Articles tagged with Music
A CU-Boulder study suggests that modern hearing aids can distort music due to advanced processing designed for speech. Researchers found that simpler hearing aids with minimal processing allowed users to enjoy music more, despite reduced sound quality.
A new species of tarantula from Brazil was named Bumba lennoni in tribute to John Lennon. The species has defensive urticating hairs on its abdomen, and its genus name is inspired by a Brazilian folk tradition.
A new technology aims to offer the ultimate listening experience by understanding how the brain perceives vertical sound. Researchers will develop software that converts 2D recordings into 3D using psycho-acoustic analysis and critical listening tests.
A new way of syncing music with video has been discovered, increasing the memorability and commercial impact of TV ads. By making small adjustments to the soundtrack, researchers found a marked improvement in memory response.
Researchers analyzed 10,000 BitTorrent users from around the world and found that most are 'content specialists' sharing specific types of content, such as music or movies. The study also reveals a correlation between country's GDP per capita and file-sharing behavior, with users in poorer countries downloading larger files like movies.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of caffeine and music as countermeasures to driver fatigue. Caffeine was found to improve both alertness and driving performance, while music had a lesser impact on driving skills.
Researchers at Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that adults who viewed their exercise as fun ate less chocolate pudding and M&Ms afterwards. Viewing exercise as a chore led to overeating as a reward.
A new system called openPDS allows individuals to store and manage their own digital data, giving them control over what information is shared with apps and services. This enables the use of personalized recommendations while preserving user privacy.
A new psychological investigation found that most people find it difficult to concentrate when alone with their thoughts, preferring external activities instead. Researchers discovered that even older adults and those who prefer not to disengage from the world struggle with solo thinking.
Researchers found that genes influenced the propensity to practice and music accomplishment in musicians, with genetics becoming more important as individuals practiced. The study challenged the theory that innate ability can be overcome with enough training.
Facelock, a new password alternative, utilizes human face recognition to provide secure authentication. By leveraging the strengths of human memory, it eliminates the need for memorization and makes the system naturally robust.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that 14-month-old babies were more likely to help another person after bouncing up and down in time to music. The findings suggest that synchronous movement with others helps form social bonds between adults and infants, leading to increased altruistic behavior.
A new study explores how brands and people become cool by understanding social norms and breaking unnecessary rules. The researchers found that autonomy and independence are key factors in perceived coolness, but also noted that what is cool can vary across different groups of consumers.
Research found that brief musical training can increase blood flow in the left hemisphere, similar to language processing. The study suggests a rapid change in cognitive mechanisms for music perception.
A UCLA study reveals that genuine laughs share acoustic properties with animal laughter, while fake laughs sound distinct, suggesting humans have evolved to detect deception through laughter. The researchers analyzed recordings of real and fake laughs, finding breathy sounds were more prevalent in genuine laughs.
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found professional musicians are almost four times as likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss and 57% more likely to experience tinnitus. Repeated exposure to loud music can lead to permanent damage, emphasizing the need for protective measures.
Research by Baylor University and the University of Texas-San Antonio found that listening to gospel music decreases anxiety about death, while increases sense of control among seniors. The study, based on a nationwide survey, also showed positive associations between religious music and life satisfaction, self-esteem.
A national survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found a strong association between liking music with alcohol brand references and increased binge drinking. The study suggests that policy interventions targeting these references could help reduce teen alcohol consumption.
A national survey of 2,500 teens and young adults found that those who liked and identified music with alcohol-brand references were more likely to binge drink and have problems related to alcohol. The study suggests that policy interventions targeting these references in popular music could help reduce teen drinking.
Researchers found strong associations between liking, owning, and identifying music containing alcohol branding and early problematic alcohol outcomes. The study suggests policy or educational interventions to reduce the impact of these exposures.
Researchers analyzed the genomes of 767 individuals for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to identify genetic loci related to musical aptitude. The study found associations with genes involved in inner-ear development, auditory pathways, and emotional processing.
