Latest

smell

This shows people shaking hands. One has a blue rubber glove on.

Featured Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 3, 2015·4 min read

People Sniff Their Hands Twice as Much after a Handshake

A new study reports on why we sniff our hands after a handshake.

This image shows the odor processing center in the brain.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 13, 2014·4 min read

Scientists Sniff Out Unexpected Role for Stem Cells in the Brain

Researchers report neurogenesis in the olfactory system of mice is crucial to maintaining correct neural connections.

The image shows the vials of odors used in the experiment.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 20, 2014·4 min read

Sniff Study Suggests Humans Can Distinguish More than 1 Trillion Scents

Researchers tested people's abilities to distinguish between complex mixtures of scents. Based on the results, the researchers calculated humans can detected more than 1 trillion odor mixtures.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·March 19, 2014·2 min read

Rats’ Brains May Remember Odor Experienced While Under General Anesthesia

A new study reports rats brains could remember odors experienced while the animal was under general anesthetic.

This image shows the head and olfactory nerve.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 9, 2013·4 min read

Extensive Variability in Olfactory Receptors Influences Human Odor Perception

Researchers discover as much as 30% of the larger array of human olfactory receptors differ between individuals.

This is an image of a locust (Schistocerca americana).

Featured Neuroscience

·November 26, 2013·3 min read

Swarming Insect Provides Clues to How the Brain Processes Smells

Researchers discover odors prompt neural activity in locust's brains which allowed them to correctly identify the stimulus, even when other odors are present.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 21, 2013·3 min read

Neuron ‘Claws’ in the Brain Enable Flies to Distinguish One Scent from Another

Using fruit flies, researchers discover how the brain integrates multiple signals to identify unique smells.

This image shows the lead researcher, Jennifer Stamps

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Videos

·October 9, 2013·3 min read

‘Peanut Butter’ Test Can Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers use peanut butter as a new tool to diagnose early stage Alzheimer's disease.

The image shows the neurons in the fruit fly. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 7, 2013·3 min read

How Neurons Enable Us to Know Smells We Like and Dislike, Whether to Approach or Retreat

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.

Featured Genetics

·May 29, 2013·3 min read

Genetic Engineering Alters Mosquitoes’ Sense of Smell

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.

Featured

·October 4, 2012·4 min read

Babies Learn the Smell of Mum

Newborn mice use mom's unique odor, not a pheromone, to begin breastfeeding.

Featured Psychology

·September 20, 2012·2 min read

‘Psychopaths’ Have An Impaired Sense of Smell

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.