Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Children with language disorders may fall victims to false friends, study warns

A study by the University of Exeter warns that children with language disorders are susceptible to making false friends due to a lack of awareness about peers' motives and thoughts. Children consider peers as friends because they play with them, without fully understanding what constitutes a good or bad friend.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Language & Communication Disorders·TypeObservational study·DateMar 22, 2024

Speaking without vocal cords, thanks to a new AI-assisted wearable device

A team of UCLA engineers has developed a soft, thin, stretchy device that can detect movement in larynx muscles and translate signals into audible speech with nearly 95% accuracy. The device is made up of two components and uses machine-learning technology to assist patients with voice disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

iTalkBetter app significantly improves speech in stroke patients

A new study published in eClinicalMedicine found that the iTalkBetter app significantly improved patients' ability to talk after six weeks of use. The app provided digital speech therapy for over 200 commonly used words, with a 13% increase in naming items and improvements in spontaneous speech.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 21, 2024

Time watching videos may stunt toddler language development, but it depends on why they're watching

A new study from Southern Methodist University reveals that passive video use among toddlers can hinder language development, but caregivers' reasons for exposing them to digital media can lessen the negative impact. When videos are used for educational or social purposes, such as video chats with family members, the risk of stunted la...

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateFeb 20, 2024

To boost a preschooler’s language skills, consider reminiscing

A study by Florida Atlantic University finds that reminiscing with children elicits high-quality speech from parents, similar to book sharing. The activity was found to increase lexical richness and grammatical complexity in parent speech, benefiting children's language growth.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Applied Developmental Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2024

To appreciate music, the human brain listens and learns to predict

Researchers at University of California - San Francisco have developed a precise map of what is happening in the brain’s auditory cortex when someone hears a melody. The study found that some aspects of music are entwined with how we understand speech, while other important aspects stand alone. The brain uses two sets of neurons to ass...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 16, 2024
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.

Chronic childhood ear infections delay language development

A new study from University of Florida scientists reveals that chronic ear infections can lead to deficits in auditory processing and language development in children years later. Children with multiple ear infections before three years old had smaller vocabularies and difficulty matching similar sounding words.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalInternational Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 3, 2024

Study analyzes what babies hear, say on six continents

A global study of 1,001 children across 12 countries found that adult talk is the key predictor of language development in infants and toddlers. No effects were found related to socioeconomics or multilingualism.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2023
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.

Attending early education during pandemic provides sustained benefits for youngsters’ development

A new study found that attending early childhood education and care during the pandemic had sustained benefits for youngsters' development, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The study discovered that toddlers who spent more time in childcare produced more new words and understood more new words than their peers.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Early Childhood Research·TypeObservational study·DateNov 28, 2023

Realistic talking faces created from only an audio clip and a person’s photo using NTU Singapore computer program

Researchers developed DIRFA, an AI-based program that generates realistic videos with facial animations synchronized to spoken audio, showcasing improvements over existing approaches. The tool has potential applications in healthcare, education, and entertainment, enhancing user experiences.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalPattern Recognition·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 15, 2023

Brain implant may enable communication from thoughts alone

A new speech prosthetic developed by Duke neuroscientists and engineers can translate brain signals into spoken words, improving communication for people with neurological disorders. The device achieved an accuracy rate of 40% in predicting intended speech from 90 seconds of brain activity.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2023

“Peace speech” in the media characterizes a country’s peaceful culture

A new study found that high-peace countries are characterized by an increased prevalence of words related to optimism for the future and fun, while low-peace countries feature more references to control and fear. The research used a machine learning model to identify these linguistic patterns in media articles from 18 countries.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 1, 2023
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.

Researchers develop new method for mapping the auditory pathway

A new technique for mapping the human auditory pathway has been developed, providing valuable insights into treating profound hearing loss. The study found lower nerve fibre density in children with profound SNHL, and highlighted the importance of early interventions to improve long-term outcomes.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateSep 12, 2023

How artificial intelligence gave a paralyzed woman her voice back

Researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows a woman with severe paralysis from a brainstem stroke to speak through a digital avatar. The system can decode brain signals into text at nearly 80 words per minute, making it a vast improvement over commercially available technology.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2023

Dog brains are tuned to female’s dog-directed speech

A study found that dogs are more sensitive to speech directed at them than adult-directed speech, with a greater response to female voices. The researchers measured dog brain activity via fMRI and found that the sensitivity was affected by voice pitch and variation.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 22, 2023
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.

