Category: Asia Noise News

Categories
Asia Noise News

Pink noise’ may improve memory, sleep in elderly

Washington, March 12

Gentle sound stimulation such as the rush of a waterfall synchronised to the rhythm of brain waves – also known as pink noise – may significantly enhance deep sleep in older adults and improve their ability to recall words, a new study has found.Deep sleep is critical for memory consolidation.

However, beginning in middle age, deep sleep decreases substantially, which scientists believe contributes to memory loss in ageing.The sound stimulation significantly enhanced deep sleep in participants and their scores on a memory test.”This is an innovative, simple and safe non-medication approach that may help improve brain health,” said Phyllis Zee, professor at Northwestern University in the US.”This is a potential tool for enhancing memory in older populations and attenuating normal age-related memory decline,” said Zee.In the study, 13 participants received one night of acoustic stimulation and one night of sham stimulation.The sham stimulation procedure was identical to the acoustic one, but participants did not hear any noise during sleep. For both sessions, the individuals took a memory test at night and again the next morning.Recall ability after the sham stimulation generally improved on the morning test by a few percent. However, the average improvement was three times larger after pink-noise stimulation.

The degree of slow wave sleep enhancement was related to the degree of memory improvement, suggesting slow wave sleep remains important for memory, even in old age.Although the scientists have not yet studied the effect of repeated nights of stimulation, this method could be a viable intervention for longer-term use in the home, Zee said.Previous research showed acoustic simulation played during deep sleep could improve memory consolidation in young people.But it has not been tested in older adults.The new study targeted older individuals – who have much more to gain memory-wise from enhanced deep sleep – and used a novel sound system that increased the effectiveness of the sound stimulation in older populations.

The study used a new approach, which reads an individual’s brain waves in real time and locks in the gentle sound stimulation during a precise moment of neuron communication during deep sleep, which varies for each person.During deep sleep, each brain wave or oscillation slows to about one per second compared to 10 oscillations per second during wakefulness.Giovanni Santostasi, a study coauthor, developed an algorithm that delivers the sound during the rising portion of slow wave oscillations. This stimulation enhances synchronisation of the neurons’ activity.After the sound stimulation, the older participants’ slow waves increased during sleep.The study was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. — PTI

Source

Categories
Asia Noise News

Big Ben’s bong noise mapped for the first time

The physics behind the unmistakable sound of one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks is revealed in new study from the University of Leicester.

The famous chime of Britain’s most famous bell is one of the most unmistakable sounds of our culture. But until now, the physics behind its iconic ring has been a mystery.

A team from the Advanced Structural Dynamics Centre at the University of Leicester have now had a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a sound map of Big Ben. They wanted to measure the distinct vibrations of different regions on the surface of the bell as it rang, which all contribute to a unique sound that no other bell can create.

The technique they used, called ‘laser Doppler vibrometry’, pointed hundreds of lasers at the bell, and measured how much the light beams were disrupted by vibrations at different points. “Many of the vibrations in the metal of Big Ben are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye,” says Martin Cockrill, from the Department of Engineering at the University of Leicester. “But this is what we were able to map using the lasers…we (got) over 500 measurements across the surface, which just wouldn’t have been possible with previous technologies”.

The vibration patterns of Big Ben © University of Leicester

The cutting-edge method ensured that the map could be created without damaging the bell. “You cannot just glue sensors to a national treasure such as Big Ben. Our ability to do the whole thing without touching the bell was key to the whole project”, adds Martin.

But the experiment didn’t come without hardships. Setting up the technology at the top of Big Ben’s home, the Elizabeth Tower (often mistakenly called Big Ben itself), was no mean feat. “One of the most challenging parts of the job was carrying all of our equipment up the 334 seps of the spiral staircase to the belfry. Then to get everything set up before the first chime, we were literally working against the clock”.

In the end, the team managed to make an intricately detailed 3D map of the Big Ben, which clearly shows different frequencies of vibrations, or vibrational modes, at different regions of the bell. The distinct patterns of the vibrations all contribute to producing Big Ben’s iconic peal.


