pheromones

A study finds that the odorless compound hexadecanal, or HEX, increases aggressive behavior in women but has a calming effect on men.

Chemical cues help Drosophila mask their eggs from predators.

The brown tree snake has wreaked havoc on the island of Guam, but one solution to the problem could lie in the serpent’s own physiology.

Despite the prevalence of pheromone products on the market, substantial evidence that they can induce sexual attraction is lacking.

In Heliconius butterflies, researchers discover the importance of a male wing structure in female choice. 

Female plant bugs produce a compound to counter males’ attempts to render the females unattractive to other mates.

Indian jumping ants, Harpegnathos saltator, can identify future queens based on a pheromone produced by the royal larvae.

Scientists mutate a mating pheromone and its corresponding receptor in yeast to promote speciation.

A field trial of wheat genetically engineered to resist aphids fails to measure up to lab tests.

A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research

Rodent pups can learn to fear a stimulus through the odor signals given by their mother.

Three teams identify different components of the female Drosophila nervous system that govern mating behaviors.

A new class of pheromones, triacylglycerides, helps male fruit flies mark their mates to deter rivals.

Genetically modified tobacco plants produce pheromones that can trap pests.  

In worms and flies, the presence of the opposite sex can reduce longevity.

Scientists feel the shutdown’s sting; dogs comprehend human cues; lab-grown secretory glands; whether online comments help or hurt science

Researchers identify a compound in juvenile mice that inhibits the sexual advances of adult males.

An issue devoted to the latest research on how smells lead to actions

Meet some of the people featured in the October 2013 issue of The Scientist.