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The Science of Scent

Why the Same Molecule Can Smell Sweaty or Vanilla-Like

OR7D4 variants help explain differences in androstenone perception. Cell experiments and human tests connect receptor function with intensity, pleasantness, and detection.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

A Nose Sensitive to Musk Is Not Necessarily Sensitive to Other Odors

A study of OR5AN1 links genetic variation with some musk ratings and muscone detection, while neighboring OR5A1 helps explain a contrasting association with β-ionone.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

A Hard-to-Detect Ingredient Can Make a Blend Easier to Notice

Very dilute acetic or butyric acid improved detection of maple lactone mixtures beyond independent-detection predictions within a particular concentration range.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

When Two Odors Mix, Which One Shapes Pleasantness?

Across 198 binary mixtures, pleasantness often shifted toward the stronger component, but exceptions such as vanillin complicated the pattern.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Calling a Peach Scent Food or Body Lotion

Labeling the same fragrances by source or use altered anterior cingulate responses, without a clear change in reported pleasantness or intensity.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

The Molecule Connecting Truffle Aroma and Millipede Defense Odors

Separate original studies detected DMS in truffles and living millipedes. Dog-search experiments and millipede-emission analyses illuminate the difference between a shared molecule and an overall aroma.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Would Less Earthy Aroma Make Beets Taste Better?

A participatory breeding study found that both low- and high-geosmin beets were liked. Farmers, chefs, and consumers helped develop five new cultivars.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Adapting to One Odor Reveals Another Side of a Blend

Brief exposure to some components made them harder to identify in mixtures. A 2017 study also found that a shared smoky note could become prominent.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

How Can Toilet Odors Be Reproduced? Developing Sources for Deodorizing Tests

The gap between a toilet seat and the body, changes just after excretion, and emissions between uses: a study tested three ammonia-source methods for evaluating deodorizing performance.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

How Does Frying Odor Travel from the Kitchen to the Living Room?

With induction, odor spread from the kitchen; with gas, it reached the living area quickly. A study tracked changes in one open-plan room while developing an assessment method accounting for olfactory adaptation.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
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