Articles tagged with Olfactory Perception
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Researchers at IIT and Harvard University identified the tricks used by the brain to discriminate and generalize odorous molecules. The study sheds light on how our brain processes information from the sense of smell, revealing a new mechanism for recognizing specific smells.
A new study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection drives the loss of smell by targeting non-neuronal cells in the nasal cavity. The virus expresses key genes in these cells, which are responsible for damage and anosmia.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 causes smell loss due to infection of nonneuronal supporting cells, not neurons. The research team found that olfactory sensory neurons are not vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection because they do not express ACE2, a key protein used by the virus to enter human cells.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are studying how COVID-19 affects the sense of smell. The team is investigating the role of microvilli in detecting viruses and testing a drug to alter inflammation and viral infection of olfactory epithelium.
Researchers found that depression, anxiety, and loss of smell were strongly associated with COVID-19. The study suggests that psychological distress could be a sign of the virus's impact on the brain, potentially due to its entry through the olfactory tract.
Researchers discovered that neural representations of smell in the cortex reflect chemical similarities between odors, allowing for categorization. The findings also suggest that sensory experiences can rewire these representations.
A new study reveals that humans have a stereo sense of smell, using binaral disparity to guide navigation. Results from psychophysical testing showed a moderate binaral disparity biases perceived direction towards the higher-concentration side, reminiscent of stereo vision.
Researchers created an electrical signature that mimics an odor in the brain's smell-processing center, advancing our understanding of olfactory perception. The approach revealed key spatial and temporal neural features that combine to form a code for converting sensory information into perception of an odor
Researchers have decoded the brain's smell-processing center, identifying a code for converting sensory information into perception. By manipulating nerve signaling, they found changes in glomeruli activation led to significant drops in odor recognition accuracy, with timing and order crucial for correct detection.
Palaeontologists from St Petersburg University have created the most detailed virtual 3D-model of the endocranial cast and blood vessels of the head of an ankylosaurian. They found that ankylosaurs had a unique cooling system, an extremely developed sense of smell, and could hear low-frequency sounds.
Researchers identified microglia as key immune cells protecting the brain from airborne viral infections, limiting damage to neurons. CD8 T cells engaged microglia to present virus particles, triggering an antiviral response without killing neurons.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health found that olfactory impairment suggests a milder clinical course in COVID-19. Patients who displayed no or mild symptoms were less likely to require hospitalization.
Researchers found that specific odors can dynamically regulate fat mobilization by interacting with olfactory neurons, promoting the loss or gain of fat storage. This discovery may help understand why some people are more resistant to metabolic problems while others are more vulnerable.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative's SCAPE microscopy technique allows researchers to observe large volumes of tissue in 3D, revealing more complex interactions between nerve cells responding to mixed odors. This breakthrough has implications for understanding how the brain perceives smells and may lead to new treatments for neurological disorders.
A new computer algorithm inspired by the mammalian olfactory system rapidly learns patterns and identifies smells even with strong sensory interference. The algorithm is applied to a neuromorphic computer chip, Loihi, which can learn to identify patterns or perform tasks a thousand times faster than traditional methods.
Scientists used gas chromatography and sensory panel analysis to uncover volatile compounds in aged cognac, finding terpenoids for the first time. The study reveals how specific compounds enhance or suppress flavors, shedding light on aging's impact on aromas.
Researchers found that inhibiting apoptosis in fruit fly neurons led to the development of 'zombie' cells that formed new olfactory neuron networks with distinct properties. These neurons expressed different receptors, including those for carbon dioxide detection, giving the flies enhanced odor perception.
Scientists identified a previously unappreciated neurotransmitter system in the brain, which interacts with specific receptors to control emotions and behaviors. The discovery suggests new treatments for depression, schizophrenia, and other brain disorders.
A study published in Frontiers found that mothers can accurately detect their child's developmental stage through their body odor. The research suggests that infantile body odors mediate affectionate love towards the child during bonding periods, while postpubertal classifications could indicate a mechanism for detachment.
Researchers at University of Kent found that men can detect the scent of axillary sweat from sexually aroused women, which increases their sexual motivation. The study suggests that chemical signals released by women can elicit a stronger overall signal that enhances human communication.
