Sensory Perception
Articles tagged with Sensory Perception
How touch and emotion combine to shape our memories and relationships
A new paper in Neuroscience & Biobehavioural Review proposes a comprehensive neurobiological model of affective tactile memory, suggesting that emotionally meaningful touch is stored in the brain in powerful and lasting ways. This research opens a new window into how early and everyday tactile experiences influence our emotional lives.
New research approach improves the flavor stability of flaxseed oil and extends its shelf life
A new study removes bitter-tasting compounds from flaxseed oil, preserving its health-beneficial fatty acids and extending its shelf life. The approach uses bleaching earth to selectively reduce cyclolinopeptides, resulting in a flavor-stable oil that remains milder for longer.
The human sense of smell evolved with diets and lifestyle
A new genetic study found that Indigenous populations in Malaysia have well-preserved olfactory receptor genes, suggesting a strong evolutionary pressure to maintain them. The study suggests that the human sense of smell has played a bigger role in shaping evolution than previously thought, adapting alongside major cultural changes.
Study reveals how mice can quickly identify odors
A new study reveals that mice can rapidly identify odors using temporal filtering, a process that enables transmission of only the first set of signals belonging to the identified smell. This finding challenges traditional views on mammalian sensory processing and may have implications for artificial intelligence tools.
When the world becomes too loud: The sensory toll of trauma on young children
A new study found that nearly half of young survivors of the October 7 attacks developed atypical sensory patterns, causing everyday stimuli to be perceived as overwhelming threats. This altered sensory processing is directly tied to emotional distress and anxiety in children.
Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AChemS) 48th Annual Meeting
The 48th AChemS Annual Meeting will present cutting-edge research on chemosensory perception, including its implications for human health, behavior, and quality of life. The conference highlights new findings on the role of smell in eating behavior, disease diagnosis, and obesity treatments.
Proof for theory of visual perception
Researchers confirmed core predictions of Hubel and Wiesel's model by analyzing signal transmission at individual synapses between the thalamus and visual cortex. They found that orientation selectivity emerges through cortical circuits, resolving a long-standing controversy in neuroscience.
The brain’s ability to grasp the “gist” of a visual scene begins earlier than expected
A research team led by LEE Doyun and KIM Yee-Joon found that the primary visual cortex encodes motion summaries and variability before higher brain regions transform them into category signals. This process, known as ensemble perception, allows the brain to capture the overall structure of a scene at a glance.
How do people quickly respond to scary sounds?
A new brain pathway has been identified that enables humans to quickly detect and respond to 'scary' sounds, leading to increased self-reported fearfulness. This pathway is associated with better hearing ability in noisy environments.
Adults with concurrent hearing and vision loss report barriers and challenges in navigating complex, everyday environments
A recent study found that adults with total or near-total vision loss who also experience hearing loss report lower confidence in their sound localization abilities, despite receiving specialized training. The researchers suggest that clinicians should account for hearing status during vision rehabilitation training to address individu...
How mice see: Newly discovered nerve cells perceive more than just edges
Researchers identified new neurons that respond to different spatial frequencies, allowing for more precise object recognition, and used digital twins to confirm the findings in mouse brains.
Can people distinguish between AI-generated and human speech?
Researchers assessed whether people can distinguish between AI-generated and human speech, discovering that short training minimally improves this ability. However, neural responses became more distinct for human versus AI speech, suggesting training can help in the future.
How expectations about artificial sweeteners may affect their taste
Researchers found that people's expectations about sugar content alter their enjoyment of beverages containing artificial sweeteners. By manipulating participants' expectations, the study shows how the brain's reward system responds to sweet flavors, with increased activation in the dopaminergic midbrain.
Study shows marine plastic pollution alters octopus predator-prey encounters
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology found that exposure to oleamide, a chemical additive in plastics, caused immediate changes in octopus prey choice and interactions with predators. The effects persisted for at least three days, suggesting a lasting impact on marine behavior and ecosystem dynamics.
