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The Science of Scent

The Science of Scent

Do People Check the Smell of Their Hands After a Handshake?

After same-sex handshakes, people spent more time bringing their right hand toward their nose. Skin-compound transfer, nasal airflow, and odor manipulations shed light on a possible olfactory role.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Can Odor-Discrimination Practice Improve Performance with Untrained Blends?

The study compared training on mixture ratios, enantiomers, and concentration differences. Mixture discrimination transferred to other ingredients and the opposite nostril, with improvement lasting two weeks.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

A Banana-Like Smell Can Signal Alarm to Honeybees

Honeybees became more likely to sting as alarm-compound concentration rose, but the response fell at very high concentrations. Experiments and an evolutionary model explore why.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Can Fragrance Change How Fresh the Same Voice Sounds?

Women rated one man’s recording at six pitches in a scented room. This study explored fragrance selection, voice impressions, and listeners’ moods using a 10% statistical threshold.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Do Odor-Evoked Memories Feel Different at Different Ages?

Older Japanese adults rated odor-evoked memories as more pleasant and vivid than younger adults. The study examined seven dimensions, including nostalgia.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Does Fear Change the Combination of Chemicals in Sweat?

Sweat was collected from 24 men during fear, happiness, and calm conditions to examine volatile-compound patterns and candidate chemicals behind the differences.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Can Fragranced Cosmetics Change Impressions of Personality?

Body odor collected with usual cosmetics smelled more pleasant and attractive, while some personality judgments became more distant from self-ratings.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Does Masking an Unpleasant Odor with Lemon Make It Disappear?

Citral masked caproic acid in some measures, yet lemon-like quality and brain activity still differed. Reward-associated feedback did not improve discrimination.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Names Can Change Odor Pleasantness Without Visual Imagery

Spoken names changed odor pleasantness in early-blind, late-blind, and sighted participants. The study examines a link between words and smell that does not require visual imagery.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

How Does Temperature Change the Aroma and Feel of Coffee and Green Tea?

Tastings of coffee and green tea at 65°C, 25°C, and 5°C changed the aroma and emotion words people selected, as well as their liking.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
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