Articles tagged with Olfactory Perception
New research finds that ocean acidification from carbon emissions can alter coho salmon's processing and response to smells, affecting their ability to detect predators and navigate. This study highlights the potential consequences of climate change on salmon populations.
A new study by the University of Konstanz and the University of Sussex found that animals can detect complex odor mixtures more quickly and reliably than individual pure compounds. This suggests that our olfactory systems may be better suited to handle mixed smells, which are a common aspect of our environment.
A recent study by University of Sussex researchers found that animals are more adept at detecting complex mixed odorants than individual pure ingredients. This discovery has significant implications for the development of artificial systems that can mimic animal senses, such as detecting drugs and explosives or improving food safety th...
Physicians at Massachusetts Eye and Ear successfully induced a sense of smell in human subjects by stimulating nerves in the olfactory bulb. The breakthrough opens doors for developing implant technology to restore smell in those who have lost it, with potential applications in treating anosmia.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that exposure to crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill significantly impaired olfactory function in Atlantic stingrays. The research suggests that this could have detrimental effects on fitness and survival, as well as lead to premature death.
Researchers create an algorithm that accurately classifies mouse vigilance states into wake, REM sleep, and non-REM sleep based on local brain activity in the olfactory bulb. The study has potential applications in medical and clinical fields, including surgical anesthesia and sleep disorders.
Marley Kass, PhD, of Rutgers University, has been awarded the $2,500 Donald B. Lindsley Prize in Behavioral Neuroscience for her thesis on experience-dependent plasticity of early sensory processing in mice.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals a new neural circuitry linking olfaction to locomotion in lampreys, a parasitic fish that has decimated large populations of fish. The discovery demonstrates how smell can activate locomotor centers via two distinct brain pathways.
Researchers identified 'navigator' neurons that play a key role in establishing the olfactory map and correcting faulty connections. These neurons, which only exist during early development, undergo exuberant axon growth and have distinct molecular signatures.
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience confirms the potent relaxing effects of lavender and its active compound linalool. The research suggests that the scent of linalool must be smelled, not absorbed, to exert its calming effects.
Researchers found that similar brain regions are involved in both spatial navigation and odor identification, suggesting an intrinsic association between the two. Participants with better spatial memory were also better at identifying smells, supporting the idea that these skills evolved together.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology discovered that shootin 1b is essential for neuron migration to the olfactory bulb, which affects brain development and adaptation. The study reveals how shootin 1b mediates a mechanical clutch to generate force for neuronal movement.
Researchers genetically engineered olfactory ensheathing cells to carry an anticancer drug, reducing tumor growth and improving survival in a mouse model. The treatment delivered the medication directly to glioblastoma cells while sparing healthy tissue, leading to a significant reduction in tumor size and prolonged survival.
A new study by Monell Center scientists has identified a mysterious sensory cell called microvillous cells (MVCs) that protect the vulnerable olfactory epithelium from viruses and bacteria. These cells may represent potential therapeutic targets to maintain a healthy sense of smell.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Arizona State University develop mathematical model to organize odor molecules by frequency of co-occurrence in nature, mapping pleasant directions. This breakthrough enables construction of artificial pleasant odor mixtures, with potential implications for understanding diseases like Parkinson's.
A new study reveals 6.5% of people over 40 experience phantom odors, unrelated to odor identification skills. Risk factors include age, sex, education level, and socio-economic status.
Researchers found a newly discovered stem cell that controls the size of the olfactory epithelium's surface area, which regulates its development. This discovery could help explain why dogs have such a superior sense of smell due to their complex turbinate structures.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored function to the olfactory system in genetically modified mice. The therapy increased cilia and sensory neuron responses, leading to restored connections between neurons and behaviors in odor-guided tasks.
Researchers confirm that pigeons rely on familiar smells to find their way home, not artificial odors. A study published in Journal of Comparative Physiology A found that pigeons exposed to natural environmental odorants performed significantly better at homing.