© BBC

The project is now the subject of a documentary called Sound Waves: The Symphony of Physics, presented by BBC Focus magazine columnist Helen Czerski. You can catch it nowon BBC iPlayer.

Source

 

Categories
Asia Noise News

City noise pollution linked to hearing loss: study

Urban noise pollution and hearing loss are closely linked, according to rankings of 50 large cities in both categories released on Friday.

High-decibel urban areas — such as Guangzhou, New Delhi, Cairo and Istanbul — topped the list of cities where hearing was most degraded, researchers reported.

Likewise, cities least afflicted by noise pollution — including Zurich, Vienna, Oslo and Munich — registered the lowest levels of decline in hearing.

This statistical link does not necessarily mean the constant din of city life is the main driver of hearing loss, which can also be caused by infections, genetic disorders, premature birth, and even some medicines.

The findings are also preliminary, and have yet to be submitted for peer-reviewed publication.

“But this is a robust result,” said Henrik Matthies, managing director of Mimi Hearing Technologies, a German company that has amassed data on 200,000 people drawn from a hearing test administered via cell phones.

“The fact that noise pollution and hearing loss have such a tight correlation points to an intricate relationship,” he told AFP.

Researchers at Mimi and Charite University Hospital in Berlin explored the link by constructing two separate databases.

The first combined information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Norwegian-based technology research group SINTEF to create a noise pollution ranking for cities around the world.

Stockholm, Seoul, Amsterdam and Stuttgart were also among the least likely to assault one’s ears, while Shanghai, Hong Kong and Barcelona came out as big noise makers.

Paris — one of the most densely populated major cities in Europe — scored as the third most cacophonous.

The ranking for hearing loss drew from Mimi’s phone-based test, in which respondents indicated age and sex. Geo-location technology pinpointed the cities.

‘Silent epidemic’

The results were measured against a standard for age-adjusted hearing.

On average, people in the loudest cities were ten years “older” — in terms of hearing loss — than those in the quietest cities, the study found.

Stacked side-by-side, the two city rankings are remarkably similar, suggesting more than an incidental link.

The findings highlight the need for better monitoring, the researchers said.

“While eye and sight checks are routine, ear and hearing exams are not,” said Manfred Gross, head of the department of Audiology and Phoniatrics at Charite University Hospital.

“The earlier hearing loss is detected, the better the chances are for preventing further damage.”

Collaborations between scientists and private companies that collect health-related information from consumers are becoming more common in the era of Big Data.

California-based DNA genetic testing company 23andMe, for example, has worked extensively with university researchers to ferret out rare genetic disorders by combing through mountains of anonymous data from its clients.

Also on Friday, World Hearing Day, the WHO released figures showing annual costs of unaddressed hearing loss of between US$750 billion and US$790 billion globally.

Direct health care costs were calculated to be up to US$107 billion, with loss of productivity due to unemployment or early retirement about the same.

“Societal costs” — stemming from social isolation, inability to communicate and stigma — were estimated at more than US$500 billion.

In a recent editorial, the medical journal The Lancet said hearing loss is a “silent epidemic,”noting that proper care remains out of reach for millions of people.

Mimi Hearing Technologies develops music applications that adjust to the individual hearing deficiencies of listeners.

Source

Categories
Asia Noise News

Upgrade to Hong Kong’s tram tracks is music to the ears of residents

Hong Kong’s double-decker trams will tiptoe through busy neighbourhoods and spare residents the usual screeching when upgrades to the tracks are completed over the next three years.

Affectionately nicknamed “ding dings” by locals for their bell sound, the trams generate a less desirable noise when they negotiate sharp bends or junctions.

Operator Hong Kong Tramways said work was now under way to replace the noisiest sections of the tracks with a design that was 16 decibels quieter.

“Don’t underestimate this number – for every two decibels we reduce, it translates to a 50 per cent noise reduction to the human ear,” senior engineering manager Steven Chan Si-yiu said.

The new design, featuring a rubber coating made up of recycled tyres, was successfully tested along a 100-metre stretch near the Shau Kei Wan terminus in 2016.

“Some residents nearby asked if services had been suspended because they could not hear the trams pass through anymore,” Chan said.