Unexpected partial recovery of natural vision observed after intracortical microstimulation in a blind patient
A blind patient partially recovered natural vision through electrical stimulation of the visual cortex, independent of the implant. The recovery was sustained over time and remained even after the device was removed, suggesting individual factors may have contributed to this outcome.
Bitter taste receptors at the interface between nutrition, the endocrine system, and health
Research shows that bitter taste receptors can be activated by steroid hormones, influencing physiological processes. The study found that certain hormone types, like progesterone and testosterone, activate these receptors, which may play a role in pregnancy-related taste changes or stress-induced physiological responses.
How does stroke influence speech comprehension?
Researchers compared brains of stroke patients with healthy controls to reveal differences in language processing mechanisms. People with verbal speech processing issues from stroke have weaker processing of speech sounds than healthy participants.
Study reveals that the body uses different sensors to detect cold in the skin and in internal organs
Researchers found that the skin relies on TRPM8 sensor for cold detection, while internal organs primarily use TRPA1 sensor. This difference explains variations in external and internal cold perception, and has implications for understanding thermal homeostasis and pathologies related to cold sensitivity.
Audio-augmented wearable aims to improve mindfulness
A new device from Stanford University aims to improve mindfulness by amplifying and channeling sounds of hand interactions, drawing users into the present moment. The auditory approach fosters greater awareness and clarity, encouraging users to perceive their environment with renewed curiosity.
New review highlights urgent need for worldwide smell screening
A new review emphasizes the importance of smell health, highlighting its role in nutrition, cognitive function, and psychological resilience. Researchers call for a global campaign to promote smell health through education, awareness, and targeted public health policies.
Why are shiny colours rare yet widespread in nature?
Biologists have discovered that shiny colours serve as signals for pollinators and mates, but compromise colour perception at close range. This study found that dynamic, shiny colours are more conspicuous from afar, but harder to discern in detail.
How neuroscientists used Hollywood films to map out the human experience
Researchers analyzed clips from Hollywood films to identify brain structures linking visual and tactile experiences. They discovered eight remarkably similar maps in the visual cortex, mirroring the body's organization in the somatosensory cortex.
How people identify scents and perceive their pleasantness
A new study found that the brain encodes molecular features of odors early on to support odor discrimination, while representing subjective attributes like pleasantness later. This distinction can be used to assess olfactory disorders or enhance function.
Testosterone in body odour linked to perceptions of social status
A study from the University of Victoria suggests that humans can smell testosterone and associate it with dominance. The research found that participants rated men with higher testosterone levels as more dominant than those with lower levels, indicating a link between body odour and perceptions of social status.
Successful visualization of the odor discrimination process in an AI-assisted olfactory sensor
The study reveals how chemical sensors discriminate among various odorant molecules using explainable AI, enabling the selection of receptor materials for high-performance sensors. This breakthrough advances understanding of human olfaction and paves the way for practical application of artificial olfaction technology.
When mice meet Beethoven: How early sound shapes the brain differently for males and females
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that early sound exposure significantly affects brain activity and emotional preferences in mice. Male mice develop strong behavioral changes when exposed to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 or silence, while female mice show varied preferences.
Astringent, sharper mind: Flavanols trigger brain activity for memory and stress response
A study led by Dr. Yasuyuki Fujii found that flavanols activate the brain's sensory nerves, inducing physiological responses similar to those induced by exercise, improving attention, arousal, and memory. Flavanol intake also boosted neurotransmitter activity, strengthened the noradrenergic system, and enhanced stress response regulation.
Molecular snapshots reveal how the body knows it’s too hot
Researchers at Northwestern University captured a detailed look at TRPM3, a core temperature sensor, revealing how it turns on when temperatures rise. The finding uncovers a new way that cells sense temperature, helping explain how the nervous system distinguishes harmless warmth from dangerous heat.
