Articles tagged with Olfactory Receptors
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Researchers identified 48 OR genes, 2 V1R genes, and 135 V2R genes in hagfish, indicating functional roles in smell perception. The discovery overturns the assumption that true V2Rs evolved only in jawed vertebrates.
A study from the University of Victoria suggests that humans can smell testosterone and associate it with dominance. The research found that participants rated men with higher testosterone levels as more dominant than those with lower levels, indicating a link between body odour and perceptions of social status.
Researchers have discovered detailed visualizations of mosquito's carbon dioxide-detecting neurons, revealing anatomical adaptations designed to target human blood. The study provides key insights into the mosquito's sensing mechanisms and their unique ability to detect CO2, which contributes to their deadly status.
A study from the Champalimaud Foundation found that when fruit flies are deprived of essential amino acids, their brains upregulate two olfactory receptor genes involved in smell, leading to a refined sense of smell that guides them to protein-rich yeast and gut bacteria. This interplay between smell and taste regulates feeding behavior.
Ants have evolved a unique transcriptional mechanism to ensure one scent receptor is active per neuron, preventing societal collapse. This 'bulldozer' system silences all neighboring genes when one gene is chosen by chance, promoting precise control of olfactory receptors.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that fruit flies use separate circuits to compute pleasant and unpleasant odors, challenging the idea that 'good' is the opposite of 'bad'. The discovery may contribute to a better understanding of human brain's flavor appreciation mechanisms.
A cohort study investigated olfactory dysfunction in US adults with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found a significant association between prior infection and persistent olfactory dysfunction. High variability was observed among individuals, highlighting the need for individualized assessment and treatment strategies.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to enhance smell using radio waves, which improves sense of smell for over a week after just one treatment. The study could benefit professionals like perfumers and chefs who need to distinguish aromatic subtleties.
Researchers propose using chemical sensors to diagnose bacterial infections by detecting volatile organic compounds in bodily fluids, providing a rapid and affordable diagnostic test. The technology has the potential to improve treatment plans and combat antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at Tufts University have developed a three-dimensional model to study the regeneration of nerve tissue in the nose, revealing that dormant stem cells play a key role in preserving the sense of smell. The research found that these stem cells actively support the generation of new olfactory neurons.
The AChemS 47th Annual Meeting features cutting-edge research on chemosensory perception, including taste and smell dysfunction in cancer patients and potential associations with learning and memory decline. The conference also highlights the impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on human taste ability.
A study found that alcohol consumption boosts the production of sex pheromones in male fruit flies, increasing their attractiveness to females and mating success. This effect is mediated by three neural circuits that balance attraction and aversion to avoid intoxication.
A new study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers explains how the brain updates associations between smells and sounds based on context. The findings suggest that a feedback loop between the olfactory cortex and olfactory bulb enables fast adaptation, allowing animals to fine-tune their motor responses accordingly.
Tobias Ackels' research reveals that mammals can differentiate between odor sources at lightning speed, using a temporal dimension to orient themselves in space. This ability is encoded in the output of the olfactory bulb and could be used for early detection of dementia.
Researchers developed a method to distinguish between similar odours by detecting small electrical changes in olfactory receptors. This innovation enables more precise sensors for industrial applications, such as odour screening.
A new study has revealed a hidden pocket inside the TAS2R14 bitter taste receptor, which can recognize and respond to a wide variety of compounds. This discovery could lead to new ways of designing medications that target these receptors, potentially helping to treat conditions like asthma and inflammation.
The AI-powered system can detect toxic gases like nitrogen dioxide in real-time, identifying the source of harmful gas leaks. The system's optimization technique ensures fewer resources are used while providing faster and more accurate gas leak detection.
Researchers found that Drosophila suzukii prefers hoppy blonde beers and tripels, while Drosophila melanogaster is attracted to brown and amber beers. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted traps for pest control in agriculture.
Researchers have identified the human odorant receptor for geosmin, a compound responsible for the distinct 'earthy' to 'musty' odor found in soil, plants, and certain foods. The discovery could aid in developing novel detection systems to monitor food quality and water purity.
Researchers discovered a pheromone receptor that controls parenting behavior in African cichlid fish. The study found that males with a specific genetic mutation picked up eggs in their mouths, taking on the role of 'mouthbrooding' dads.