Research reveals that the randomness of the piriform cortex is critical to distinguishing between similar odors, with each neuron connected to nearly every single odor receptor. This system encodes complex information and makes it robust to noise.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a mechanism that recreates vivid sensory experiences from memory using smell. The findings shed light on how sensory-rich memories are created and stored in our brains, and could explain why loss of smell is recognized as an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease.
A new study reveals that acidic oceans impact fish ability to detect odors, affecting their food, habitat and predator avoidance
Researchers have successfully mapped the adult fruit fly brain in unprecedented detail, tracing the path of neurons to any other neuron throughout the entire brain. The high-resolution digital snapshot has also revealed a new cell type and other surprises, including tightly bundled olfactory projection neurons.
A new study from the University of Sussex found that distracted individuals are less likely to notice new smells, a condition known as inattentional smell blindness. This phenomenon is similar to visual attentional blindness, where people miss visual cues when busy, and can lead to missed warnings like smoke or gas alerts.
A nearly 130-million-year-old fossilized skull found in Utah is evidence that the super-continental split occurred more recently than previously thought. The study suggests that early mammal relatives migrated across several continents during the Early Cretaceous period, occupying various niches similar to modern mammals.
Researchers developed a mathematical model showing that two brains can agree on new odors if both have experienced similar overlaps in scents. The model resolves long-held paradoxes about the brain's smell center and highlights an underlying elegance to the olfactory system.
Researchers have developed graphene-based nanoscrolls with a large surface area, stability at high temperatures and durability. The material mimics the capillary structure in a dog's nose to detect odors at extremely low concentrations.
A study published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology found that dogs create a mental representation of target objects while tracking scent trails. Dogs show hesitation when finding an unexpected toy and later retrieve it equally quickly regardless of initial expectation.
A new study creates a functional map of how the hawkmoth smells, tracing the process from the antennae to specific areas in the brain. The researchers mapped how the moth distinguishes between odors to find a safe place to eat or to lay eggs.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that activity in specific brain areas correlates with different behaviors in female Manduca sexta. The study identified a functional atlas of the antennal lobe, which is linked to feeding behavior, whereas other areas are related to egg-laying.
Researchers developed a novel olfactory virtual reality system that enables the study of how smells engage the brain's navigation system. The study demonstrated that mice can form a map of their surroundings based solely on smells, suggesting a potential new frontier in multisensory VR experience development.
Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Japan's Universities of Sapporo and Tokyo discovered a neural structure in cockroach brains that processes olfactory molecules with spatial information. This finding suggests that cockroaches can build an internal map of their olfactory landscape, similar to humans' sense of touch and sight.
Researchers found that mosquitoes can learn and remember human smells and associate them with defensive behaviors, leading them to avoid hosts who swat at them. This aversive learning is mediated by dopamine and can be exploited for mosquito control.
The patented AromaStick inhaler enhances pain management by changing pain dynamics and improving relief. In two field studies, participants experienced increased mood and well-being when using the inhaler.
A new study found that hunter-gatherer groups, such as the Semaq Beri, excel at naming odors with ease, while non-hunter-gatherer groups, like the Semelai, struggle. The researchers suggest that cultural practices may play a role in shaping olfactory cognition.
Researchers found that banded mongooses transmit a novel tuberculosis pathogen, Mycobacterium mungi, through olfactory secretions, infecting other animals in their social group. The study provides insight into the evolution of this unique transmission route and its implications for understanding tuberculosis.
The primate brain's anterior medial patch uses a combinatorial code to adjust neuron firing rates for face recognition. This coding mechanism is also found in the fruit fly olfactory system.
Researchers found that precise timing patterns of brain activity distinguish between airflow-driven mechanical signals and those generated by odors. This discovery demonstrates the neural code underlying olfaction, revealing how neurons differentiate between air-flow information and odor information.
Tufts researchers have developed a method to regenerate adult stem cells in the nasal tissue, improving sense of smell in mice. The discovery uses Yamanaka factors and offers a more efficient alternative to existing induced pluripotent stem cell technology, with implications for treating various tissue degeneration associated with aging.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science found that individuals on the autism spectrum exhibit distinct reactions to 'smells of fear' and 'calm sweat', including changes in anxiety levels. This suggests a possible underlying connection between smell, social cues, and early brain development in autism.
