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Infographic showing how scientists hack the locust brain to identify the unique odor signatures of oral cancers
Infographic: Scents and Sense-Abilities
Scientists hack the locust brain to identify the unique odor signatures of oral cancers.
Infographic: Scents and Sense-Abilities
Infographic: Scents and Sense-Abilities

Scientists hack the locust brain to identify the unique odor signatures of oral cancers.

Scientists hack the locust brain to identify the unique odor signatures of oral cancers.

insect olfaction

Vector image of swarming locusts in a field
Scents and Sense-Abilities: Using Bug Brainpower to Smell Cancer
Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Dec 12, 2022 | 4 min read
Scientists use locust brains as living biosensors to perform cancer cell breath tests.
an&nbsp;<em>Aedes aegypti&nbsp;</em>mosquito, black with white dots and stripes on its joints and body, sitting on a person&#39;s skin and feeding.&nbsp;
Smelly Skin Compounds Draw Mosquitoes to Some People More than Others
Katherine Irving | Oct 19, 2022 | 3 min read
People with more carboxylic acids in their body odor are more attractive to mosquitoes, a study finds.
Close-up of a mosquito antenna with hair-like protrusions and fluorescently labeled glomeruli as green circles on the shaft
The Neuroscience Behind Why Mosquitoes Always Find You
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Aug 18, 2022 | 5 min read
Neurons in mosquito antennae can express more than one olfactory receptor at a time, a redundancy that likely ensures they don’t lose a potential host’s scent.
A close-up of a fruit fly head with antenna clearly visible in front of its red eyes
Bacterial Infections Disrupt Flies’ Sense of Smell
Abby Olena, PhD | Jul 21, 2021 | 4 min read
The temporary loss of olfaction stops the flies from eating any more of whatever it is that made them sick.
Image of the Day: Moth Proboscis
The Scientist Staff and The Scientist Staff | Mar 5, 2018 | 2 min read
The hawkmoth’s brain uses a different area to search for food than it does to look for where to lay eggs.  
Bug Off
Kerry Grens | Oct 3, 2013 | 1 min read
Identification of a DEET-sensitive olfactory receptor leads to alternative, possibly better, repellants.
Speaking of Science
The Scientist Staff | Oct 1, 2013 | 2 min read
October 2013's selection of notable quotes
An Olfaction Odyssey
Megan Scudellari | Oct 1, 2013 | 9 min read
Thanks to a book, a war, and a big green caterpillar, John Hildebrand found himself mapping the exquisite and surprising wiring of the insect olfactory system.
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