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Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie and sides on a table
The Smell of Food Affects Metabolism in Fasting Mice
The odor prompted the animals’ fat cells to release lipids into circulation.
The Smell of Food Affects Metabolism in Fasting Mice
The Smell of Food Affects Metabolism in Fasting Mice

The odor prompted the animals’ fat cells to release lipids into circulation.

The odor prompted the animals’ fat cells to release lipids into circulation.

smell, neuroscience

Green-themed conceptual illustration of a human profile with abstract patterns that represent smelling.
Disease Scent Signatures Disclose What the Nose Knows
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Jun 12, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers redefine the lost art of smelling illness using one woman’s exquisitely sensitive nose.
blue-gloved hands injecting mouse with syringe
Sex of Researcher Influences Ketamine’s Effects in Mice: Study
Shawna Williams | Sep 8, 2022 | 3 min read
The findings likely have implications for animal research far beyond the study of antidepressants.
The Scientist Speaks Podcast - Episode 12
The Scientist | 1 min read
Decoding Smell: Demystifying Human Disease and Behavior
Close-up of a mosquito antenna with hair-like protrusions and fluorescently labeled glomeruli as green circles on the shaft
The Neuroscience Behind Why Mosquitoes Always Find You
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Aug 18, 2022 | 5 min read
Neurons in mosquito antennae can express more than one olfactory receptor at a time, a redundancy that likely ensures they don’t lose a potential host’s scent.
Two women in athletic clothing smiling at each other.
Study: People “Click” Better When Their Body Odor Matches
Dan Robitzski | Jun 24, 2022 | 6 min read
Pairs of same-sex friends who reported strong connections when they first met had similar body odors, and body odor similarity predicted whether two strangers would hit it off.
close-up of an Aedes aegypti mosquito on human skin
Researchers Discover What Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans
Sophie Fessl, PhD | May 11, 2022 | 5 min read
A brain area of Aedes aegypti responds specifically to components of human sebum, a study finds.
Cute sleeping newborn baby child on mother hands stock photo
Exposure to Chemical from Babies Linked to Aggression
Chloe Tenn | Nov 22, 2021 | 3 min read
A study finds that the odorless compound hexadecanal, or HEX, increases aggressive behavior in women but has a calming effect on men.
A close-up of a fruit fly head with antenna clearly visible in front of its red eyes
Bacterial Infections Disrupt Flies’ Sense of Smell
Abby Olena, PhD | Jul 21, 2021 | 4 min read
The temporary loss of olfaction stops the flies from eating any more of whatever it is that made them sick.
Researchers Make Mice Smell Odors that Aren’t Really There
Ruth Williams | Jun 18, 2020 | 3 min read
Using optogenetics, scientists have simulated the sense of smell directly within the mouse brain to investigate the nature of olfactory perception.
Smells of Nature Lower Physiological Stress
Ashley Yeager | Jan 2, 2020 | 4 min read
In a virtual reality experiment, participants recovered faster from a small electric shock when they could smell natural scents than when they could smell urban odors.
Smell May Be Possible Without Olfactory Bulbs
Jef Akst | Nov 6, 2019 | 2 min read
A study identifies five women who have a functioning sense of smell despite an apparent lack of olfactory bulbs—the region of the brain that processes odors.
A section of a mouse piriform cortex, a layered structure important for smell processing
Image of the Day: Smell Circuits
Nicoletta Lanese | Jul 24, 2019 | 1 min read
The brain wiring behind scent processing seems to scale across mammalian species.
olfaction sense of smell stem cell olfactory sensory neurons
Stem Cells Delivered to the Nose Restore Mice’s Ability to Smell
Kerry Grens | May 30, 2019 | 2 min read
The introduced cells engrafted in the nose, became olfactory sensory neurons, and sent axons to the animals’ brains.
notebook
A Keen Sense of Smell Appears to Go Hand in Hand with Spatial Memory
Shawna Williams | Feb 1, 2019 | 3 min read
Authors of a small study say the two abilities likely evolved in tandem.
Zapping the Olfactory Bulb Produces Phantom Smells
Shawna Williams | Nov 27, 2018 | 2 min read
Researchers envision a cochlear implant–like device for the nose to give people with impaired olfaction a sense of smell.
Just the Sight of Food Gets the Liver Ready for Action
Abby Olena, PhD | Nov 15, 2018 | 3 min read
In mice, seeing and smelling food causes immediate cellular changes that ready the liver to convert incoming amino acids to proteins.
Study: Autism Linked with Different Reactions to Chemical Signals
Shawna Williams | Nov 27, 2017 | 2 min read
Responses to compounds in human sweat may help explain why people with autism spectrum disorder tend to struggle with social cues.
Contributors
Diana Kwon | May 1, 2017 | 4 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the May 2017 issue of The Scientist.
Jason Castro Tackles Olfactory Mysteries
Ben Andrew Henry | Nov 1, 2016 | 3 min read
Assistant Professor, Bates College. Age: 37
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