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Olfaction

All articles tagged with #olfaction

First Detailed Smell Map Reveals Receptor Gradient in Mouse Noses
science20 days ago

First Detailed Smell Map Reveals Receptor Gradient in Mouse Noses

Scientists produced the first detailed map of olfactory receptors in a mouse nose, revealing an organized gradient of receptor types arranged in horizontal bands that align with the brain’s olfactory bulb. Using single-cell sequencing from about 2.3 million neurons across 5 million nasal cells in roughly 300 mice, the team showed receptor expression follows a spatial order and can be shifted by retinoic acid, advancing understanding of how smell works and potentially guiding future restoration in humans. The findings were published in Cell (2026).

via ScienceAlert|
#neuroscience#olfaction#olfactory-receptors
Nose maps reveal striped blueprint for scent receptors
neuroscience28 days ago

Nose maps reveal striped blueprint for scent receptors

Detailed maps of mouse olfactory receptors show ~1,100 receptors arranged in horizontal stripes across the nasal epithelium, overturning the long-held zonal model. Using single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics on millions of neurons, researchers linked each receptor to a specific nose position and uncovered a retinoic acid gradient that guides development. A companion study adds an atlas of receptor expression and neural connections to the olfactory bulb, advancing the nose-to-brain map of smell.

via Nature|
#neuroscience#olfaction#olfactory-receptors
"Brain's Spatial Recording: Coffee Aroma Experienced in Stereo"
neuroscience2 years ago

"Brain's Spatial Recording: Coffee Aroma Experienced in Stereo"

New research shows that the brain encodes the nostril through which an odor enters, suggesting that integrating information from both nostrils helps identify the scent. The study found that the piriform cortex, a region responsible for processing scents, reacts independently to smells in each nostril. When scents were delivered to a single nostril, the corresponding side of the brain reacted first, followed by the opposite side. When scents were delivered to both nostrils simultaneously, both sides of the brain recognized the scent faster. This suggests that the brain makes use of the different arrival times of scents. The findings provide insight into how the brain processes olfactory information and may contribute to our ability to accurately identify odor sources.

via Nature.com|
#brain#neuroscience#nostrils
Unraveling the Role of Neurons in Smell Perception and Navigation
neuroscience2 years ago

Unraveling the Role of Neurons in Smell Perception and Navigation

Scientists have discovered that certain neurons in fruit flies and mice allow them to differentiate between distinct smells, while others help distinguish similar scents with experience. This variability in neural response serves a significant purpose and could potentially enhance machine-learning models, making them more discerning and reliable. The findings have implications for understanding how animals and humans learn to differentiate between similar sensory inputs and could contribute to advancements in AI technology.

via Neuroscience News|
#ai#aromas#machine-learning
"Virtual Reality Gets a Whiff of Realism with Smell-o-Vision Technology"
technology3 years ago

"Virtual Reality Gets a Whiff of Realism with Smell-o-Vision Technology"

Engineers from Beihang University and the City University of Hong Kong have developed a VR headset that can emit 30 different odors to its wearer, including coffee, mojito, pancakes, and ethanol. The headset uses small paraffin wax pads infused with scents that are heated by an attached electrode to release the scent. The technology aims to expand the range of haptics for VR users and could be used beyond gaming, including to enhance remote learning classrooms and help amnesic patients recall lost memories. The engineers aim to shrink the overall size of the odor generators to extend the longevity of the scents and limit the delay time when users switch between the odors.

via New York Post |
#haptics#innovation#olfaction