Researchers found that Orco protein is necessary for the development and life of olfactory cells in ants. Mutant ants lacking Orco experience massive olfactory neuron loss, suggesting a link between Orco and neuronal survival.
Researchers propose expanding research on nature's scents and olfactory cues to better understand their impacts on human health. The study aims to investigate the complex links between smell, nature, and human well-being, including the potential for unconscious biochemical processes.
Researchers found that objective taste dysfunction disappeared one year after COVID-19 exposure, while nearly a third of individuals experienced lasting smell loss. Infection with Alpha variants was associated with the greatest degree of smell loss, highlighting a potential link between variant types and symptom severity.
Researchers have identified the human odorant receptor responsible for the characteristic petrol note in German Riesling wines. The receptor, OR8H1, is triggered by UV exposure and high levels of carotenoids in grapes. This discovery may lead to new sensor technologies for food aromas and quality control purposes.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team found a cell surface protein that senses odors and chemicals may be responsible for the long-known difference in blood pressure between females and males. The study, published in Science Advances, used data from mice and humans to investigate the link between an odor sensor and blood pressure.
Researchers have solved the long-standing question of what triggers the alarm response in fish by identifying two distinct chemical signals: Daniol sulphate and Ostariopterin. These substances convey separate pieces of information that must be detected simultaneously to trigger a flight-or-freeze response.
Researchers have discovered that certain volatile compounds emitted by microbes and food can alter epigenetic states in neurons and other eukaryotic cells. Exposure to these compounds can slow down neurodegeneration and cancer, while also affecting plant growth and responses to stress.
Research found that female silkmoth long sensilla recognize silkworm feces as a deterrent, helping females avoid mulberry trees with high silkworm populations. In contrast, male silkmoths have specialized antennae to detect female sex pheromones, but no clear male counterpart has been identified.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum have identified molecules that block CO2 receptors in fruit flies, leading to potential insect repellents. The team's findings could also enable the development of a CO2 biosensor for detecting volatile substances.
Researchers discover a previously undetected mechanism in mice that explains how each sensory cell in mammalian noses becomes tailored to detect a specific odor chemical. The study reveals the genetic molecule RNA plays a crucial role in this process, with RNA winnowing down receptor genes to a single winner.
A new study reveals that exposure to ultrafine particles from traffic alters the expression of many genes in human olfactory mucosa cells. The study found that different fuels and engines cause distinct effects on cell function, with renewable diesel causing less adverse effects than fossil diesel.
Patients with post–COVID-19 chemosensory alterations experience improved recovery of smell function over a 3-year period. Taste dysfunction shows lower frequency and faster recovery compared to smell dysfunction.
A study found that the pheromone 4-vinylanisole reduces locusts' transition time from solitary to gregarious behavior, increasing social interactions. This discovery provides insights into locust behavioral plasticity and aggregation mechanisms.
A research team has discovered the human odorant receptor for para-cresol, a compound with a strong horse stable-like odor. The OR9Q2 receptor is highly selective and responds to physiologically relevant concentrations of para-cresol, as well as a structurally similar compound.
Researchers at North Carolina State University identified a specific blend of pheromone chemicals used by male moths during courtship, including an aphrodisiac called methyl salicylate. Female moths can recognize this chemical through two smell receptors, and its presence in males' hairpencils is linked to mating success.
The study reveals that spontaneous waves of neurotransmitter glutamate facilitate dendrite pruning, while a unique protection/punishment machinery strengthens certain connections and eliminates others. Proper pruning is critical for neural development, with insufficient or excessive connections linked to neurophysiological disorders.
Scientists have discovered an ancestral olfactory receptor in the Egyptian cotton leafworm that recognizes the female sex pheromone blend. This finding may lead to the development of new biocontrol methods by targeting specific receptors and blocking pheromone activation.
A study found that migratory locusts release phenylacetonitrile (PAN) to protect themselves from cannibalism, which contributes to their swarming behavior. The compound acts as an anti-cannibalistic signal, increasing when population density rises.
Researchers discovered a chemical defense mechanism in migratory locusts that deters cannibalism, reducing the formation of destructive swarms. The pheromone PAN protects individuals from being eaten by other locusts when population density increases.