Like radar, a brain wave sweeps a cortical region to read out information held in working memory
A new MIT study found that a theta-frequency brain wave scans the mental image and a region of the cortex maps visual information. The researchers observed that performance depends on the phase of this wave when the changed square appears, and the vertical location on the screen of that target square.
How sound—but not touch—shapes rhythm in the brain
Researchers found that brain activity corresponds to perceived beat when listening to music via sound but not through touch. This ability is crucial for human social interactions through music and may be strengthened by long-term practice.
Seeing double: Clever images open doors for brain research
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University created 'visual anagrams' using AI to study how people mentally process visual information. The findings reveal classic real-world size effects, even when objects are rotated versions of the same image.
Walking shapes how people process sound
Researchers found that people process sounds differently when walking compared to standing or walking in place. The brain responds more strongly to sounds while walking, and this response changes depending on the direction of the walk.
How the brain splits up vision without you even noticing
The brain divides vision between its two hemispheres to enable seamless perception. Researchers at the Picower Institute found that different frequencies of brain waves are encoded and transferred information from one hemisphere to the other before an object crosses the middle of the field of view.
Millisecond windows of time may be key to how we hear, study finds
Researchers used precise neural activity measurements from epilepsy patients to study how brain processes speech. The findings suggest the auditory cortex operates on a fixed, internal timescale independent of speech structures, providing a consistently timed stream of information.
About one in five people taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro say food tastes saltier or sweeter than before
A study of individuals taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro found that 21.3% reported food tasting sweeter, while 22.6% said it tasted saltier than before. These changes were linked to reduced appetite and weight loss in all groups, with participants who experienced increased sweetness being twice as likely to report increased satiety.
Scientists shoot lasers into brain cells to uncover how illusions work
Researchers identified IC-encoder neurons that drive pattern completion and recurrent neural activity in the brain. The findings have implications for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Smells deceive the brain – are interpreted as taste
A new study reveals that the brain integrates signals from taste and smell earlier than thought, activating the same parts of the brain's taste cortex. This overlap suggests a shared neural code for flavour experiences, which may influence our eating habits and preferences.
Do you see what I see? People share brain responses for colors.
Researchers found that distinct neural representations of color are conserved across people's brains, enabling scientists to predict the color and brightness of observed stimuli using brain activity comparisons. This study provides new insights into the universal aspects of human color perception.
Seeing with fresh eyes: Snails as a system for studying sight restoration
Researchers have established apple snails as a system to study eye regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease. The team discovered that the snail eye is anatomically similar to humans and can regrow itself, with genes such as pax6 playing a crucial role in development.
MIT researchers show how the brain distinguishes 'things' from 'stuff'
A new study reveals that the brain has distinct regions for processing 'things', such as rigid objects, versus 'stuff', like liquids or sand. These findings may help the brain plan interactions with different materials, similar to artificial physics engines used in video games.
Evaluating music beyond sound: understanding visual influence across genres
A study found that evaluators' musical experience influences the sight-over-sound effect, reducing its impact for those with auditory expertise. The study used Japanese high school brass band competitions and found no significant evidence of the effect in musicians, but a stronger presence in non-musicians.
Study: Babies’ poor vision may help organize visual brain pathways
New research suggests that blurry, color-limited vision in early childhood can contribute to the development of key brain pathways. The study proposes that such limited vision allows the brain to specialize in certain processing units, which later develop into distinct pathways for color and fine spatial detail.
Connect or reject: Extensive rewiring builds binocular vision in the brain
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that neurons in mice brain rewire and refine their connections to integrate visual signals from both eyes over a 10-day period. The researchers found that only 40% of the initial synapses survived, with 24% added and 27% removed, indicating an extensive process of synaptic turnover.
“Sniffing” bodily fluids to diagnose bacterial infections and detect antimicrobial resistance
Researchers propose using chemical sensors to diagnose bacterial infections by detecting volatile organic compounds in bodily fluids, providing a rapid and affordable diagnostic test. The technology has the potential to improve treatment plans and combat antibiotic resistance.
