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Genomes from 240 mammal species explain human disease risks

A large-scale genomic study of 240 mammal species reveals previously uncharacterized regulatory elements in the human genome, linked to disease risks and distinctive traits. The research provides insights into the evolutionary development of mammalian genomes and their potential applications in medical research.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

The nose knows: study suggests it may be wise to screen for smell loss to predict frailty and unhealthy aging

Researchers found that impaired olfactory identification and sensitivity functions are associated with frailty, suggesting a potential biomarker for predicting frailty and unhealthy aging. The study's findings suggest screening older adults' ability to smell various scents could be as important as testing hearing and vision.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateJan 10, 2023

Cheetah marking trees are hotspots for communication also for other species

A study by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that cheetah marking trees serve as hotspots for communication among multiple mammalian species. These trees were visited more frequently by some species, such as black-backed jackals and warthogs, suggesting they gain important information from the scent marks. In co...

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalMammalian Biology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 2, 2022

The nose-brain pathway: exploring the role of trigeminal nerves in delivering intranasally administered antidepressant

Researchers developed a novel intranasal delivery system that utilizes the trigeminal nerve to deliver antidepressant drugs to the brain. The system showed efficacy at delivering the same dose as intracerebroventricular administration, highlighting a potential new approach for treating depression and other neurological disorders.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2022

The era of digital olfaction science is now – the smell of digital will be highlighted during the 7th International Meeting of the Digital Olfaction Society this November in Tokyo

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.

Mapping the path from smell to perception

Scientists have created an extensive new map of the brain's olfactory circuits, revealing a complex system that processes different aspects of odor information. The map suggests the existence of parallel neural circuits dedicated to assessing smell identity, pleasantness, and origin, offering new insights into olfactory processing.

Dogs can smell when we’re stressed, study suggests

A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

The neural cartography of smell

A study published in Cell reveals that the shape of receptor proteins determines axon targeting precision in mice, helping explain how olfactory neurons send signals to specific glomeruli. This discovery could lead to early detection of olfactory deficits and understanding of brain function.

SourceColumbia University·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

Significant risk of sensory loss in long COVID - study

A new study published in Frontiers in Medicine found that around 30% of people with long COVID experience a decreased sense of smell, with 29.9% reporting persistent anosmia after 12 weeks. Researchers also discovered an elevated prevalence of blurred vision and hearing-related symptoms after three months.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 9, 2022

Simple animal model reveals how environment and state are integrated to control behavior

A new study reveals how the C. elegans worm integrates environmental cues and internal states to guide food-seeking behavior, highlighting a potentially universal mechanism for nervous system integration. The research team found that internal states, such as hunger, can influence the expression of key smell receptors in sensory neurons.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Study finds new links between dogs’ smell and vision

Researchers at Cornell University found connections between the brain's olfactory pathway and visual cortex in dogs, showing that olfaction is integrated with vision in terms of learning about the environment. This study corroborates clinical experiences with blind dogs who function remarkably well despite their condition.

SourceCornell University·JournalJNeurosci·DateJul 18, 2022

Sniffing out your identity with breath biometrics

A team of researchers from Kyushu University has developed an olfactory sensor capable of identifying individuals by analyzing the compounds in their breath. The system, combined with machine learning, achieved an average accuracy of over 97% in authenticating up to 20 individuals.

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

What the nose doesn’t know helps wildlife: Using olfactory cues to protect vulnerable species

Scientists have discovered a way to harness animals' olfactory ability to protect endangered plants and animals by masking their scent, disguising it, or spreading similar scents. This method is more effective, sustainable, and animal-friendly than traditional deterrents like fences and lethal control methods.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJun 21, 2022

Seeing how odor is processed in the brain

Researchers at University of Tokyo used machine learning-based analysis of scalp-recorded EEG to see when and where odors are processed in the brain. Unpleasant odors were found to be processed earlier than pleasant ones, suggesting potential early warning system against dangers.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2022

Researchers discover the mechanism responsible for information transfer between different regions of the brain

A new study by Bar-Ilan University researchers reveals that synchronized brain activity is crucial for information transfer between brain regions. Increasing synchronization improves transmission and processing of information, while decreasing it impairs cognitive function. This finding may contribute to the development of treatments f...

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 25, 2022

Why are male mice afraid of bananas?

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022