Diagnosis of voice condition from call audio

Researchers developed a new method to estimate vocal cord vibrations pitch from call audio, leading to more accurate dysarthria diagnoses in telemedicine. The method integrates feature quantities extracted from amplitude and phase spectra, demonstrating robustness against background noise.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio Speech and Language Processing·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Novel information on the neural origins of speech and singing

A recent study at the University of Helsinki found that speech production and singing are supported by the same neural network in the brain, challenging previous notions about their separate functions. The left hemisphere plays a crucial role in both abilities, particularly in terms of singing.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalCommunications Biology·DateAug 10, 2023

Babies talk more around man-made objects than natural ones

A new study reveals that infants aged 4 to 18 months produce more protophones, the foundation of speech, when using artificial objects compared to natural ones. This suggests that man-made objects play a crucial role in developing language skills by encouraging vocalization and interaction with parents.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJun 29, 2023

How secure are voice authentication systems really?

Researchers at the University of Waterloo discovered a method to bypass voice authentication security systems with high accuracy. They found that malicious actors can generate convincing copies of a victim's voice using deepfake software, evading existing spoofing countermeasures.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·DateJun 27, 2023

Older bats do suffer from hearing loss

A new study at Tel Aviv University found that older bats do indeed suffer from age-related hearing loss, but at a relatively slow rate compared to humans. The researchers believe that bats have developed special adaptations to cope with their noisy environment, which could provide insights into human hearing loss.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalLife Science Alliance·DateJun 18, 2023
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.

Researchers illustrate how caregiver speech shapes infant brain

A team of researchers used MRI and audio recordings to demonstrate the association between caregiver speech and infant brain development. Infants who heard more words had slower-developing white matter, but eventually showed better linguistic performance when they began to talk.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalDevelopmental Cognitive Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 5, 2023

Chimpanzees combine calls to communicate new meaning

A study by the University of Zurich found that chimpanzees understand and respond strongly to combined calls, which they use to recruit group members in threatening situations. This discovery sheds light on the potential evolutionary origins of language's compositional structure, suggesting it may be at least 6 million years old.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 4, 2023

Texas A&M researchers detail groundbreaking Angelman syndrome development

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed the first molecular therapeutic for Angelman syndrome, a devastating neurogenetic disorder. The therapy targets an evolutionarily conserved region in the UBE3A-AS transcript and has shown promising results in clinical trials.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 22, 2023
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Smartphone app may help identify stroke symptoms as they occur

A new smartphone application called FAST.AI uses machine learning algorithms to recognize facial asymmetry, arm weakness, and speech changes in people experiencing a stroke. The app's accuracy was validated through a study involving nearly 270 patients with acute stroke, showing promise as a tool for prompt individuals to seek care.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 2, 2023

Properties of ‘baby talk’ similar across many languages

Research finds that certain features of 'baby talk' such as pitch, melody, and articulation rates have consistent properties across most world languages. However, the exaggeration of vowel sound differences varies significantly between languages. As infants develop language skills, IDS gradually becomes more similar to adult speech style.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 11, 2022
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.

AI that can learn patterns of human language

Researchers from McGill University and MIT developed an AI system that can learn the rules and patterns of human languages on its own. The model automatically generates higher-level language patterns that can be applied to different languages, achieving better results.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 11, 2022

How the mother's mood influences her baby's ability to speak

A recent study at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences found that mothers' postnatal depressive moods can impact their babies' ability to distinguish speech sounds. Mothers in a negative mood tend to use less infant-directed speech, leading to delayed language development in infants.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

How can infants learn about sounds in their native language?

Researchers found that infants differentiate sounds based on neighboring sounds and vowel durations. Their study suggests that babies can learn the speech contrasts of their language through naturalistic speech data.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2022
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.

Preschoolers with larger vocabulary before they begin education, perform better in class – study shows

A study published in Early Education and Development journal found that preschoolers with stronger vocabulary skills at the start of the year display more positive engagement with teachers and peers. The researchers also discovered that inhibitory control is crucial for classroom engagement and learning.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalEarly Education and Development·TypeSurvey·DateAug 17, 2022

Clashes of inference and perspective explain why children sometimes lose the plot in conversation

Research by University of Cambridge academics found that children as old as five or six struggle to reconcile inference and perspective, leading to difficulties in conversations. Combining these skills is crucial for understanding 'implicatures' - inferences made in conversation when people mean more than they say.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalLanguage Learning and Development·DateJun 29, 2022
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.