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine found that mammalian brains can distinguish between one odor and another in under 100 milliseconds, using fewer nerve signals than previously believed. This groundbreaking study has implications for our understanding of human olfaction and the potential for new treatments for smell disorders.
A four-year study investigates how long-term exposure to airborne particulates relates to Parkinson's onset later in life, exploring the role of nasal inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications. The team aims to develop ways to evaluate an individual's risk for the disease and therapies to prevent or slow its progression.
Researchers developed better search algorithms using fruit fly brain's odor classification technique, which assigns similar neural activity patterns to similar odors. The fly-based approach outperformed conventional computer algorithms in sorting data with improved performance.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have elucidated the mechanism by which newborn neurons migrate to their target destinations in the olfactory bulb. This process is crucial for maintaining proper neural function and may hold promise for treating brain disorders.
Researchers found that smell sensitivity peaks in the late evening and varies over the course of a day, influenced by internal circadian rhythms. This discovery has implications for assessing a patient's sense of smell and may affect food choices and eating behaviors among teens.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that people with alexithymia, a condition marked by reduced emotional awareness, have altered physiological responses to smells. The researchers discovered that these individuals experience more intense emotional reactions to smells than others.
Mousensor, LLC has been awarded a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop a human-nose-on-a-chip based on fundamental research at CUNY. The company aims to detect and digitize every single smell, enabling fragrance houses to increase competitive advantage through unique product development.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed new smell tests that can detect olfactory disorders more reliably than conventional options. The tests aim to identify underlying causes of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases early on, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
A long-term study of 3,000 adults found that those who couldn't identify four out of five common odors were more than twice as likely to develop dementia. The study's lead author notes that the sense of smell is closely connected with brain function and health.
Researchers found Parkinson's disease reduces olfactory bulb glomerular volume by over half and alters their distribution, suggesting a key role for Lewy bodies in triggering the disease. The study provides new insights into the anatomical link between Parkinson's disease and impaired sense of smell.
A research team led by DGIST Professor Moon Cheil has identified the reason behind olfactory dysfunction in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that a toxic protein called beta-amyloid accumulates in the peripheral nervous system, specifically in the olfactory epithelium, leading to olfactory failure.
Mice exposed to scents before and shortly after birth show increased responses in specific neurons to various odors. The study demonstrates how early experience shapes the brain's processing of smell, with mice exposed to scented diets displaying heightened mitral cell responses to all presented odors.
A study found that older adults with poor sense of smell are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who perform better on the test. The researchers also found a stronger link between poor smell and disease in men, but not in women. The test could help identify people at greater risk up to six years before diagnosis.
A study published in Neurology found that a scratch-and-sniff test may predict Parkinson's disease up to six years before diagnosis. The test showed strong links between smell and disease risk for white participants, but weaker associations for black participants. Older men with poor sense of smell were more likely to develop the disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that inflammation is required for olfactory tissue regeneration in a mouse study. Suppressing inflammation with steroids slowed stem cell proliferation, highlighting the complex relationship between inflammation and healing.
Researchers found that birds use olfaction to navigate over long distances, outperforming previous theories about the role of Earth's magnetic field. The study tracked Scopoli's shearwaters and showed that anosmic birds followed a different orientation pattern during their return journeys.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that brain area relevant for smelling is activated before an odour is perceived, affecting how positive or negative the smell is perceived to be. The piriform cortex processes visual information and creates an expectation about the scent's smell, influencing perception.
Research reveals that many patients with chronic kidney disease experience smell loss, which correlates with poorer nutritional status. Treatment with intranasal theophylline has shown promise in improving smell function and reducing markers of malnutrition in a small group of patients.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that deficits in the sense of smell are common among patients with serious kidney disease and correlate with poor nutrition. A proof-of-concept trial of a potential treatment for these olfactory deficits showed promising results.
A new study published in Neuron provides direct experimental evidence for the 'Memory-Synapse Specificity' Hypothesis, linking a specific type of synapse to a particular behavior and memory. The research reveals that synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) at a specific type of synapse encodes socially acquired olfactory memory.