Articles tagged with Olfactory Receptors
Researchers genetically engineered ants to lack their sense of smell, finding they couldn't communicate, forage or compete for queen status. This discovery promises to advance understanding of social communication and its relation to human disorders like autism and depression.
Researchers at Rockefeller University created genetically altered ants to explore the evolutionary roots of ant social behavior. The study found that a gene essential for sensing pheromones is crucial for pheromone detection and social organization, leading to behavioral abnormalities in mutant ants.
Researchers have characterized the function of ant receptors that identify odorant blends, revealing a more complex system than previously thought. This breakthrough may lead to new insights into ant social structure and communication, as well as effective methods for controlling insect populations.
A new system has been developed to sample, measure, categorize and control nuisance odors from sewage and wastewater treatment facilities. The technology uses a range of methods, including plastic bags, metal containers and electronic noses, to identify the sources of the smells and develop strategies for elimination.
Researchers have identified a new molecular target, OR51B4 olfactory receptor, in colorectal cancer cells, which can be activated by the odorant troenan. This activation leads to inhibition of tumour growth, slowing down cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that female mosquitoes possess a secondary set of odor sensors, which are specially tuned to detect human-derived chemical signals. This system allows the insects to seek out humans as a preferred host, potentially aiding efforts to combat malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers found olfactory receptors in human heart muscle that react to fatty acids, reducing heart rate and contraction force. A blocker for the receptor has been developed to mitigate negative effects on diabetic patients and those with increased heart rates.
Researchers discovered two olfactory receptors in human lung tissue that regulate airway smooth muscle cell contraction. Activation of these receptors may help constrict or prevent airway constriction in diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
A new study discovered that adenosine inhibits REM sleep by acting on specific receptors in the olfactory bulb. This finding suggests a link between REM sleep and odor perception, which may help treat diseases such as REM sleep behavior disorder. The research team hopes to explore adenosine as a potential treatment target for RBD.
Scientists identified two types of olfactory receptors that dilate and contract bronchioles when activated by specific scents. The discovery could lead to new asthma treatments using compounds like amyl butyrate, which relaxes bronchi muscles.
Researchers created super-sniffer mice using transgenic technology to study human odor receptors, which could lead to land mine detection and novel disease sensors. The mice were able to detect a specific odor two orders of magnitude lower than non-super sniffer mice.
Researchers from Aarhus University create convincing model to predict and quantify odorants in the atmosphere, reducing nuisance and improving odor abatement solutions. The technique uses precise measurements of odorant content for on-site assessments, offering a more accurate alternative to human olfactory evaluations.
A study published in Neuron reveals how smell preference is computed in the brain, suggesting that most glomeruli contribute to attraction or aversion. The model predicts that relative preferences can flip depending on other odors present.
Researchers have discovered a subgroup of neurons in the nasal cavity that express CD36, a lipid metabolism regulator, linking it to a preference for high-fat food and potentially odorant detection. The study suggests a possible role of CD36 in perception of smells and social interactions.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered an olfactory receptor in melanocytes, which can be activated by Beta-Ionone to regulate enzyme activity and cell growth. This finding offers new potential for treating melanoma and other pigmentation disorders.
Researchers discovered that a molecule involved in fish reproduction, PGF2α, activates the brain via the nose, synchronizing reproductive behaviors between male and female zebrafish. The molecule binds to specific olfactory receptors, activating a dedicated neural pathway to areas of the brain responsible for courtship behavior.
Harvard researchers have identified a new mechanism for detecting odors in mammals, using 'necklace' neurons that express MS4A proteins to respond to specific smells like nuts and pheromones. This discovery revises the canonical view of how animals probe their chemical environment.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a simple physics principle, cooperativity, that explains how we detect a wide variety of smells. The team created a computational model to predict olfactory receptor gene expression and found a three-pronged regulation mechanism.
A new method for exhaustively isolating olfactory receptors responding to specific odorants has been developed by Osaka University and Panasonic Corporation. This breakthrough enables quick and easy analysis of ORs responding to desired odorants, with potential applications in biosensors.
Olfactory receptors in human blood cells have been found to be activated by the Sandalore odorant, inhibiting the growth of leukemia cells and promoting red blood cell formation. This discovery could provide a new starting point for developing leukaemia treatments.