Additional benefits over the traditional concrete-lined tracks include better durability and shortened repaving time. But the upgrades come at a hefty price – each metre can cost up to HK$18,000, 40 per cent more than the current method.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying offered a much-needed financial boost in his policy address on Wednesday, promising subsidies to cover 2.4km of track.

Managing director Emmanuel Vivant estimated this grant would help them save HK$20 million. He revealed that four 90-degree bends around the Kennedy Town loop would be the first section to be upgraded, with other busy junctions in the pipeline.

In a separate development, the operator confirmed that more 10 air-conditioned trams would join the fleet next year after a pilot scheme last summer received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

A “cooler tram” has been in operation since June, picking up around 300,000 passengers and receiving a 98 per cent satisfaction rate.

The goal is to retrofit air-conditioning systems into 30 to 40 trams, subject to government approval as well as the capacity of the electricity grid.

The fares would be “different” from normal trams, but the management would not reveal details at this stage.Source

Categories
Asia Noise News

Road Noise: rolling noise

A noisy cabin can be irritating, especially if you want some peace and quiet after a stressful day at work. There are many reasons why they happen, but surprisingly, one of the most common culprits is your tires. Generally, when your moving tire’s rubber meets head-on with the road’s surface, it creates friction and noise that transfer inside your car.

Types of Tire Noise

There are many kinds of tire noise. These sounds may be caused by:

  • Tire tread in contact with the road.
  • Air getting compressed inside the tread grooves.
  • Air chamber inside the tire that causes a low-frequency hum when tires roll.

You can significantly lessen the level of road noise inside your car by choosing the right tire. Make sure to look for the following factors:

Tire’s Weight and Speed

You probably already know that different tires cater to different speed and weight limits.

You can see this in a car’s aspect ratio, which basically says that the higher load your tire can handle, the noisier it will be because they’re harder and stronger. Similarly, the faster speed your tire can handle, the more noise it’s going to generate.

Tire’s Wheel Size

The size of the wheel matters. This is because the thicker the height of a tire’s rubber that rolls on the road, the noisier it gets. So an 18-inch tire is quieter on the road compared to a 20-inch tire.

Tire’s Width

The narrower your tire’s width, the quieter it is because there’s only a small portion of rubber that comes in contact with the road.

Tread Design (Pitch Pattern)

Believe it or not, even the grooves in your tire–or tread style–can create different noise levels. Short, repetitive tread pitch patterns like the lug or block type patterns can create a “whining” sound, while those with rib tread patterns are often the quietest. Those with variations, such as the rib-lug lug tread patterns, stand in the middle when it comes to noise levels.

Tread Rubber

Tires perform better depending on how they’re made. When you match them to the right specifications, you’ll find that they don’t generate too much noise.

For instance, tread rubber (or compound) determines how much traction can be made on the road when it’s wet. The softer tread rubber gives the car a tighter grip during slippery conditions. It also helps create more heat in the tire, making it stick better on the surface. When used for this purpose, there is less noise generated, since the tires are working efficiently.

Materials (Road and Tires)

The road’s surface can also affect noise, especially when taken together with your tire’s composition. Rough roads that come in contact with tires will generate more noise compared to those with smoother surfaces.

On the other hand, softer rubber compositions are quieter, while the harder ones can generate more noise. Nevertheless, it’s important to consider your needs and priorities first. Yes, the softer ones can lessen road noise, but you might spend a lot on fuel each month if you drive huge distances or drive on bumpy roads daily. In this case, you should choose which matters to you more: saving money or a quieter, more comfortable ride.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure matters.  Over- or under- inflated tires will greatly diminish your tire’s efficiency, even if you’re using the right tread rubber and tire pattern. For instance, the level of noise that goes inside your cabin may be louder if your tire’s under-inflated. Not only is this bad for your tire, but it can also waste a lot of fuel in the process.

Choosing the right tires is often a trial-and-error process, and it may take a bit of time to find out what works best for you. The good news is there are many tires to choose from these days, and technology has manufactured innovative ones that create less noise than the traditional tires. They’re certainly worth every penny, if peace and comfort are what you’re looking for in a vehicle.

Source link Carmundi

 

Thailand