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·July 17, 2023·6 min read

Super Sniffers: Scent Dogs Excel in COVID-19 Detection

New research suggests that scent dogs may provide a faster and more efficient way to detect COVID-19, even outperforming conventional RT-PCR tests. In studies involving over 31,000 samples, dogs were able to identify COVID-19 in symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals, as well as detect new variants and long COVID.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 5, 2023·3 min read

Human Hand Scents: A Novel Tool for Sex Prediction

A new study reveals that the composition of scent compounds on a person's hand can accurately determine their sex. The analysis, using mass spectrometry, successfully predicted an individual's sex with an impressive accuracy rate of 96.67%.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 30, 2023·7 min read

Sniffing Out the Secrets: The Science Behind Cats’ Superb Sense of Smell

Researchers have uncovered the intricate structure within a cat's nose that aids in their exceptional olfactory abilities. Through a 3D computer model and simulations, it was observed that inhaled air splits into two distinct streams within a cat's nose, aiding both respiratory and olfactory functions.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 26, 2023·6 min read

A Fading Sense of Smell: New Predictor of Late-Life Depression?

Researchers identified a correlation between loss of smell and an increased risk of developing late-life depression. The study, spanning eight years and involving more than 2,000 older adults, doesn't establish causality but suggests that an impaired sense of smell might indicate overall health and well-being.

This shows a woman surrounded by pink flowers.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 15, 2023·4 min read

Sniffing Out the Truth: Astrocytes Serotonin Processing Plays Essential Role in Olfactory Perception

Researchers shed light on the role of astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in olfactory perception or smell detection. The research reveals that during olfactory stimulation, serotonin transporter Slc22a3 in astrocytes mediates serotonin transport into the cells, influencing gene expression.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 14, 2023·6 min read

Bumblebees Use Scent Marks to Navigate Home

Bumblebees utilize their highly sensitive sense of smell to locate their nests, particularly in conditions where visual cues are unreliable. In experiments, scent marks left by bumblebees at their nest entrance helped them return home when visual landmarks were altered.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 12, 2023·5 min read

One in Four COVID-19 Patients Struggle to Regain Sense of Taste and Smell

A new study reveals a disturbing consequence of COVID-19 infection: around a quarter of American patients reported only partial or no recovery of taste or smell. The researchers analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey, focusing on those who had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection.

This shows a woman in VR surrounded by roses.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 6, 2023·5 min read

Wireless Olfactory Feedback System Enhances VR Experiences

Researchers developed a novel, wireless, skin-interfaced olfactory feedback system capable of releasing various odours. This technology integrates scents into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to provide a more immersive user experience.

This shows neurons and the olfactory bulb

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 21, 2023·3 min read

Sniffing Out the Mechanism Behind Parkinson’s Smell Loss

Up to 90% of patients report experiencing a diminished sense of smell, even prior to the onset of other symptoms of Parkinson's disease. A new study reveals the mechanism behind smell loss associated with Parkinson's, reporting mouse models with olfactory impairments had severe pathology in projection neurons of the olfactory pathway. The mice also had reduced neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb.

This shows a young girl smelling a flower

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 13, 2023·4 min read

Study May Help to Explain Smell Challenges in Individuals With Autism

Study sheds light on why some people with autism experience aversion to certain smells and the neural mechanisms that underlie olfactory processing in those with ASD.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 24, 2023·5 min read

Neurons That “Learn” to Smell a Threat

Researchers reveal how the olfactory system aids in threat assessment and have identified neurons that learn whether a specific smell represents a threat.