Researchers at UC San Francisco have created the first molecular-level picture of how an odor molecule activates a human odorant receptor, opening doors to creating novel smells. This achievement paves the way for new insights into biological processes, including fragrances and food science.
A group of researchers from Osaka University has shown that the segregated function of a messenger ion (Ca2+) can help improve our sense of smell. The study reveals that Ca2+ signaling plays a crucial role in regulating the amplification and reduction of sensory signals, and its processes are clearly segregated within a tiny structure ...
Researchers have mapped mosquito cells that can fine-tune their ability to detect attractive human odors. The discovery may lead to the development of more effective repellents to combat mosquito-borne diseases.
Scientists recreated ancient human and Denisovan noses to compare their olfactory receptor genes, finding differences in sensitivity to various odors. This research sheds light on how our closest genetic relatives perceived and interacted with their environment.
Scientists found that neurons actually fall silent above a certain level, with the most sensitive ones dropping off first. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that neurons plateau in activity above odor concentrations, and suggests a more complex encoding of smells at different levels.
The 7th International Meeting of the Digital Olfaction Society will showcase innovations and products in digital olfaction. Several demonstrations, including those by Sony and Ricoh, will be displayed, highlighting progress in olfactory measurement, testing, and transmission.
Researchers found that individuals with high levels of fatty acids in their sebum are more attractive to mosquitoes. The study, published in Cell, used a round-robin tournament to test the attractiveness of human skin samples to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Researchers are studying COVID-19's impact on the sense of smell, finding that SARS-CoV-2 attacks support cells in the nose, leading to olfactory disorders. Potential treatments include gene scrambling fixes, platelet-rich plasma injections, and olfactory implants.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discovered that female fruit flies engage in aggressive behavior during mating, triggered by courtship and food odors. The study found that virgins become aggressive after being courted first, while mated females remain indifferent to copulating pairs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discover that nasal cell receptors activate few G protein molecules to produce a signal, contradicting the mainstream idea of high amplification. The study found that the probability of an odorant receptor activating just one G protein is 1 in 10,000, supporting weak signaling.
Researchers found that mosquitoes have co-expressed receptors in their neurons, allowing them to detect multiple types of human odors. This redundancy makes it difficult to eliminate mosquito attraction to humans using repellents or other methods.
Research by Leslie Vosshall's team has overturned the conventional model of the mosquito olfactory system, revealing that individual neurons can detect multiple types of smells. This unexpected result shows that it's even harder than previously thought to confuse mosquitoes as they relentlessly search for human blood.
Regular cannabis use is associated with a decreased likelihood of having sinonasal symptoms such as congestion, runny nose and changes in smell in adults. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this association.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism behind worm olfaction, revealing how they discriminate between over 1,300 scents despite having only 32 olfactory neurons. The discovery involves the conserved protein arrestin, which helps fine-tune multiple sensations in both worms and humans.
Researchers at UNIGE found that olfactory neurons change their identity based on expressed receptors and past experiences. The study reveals a wide range of identities among these neurons, which adapt rapidly to different levels of stimulation.
Male mice exhibit increased stress hormones and decreased pain sensitivity when near pregnant or lactating females, which is linked to a specific olfactory signal. This finding has significant implications for improving experiment reliability and represents a breakthrough in mammalian social signaling.
Researchers have created a 'worm-on-a-chip' device that uses roundworms to detect lung cancer cells, showing 70% accuracy. The device could potentially help doctors diagnose cancer at an earlier stage non-invasively.
Researchers found that mosquitoes' odor sensors shut down when forced to produce odor-related proteins, ignoring common insect repellents. This 'expression' process allows mosquitoes to adapt to their surroundings and avoids human scents.
A study found that humans have evolved less sensitive noses compared to other primates, with genetic variations affecting scent perception. Researchers screened the genomes of over 1,000 Han Chinese people and an ethnically diverse population to identify novel genetic variants associated with odor detection.
Scientists have identified a peripheral mechanism that allows fruit flies to quickly assess complex odors without costly synaptic computation. The fly's olfactory receptor neurons communicate through electrical interactions, enabling an energy-saving way to process meaningful odor blends.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that macrophages in artery walls can sense octanal, leading to inflammation and atherosclerosis. By blocking this detection, they reversed disease progression. Further research is needed to explore the role of olfactory receptors in cardiovascular diseases.