Articles tagged with Olfactory Perception
A 15-million-year-old Old World monkey's tiny but complex brain supports the idea that brain complexity can evolve before brain size. The olfactory bulb was three times larger in Victoriapithecus than in present-day monkeys, suggesting a better sense of smell.
Researchers have visualized the oldest known Old World monkey skull, revealing a tiny but remarkably wrinkled brain. The ancient creature's brain supports the idea that brain complexity can evolve before brain size in primates, contradicting conventional wisdom.
A team of scientists studied the genetic basis of human olfaction and reconstructed the sensory world of our distant ancestors. They found that different populations have varying abilities to detect specific smells, with some populations being more sensitive than others.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory report a neural circuit in the mouse olfactory bulb that helps adjust gain on powerful odors. This mechanism allows for better smell recognition and reduces the risk of being overwhelmed by strong smells.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute create a complex mathematical formula to determine individual olfactory fingerprints, which are unique patterns based on personal scent preferences. This breakthrough could lead to early disease detection, non-invasive organ matching, and personalized medical treatments.
Researchers found modest improvements in patients with spinal cord injury treated with olfactory mucosa transplants, showing 'promising and safe' results. The study demonstrated benefits in ASIA sensory scores, bladder compliance, sensation, and daily life activities.
New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that humans have a nose for navigation by converting smells into spatial information. Study participants navigated relatively closely to targeted locations using only their sense of smell, even when other sensory inputs were blocked.
Vanderbilt University has been awarded a Grand Challenges Explorations Grant to develop a wearable insect-repellent device that creates a personal no-fly zone. The device aims to prevent mosquito-borne diseases by emitting a protective shield around the wearer.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that the mammalian brain uses cortical feedback to distinguish between nearly identical odors. The team tracked neural signals and found specific responses to distinct scents, suggesting a 'sparse' response and amplification of certain odors.
Researchers found that integration of new neurons in the adult brain is compromised in depressed patients, particularly in the olfactory bulb. This discovery provides an important step towards understanding the mechanisms of depression.
A new species of dinosaur, Saurornitholestes sullivani, discovered by University of Pennsylvania researcher Steven Jasinski had an unusually large olfactory bulb, implying a powerful sense of smell. This keen sense may have made the species an intimidating predator.
Researchers found that visual cues associated with overweight people influence one's sense of smell, and participants with higher BMI tend to be more critical of heavier individuals. This study suggests that weight stigma may be more pervasive than previously thought, affecting everyday life in various ways.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology identified a leaf odor, beta-cyclocitral, that specifically attracts Drosophila suzukii, a devastating fruit crop pest. This specialization allows the fly to pinpoint ripe fruits by tracking the distinct leaf odor.
Researchers discovered a type of neuron in the olfactory cortex that serves as a tuner and volume control for various neuronal inputs, increasing signal-to-noise ratio and improving odor discrimination. This discovery has implications for understanding epilepsy, which often affects the olfactory cortex.
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 at Monell Center are developing a clinical tool to predict the role of nasal airflow obstruction in smell loss, which affects an estimated 30 million Americans annually. The new methodology may help surgeons identify responsible blockages and improve treatment outcomes for patients undergoing surgery to restore smell.
Researchers found that exposure to lavender aroma significantly increased money transfer between test persons in a trust game. The study suggests that smelling lavender may help establish trusting negotiations and build team spirit in various situations.
Rats use simple 'linear summation' to process odor inputs from the environment, with individual neurons responding rapidly to specific smells. This process allows for efficient detection and analysis of odors, despite environmental and respiratory variations.
A study by the University of Geneva reveals how mice avoid their sick peers through the detection of specific olfactory signals by the vomeronasal system. This neural mechanism allows rodents to recognize and avoid diseased individuals, providing a new understanding of social behavior and innate defense strategies.
Researchers use light to control neurons in genetically-engineered mice, allowing for precise detection of odor dynamics. Mice demonstrate ability to discriminate between dynamic activities, suggesting neural population dynamics play a crucial role in the sense of smell.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that a brain region called the lateral horn can categorize odors as good or bad and weak or strong. This ability is similar to the function of the amygdala in vertebrates, which evaluates sensory impressions and dangers.
Research reveals women have on average 43% more cells than men in the olfactory bulb, suggesting a biological basis for their superior olfactory abilities. This finding may have implications for reproductive behaviors and pair bonding.
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 have successfully transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from a patient's own olfactory bulb into the damaged spinal cord, followed by a nerve bridge procedure. This treatment resulted in improved sensory and motor function for the paralyzed individual.
Researchers discovered preserved nasal turbinates in pachycephalosaur fossils, which improved airflow to the olfactory region, enhancing smell and cooling the brain. The study suggests that turbinates played a critical role in directing air to the olfactory region while also cooling the brain.