A new study reveals that almost every aspect of life is disrupted by a loss of smell, including personal hygiene, sex intimacy, and social relationships. Sufferers experience negative emotions, feelings of isolation, and impaired daily functioning.
A study by Weizmann Institute researchers reveals that around 4% of left-handed women have excellent senses of smell despite lacking olfactory bulbs in their brains. The findings challenge conventional theories on the necessity of olfactory bulbs for the sense of smell.
Researchers found that 3 women with no apparent olfactory bulbs could identify, detect, and discriminate between odors as well as the average person. Their brains had normal structures outside the olfactory system, suggesting alternative glomeruli maps in other brain regions.
Researchers identify two molecules, PLXNA1 and PLXNA3, that help set up the sense of smell and pave the way to puberty. This finding may lead to a better understanding of Kallmann syndrome and its treatment.
Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding olfactory perception and processing, highlighting the role of dynamic features, sniffing speed, and odorous landmarks in guiding behaviors like navigation and finding resources. The study's findings provide new insights into how the brain represents smells and its importan...
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified a key player in fruit fly olfactory processing that amplifies courtship signals in male flies. The discovery of PPK25, a sodium-ion channel, reveals a critical role in regulating pheromone sensitivity and promotes courtship behavior when flies are most fertile.
Researchers at Kobe University have identified the chemical makeup of newborn babies' head odors, shedding light on their importance in mother-baby recognition. The study found that these odors can be used to distinguish between individual babies and are stronger in the first few days after birth.
Researchers found that stem cells transform into immune cells to perpetuate inflammation in chronic sinusitis, preserving the potential to regenerate olfactory tissue. This discovery may lead to better treatments for anosmia, a condition where people lose their sense of smell.
A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid reveals that olfactory and auditory stimuli can alter our perception of body shape. Exposure to certain smells, like lemon, makes people feel thinner, while others, such as vanilla, make them feel heavier.
Researchers found that people perceive themselves as lighter when smelling lemon and heavier when smelling vanilla. The study suggests that technology could be used to develop new therapies or wearable technologies that utilize scent to enhance self-confidence.
A University of Turku team has found that PIM kinases regulate the sense of smell in nematodes. The enzymes, previously linked to cancer cell motility and survival, also influenced olfactory neurons' ability to detect attractants or repellents.
Researchers found that Bcl11b determines which class of OR gene is expressed in olfactory neurons, switching between class I and II. This mechanism was also seen in frogs, where Bcl11b expression changed from water-nose to air-nose during metamorphosis.
Researchers from Lehigh University have found that songbirds prefer the scent of their own species over others, which could impact hybridization. The study, led by Amber Rice and Alex Van Huynh, used gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry to analyze natural oils produced by birds' uropygial glands.
A study published in Brain Injury found that patients with mild concussions experienced reduced sense of smell within 24 hours of their accident, which returned to normal after six months. However, anxiety persisted for a year after the injury, affecting approximately 65% of concussed patients.
Researchers found that molecular properties of odors do not hold predictive power when new odor pairs or shuffled properties are tested, highlighting the complexity of smell perception. The study suggests that the brain extracts different features from smells and that olfactory experience is highly subjective and context-dependent.
Scientists have discovered that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes use both vision and smell to track their victims, with CO2 affecting the responses of neurons in visual centers. This finding has significant implications for understanding mosquito-borne diseases and developing effective control measures.
Scientists have discovered how mosquito brains integrate signals from their olfactory and visual systems to identify and track potential hosts for blood meals. Smelling carbon dioxide triggers changes in the brain that initiate a behavioral response, causing mosquitoes to scan their surroundings with their visual system.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that mammals use a similar 'distributed circuit' approach to distinguish odors, with the size of brain components scaling across species. This finding may have implications for understanding other parts of the brain and developing more efficient machine learning systems.
A team of Penn State researchers found that fine particles can disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the nose, potentially contributing to neurological diseases. The study suggests a possible mechanism for how air pollution may lead to conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Scientists report that specific patterns of neural activity guide the formation of nerve clusters in the olfactory bulb, enabling variation in response to sensory cues. By changing neural activity patterns using optogenetics, researchers found altered expression of molecules in nerve endings targeting specific nerve clusters.
A study found that elephants can distinguish between quantities of food using their sense of smell, improving performance with quantity differences and degrading with ratio increases. This discovery may aid conservation efforts in regions where elephant habitats overlap with human settlements.