Researchers found that moths with transplanted antennae responded to novel pheromone blends not seen in nature. The moths' brains integrated signals from the antennal lobe to create a sense of reality, even when the sensory input was altered.
Male fruit flies release a specific pheromone, 9-tricosene, that attracts females to lay eggs near food sources. This discovery sheds light on how flies navigate complex environments using odorants, and its potential application in controlling mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
Researchers are developing a breathalyzer-type device to detect hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. The device will identify signature odorants produced in human breath by specific volatile organic compounds created by metabolic processes leading to low blood sugar.
Scientists have created a tool that can identify thousands of chemosensory receptors stimulated by specific smells in various species, from mice to flies. This breakthrough could help unravel the logic of chemosensory code across animal species and has countless applications, including understanding behaviors triggered by odorants.
A UC Riverside-led team discovered that ants detect a unique blend of hydrocarbons on individual cuticles to recognize different castes and intruders. This sophisticated pheromone system allows ants to coordinate their behaviors efficiently in large colonies with multiple castes.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that fruit flies can detect antioxidants using olfactory cues, increasing feeding behavior and triggering oviposition. This form of detection is not unique to insects, as humans also perceive pleasant odors from healthy nutrients.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that terpenes in citrus scents can inhibit liver cancer cell growth. The study discovered the signalling pathway used by (-)-citronellal and citronellol, two terpenes with anti-cancer properties.
Researchers have identified the exact odorant receptor that repels mosquitoes, paving the way for better and more affordable insect repellents. The discovery of a plant defensive compound that mimics DEET could lead to new treatments for vector-borne diseases.
Researchers identified a suite of odorants that the Asian citrus psyllid detects, which can modify its behavior. The developed odor-based lure caught nearly 230 percent more ACP than conventional yellow traps.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum discovered that sandalwood scent activates olfactory receptors in human skin cells, increasing cell proliferation and improving wound healing. The team identified the receptor OR2AT4 as responsible for this effect.
Researchers identify 230 key odorants responsible for encoding the typical smell of individual foodstuffs, with each foodstuff having its own unique odor code. The mapping of odor codes opens up new possibilities for biotechnology applications in crop breeding and industrial-scale production of high-quality food odorants.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research identify a critical developmental window of one week after birth for establishing proper olfactory neuron connections. After this period, regenerated neurons lose the capacity to make correct connections and may become mis-wired.
Brown University scientists found that the fundamental neural wiring map between the nose and brain becomes established in early development and remains unchanged throughout life. The study's findings provide insight into neurodevelopmental disorders and may have implications for regenerative medicine.
Insects' sense of smell crucial for survival; recent study shows odorant receptors emerged long after terrestrial adaptation. The first insects were not yet able to smell well, with their complex olfactory systems evolving after the development of flying ability.
Researchers have found that humans are capable of discriminating between an vast number of complex odors, with estimates suggesting at least 1 trillion possible scents. This new understanding challenges the long-held assumption that humans can only detect around 10,000 different smells.
Scientists have identified odor-producing chemicals in earwax that differ between individuals of East Asian origin and Caucasians. The study found a unique chemical signature associated with each ethnic group, suggesting that earwax could be an overlooked source of personal information.
Researchers discovered that CB1 cannabinoid receptors control a circuit connecting the olfactory bulb to the olfactory cortex, increasing sensitivity to smell during hunger. This biological mechanism may be altered in obese or anorexic patients, enabling better management of these pathologies.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that mosquito sperm contain a suite of specialized chemical sensors called odorant receptors, which drive the rapid increase in movement. These findings suggest a new paradigm for regulating insect reproduction and could provide a powerful approach for controlling insect populations.
Scientists have found odor receptors in lung tissue that can detect cigarette smoke and other irritants, triggering a response to constrict airways. These receptors, called pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, may be responsible for the chemical hypersensitivity characteristic of respiratory diseases such as COPD.
Researchers at Duke University found that individuals can be very different in the way they activate their smell receptors, leading to unique perceptions of odor. The study identified 27 new receptors with significant responses to odor molecules, doubling the known number to 40.
