Articles tagged with Olfactory Perception
New research suggests the brain uses multiple strategies to process smells, employing both snapshot-like and evolving ensemble approaches. The study provides new tools for scientists to quantify and interpret brain activity patterns.
A study published in Current Biology found that people share similar odour preferences regardless of cultural background. The researchers discovered that the structure of the odour molecule determines whether a smell is considered pleasant or not.
Researchers found a nearly 16-fold higher prevalence of olfactory cleft abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction compared to controls. The blockages are expected to resolve with time, but nerve damage may be more difficult to recover from.
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.
Scientists discovered that ants can differentiate healthy from cancerous human cells based on distinct smell signatures. The insects, trained to recognize volatile organic compounds, show high potential for cancer detection with lower costs and efficiency.
Researchers investigated whether COVID-19 led to a worsening of tinnitus symptoms, but found no significant difference in severity. Despite this, the pandemic can exacerbate anxiety and stress, potentially affecting individuals with tinnitus.
A new study examines the 'skunk' smell and other emissions from cannabis production, finding they can be equivalent to livestock operations. The review highlights gaps in knowledge about cannabis emissions and their impact on air quality.
Researchers developed a new cell model of the olfactory mucosa, which is impaired in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The study provides new insights into the disease pathophysiology, including the potential role of viral infections and air pollutants in brain function.
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.
Researchers found that adding chipotle seasoning to white sauce formulations made it difficult for older adults to differentiate between low and high levels of salt. Conversely, herbs like basil leaves and garlic powder were not as effective at masking salty flavors.
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.
A new study of over 4 million adults in the UK found that people with COVID-19 symptoms are less likely to get tested due to barriers such as mild symptoms, poor knowledge of nearby testing sites, and certain demographic factors. The study suggests that targeted messaging and improved education are needed to increase test uptake.
A new study has discovered a type of astrocyte glial cell, named EROB cells, that responds to oestrogens and is involved in the development of the sense of smell in zebrafish embryos. The research shows that oestrogens regulate the development of the olfactory sensory system via these cells.
A study of 118 conservation units in Brazil found that 60% use unsuitable methods to detect deer presence. Visual analysis of droppings, fur, and footprints is a reliable method for most species, but others require DNA testing or camera traps.
A Tel Aviv University study found a significant link between changes in G-protein-coupled receptors and brain adaptability. Disabling the voltage sensor of these proteins caused uncontrolled brain flexibility, leading to excessive habituation to odors.
A study published in Nature finds that neurons in the primary olfactory cortex learn to encode spatial maps by associating odours with locations, allowing animals to navigate and remember valuable resources. This discovery sheds light on how our brains process smells and spaces.
Researchers have identified a key protein in the brain that regulates habituation, a mechanism essential for focus and attention. The study found that a decrease in this protein leads to hypersensitivity and symptoms similar to those seen in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Researchers find SARS-CoV-2 infects sustentacular cells in the olfactory epithelium of COVID-19 patients, replicating vigorously within these cells. The virus does not appear to infect nerve cells, instead affecting sensory neurons indirectly through insufficient support from sustentacular cells.
A UC Riverside-led study found that maternal transfer of PBDEs causes brain changes and autistic-like behavior in female mice offspring, including reduced social recognition ability and olfactory discrimination. The study suggests that developmental exposure to flame retardants produces ASD-relevant neurochemical and behavioral traits.
Research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can enter the brain and affect neural function, leading to symptoms like headache, depression, and fatigue. Many people experience lingering cognitive or neurological problems months after initial recovery.
The study found that negative smells trigger a physical avoidance response, indicating an unconscious and rapid reaction mechanism. The olfactory bulb processes smells rapidly, with signals reaching the brain within 100-150 milliseconds.
SUTD researchers develop sensor that assigns dirt score to areas based on visual and tactile analysis, allowing for more efficient exploration of complex spaces. The sensor is integrated with a smart algorithm that directs the robot to focus on areas with high dirt probability.