Speech or song? Identifying how the brain perceives music

New research reveals that infants as young as 4 months can differentiate between speech and song based on acoustic features such as pitch and rhythm. The study also found that exaggerated pitch is related to better neural tracking of infant-directed speech.

SourceCognitive Neuroscience Society·DateApr 26, 2022

How left brain asymmetry is related to reading ability

A new study reveals that greater left-brain asymmetry is related to both better and average performance on reading ability tests, depending on the analysis method used. The findings support two opposing theories of language processing, suggesting a complex relationship between brain structure and speech sound processing.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 5, 2022

When mom talks, are infants with ASD listening?

Research at University of California - San Diego found that infants with ASD have impaired neural responses to motherese speech, which is crucial for emotional bonding and learning. Typically developing children show stronger brain activation and interest in motherese.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateJan 3, 2022

Speaking "baby talk" to infants isn’t just cute: It could help them learn to make words

Research from the University of Florida found that baby talk can stimulate motor production of speech in infants. By mimicking infant vocal tracts, babies learn how words should sound coming out of their mouths. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the role of baby talk in language development.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalSpeech Language and Hearing·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 10, 2021
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.

Can we perceive gender from children's voices?

Researchers at the University of California, Davis and the University of Texas at Dallas found that listeners can reliably identify the gender of individual children as young as 5. They also discovered that identification of gender must take place jointly with the identification of age and likely physical size.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateNov 23, 2021

Study finds infants later diagnosed with autism show reduced social communication before their first birthday

A new study documents that observable social-communication differences for infants with ASD unfold by 9 months, pointing to a critical window for targeted intervention. Infants with ASD exhibit significantly fewer social and early speech skills than their typically-developing peers at 9 months of age.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2021

Study finds that adults who stutter don’t stutter when they’re alone

A study by NYU Steinhardt Professor Eric S. Jackson found that adults who stutter do not stutter during private speech, suggesting a strong social component in stuttering. The 'talk-alone-effect' is real and is influenced by the perception of being heard by a listener.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Fluency Disorders·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021
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.

Hearing device separates simultaneous voices, amplifies the 'target' speaker

Researchers developed a system that automatically separates audio from different speakers in a crowded environment and compares these voices to the listener's brainwaves. This allows the voice of the speaker who is the center of the listener's attention to sound louder.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 15, 2019

Brain's ability to synchronize voice sounds could be related to language learning

The study found that people's brains adapt to align with the rhythm of voices they hear, leading to differences in functional and structural aspects of the speech network. Good synchronizers showed more white matter in pathways connecting speech-perception areas and performed better in learning new words compared to bad synchronizers.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 4, 2019

'Zungenmaus' project begins at TU Dresden

Researchers at TU Dresden are developing a technical assistance system that allows users to control devices using only tongue movements. The system, called Zungenmaus, aims to maintain everyday skills in patients with sensory and motor function impairments.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·DateMar 4, 2019

From the mouths of babes: Infants really enjoy hearing from their peers

New research reveals that infants have a strong preference for vocal sounds from their peers, even before they can babble. This discovery sheds light on how infants develop their understanding of spoken language, suggesting that access to infant speech plays a significant role in shaping their speech development.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 9, 2018
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.

Algorithm for predicting speech development

Researchers developed a machine learning algorithm using MRI data to predict speech development in children with cochlear implants. The study found that neural preservation underlies improved speech in young CI recipients.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2018

How can I tell if she's lying?

A new video inventory developed at McGill University may aid in diagnosing disorders that make it hard for individuals to recognize non-literal speech like sarcasm and teasing. This is particularly challenging for men and people with conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or Autism spectrum disorders.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 26, 2015
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

INRS professors awarded 2 Google research grants

Professors Tiago Falk and Douglas O'Shaughnessy from INRS Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre received Google research grants to improve automatic speech recognition (ASR) accuracy. Their projects focus on reducing background noise and developing new methods to analyze acoustic speech.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·DateApr 17, 2015

Pointing is infants' first communicative gesture

Babies start combining gestures with speech at 11 months, producing deictic gestures like pointing and reaching to inform, not command. This coordination is crucial for future linguistic abilities.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalSpeech Communication·DateFeb 24, 2014