sensory biology

For the first time, a team visualizes sensory nerves projecting into adipose tissue in mice and finds these neuronal cells may counteract the local effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

A previously overlooked protein is important to this type of itch, an insight that could aid the development of new treatments.

The inner ears of these miniature Brazilian frogs are too small to provide good balance while jumping.

His work revealed that sharks use an electromagnetic sense to navigate and detect prey.

Researchers also find that the thickness of the brain region representing clitoral stimulation is associated with intercourse frequency.

In Chapter 1, “On Being,” author Antonio Damasio outlines the dawn of consciousness.

David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian won this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research on the ion channels involved in perceiving heat, cold, pain, and touch.

The Columbia University neuroscientist researches the biology behind some of our most human experiences, including building family relationships. 

Spontaneous waves of nerve impulses flowing across the retina help mouse pups practice motion detection for when they eventually open their eyes.

The roundworm uses cues from visible light to help avoid eating toxic bacteria with a distinguishing hue.

Neurological representations of different tastes—like those of different smells but unlike those of sight, hearing, and touch—do not cluster in distinct spots within a murine brain region, a study shows.

Take a break from the bench to puzzle and peruse.

Using optogenetics, scientists have simulated the sense of smell directly within the mouse brain to investigate the nature of olfactory perception.

Selected Images of the Day from the-scientist.com

A major sensory neuron in roundworms distinguishes proprioception from harmful touch by sending out local or whole-cell signals, respectively.

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.

Hear the muted symphony that one researcher thinks might be a close approximation to how macaques perceive the performance.

Thicker calluses don’t dull sensitivity in feet.

Bats move their ears fast to create frequency shifts in echoes that can give them more information about their prey targets or the surroundings they are navigating through.