A study from the Monell Center reveals that salivary amylase activity shapes how people perceive starchy food textures. Variability in enzyme levels influences starch digestion and metabolism, potentially impacting insulin resistance and diabetes risk.
Researchers at Monell Center discovered a genetic variation linked to impaired olfactory perception, affecting approximately 14% of individuals. The study used DNA analysis and sensory testing to reveal the connection between an olfactory receptor gene and sulfurous compound sensitivity.
A recent study published in Human Molecular Genetics found that genetic variation in bitter taste receptors predicts a person's perception of quinine's bitterness. This suggests that individual differences in how people experience quinine's bitterness are related to underlying genetic differences.
Researchers found that WTC workers had decreased sensitivity to odors and irritants, with nearly 75% experiencing impaired ability to detect irritants. The study suggests regular evaluation of sensory function is crucial for WTC responders and workers with pollutant exposures.
Children's response to intense sweet taste is linked to their family history of alcoholism and self-reported depression levels, revealing individual differences in liking for sweetness based on biology.
Researchers have discovered that lung cancer tumors alter the odor of bodily fluids, allowing for early detection through trained animal sensors and chemical analysis. The findings hold promise for improving diagnostic and prognostic approaches to lung cancer treatment.
Researchers found that endocannabinoids selectively enhance sweet taste by acting on tongue taste cells, which may help regulate feeding behavior. The study's findings also suggest potential therapeutic applications for metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Researchers found that common herbicides and lipid-lowering drugs inhibit the T1R3 receptor in human tissues, affecting glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. The study's findings highlight the importance of testing chemicals on human tissues to understand potential health effects.
Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center discovered that oleocanthal alters the structure of neurotoxic beta-amyloid proteins, impairing their ability to damage brain nerve cells. This structural change makes oleocanthal a potential target for developing effective immunotherapy treatments.
Variations in the T1R3 gene correspond to individual differences in sensitivity to and perceived intensity of umami taste. The study found that certain people are highly insensitive to umami, making it difficult for them to detect low levels of this taste quality.
The Monell Center has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to investigate the role of mosquito taste in malaria transmission. The project aims to identify new strategies to deter mosquitoes from biting humans by understanding how human skin tastes to them.
Researchers discovered that red pandas prefer artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which may reflect unique structural variations in their sweet taste receptor. This finding could lead to insights into individual differences in human taste function and nutritional health.
Women outperform men in detecting body odors, particularly those from the opposite sex. The study suggests that human sweat conveys information of particular importance to females, explaining why it is challenging to block women's perception of sweat odors.
Research from the University of Washington and Monell Center found that children's high growth rate is linked to their heightened liking for sweetness. Children prefer higher levels of sweetness as their physical growth increases, but this preference declines as growth slows down.
A study by Monell Center researchers found that fructose-sweetened beverages increased triglyceride levels in obese individuals, even when consumed with meals. This effect was most pronounced in insulin-resistant subjects, who already had high triglyceride levels.
Researchers at Monell Center found that changes in blood triglyceride levels after a high-fat meal can indicate susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. The study suggests that such a simple blood test could be used to identify individuals at risk, particularly children, and target obesity prevention resources.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that an individual's underlying odor signature persists regardless of diet, providing a potential method for identifying individuals. This discovery could lead to the development of electronic sensors for early disease detection and diagnosis.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have discovered a unique scent associated with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. By analyzing volatile organic compounds in the air above skin lesions, they found distinct profiles that could potentially be used to screen for and diagnose skin cancers at early stages.
A new study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that children of mothers who drink to escape tensions are more likely to dislike the smell of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Children's emotional responses to odors can provide insights into their emotional worlds.
Mark Friedman, a leading researcher in eating behavior, has received a Guggenheim Fellowship to study the effects of diet on obesity. His work aims to elucidate the mechanisms driving diet-induced obesity, with a focus on the interaction between dietary fat and carbohydrate.
Researchers at Monell Center found that fruit flies respond positively to most human-preferred sweeteners, highlighting the critical role of environment in shaping taste preferences. The study suggests convergent evolution in perceptual behavior, where similar environmental pressures led to similar taste responses.
A new primer on human taste perception and biology has been published, providing a clear overview of recent advances in understanding this primal sense. The study reveals the importance of taste in both positive experiences, such as enjoying food, and critical life-dependent responses, like spitting out toxic substances.
Researchers identify nerve that transmits signals of chemotherapy-associated illness from small intestine to brain, offering new approach to reduce debilitating side effects. Anorexia and cachexia often accompany chemotherapy symptoms, compromising patient's nutritional status.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center identify chemical compounds from common foods that activate human bitter taste receptors, providing a practical means to manipulate food flavor. The findings may help make health-promoting bitter foods more palatable.
