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.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

New strategy for detecting non-conformist particles called anyons      (via sciencedaily.com) 

By observing how strange particles called anyons dissipate heat, researchers have shown that they can probe the properties of these particles in systems that could be relevant for topological quantum computing.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Calculating the path of cancer      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists are using a new mathematical tool to predict how combinations of genetic mutations cause different types of tumors.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Contact-tracing apps could improve vaccination strategies      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Mathematical modeling of disease spread suggests that herd immunity could be achieved with fewer vaccine doses by using Bluetooth-based contact-tracing apps to identify people who have more exposure to others -- and targeting them for vaccination.

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.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

A statistical fix for archaeology's dating problem      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Archaeologists have long had a dating problem. The radiocarbon analysis typically used to reconstruct past human demographic changes relies on a method easily skewed by radiocarbon calibration curves and measurement uncertainty. And there's never been a statistical fix that works -- until now.

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.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

Statistics say large pandemics are more likely than we thought      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The COVID-19 pandemic may be the deadliest viral outbreak the world has seen in more than a century. But statistically, such extreme events aren't as rare as we may think, asserts a new analysis of novel disease outbreaks over the past 400 years. A newly assembled record of past outbreaks was used to estimate the probability of a pandemic with similar impact to COVID-19 is about 2 percent in any year. And that probability is growing.

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.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Built-in vibration control may help soundproof spaces      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A different kind of design for absorbing vibrations could help better soundproof walls and make vehicles more streamlined, a new study shows.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Does visual feedback of our tongues help in speech motor learning?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

When we speak, we use our auditory and somatosensory systems to monitor the results of the movements of our tongue or lips. Since we cannot typically see our own faces and tongues while we speak, however, the potential role of visual feedback has remained less clear. Researchers explore how readily speakers will integrate visual information about their tongue movements during a speech motor learning task.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Researchers demonstrate technique for recycling nanowires in electronics      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have demonstrated a low-cost technique for retrieving nanowires from electronic devices that have reached the end of their utility and then using those nanowires in new devices. The work is a step toward more sustainable electronics.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Soft skin patch could provide early warning for strokes, heart attacks      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers developed a soft, stretchy ultrasound patch that can be worn on the skin to monitor blood flow through vessels deep inside the body. Such a device can make it easier to detect cardiovascular problems, like blockages in the arteries that could lead to strokes or heart attacks.

Mathematics: Statistics
Published

New framework applies machine learning to atomistic modeling      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new method could lead to more accurate predictions of how new materials behave at the atomic scale.