Articles tagged with Olfactory Perception
Researchers at Caltech have found that neural-crest stem cells differentiate into microvillous neurons, which sense pheromones, and are distinct from ciliated neurons that detect volatile scents. The discovery sheds light on how olfactory neurons form and may lead to new treatments for conditions like anosmia.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that insect odorant receptors are self-regulated, allowing them to amplify sensitivity in response to below-threshold odor stimulation. This mechanism enables flies to detect minute amounts of odors, essential for navigation and finding resources.
A study by Kenneth Catania at Vanderbilt University has found that common moles rely on stereo sniffing to detect odor gradients, a skill previously thought to be limited to visual and auditory perception. This discovery opens new avenues for research into the capabilities of other mammals that heavily rely on their sense of smell.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that insect grooming, particularly antennal cleaning, helps maintain sharp olfactory senses. Grooming removes both environmental pollutants and chemicals produced by insects themselves, enabling them to detect food, danger, and potential mates effectively.
Researchers describe how feedback mechanism works by identifying where signals go and which neurons receive them. The study reveals that higher brain regions communicate with lower parts of the brain on a near-constant basis, helping to interpret olfactory information.
Researchers discovered that moths use two distinct olfactory channels to navigate their food sources. The first channel governs their innate preferences for certain flowers, while the second allows them to learn about alternate sources of nectar. This study provides insights into how moths survive in changing floral environments.
Researchers found that animals can adjust their sniffs to target specific odors in complex blends. The study showed that rats learned to detect highly absorbent odors more quickly than less absorbent ones, highlighting the importance of physical properties and sniffing techniques in olfaction.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found a significant association between myasthenia gravis and impaired sense of smell, comparable to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's. The study suggests that myasthenia gravis may involve the brain, contrary to its traditional peripheral nervous system classification.
Research suggests that individuals with psychopathic tendencies exhibit impaired odor discrimination and identification skills. This finding supports the idea that front-brain inefficiencies are associated with psychopathy.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that ants have four to five times more odor receptors than most other insects, enabling them to form highly organized colonies. The team mapped the olfactory system of two ant species, finding significant differences in receptor expression and chemical signals between males and females.
Scientists successfully applied gene therapy to restore a lost sense of smell in mice by repairing defective olfactory cells. The treatment increased appetite and body weight, highlighting the potential for this approach to treat cilia disorders elsewhere in the body.
Researchers restored olfactory function in mice with congenital anosmia by introducing a healthy copy of the IFT88 gene, leading to improved feeding behavior and weight gain. The study suggests a potential therapeutic approach for treating people born with anosmia.
Scientists have restored the sense of smell in mice through gene therapy, providing a hopeful sign for those born without or losing their sense of smell due to disease. The breakthrough may also aid research into other cilia-related diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease and retinitis pigmentosa.
Researchers found that 2,3-pentanedione, a butter flavoring in microwave popcorn, causes respiratory toxicity and alters gene expression in the brain of rats. Acute exposure has airway epithelium damage similar to diacetyl, which caused bronchiolitis obliterans in workers.
A Northwestern University study reveals that brain activity changes in olfactory regions after a week of blocked nostrils, compensating for the interruption of the sense of smell. The brain's response to odors returns to normal shortly after free breathing is restored.
Students from various majors spent 10 weeks conducting intensive research projects under faculty mentorship. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program aims to provide students with a concentrated research experience, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in fields such as cancer and neurological disorders.
A new study finds that mice have a unique neural circuitry for processing instinctually important smells like those associated with predators. The TAAR-expressing neurons form an independent olfactory subsystem, distinct from the more common olfactory receptor neurons, which detect a broader range of smells.
Hermit crabs have an underdeveloped sense of smell compared to vinegar flies, but humidity enhances their olfactory system. They primarily respond to water-soluble polar odorants like acids and aldehydes.
Researchers found that olfactory neural stem cells can be derived from a patient's own cells and have shown promise in pre-clinical models of disease. They demonstrated multipotency by acquiring the phenotype of resident cells, making them a potential source for cell therapy.
Researchers found that the human olfactory bulb, a brain structure processing sensory input from the nose, lacks new neuron generation like other mammals. This discovery may explain why humans have a poorer sense of smell compared to other animals.
