Biologists at UC San Diego have identified the molecular mechanisms triggered by starvation in fruit flies that enhance the nervous... Read More
We know from experience that particular smells are almost inseparable in our minds with memories, some vague and others very... Read More
Stowers researchers present a new model for how the brain is organized to process odor information. Just like a road... Read More
Have you ever been disappointed by a cantaloupe from the grocery store? Too ripe? Not ripe enough? Luckily for you,... Read More
Researchers recently localised and identified the most important types of nerve cells involved in forming positive and negative memories of a fruit fly. All four nerve cell types they discovered use dopamine to communicate with other nerve cells. Three of the nerve cell types assume various functions in mediating negative stimuli, while the fourth enables the fly to form positive memories. Read More
People with psychopathic tendencies have an impaired sense of smell, which points to inefficient processing in the front part of the brain (orbitofrontal cortex) according to a new study. Read More
Newborn mice use mom's unique odor, not a pheromone, to begin breastfeeding. Read More
In one of the first successful attempts at genetically engineering mosquitoes, HHMI researchers have altered the way the insects respond to odors, including the smell of humans and the insect repellant DEET. Read More
Researchers have mapped the activity of brain cells in the mushroom body of flies conditioned to have Pavlovian behavioral responses to different odors. The findings suggest the activity of as few as 25 neurons are required to be able to distinguish between different odors. Read More
A new neuroimaging study reveals how anxiety or stress can link areas of the brain for emotion and olfactory processing, making neutral odors smell malodorous. Read More
Researchers reveal neurons in the brains of fruit flies which specifically respond to food odors.The findings could help scientists better understand why obese people choose to eat certain foods. Read More
Researchers use peanut butter as a new tool to diagnose early stage Alzheimer's disease. Read More
