The Science of Scent

Can Fragrance Ingredients Inhibit the Reactions That Produce Urine Odor?

Laboratory experiments found that a macrocyclic fragrance ingredient inhibited β-glucuronidase and reduced odor generation in enzyme-treated urine.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Does the Sweet Scent of Dust Come from Fabric Softener?

Researchers compared university dust with fabric softeners and found seven shared odor-active regions. The results suggest a role for encapsulated fragrance, without tracing individual garments or health effects.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Do Fragrance Experiments Change Fatigue and Accuracy in the Same Way?

A receptor-guided fragrance study in 17 men reported an accuracy benefit but no reduction in felt fatigue. Inconsistent statistics limit the conclusion.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Can Cyclamens from the Same Parents Have Different Scents?

Analysis of 17 wild species and two sets of hybrids reveals diverse scent profiles, including differences among offspring from the same parents.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Can Frozen Food Pick Up Odors from the Freezer?

Household freezer experiments found volatile-compound uptake in opened frozen foods. Food type and package closure influenced concentrations, but the exact off-odor causes remained unresolved.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Why Does Chocolate Cosmos Smell Like Roasted Cacao?

A study of Choca Mocha flowers identified MDP, eugenol, and vanillin as major odor-active candidates, showing why a small analytical peak can matter to floral scent.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Natto Aroma Keeps Changing in the Refrigerator

A study followed natto during refrigeration, finding declining fruity esters and tendencies for nutty pyrazines and cheesy fatty acids to increase.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Can a Catty-Smelling Compound Make Coffee Fruitier?

A comparison of Arabica and Robusta grounds shows how MMBF and IBMP behave within a coffee aroma, while roasting and sugar analyses offer clues to compound formation.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Can Breathing Through the Nose Help Consolidate Odor Memories?

In 24 young adults, nasal breathing during an hour of rest after learning improved odor recognition compared with mouth breathing. The study tests consolidation, not a home breathing treatment.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent

Plastic-Like Alone, Fruity in Mango: How Aroma Context Changes an Odor

A mango study compared isolated odorants with compounds smelled against fresh-fruit aroma, revealing changes in quality and detectability.

2026.11.03

The Science of Scent