The Science of Scent

The Same Perfume, Different on Each Person? A Study of Fragrance Release from Skin

Why can the same perfume seem different from one person to another? A study of fragrance compounds released from 10 people’s forearms offers a way to consider skin characteristics, fragrance release, and the value of trying a perfume on your own skin.

2026.10.22

The Science of Scent

Does the Scent of Queen of the Night Stay the Same All Night?

Does the scent of queen of the night remain the same throughout the night? A 2025 study traces changes in the amounts and mixture of compounds emitted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning.

2026.10.22

The Science of Scent

Why Does an Odor-Tracking Drone Pause Along the Way?

Is detecting an odor enough to fly to its source? A study of a drone carrying a real silkworm moth antenna shows how an air-intake enclosure and pauses during rotation help it follow an odor.

2026.10.22

The Science of Scent

Are Familiar Scents Better Memory Cues?

Can a familiar scent help us recall newly learned information? Three experiments pairing odors with shapes explore the relationship between familiarity and memory.

2026.10.22

The Science of Scent

Is Fragrance Remaining the Same as Fragrance Still Being Perceived?

Can measuring the amount of fragrance left on paper tell us how long a perfume lasts? A 2026 study of two musks highlights the difference between what can be extracted for analysis and what remains, and the limits of translating those measurements into perceived longevity.

2026.10.22

The Science of Scent

Can the Smell of a Bottle Change Our Impression of Shampoo?

Fifty-eight people evaluated recycled-material bottles containing unscented shampoo. The relationship between odor pleasantness and willingness to buy reveals packaging challenges that environmental information alone did not resolve.

2026.10.21

The Science of Scent

Do Pleasant-Smelling Stores Encourage More Spending?

A study of 57 customers at a second-hand clothing store found higher reported spending during a linen-scent period. Comparing it with another similarly pleasant scent highlights the meanings connecting scent and products.

2026.10.21

The Science of Scent

Can Fragrance Change Our Impression of a Person?

Being able to distinguish body odors is not necessarily the same as learning someone's personality. A study using sweat from 32 men and evaluations by 62 women explores what fragrance adds to interpersonal impressions.

2026.10.21

The Science of Scent

Does the Effect of Detergent Fragrance Depend on Where It Is Used?

Does a detergent-like fragrance encourage washing simply because it is pleasant? A study comparing a laundry VR scene with a still image found context-dependent differences in hand movements, sniffing, and evaluations of cleaning liquid.

2026.10.21

The Science of Scent

Does Perfume Change the Air Around Your Skin?

Do perfumes and lotions also change reactions in the air around the skin? Measurements in an occupied chamber and models trace the roles of ethanol, skin oils, and time since application.

2026.10.21

The Science of Scent