Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

New research sheds light on how ultrasound could be used to treat psychiatric disorders      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study has shown how the brain gives credit to events, along with how transcranial ultrasound (TUS) can disrupt this process. While currently developed in an animal model, this line of research and the use of TUS could one day be applied to clinical research to tackle conditions such as addiction.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Gunfire or plastic bag popping? Trained computer can tell the difference      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineering researchers have developed a gunshot detection algorithm and classification model that can discern similar sounds such as gunfire or a plastic bag popping. Discerning between a dangerous audio event like a gun firing and a non-life-threatening event, such as a plastic bag bursting, can mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, it also can determine whether or not to deploy public safety workers. Humans, as well as computers, often confuse the sounds of a plastic bag popping and real gunshot sounds.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing boosts effectiveness of ultrasound cancer therapy      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Sonodynamic therapy uses ultrasound in combination with drugs to release harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the site of a tumor. However, the treatment isn't very effective because cancer cells can activate antioxidant defense systems to counteract it. Now, researchers have breached these defenses with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, allowing sonodynamic therapy to effectively shrink tumors in a mouse model of liver cancer.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Physicists discovered special transverse sound wave      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team has discovered a new type of sound wave: the airborne sound wave vibrates transversely and carries both spin and orbital angular momentum like light does. The findings shattered scientists' previous beliefs about the sound wave, opening an avenue to the development of novel applications in acoustic communications, acoustic sensing and imaging.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

A personalized exosuit for real-world walking      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new approach in which robotic exosuit assistance can be calibrated to an individual and adapt to a variety of real-world walking tasks in a matter of seconds. The bioinspired system uses ultrasound measurements of muscle dynamics to develop a personalized and activity-specific assistance profile for users of the exosuit.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Adding sound to quantum simulations      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Aiming to emulate the quantum characteristics of materials more realistically, researchers have figured out a way to create a lattice of light and atoms that can vibrate -- bringing sound to an otherwise silent experiment.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Noninvasive imaging strategy detects dangerous blood clots in the body      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Investigators have developed and tested a targeted contrast agent that can detect blood clots in the hearts of patients with atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat. The strategy could be used to find clots in other parts of the body as well, such as in vessels that, when blocked, can lead to stroke.

Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms Space: The Solar System
Published

A lab in the sky: Physics experiment in Earth’s atmosphere could help improve GPS performance      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The Earth's atmosphere has been used as a 'laboratory' to carry out a physics experiment which could help to improve the performance of GPS.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Flexible device could treat hearing loss without batteries      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Some people are born with hearing loss, while others acquire it with age, infections or long-term noise exposures. In many instances, the tiny hairs in the inner ear's cochlea that allow the brain to recognize electrical pulses as sound are damaged. As a step toward an advanced artificial cochlea, researchers report a conductive membrane, which translated sound waves into matching electrical signals when implanted inside a model ear, without requiring external power.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

The nanophotonics orchestra presents: Twisting to the light of nanoparticles      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Physics researchers discover a new physical effect relating to the interactions between light and twisted materials -- an effect that is likely to have implications for emerging new nanotechnologies in communications, nanorobotics and ultra-thin optical components.

Energy: Alternative Fuels Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Making musical performances safer in the era of COVID-19      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have studied aerosol production from playing wind instruments, singing and acting, allowing them to develop recommendations to minimize COVID transmission.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Algorithm finds personalized sound zones in cars for driver, passengers      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers outline an algorithm that adapts personalized sound zones within a car to changes in seat position, allowing riders to listen to their own audio without headphones and interruption.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Acoustic illusions      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have devised an ingenious method of using acoustics to conceal and simulate objects.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Testing 1-2: New laser-based microphone calibration measures up      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have conducted the first demonstration of a faster and more accurate way to calibrate certain kinds of microphones. The technique, which uses lasers to measure the velocity at which a microphone's diaphragm vibrates, performs well enough to overtake one of the main calibration methods used.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Compact speaker systems direct sound efficiently      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed three designs for compact speaker systems that control the direction of sound more efficiently than previous models. For each speaker, the scientists were able to manipulate the timing and strength of the outgoing sound waves. They combined multiple speakers together into an array and used the constructive and destructive interference of sound waves to their advantage.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Researchers developing new cancer treatments with high-intensity focused ultrasound      (via sciencedaily.com) 

While doctors have used low-intensity ultrasound as a medical imaging tool since the 1950s, experts are now using and extending models that help capture how high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can work on a cellular level.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Wind turbine night noise      (via sciencedaily.com) 

With wind generation one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sectors in the world, experts are using machine learning and other signal processing techniques to characterize annoying noise features from wind farms. Two new publications from the ongoing Wind Farm Noise Study take another step towards improving wind turbine noise assessment methods, guidelines and wind turbine design to make wind energy more acceptable to surrounding communities.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Prediction models may reduce false-positives in MRI breast cancer screening      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Prediction models based on clinical characteristics and imaging findings may help reduce the false-positive rate in women with dense breasts who undergo supplemental breast cancer screening with MRI, according to a new study.

Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms
Published

Protecting Earth from space storms      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A major space weather event could have a catastrophic impact on Earth, disabling communications and electrical systems. Researchers are using the Frontera supercomputer to develop new geomagnetic forecasting methods and improve the Geospace Model used by NOAA for operational purposes. They hope to increase the lead time for space weather events from 30 minutes to 1-3 days, localize space weather forecasts, and provide uncertainty estimates.

Geoscience: Geomagnetic Storms Space: The Solar System
Published

Solving solar puzzle could help save Earth from planet-wide blackouts      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Understanding the Sun's magnetic dynamo could help predict solar weather, such as potentially dangerous geothermal storms, solar flares and sunspots. Mathematicians have proposed a new model of the Sun that matches observed data.