A new study found that anxious individuals can detect negative odors more accurately due to heightened sensory perception, leading to increased anxiety responses.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals without a sense of smell have increased social insecurity and risk for depression. They also experienced increased risk for household accidents despite not having significant deviations from daily functions like food preferences.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research presented a new model of olfaction, suggesting that the brain maps odors in a tunotopic manner. This approach enables the system to recognize and encode any smell, regardless of its chemical structure.
Desert ants utilize a combination of path integration, visual cues, olfactory signals, and even magnetic fields to return home. They can recognize their own nest by tracking the plume of carbon dioxide produced by their nestmates' breathing, yet prioritize path integration over this chemical signal.
A study with mice suggests Alzheimer's drugs could miswire neurons, interfering with brain communication. The findings imply that these drugs might impair memory, even at doses intended to reduce amyloid plaques.
Researchers have discovered a gene called distal-less critical to the fruit fly's ability to receive and process smells. In humans, this gene has also been linked to autism and epilepsy. The study found that the gene plays a key role in generating and maintaining stem cells responsible for processing odors.
Researchers used nanoCAGE technology to identify precise transcription start sites for over 900 olfactory receptor genes in the mouse main olfactory epithelium. The study found hundreds of non-coding RNAs associated with olfactory receptors, suggesting their potential role in regulation.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that modern humans have a more developed sense of smell compared to Neanderthals, with larger olfactory bulbs and temporal lobes. This could be linked to improved behavioral and social functions.
Researchers aim to identify mechanisms that define embryonic olfactory epithelium stem cells, which are linked to neurological and psychiatric diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The goal is to harness these mechanisms for brain repair and regeneration.
Researchers have identified a genetic trigger that promotes the differentiation of olfactory stem cells into sensory neurons in the nose epithelia. This discovery provides potential therapeutic strategies for treating anosmia and other age-related declines in sense of smell.
A new animal study led by NYU Langone researchers shows that the sense of smell can be improved through training. The study found that rats trained to discriminate between similar odors could develop distinct brain activity patterns, while those not trained lost their ability to distinguish.
Researchers found that elderly individuals over 60 experience reduced specificity in olfactory sensory neurons, making it harder to differentiate between smells. This can lead to malnutrition and increased risk of poisoning due to impaired ability to detect spoiled food and toxic vapors.
A recent study found that mothers' brains process pup odors and sounds differently than non-mothers, enabling them to detect distress calls. The integration of olfactory and auditory cues is linked to maternal behaviors, suggesting a rapid adaptation in the primary auditory cortex.
A new study from Northwestern Medicine found that the brain uses predictive coding to generate templates of specific smells, setting up a mental expectation before sensing them. This ability provides humans with a behavioral advantage in reacting quickly and accurately to stimuli in their environment.
Researchers discovered a mutated version of human APP, which causes rapid death of olfactory nerve cells. The study suggests that reducing APP production may prevent or reverse cell death and dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that smell receptors are grouped into distinct sites on the nasal membrane, each engaging most strongly with a particular type of scent. The intensity of reactions is linked to the odor's place on a pleasantness scale, suggesting an organizing principle for our sense of smell.
Research reveals that newborn neurons in adults are more likely to survive if they undergo sensory experience followed by a period of rest. This survival is linked to structural reorganization of the olfactory bulb after feeding, and prior olfactory sensory experience enhances neuronal survival during sleep.
A team of researchers has discovered a gene connected to the production of new brain cells in adults, which acts as an 'off switch' before neurons are formed. However, further experiments revealed that Foxj1-expressing cells functioned as stem cells until adulthood, producing fewer neurons than expected.
NIH-funded researchers identified three types of odor molecules that disrupt mosquito carbon dioxide-sensing machinery. These findings could lead to the development of more effective repellents and lures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
A team of paleontologists discovered that early mammals, including Morganucodon and Hadrocodium, had larger brains than expected for their time. The researchers found that the olfactory part of the brain and the area linked to tactile sensation through fur were enlarged in these early mammals.