A study published by Ruhr-University Bochum's Department of Neurophysiology found that the olfactory system works closely with the brain's reward and aversion systems to form and retrieve memories. Non-olfactory brain regions, such as the limbic cortex, play a crucial role in categorizing scents as pleasant or unpleasant.
A recent study at Drexel University found that virtual reality art therapy can reduce prefrontal cortex activation, promoting relaxation and flow. The study also showed differences in brain function between creative self-expression and rote tracing tasks.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside discovered that hummingbirds can avoid insects with defensive compounds, such as formic acid, which harm birds. The study shows that scent plays a crucial role in hummingbird foraging decisions and ecosystem function.
Researchers have developed a way to bottle the 'smell of fear' produced by predators to repel and disrupt destructive insects. The odor blend can be used in essential oil diffusers to spread over time across gardens or fields, offering a natural alternative to pesticides.
Researchers have identified several small molecules responsible for coffee's mouthfeel, including melanoidin compounds and caffeoylquinic acid. These compounds can be used to tune processing and roasting conditions for specialty coffees.
Researchers analyzed 8 popular plant-based burgers and found that some closely mimic the odor of real beef when cooking. The Beyond Burger from Beyond Meat came closest to replicating the hamburger aroma, but still differed significantly.
Researchers studied insect olfactory system to improve repellent design and drug screening. They found that chemoreceptor tuning depends on ligand-binding subunit identity, revealing diverse molecular mechanisms. These findings have potential applications in 'mammalian' chemogenetics and insect-based research.
A University of Otago study found that women with postpartum depression experience different intensity and hedonic perception of smells compared to healthy women. The research adds evidence to the argument that postpartum depression should be studied separately from major depression.
Researchers explore how smell influences flavor perception, finding that participants performed better when unfamiliar scents were introduced without labels. This study suggests cognitive strategy and learning play a key role in aroma detection.
Scientists identify BMPR-2 as a key regulator of selective stabilization of neuron branching, strengthening connections only when received signals from other neurons. Glutamic acid is also found to activate the process, demonstrating simultaneous control necessary for selective branch stabilization.
Researchers discovered that storks are attracted to the smell of freshly cut grass, using their sense of smell to locate food sources. This finding suggests that the sense of smell may play a greater role in other birds than previously thought, contradicting previous assumptions about bird behavior.
Researchers analyzed 99 vinegar fly species to understand how sex pheromones evolve and impact mating behaviors. The study found that male-specific compounds are abundant, while female-specific compounds are scarce, suggesting a crucial role for males in transmitting chemical signals.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that older adults' sense of smell declines specifically for savory foods like fried meat, onions, and mushrooms, but remains intact for sweet and fruity odors. This suggests that our perception of smell is closely linked to taste, particularly saltiness.
A study published in the Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences found that scent-enhanced virtual reality technologies can improve therapeutic benefits for chronic pain, anxiety, and mood disorders. Participants reported significant reductions in anxiety levels after OVR sessions, with improvements lasting up to three hours.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that insulin is essential for maturing and regenerating olfactory sensory neurons after injury. Insulin promotes regeneration of OSNs, even in nondiabetic mice, indicating a new therapy option for treating smell loss.
COVID-19 causes loss of smell by infecting sensory neurons and triggering inflammation. The virus persists in the olfactory epithelium for months, leading to prolonged clinical signs.
Researchers at Michigan State University found a possible link between poor sense of smell and a higher risk of pneumonia hospitalization. Older adults with a poor sense of smell were about 50% more likely to be hospitalized with pneumonia compared to those with a good sense of smell.
Researchers found that mice can detect rapid fluctuations in odour plumes and use this information to distinguish between sources. This suggests the mammalian olfactory system plays a key role in processing awareness of physical space and surroundings, guiding survival decisions.
A new systematic review suggests that corticosteroids are not an effective treatment for COVID-19-induced smell loss. Instead, 'smell training' - a process of sniffing different odours twice daily for several months - is recommended as a cheap and side-effect-free treatment option.
