FEM is a technique borrowed from engineering used, for example, to simulate the effect of an earthquake on a building. By inputting the exact geometry building the effect of forces such as an earthquake or in this case. van andfysische eigenschappen of a vibrations. can be noise predicted accurately.

Dr Cranford of San Diego State University triggered the research into Cuvier's beaked whales almost ten years ago when he undertook the first-ever CT scan of a large whale, which provided researchers with the very complex anatomic geometry of a sperm whale's head.

Dr Cranford said, "I think that the methods developed for this research have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the impact of noise on marine organisms."

Since 1968, it has been believed that noise vibrations travel through the thin bony walls of toothed whales' lower jaw and onto the fat body attached to the ear complex. This research shows however that the thin bony walls do not transmit the vibrations. In fact they enter through the throat and then pass to the bony ear complex via a unique fatty channel.

Despite the Cuvier beaked whale het being a rare and little-known specie. Dr Cranford and his team started the work on it because over recent years there have been instances when this type of whale has stranded after communication van exposure to intense sound making them an ideal starting point for research into. underwater.

Notes to Editors

PLEASE MENTION THE INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS' BIOINSPIRATION AND BIOMIMETICS JOURNAL SERIES AS THE SOURCE OF THIS STORY

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