The study suggests that an enhanced sense of smell was a key driver of brain evolution in mammals. Early Jurassic Period fossils reveal three stages of brain development, from improved olfaction to increased tactile sensitivity and neuromuscular coordination. These findings provide new insights into the evolution of mammalian brains.
A new study suggests that carefully selected fragrances can positively influence nightclub goers' experience, leading to increased dancing activity, improved music ratings, and enhanced mood. The introduction of pleasant ambient scents may also lead to improved quality of the environment and greater spending in nightclubs.
Researchers found a single neuron that tracks activity of tens of thousands of neurons in an olfactory centre and feeds inhibition back to maintain sparse regime. The giant interneuron enables real-time population averaging, simplifying storage of odor representations in memory.
Researchers have discovered a new compound, VUAA1, that directly stimulates the Orco co-receptor in mosquito odorant receptors, overwhelming the insect's sense of smell. The compound is thousands times more effective than DEET and works against flies, moths, ants, and other insects.
A study published in Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery found that patients with a reduced ability to smell or detect odors seem to adapt to their condition. They report fewer olfactory-triggered emotions and memories, using their sense of smell less in daily life.
Research reveals that birds developed better olfactory capabilities during early evolution, surpassing even those of small meat-eating dinosaurs. This finding contradicts the long-held notion that bird ancestors prioritized vision and balance over smell.
Contrary to long-held assumptions, birds developed a better sense of smell than their dinosaur ancestors, suggesting that scent played a crucial role in early bird evolution. The study reveals that ancient birds, like Archaeopteryx, had a sense of smell similar to modern-day pigeons.
Researchers from the NIDCD presented studies on the effects of chronic inflammation on taste tissues in the tongue, as well as the neural mechanisms underlying the anticipation of flavors. Their findings offer new insights into the progression of olfactory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and potential strategies for treatment.
Biologists at UC San Diego identified molecular mechanisms in fruit flies that enhance the nervous system's response to smell, potentially regulating human appetite. The discovery could lead to new ways to decrease overeating among obese individuals and increase appetites among the infirm.
Researchers used a new virus-based technique to map individual nerve pathways in mice and found significant diversity in how the olfactory system is wired. This suggests that each person's unique wiring may contribute to their distinct olfactory experiences, raising questions about how humans perceive smells.
Scientists have discovered that smells are processed by the olfactory bulb and cortex through a dialogue of rapidly firing nerve cells. This new understanding expands our knowledge of the complex process of smell detection and how it filters and categorizes odors.
Researchers found that mouse neurons mature in their sense of smell after birth, enabling them to distinguish between their mother's scent, siblings', and home fragrance. This maturation process may provide an evolutionary advantage for altricial species by facilitating learning to identify family members.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technique to trace neural connections in the brain, shedding light on how scent signals are processed. The study found that most nerve pathways heading to higher processing centers originated from one region of the olfactory bulb, explaining how mice direct their innate fear respo...
Researchers have identified the origin of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which promote nerve repair in the central nervous system. OECs are derived from neural crest cells, which can be grown in large quantities from adult stem cells.
Researchers have discovered that different odorant receptors in mammals exhibit varying degrees of basal activity, driving receptor current fluctuations and firing patterns. This study suggests new information is used by the olfactory system for categorizing odorants, challenging previous understanding of odor coding complexity.
Researchers have developed a new method to explore the olfactory system in mammals, revealing that there are many more information output channels leaving the olfactory bulb than previously thought. This complexity may help the brain rapidly make accurate odor distinctions.
Harvard University neurobiologists have created mice that can detect light using optogenetics, a breakthrough tool for understanding the neural basis of olfaction. The study reveals how the brain processes odors and sheds light on the temporal organization of sensory information.
Researchers identified the WRD11 gene as a key player in normal puberty development and its connection to the sense of smell. Chromosomal break helped clear up why some patients with delayed puberty have no sense of smell.
Researchers at Monell Center discovered a genetic variation linked to impaired olfactory perception, affecting approximately 14% of individuals. The study used DNA analysis and sensory testing to reveal the connection between an olfactory receptor gene and sulfurous compound sensitivity.
Researchers have characterized two families of molecular odorant sensors in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which mediate critical behaviors like host location. The discovery suggests that these mosquitoes use multiple olfactory signaling pathways to detect human-derived odors.