towards common goals. This study suggests that simple movements like swinging can create a sense of 'being like' another child, encouraging communication and teamwork.
New studies reveal that infants as young as six months old display racial bias, favoring their own race and rejecting others. Researchers believe this bias emerges without prior experience with other-race individuals, suggesting a potential starting point for preventing racial biases in later life.
Researchers found that people who are aware of a product's price tend to evaluate the experience more critically, resulting in decreased satisfaction. For consumers, avoiding price focus can prolong enjoyment, while for marketers, separating price from experience may prevent consumer burnout and increase purchasing loyalty.
A study by University of York researcher Emma K Wallace found that captive chimpanzees did not benefit from being played classical or pop/rock music, nor did they show preferences for specific genres. The research suggests that music may be a uniquely human trait and should not be considered a form of enrichment for these animals.
A machine-learning device developed by Osaka University can detect the emotional state of its listeners and produce new songs that evoke different feelings. This technology has the potential to enhance the interactive music experience and be applied in healthcare settings to motivate people to exercise or improve their mood.
Research from UM Frost School of Music found that infant-directed singing fosters a strong bond between mothers and infants. Engaging infants through song stimulates their attention, while also benefiting the mother by providing a distraction from negative emotions and thoughts associated with postpartum depression.
A McGill University study shows that the brain's opioid system is involved in experiencing musical pleasure. Researchers found that participants' favorite songs no longer elicited feelings of pleasure when their opioids were temporarily blocked.
A £1.7 million, five-year project will provide electronic music composers with access to newly-developed software tools and methodologies to mine vast digital sound databases. This will enable the creation of exciting new sounds and ideas, pushing the limits of new 'sound worlds'.
BYU professor David Barney's research shows that playing music in P.E. class can significantly improve outcomes, making kids 5.87 times more likely to enjoy physical activity. Publicly picking teams, on the other hand, has a negative associative effect on children, leading to lower self-esteem and decreased confidence.
A University of California, Riverside graduate student has discovered several new species of wasps that feed on ants, including one named after musician Ani DiFranco. These wasps have a unique association with extrafloral nectaries and can potentially control invasive ant populations.
Researchers found that individuals with specific musical anhedonia showed reduced connectivity between auditory processing and the Nucleus Accumbens, a key reward structure. In contrast, those with high music sensitivity demonstrated enhanced connectivity, highlighting different pathways to reward for music and other stimuli.
A new imaging genetics study has linked dopamine genes to music's impact on mood and emotions. The study found that a functional variation in the DRD2 gene affects how music influences mood states and brain activity.
A study is examining the impact of a music-based play intervention on shared distress experienced by children with cancer and their parents during chemotherapy. Up to 75% of young children and 50% of parents experience significant emotional distress, highlighting the need for effective interventions.
Researchers analyzed brain activity in people with musical anhedonia, finding reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens. This suggests a link between music processing and reward system, highlighting its evolutionary importance.
A recent meta-analysis found that all three sensory agents affect shoppers, but in different ways. Music is positively related to pleasure and satisfaction, while scent affects arousal, pleasure, and behavioral intentions. Retailers can tailor their environments using these stimuli to increase appeal.
Researchers found that listening to music while engaging in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improved attitudes towards the exercise regimen. Participants who repeated HIIT sessions with music reported enjoying it and being more likely to participate again.
A Dartmouth-led team has developed WristWhirl, a smartwatch prototype that enables users to perform common touch screen gestures with one-handed continuous input. The prototype demonstrated accurate gesture recognition and was tested in various usage scenarios, showcasing its potential for future smartwatch applications.
Researchers from Aalto University have made a breakthrough in controlling the motion of multiple objects on a vibrating plate using acoustic sources. They can simultaneously move up to six objects towards desired targets by playing carefully constructed melodies.
A recent study found that YouTube music videos often glamorize excessive drinking and link it to sexual attractiveness and luxury lifestyles. The research analyzed 49 UK Top 40 videos containing alcohol content, revealing a strong association between alcohol consumption and sociability, personal image, and lifestyle.
A systematic review found that music interventions significantly reduce cancer patients' anxiety, pain, and fatigue, while improving their quality of life. Music therapy led to a moderate increase in quality of life, while music medicine had less impact.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that ominous background music in shark documentaries hinders conservation efforts by negatively rating sharks. The study suggests documentary filmmakers should consider the soundtrack's impact on viewers' interpretation of educational content.
Researchers found that music and packaging design can increase enjoyment of beer. A study involved participants tasting beer with different conditions: no label, label only, or label with matching song. Results showed those with the matching song rated the beer more enjoyable. The study suggests multisensory information influences tast...
A study warns that teenagers are increasingly experiencing tinnitus, a symptom of hearing loss, due to frequent earphone use and exposure to loud places. This can lead to chronic hearing loss by age 30-40 if not addressed.
A new discovery has revealed that parts of the inner ear processing speech and music work differently than other areas. The study used optical coherence tomography to measure the inner ear's response to sound in an intact ear.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London found that listeners can distinguish between low and high resolution audio formats with training. The research analyzed data from over 12,000 trials and suggested that careful selection of stimuli plays a crucial role in identifying the difference.
Indris sing in antiphony to synchronize their songs, which produces louder voices for territorial defense. Young indris prefer antiphonal singing to advertise fighting ability and signal individuality.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that almost all teenagers engage in risky listening habits, leading to persistent tinnitus and heightened sensitivity to loud sounds. The researchers warn of a major public health challenge as the prevalence of hearing damage is expected to increase.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that urban heat islands accelerate the growing season, with potential consequences for native and migratory birds and bugs. Urban parks can provide "cool island" refuges for wildlife.
The PaperID technology uses RFID tags to turn paper into a multi-gesture sensor, enabling interactive systems with gesture commands. Researchers developed various interaction methods to adapt RFID tags depending on the type of interaction desired.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that eating family-style meals, playing music, and engaging in multisensory exercise can boost nutrition, hydration, and quality of life among people with dementia. The study assessed 56 interventions aimed at improving food or drink intake among over 2,200 people with dementia.
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...