Connect or reject: Extensive rewiring builds binocular vision in the brain
A study in mice reveals that only 40% of synapses survive during critical development, with active spines more likely to endure. Clustering of spines also emerges, allowing them to combine activity and enhance visual processing.
Investigating cocaine addiction using fruit flies
A new study uses a fruit fly model to investigate the genetic basis of cocaine addiction. By genetically modifying bitter-sensing receptors in fruit flies, researchers found that these flies developed a preference for cocaine over sugar. This study suggests that genes involved in human cocaine addiction may also be active in fruit flies.
A potential ‘anti-spice’ that could dial down the heat of fiery food
A new study identifies three compounds that suppress the heat of chili peppers, hinting at a potential 'anti-spice' condiment. These compounds, including capsianoside I, roseoside, and gingerglycolipid A, may have pain management implications by desensitizing TRPV1 receptors.
Language isn’t just for communication — it also shapes how sensory experiences are stored in the brain
A study found that connections between visual and language processing regions in the brain influence object knowledge. Stroke patients' brains showed stronger connections meant better performance on color-identification tasks.
The how and why of the brain’s division across hemispheres
Research by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the brain separates its processing of spatial information to maintain cognitive advantage, yet seamlessly blends it with other features. The study also explores how the brain 'hands off' visual information between hemispheres.
Too fast to see
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the speed of saccadic eye movements predicts the speed limit in vision when an object becomes too fast to see. People with faster saccadic eye movements can perceive faster-moving objects better than those with slower ones.
Your cells can hear
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has found that cells can hear and respond to sound waves, leading to potential applications in medicine and healthcare. The study used acoustic pressure to induce cellular responses, revealing the suppression of fat cell formation and activation of mechanosensitive genes.
Brownie points for ChatGPT’s food analysis skills
A University of Illinois study utilizes ChatGPT for sensory evaluation of brownies, revealing a positive bias in the AI's responses. The research highlights potential benefits of leveraging AI in food development, including saving time and money by narrowing down recipe options before human testing.
AI emotion detection may fall short: real-life intense fear is shaped by context, not faces
A new study challenges the long-held belief that fear is primarily communicated through facial expressions, suggesting instead that situational context plays a critical role in fear recognition. The research involved analyzing real-life fear reactions in videos and found that facial expressions alone fail to reliably signal fear.
Watching nature scenes can reduce pain, new study shows
A new study found that viewing nature can help ease how people experience pain by reducing the brain activity linked to pain perception. The research suggests that the pain-relieving effect of nature is genuine and could provide an alternative way to relieve pain, potentially used in conjunction with medication.
New device could allow you to taste a cake in virtual reality
Researchers at Ohio State University developed an e-Taste system that uses sensors and chemical dispensers to simulate various tastes. In field testing, participants could distinguish between different sour intensities with high accuracy, paving the way for immersive virtual food experiences.
Music makes us move even when we don’t like it, according to new Concordia research
People with musical anhedonia still derive pleasure from groovy tunes, and the urge to move appears to drive their experience of pleasure. Research found no differences in either pleasure or urge to move in anhedonics compared to controls, suggesting that the urge to move may itself generate pleasure.
Keeper or corner?
Neuroscientists investigated how the brain implements flexibility in decision-making, revealing that it either reuses known neural pathways or develops new patterns. The findings help understand why some adaptations are more difficult than others, especially in social interactions and motor tasks.
Cancer drugs linked to severe chronic peripheral nerve pain for 4 in every 10 patients
A pooled data analysis found that cancer chemotherapy is linked to persistent severe peripheral nerve pain for around 4 in every 10 patients, with platinum-based drugs and taxanes associated with the highest rates of painful neuropathy. The study analyzed data from 77 eligible studies involving 10,962 participants from 28 countries.
The psychological implications of Big Brother’s gaze
A recent psychological study found that surveillance generates an automatic response of heightened awareness of being watched, affecting public mental health. The research showed that even involuntary responses to face stimuli are impacted when people know they're being monitored.