Researchers identified individuals with specific musical anhedonia, a condition where people can't experience pleasure from music. They found that these individuals show no autonomic responses to music but respond to monetary rewards, suggesting different ways to access the reward system.
A robotic prosthesis has been developed for an amputee drummer, allowing him to play with unprecedented control and creativity. The device features two drumsticks, one controlled by the musician's arms and the other using electromyography sensors that respond to muscle signals.
Researchers found that world-class orchestras can be accurately identified by silent video footage, but not through sound recordings. Participants scored significantly better when shown video-only clips than when played audio clips, suggesting visual cues about group dynamics and leadership play a crucial role in judgment.
Researchers found that shoebox-shaped concert halls can enhance musical dynamics due to strong lateral reflections. This design could lead to better concert hall designs, improving the transmission of orchestra played dynamics.
A study by University of Kent psychologists found that listening to 'sad' music with high aesthetic value directly predicts mood enhancement. Music selection strategies were linked to individual expectations and emotions.
A Vanderbilt study finds that premature babies who receive a combination of their mother's voice and a pacifier-activated music player learn to eat more efficiently and have their feeding tubes removed sooner. The intervention also reduces stress and shortens hospitalization times.
Researchers discovered a sea lion, Ronan, has impressive rhythmic entrainment skills, beating to various tempos and music. This finding contradicts the long-held theory that beat keeping requires complex vocal mimicry.
Researchers found that brain activity for mathematical beauty correlates with the same region as art and music, suggesting a neurobiological basis for beauty. The study used fMRI to image brain activity of mathematicians when viewing beautiful formulae, revealing strong correlation between beauty experience and brain intensity.
Neuroscientists discovered that minimizing vision for a week can enhance the brain's processing of sound. This finding may help those experiencing hearing loss regain more use of their sense. The study suggests that certain neural connections in the brain can be reactivated to support lagging senses.
Researchers analyzed Wagner's operas for clues on his debilitating migraines, finding characteristic pulsating patterns and intense pain descriptions. The composer's creative use of music to convey suffering may have influenced future generations.
A new study from Columbia Business School reveals that waiting for a discounted product can significantly reduce consumer enjoyment. Retailers can add value by offering in-store promotions and instant gratification to their customers.
Researchers found that South American squirrel monkeys can detect structural dependencies in musical patterns, similar to those found in human languages. This suggests that the ability to process dependencies may have evolved in human cognition along with human language.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that high-frequency vibrations in pop and rock music enhance energy generation in solar cells, increasing efficiency. The study, published in Advanced Materials, suggests a new potential for printed solar cells to generate electricity from sunlight.
Researchers found that prenatal music exposure can lead to long-lasting changes in the brain after birth, influencing the development of the auditory system. The study showed that fetuses can learn and retain musical melodies for a long time, even up to four months of age.
A new algorithm based on the Parsons code successfully identifies individual dolphin whistles, reducing time and errors in classification. This innovation enables researchers to study dolphin social behavior and develop a better understanding of their communication.
A new Northwestern University study tracked the auditory system's response to highly complex auditory-visual stimuli like music and moving images. The research shows that the left auditory cortex specializes in processing precise timing for sounds and applies this ability to encode auditory-visual synchrony, but only in certain situati...
Researchers found that learning new skills, such as photography, improves memory in older adults, while less demanding activities like listening to classical music or completing word puzzles have little impact. Engaging in unfamiliar and mentally stimulating activities is crucial for maintaining cognitive vitality with age.
Researchers found that consumers are more likely to buy a product from a different location when a pleasant sound draws attention to the item. This effect is attributed to the ability to visually process products presented in the same spatial direction as the auditory signal, making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions.
Consumers enjoy discounts more immediately than later, according to a new study. Discounts make consumers happier but also reduce the need to justify expenditure, leading to decreased enjoyment. The study found that waiting to consume after payment can dampen pleasure-related consumption experiences.