Scientists have discovered that the brain perceives odor mixtures as a new identity, rather than a combination of individual odors. This finding supports the pattern theory of sensory encoding, which suggests that multiple neurons are activated simultaneously to create a population code for each smell.
Researchers found that ring-tailed lemurs can detect ripe cantaloupe from a distance of up to 56 feet using their sense of smell. The study demonstrates the first time primates track distant smells carried by wind.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a neural basis for how odors elicit powerful memories, with the olfactory areas connecting directly to the hippocampus. The study suggests that the sense of smell retains direct access to the hippocampus, unlike other senses like vision and hearing.
A recent study suggests that people with COVID-19 may experience a prolonged loss of sense of smell and taste, lasting up to five months. The study found that approximately half of participants who lost their sense of smell during the initial illness had not regained it entirely after five months.
Researchers confirm COVID-19 is the primary cause of lost sense of smell in patients with respiratory infections. The disease also affects taste and other senses in the mouth, leading to prolonged discomfort for patients.
A recent study found that 85.9% of COVID-19 patients with mild cases experienced olfactory dysfunction, lasting an average of 21.6 days. Nearly one-quarter of patients did not recover their sense of smell 60 days after losing it.
Researchers used headphones to change sound of footsteps in real-time, finding participants walked faster with high-pitched sounds. Exposure to lemon-scented essential oils combined with high-pitched sounds made participants feel lighter than those exposed to vanilla scents.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that loss of smell and taste in COVID-19 patients often occur before other symptoms like fever or shortness of breath. Researchers also discovered a link between impaired sense of smell and lower levels of white blood cells, including neutrophils.
A repurposed mouse model has been shown to develop symptoms of severe COVID-19 and milder disease, including loss of the sense of smell. The study found that convalescent plasma protected the mice against lethal disease, suggesting a promising tool for understanding COVID-19 and developing new treatments.
A team of researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have studied how SARS-CoV-2 reaches the brain and found that it enters through nerve cells in the olfactory mucosa. The virus is also transported via blood vessels to reach the brain, which may contribute to neurological symptoms such as loss of smell or taste in COVID-19 ...
A new study published in The Laryngoscope suggests that smell training can improve smell performance in patients with post-viral smell disorders. Participants who underwent smell training showed significant recovery, especially among older individuals who had lost the most amount of smell function.
Mice fed a Western diet showed faster decline in odor detection and learning abilities compared to controls. The researchers suggest high dietary sugar content, rather than obesity or hyperglycemia, may be linked to this deterioration.
Researchers used digital endocranial cast models to compare canine brain shapes, finding that the shortening of the facial skeleton affects brain regions, primarily the olfactory bulb and frontal lobe. This could have profound implications for dog behavior and cognition.
Researchers have identified volatile organic compounds used for olfactory navigation by homing pigeons, generating regional olfactory maps that can be used as a compass to return home from unfamiliar sites. The study provides evidence for the existence of suitable regional chemical gradients in the air.
Researchers found sequence variants that influence how people perceive and describe fish, licorice, and cinnamon odors. The study identified three genes, including TAAR5, which affects perception of fish odor containing trimethylamine, as well as common olfactory gene variants influencing licorice and cinnamon sensitivity.
Researchers found that reduced odor stimulation reduces newly-generated neurons with specific receptors, suggesting a selective alteration in neurogenesis. This discovery challenges the random subtype identity model and suggests a potential adaptive function for lifelong olfactory sensory neurogenesis.
A new study published in eLife suggests a link between unexplained miscarriages and how women perceive men's body odor. Women with a history of uRPL were found to have an altered perception and brain response to male body odors, including improved ability to identify their spouse by smell.
Research from Kyushu University shows that odors can activate or suppress the response of olfactory sensory neurons in mice, leading to complex interactions and synergy when mixing odors. This study provides new insights into how our perception of odors is tuned from the moment they are detected in the nose.
Researchers found that olfactory sensory neurons can activate antiviral genes to fight off the virus, but at a higher level than other cell types. This unique response may be a brain-protective mechanism, allowing these cells to avoid being destroyed by the infection.