A new study by the Monell Center found that humans have a unique array of olfactory receptors, which encode both intensity and quality of odors. The researchers discovered considerable variation within the genes for discrete receptors, with approximately 140 receptors differing in response to odor molecules between any two individuals.
Scientists at UC Riverside identified a key target for disrupting mosquito host-seeking behavior, which could aid in controlling disease transmission. They discovered compounds that can block the mosquito's CO2 and skin-odorant receptors, reducing attractiveness and creating an affordable alternative to traditional CO2-based mosquito t...
Scientists have discovered that mice can pass on learned sensitivity to a specific odor to their offspring via epigenetic alterations in the sperm or eggs. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding psychiatric disorders and developing therapeutic strategies for intergenerational trauma effects.
Researchers at UC Riverside identified DEET-detecting olfactory receptors, enabling the development of three safe compounds that mimic DEET and could prevent the transmission of deadly vector-borne diseases. The findings offer a major breakthrough in controlling insect-borne diseases worldwide.
A Northwestern University study found that fear memories can be reduced in people by exposing them to the memory over and over again while they slept. This breakthrough potentially offers a new way to enhance daytime treatment of phobias through exposure therapy with a nighttime component.
Researchers found that mosquitoes have higher olfactory sensitivity and protein abundance of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) at night, making them more effective at detecting human hosts. This discovery has significant implications for developing novel insect control methods to reduce malaria transmission.
Researchers found genetic associations for four odors: malt, apple, blue cheese, and β-ionone. The study suggests that individual sensitivities to these compounds determine unique smells experienced in foods and drinks.
Researchers at Monell Center have identified a critical protein, Ggamma13, essential for mammalian odor detection. Mice lacking this protein were functionally anosmic, highlighting its role in smell disorders in humans.
A Northwestern University study shows that removing one olfactory receptor from mice can have a profound effect on their behavior, highlighting the importance of individual genes in sensory perception. The research reveals that a single gene, TAAR4, is necessary for mice to avoid predators based on the scent marks of carnivores.
Researchers discovered that cells beyond the nose have receptors for sensing odors, raising questions about whether organs 'smell' food. The study's findings could revolutionize our understanding of how we experience flavors and aromas.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that insect odorant receptors are self-regulated, allowing them to amplify sensitivity in response to below-threshold odor stimulation. This mechanism enables flies to detect minute amounts of odors, essential for navigation and finding resources.
Scientists at UC Riverside and Stanford University identified a molecular mechanism that blocks the expression of most olfactory receptor genes in flies, but allows for specific receptors to be expressed in response to carbon dioxide. This complex acts as a brake, releasing only when necessary to generate diverse sensors in the nose.
USDA researchers have created toxic sugar-based baits luring mosquito death; five compound classes kill all three mosquito species. Scientists also discovered how repellents work by disrupting chemical attractants in mosquito receptors.
A new study suggests that the shape and vibrational characteristics of odorant molecules play a crucial role in our ability to detect different smells. Researchers found that the vibrations of an odorant molecule's chemical bonds contribute to electron transfer, which sends signals to the receptor, enhancing detection.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that ants have four to five times more odor receptors than most other insects, enabling them to form highly organized colonies. The team mapped the olfactory system of two ant species, finding significant differences in receptor expression and chemical signals between males and females.
A new study finds that mice have a unique neural circuitry for processing instinctually important smells like those associated with predators. The TAAR-expressing neurons form an independent olfactory subsystem, distinct from the more common olfactory receptor neurons, which detect a broader range of smells.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that about 70 percent of people have two functional copies of a gene linked to an odor receptor that detects androstenone, a compound in male mammals like pigs. This genetic variation may contribute to why some people find the smell of meat unpleasant.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology developed a device called Flywalk that measures insect responses to odor signals, revealing specific brain regions for processing attractants and deterrents. The study shows that flies process attractive odors differently depending on gender and reproductive status.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research presented a new model of olfaction, suggesting that the brain maps odors in a tunotopic manner. This approach enables the system to recognize and encode any smell, regardless of its chemical structure.
Researchers at Linköping University identified seven key transcription factors that specify the creation of 34 neuron groups in a fruit fly's antenna. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that diversify neurons and keep them diverse, crucial for future nerve cell cultivation and replacement.