A study by Monell researchers found that over 6,000 genes contribute to an individual's body weight, contradicting the idea of a single 'obesity gene.' This suggests that quick fixes for obesity are unlikely and highlights the complexity of the issue.
Research from the Monell Center found that breast-feeding confers an advantage in acceptance of foods during weaning, especially if mothers regularly eat those foods. Repeated opportunities to taste fruits and vegetables enhance acceptance and intake, even for formula-fed infants.
A study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center reports that nicotine in breast milk disrupts infants' sleep patterns. Infants spent less time sleeping overall and woke up from naps sooner when their mothers smoked prior to breastfeeding.
A genetic metabolic defect in the liver can lead to obesity in some individuals, a study published in Metabolism reveals. The defect impairs the body's ability to burn fat, leading to increased hunger and overeating.
A twin study published by Monell Chemical Senses Center found that genes account for 53% of the variation in sour taste sensitivity, suggesting a genetic component to individual differences. This discovery may help identify the elusive taste receptor for sourness and inform strategies for promoting healthy eating.
Bitter taste perception varies among individuals due to genetic differences, influencing the detection of toxins like glucosinolates in vegetables. This study establishes a link between bitter taste receptors and toxin detection, providing insights into evolutionary mechanisms.
Taking slightly longer to smell an odor can lead to more accurate identification, a discovery that sheds light on the brain's olfactory processing. The study, published in Neuron, reveals a clear relationship between sampling time and accuracy, implications for understanding human olfaction.
Scientists found that certain artificial sweeteners like sodium saccharin and acesulfame-K paradoxically inhibit sweetness at high concentrations. When rinsed with water, the sweetness returns, revealing potential applications in medicine and food industry.
Researchers have successfully created living taste cells in a lab culture, opening new avenues for understanding the sense of taste and potentially treating disorders. The breakthrough could lead to new insights into how basal cells turn into functional taste cells.
Researchers found that sweet taste's analgesic efficacy is influenced by how much a child likes sweets and their weight status. In the study, sucrose preferences were determined for 198 children, with those who preferred higher levels of sweetness experiencing reduced pain when consuming sweet tastes.
Research found that infant birth weight is inversely related to salty taste acceptance, suggesting a lasting influence on flavor and food preferences. The study's results could inform programs aimed at reducing salt intake, which is linked to high blood pressure.
Scientists at Monell Chemical Senses Center discovered a natural anti-inflammatory compound, oleocanthal, in olive oil. Oleocanthal inhibits COX enzymes, sharing similar action as ibuprofen, and may play a causal role in health benefits associated with Mediterranean diet.
A study published in PLoS Genetics found that domestic cats have a defective gene coding for the T1R2 protein, which is responsible for detecting sweet tastes. This defect leads to an unavailability of the T1R3 protein, resulting in a non-functional sweet receptor and explaining cats' indifference to sweets.
A study by the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that homosexual men and lesbian women have distinct patterns of body odor preferences compared to heterosexual men and women. Gay men preferred odors from gay men and heterosexual women, while being least preferred by other groups.
A study found that alcohol consumption disrupts the hormonal balance of lactating women, leading to decreased oxytocin levels and increased prolactin levels. This can result in slower milk ejection and reduced milk production.
Researchers found decreased calcium responses in olfactory receptor cells from patients with bipolar disorder. These findings may provide new targets for drug development and improve treatment predictions.
Researchers found that genetic variation in bitter taste receptors affects how people perceive bitterness, with some having heightened sensitivity and others being insensitive. This study expands our understanding of individual differences in taste perception and may lead to new insights into the role of bitter compounds in human health.
Researchers found that genetic variation in the TAS2R38 gene affects bitter taste sensitivity in children, influencing their food preferences. Children with a bitter-sensitive allele prefer sweeter tastes, while those with two bitter-insensitive alleles tend towards vegetable consumption.
A study found that brain regions activated by food craving are also involved in drug craving, suggesting a common neural basis for both. The hippocampus, insula, and caudate were identified as key areas of activation during food cravings.
A multidisciplinary team is investigating the impact of inflammation on taste and smell function, with potential therapeutic interventions for chemosensory dysfunction. The studies aim to improve diagnosis and treatment targeting for patients with conditions like chronic rhinosinusitis and radiation-induced taste loss.
A study found that fructose consumption can lead to decreased insulin and leptin levels, increased triglycerides, and lower ghrelin levels, all contributing to weight gain and obesity. The results suggest that frequent fructose consumption may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
A study found that infants fed protein hydrolysate formula for seven months developed a taste preference for the formula, while those fed standard milk-based formula rejected it. Early flavor exposure influences long-term food choices.