Researchers found that newly formed brain cells in the olfactory system maintain proper connections and are essential for recovery from disrupted states. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about neuronal development and suggests a constant supply of new neurons is necessary to stabilize the mature structure.
A study found that older adults who struggled to identify common odors were more likely to die within five years. Those with greater smell loss were substantially more likely to have died, even after adjusting for demographic variables.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that older adults who failed a simple smelling test were more likely to die within five years. The researchers found that olfactory dysfunction was a stronger predictor of mortality than chronic diseases like heart failure and cancer.
Research finds that parasitic nematodes use olfaction to locate hosts, with distinct odor profiles reflecting host specificity rather than relatedness. The study's findings suggest targeted traps or repellents could be developed to control nematode infections.
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 found that natural plant odors and human sources of pollution can conceal the scent of sought-after flowers, leading to energy and time losses for pollinators. The study used a chemical detection device to track flower odors in the wild and showed remarkable similar results in a lab wind tunnel test.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum decode mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character, a bitter sensation on the tongue. They found that gallic acid groups are responsible for triggering this sensation, which is mediated by the trigeminal nerve.
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.
Research found that nestin+ neurons project to the olfactory bulb and show compensatory function in the medial septum-diagonal band of Broca. Nestin+ cholinergic neurons may have stronger tolerance to injury than non-cholinergic neurons.
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 estimate that humans can distinguish between more than 1 trillion odor mixtures, far exceeding the previously accepted number of 10,000. The study suggests that humans' sense of smell is more sensitive than previously thought, but often underutilized.
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.
Researchers found that smellizing, imagining a product's smell, increases consumers' desire to consume and purchase advertised food products. This effect is strongest when the image of the product can be seen at the same time as the imagined smell.
Researchers have discovered that cells in the olfactory bulb release signaling molecules that trigger anti-viral interferon production in uninfected brain regions, preventing virus spread. The study shows promising potential for understanding and treating brain-infectious diseases.
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 Monell Center found humans can differentiate levels of dietary fat in food using the sense of smell. Innovative methods could make low-fat foods more palatable and aid in reducing excessive fat consumption.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that neurons in mice reacted more strongly to threatening odors before the brain interpreted the message. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic treatments for anxiety disorders by understanding how fear-learning affects the senses.
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.
Researchers used locusts to demonstrate how the brain processes multiple odors simultaneously, recognizing patterns and adapting to new cues. The findings shed light on principles of olfactory computation and have potential applications in medical diagnostics and non-invasive chemical sensing.
A study by the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that domesticated silkmoths (Bombyx mori) have reduced perception of environmental odors due to centuries of captivity. However, their sensitivity to female pheromones remains intact.
Scientists have made breakthroughs in delivering medicines to the brain via the nose, with improved liposomes and polymers allowing for more efficient transport of active substances. The new method could lead to reduced side effects and improved treatment outcomes for patients with neurological diseases.
Researchers discover how anxiety affects olfactory processing, linking emotional centers of the brain. Neutral smells become distasteful under anxiety, leading to a vicious cycle that can heighten distress and lead to conditions like anxiety and depression.
Researchers used a mathematical method to simplify olfactory information into coherent categories, similar to compressing digital audio files. The team identified 10 basic odor qualities, including fragrant, fruity, and pungent smells.
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 that odor representation changes after the first inhalation and an olfactory retentivity persists, comparable to vision and hearing. This phenomenon enables the identification of new odors in complex environments and participates in odor memorization.
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 University of California, Riverside identified odor molecules that impair mosquitoes' carbon dioxide detection machinery. Olfactor Labs developed a wearable patch that delivers non-toxic compounds to repel mosquitoes, providing up to 48 hours of protection.
A study found that copper pollution prevents fish from detecting danger signals emitted by other fish, making them more susceptible to predation. Researchers also discovered that nickel has a lesser effect on the fish's olfactory system.
Researchers in Poland treated three paraplegic patients with transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells, showing improved spinal cord transmission and lower extremity muscle activity. The study found no adverse effects and modest improvements against intense neuro-rehabilitation.
Research reveals African-Americans have a greater decline in their sense of smell as they age, which can lead to impaired nutrition and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that racial disparities in olfactory function cannot be explained by social, environmental or medical factors.
A team of engineers from Sweden and Spain has developed an electronic nose with 32 sensors that can identify the distinct odors of pears and apples. The device uses metal oxide semiconductors to detect volatile compounds and processes data through classification algorithms.
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.
A new study by the University of Texas Health Science Center suggests that inflammation plays a significant role in the development of Parkinson's disease. The researchers found that exposure to an experimental inflammatory agent caused changes in brain tissue similar to those associated with PD, highlighting the potential for therapeu...