This document is a scientific review about the vocalizations of mice and how they can be used to understand human speech. The authors, Yao et al., discuss how mice communicate through both audible vocalizations, which humans can hear, and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are too high-pitched for human ears. These USVs are used by mice in various social situations, such as when baby mice are separated from their mothers, during territorial disputes, and in courtship rituals.
The authors compare these mouse vocalizations to birdsong, which has been used as a model for understanding human speech. They suggest that mouse vocalizations could also be used as a model for human communication, particularly in the study of neurodevelopmental conditions with a genetic basis, such as autism spectrum disorders and Rett syndrome.
One of the challenges in studying mouse vocalizations is that mice don’t show clear visual cues when they vocalize, so it’s often hard to tell which mouse is making the sound. The authors suggest that if we could extend the upper limit of human hearing, we might be able to better understand the vocal contributions of individual mice.
The authors also mention that there are ongoing efforts to improve sound-localizing technology, which could help us better understand communication in mice and other animals. This could potentially lead to new insights into human communication and the treatment of communication disorders.
Summary made by Quivr/GPT-4
This document is a scientific review about the vocalizations of mice and how they can be used to understand human speech. The authors, Yao et al., discuss how mice communicate through both audible vocalizations, which humans can hear, and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are too high-pitched for human ears. These USVs are used by mice in various social situations, such as when baby mice are separated from their mothers, during territorial disputes, and in courtship rituals.
The authors compare these mouse vocalizations to birdsong, which has been used as a model for understanding human speech. They suggest that mouse vocalizations could also be used as a model for human communication, particularly in the study of neurodevelopmental conditions with a genetic basis, such as autism spectrum disorders and Rett syndrome.
One of the challenges in studying mouse vocalizations is that mice don’t show clear visual cues when they vocalize, so it’s often hard to tell which mouse is making the sound. The authors suggest that if we could extend the upper limit of human hearing, we might be able to better understand the vocal contributions of individual mice.
The authors also mention that there are ongoing efforts to improve sound-localizing technology, which could help us better understand communication in mice and other animals. This could potentially lead to new insights into human communication and the treatment of communication disorders.