A study analyzing UK music charts over four decades found a significant increase in alcohol references, with almost one in five top 10 songs featuring alcohol-related lyrics. Researchers warn that these messages may be reaching larger audiences than traditional advertising, posing a concern for young people's drinking behaviors.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience suggests that people who can move to a beat show more consistent brain responses to speech than those with less rhythm. The findings imply that musical training could improve the brain's response to language.
A Northwestern University study of over 100 high school students found a significant link between music, beat-keeping and language skills. Accurate beat-keeping involves synchronization between the parts of the brain responsible for hearing and movement.
A study at the European Respiratory Society Annual Congress found that a music video produced by Dr. Tapas Mukherjee increased awareness of new guidelines for managing acute asthma. The video was shared on social media sites, leading to improved knowledge among healthcare professionals.
Researchers found young adults have strong emotional connections to the music popular during their parents' younger years. This phenomenon is linked to the prevalence of music in home environments and childhood experiences.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that listening to favorite music improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), leading to increased exercise capacity. The combination of music and exercise training resulted in the most significant improvement in endothelial function.
A new study found that four major alcohol brands, including Patron and Hennessy, are frequently mentioned in popular music, particularly among urban audiences. Alcohol use is often portrayed positively in these songs, which may contribute to increased youth drinking behavior.
A new study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that teen drivers who listen to their preferred music while driving are more likely to commit errors and miscalculations. In contrast, listening to background music designed to increase driver safety reduced deficient driving behaviors by 20 percent.
Nina Kraus, PhD, a researcher at Northwestern University, is the 2013 recipient of the Gene D. Cohen Research Award in Creativity and Aging. Her work focuses on the neurobiology underlying speech and music perception and learning-associated brain plasticity.
Research examines hip-hop's shift from party music to a political platform, with key figures in the rap industry leading a countering movement. The study highlights 'The Message' by Grandmaster Flash as a pivotal song addressing social issues and economic inequalities.
A new study explores the evolution of hip-hop from party music to a platform for social movement and activism. The research, led by Todd Callais, found that hip-hop began to take on more overtly political themes in the early 1990s, with artists like Grandmaster Flash addressing social issues in their work.
A clinical trial found that music significantly reduced children's reported pain and distress during IV procedures. The study also showed improved satisfaction levels for parents and healthcare providers. Researchers hope to continue exploring the benefits of music as a distraction from pain.
A study by University of California, San Diego researchers found that almost half of mobile apps on iOS devices access the unique identifier, location, and address book. A new app called ProtectMyPrivacy detects and controls what data other apps can access, giving users control over their privacy.
Male superb lyrebirds' choreographed dance movements are linked to specific songs, with females selecting the best performers. The birds' dancing skills are crucial for mating, with years of practice before maturity.
A new approach achieves independent listening zones within a car by using small, modified speakers to produce directional sound fields. The new design optimizes audio signals used to drive each of the speakers, reducing intergenerational audio conflict in cars.
A study published in JAMA Network found that patient-preferred music significantly reduced anxiety and sedation frequency and intensity in critically ill patients receiving acute ventilatory support. The intervention resulted in a 19.5-point lower anxiety score compared to usual care.
A study by Michigan State University's Zach Hambrick found that practice accounts for only about one-third of the differences in skill in chess and music. Natural talent and factors such as intelligence and age of start may contribute to the remaining two-thirds.
A clinical trial shows that listening to favorite music lowers anxiety by 36.5% and reduces the need for sedative medications in ICU patients on mechanical ventilators. The study also found that patients who listened to music spent more time being liberated from the ventilator than those in other groups.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that humans share a common emotional palette when it comes to music and color. Participants consistently paired bright colors with upbeat music and dark colors with subdued music across different cultures.
Recent research at the University of Missouri discovered that listening to upbeat music can successfully try to be happier. Participants improved their moods after being instructed to attempt to do so, especially when listening to Copland's music, and reported higher levels of happiness over a two-week period.