Researchers develop a stem cell therapy that restores smell in mice by replacing damaged olfactory neurons. The treatment shows promise for treating various causes of olfactory loss and may lead to new treatments for humans.
A recent study from the Monell Center sheds light on individual differences in odor perception, finding that small changes in olfactory receptor genes can significantly impact how strong and pleasant an odor is. The research used high-throughput sequencing technology to identify genetic variations affecting odor perception.
A study found that poor sense of smell is associated with a 46% higher mortality rate at year 10 and 30% higher mortality rate at year 13 compared to those with good olfaction. The association could not be explained by demographic characteristics, lifestyle, or comorbid conditions.
A new study suggests that older adults with poor sense of smell may be at a 46% higher risk for death at 10 years and 30% at 13 years compared to those with good smell. Poor sense of smell is linked to higher mortality in both healthy and unhealthy individuals, with most of the risk remaining unexplained.
Researchers found that humans can learn to navigate through a two-dimensional environment using odor information, with brain activity resembling grid-cell models previously discovered in animals. The study used a unique 'smellscape' of pine and banana scents to guide participants' mental navigation.
Mosquitoes use an olfactory coreceptor called Ir8a to detect acidic volatiles found in human sweat, which is necessary for their host detection system. The study suggests new approaches for designing improved mosquito repellents and potentially even a life-saving perfume.
Researchers at Tufts University have successfully grown and maintained olfactory stem cells in culture, which can then be used to restore tissue in the nose. The discovery raises hope that future therapies could be developed to restore the sense of smell in individuals where it has been damaged by injury or degeneration.
A team of researchers discovered the chemicals responsible for the distinctive smell of Parkinson's disease using a 'super smeller'. The finding could lead to an early diagnosis and monitoring of the condition. Hippuric acid, eicosane, and octadecanal were identified as biomarkers in sebum samples from patients with Parkinson's.
Researchers found that a repellent odor in a mixture specifically inhibits the perception of an attractive odor in vinegar flies, while geosmin activates only one specific glomerulus. This mechanism could help protect animals from contaminated food and potentially apply to humans as well.
A Michigan State University researcher is investigating the role of pesticides in olfactory impairment and their relevance to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Researchers will assess over 2,200 farmers using a standard smell test and conduct home visits to evaluate cognitive function and motor symptoms.
Researchers found the same genetic change in five of six tumors, implicating a muscle gene in olfactory neuroblastoma. The deletions were found in the DMD gene, which codes for dystrophin, and may contribute to the formation of the cancer.
Researchers found that food odors impact protein degradation and cell recycling, leading to shorter lifespans. The study used Caenorhabditis elegans, a roundworm model organism, to uncover the role of olfactory neurons and microRNA molecule mir-71 in regulating digestive processes.
Researchers found that male pouched rats with longer anogenital distances prefer the scent of patent females, while those with shorter AGDs show no preference. This unique trait helps males distinguish viable from non-viable partners in a split second.
A team of scientists identified a novel antipredator defense mechanism in locusts, where an olfactory aposematic signal is converted into a hypertoxic chemical. The discovery revealed that phenylacetonitrile (PAN) serves as both a warning signal and a cyanide precursor to deter predators.
A team of neuroscientists has identified two distinct types of neurons in the lateral horn (LH) of fruit flies that are responsible for the innate insect's aversion to carbon dioxide. The study reveals a complex neural circuit underlying olfactory responses, with one type of neuron projecting connections out of the LH and another havin...
A Michigan State University study found a strong association between high pesticide exposure and impaired sense of smell in aging farmers. Researchers discovered that washing with soap and water within three hours can mitigate the risk, but waiting longer increases it.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to understand how cells communicate effectively in highly constricted spaces like olfactory cilia. The model showed that relying on Cl- ions instead of Na+ provides advantages for odor detection, enabling reliable responses despite an unstable external environment.
Researchers found that the ability of self-renewal declines in old age, especially in certain intermediate stages called transit amplifying progenitors. This leads to a halt in the production of olfactory cells as they tend to remain in the stem cell pool and become less active.
A study published in Nature Communications found that separating male and female mice leads to differences in their olfactory sensory receptors. As a result, the mice may perceive odors differently. This research has implications for understanding sex-specific differences in human olfactory function.