NEWS, SMELL STORIES, INTERESTING SMELL FACTS
Case reports suggest
that anywhere between 34 and 98 percent of hospitalized patients with COVID-19
will experience anosmia. Data show an average loss of close to 80 percent of
normal smell function, 69 percent of normal taste function, and 39 percent of
normal chemesthetic function from COVID-19 infection. One study found that COVID-19 patients are 27 times more
likely than others to lose their sense of smell, making anosmia a better
predictor of the illness than fever. However, recovery can be rapid; nine in 10 patients can expect substantial
improvement in their sense of smell within four weeks (BMJ 2020)
If you are concerned
then GOTO NHS covid-19/symptoms/
How is the sense of
smell lost?
The findings suggest
that infection of nonneuronal cell types may be responsible for anosmia in
COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2, like the earlier known SARS-CoV, uses the
angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to gain entry to cells via
binding with spike protein. Olfactory receptor neurons do not express ACE2. SARS-CoV-2
additionally appears to need TMPRSS2, a protease, to help prime the spike
protein in the process of gaining entry to cells and a few other proteins. This
means that cells must express all of these proteins for the virus to be able to
infiltrate them and hijack their machinery to replicate. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are
expressed in many types of cells, and quite abundantly in the nose, throat, and
upper bronchial airways. In the nose, expression is seen in both the
respiratory epithelium (RE) and the olfactory sensory epithelium (OSE) but in
much higher levels in the OSE. In the OSE, the proteins are expressed in the
sustentacular (supporting) and olfactory stem cells as well as in the Bowman’s
(mucus) glands and microvillar cells in lower levels. All of these cells help
maintain the health of the sensory neurons and the mucus layer so that odors
can properly activate the neurons. So far, it appears that olfactory sensory
neurons themselves do not have the right expression patterns to bind
SARS-CoV-2, which means that the virus may not directly invade these neurons
that synapse directly in cortex in the olfactory bulbs (ref: Scientific American).
Loss of taste
Taste receptor cells,
which detect chemicals in the saliva and send signals to the brain, do not
contain ACE2, so they probably do not get infected by SARS-CoV-2. But other
support cells in the tongue carry the receptor, perhaps providing some
indication of why taste goes away. (Although taste can seem to disappear with
anosmia because odors are such a key component of flavor, many people with
COVID truly develop ageusia and cannot detect even sweet or salty taste.)
WANTED: Clinical partner to join team applying for EIC funding.
EU Horizon 2027 launches 1st January 2021.
The European Innovation Council (EIC), will be a one-stop shop to bring disruptive and breakthrough innovations from lab to market application, and help start-ups and SMEs scale up their ideas.
PROPOSAL: Digital Psychological Health.
We are looking for a medic, with access to patients with mental health problems to join our team applying for EU grant support for a project to test a new therapeutic treatment (light + smell therapy) for anxiety, stress burnout and depression.
We are a partnership of scientists, business entrepreneurs, design engineers, IT & software engineers and a manufacturer, developing a new therapeutic device for the delivery of digital psychological health. We are looking for a partner for field testing on human subjects, data collection and management.
Please contact prof.tim.jacob@gmail.com
Another function of the sense of smell - navigation
18 October 2018. Interesting research from Canada on the correlation between the sense of smell and ability to navigate. This was based on the idea that the sense of smell evolved to aid navigation. The research findings which show that olfaction and spatial memory are connected and this is supported by a shared use of the same brain areas (hippocampus and medial orbitofrontal cortex). The suggestion is that the olfactory and hippocampal systems evolved together.
Dogs sniff out malaria
BBC World Service (29 October 2018) Researchers in Britain and The Gambia say they have the first evidence that dogs can sniff out malaria, a skill that they say could lead to much quicker diagnosis of the killer disease. The work was done with the charity Medical Detection Dogs.
The dogs were trained to smell the presence of the malaria parasite in infected children by sniffing their clothes. The researchers say that in addition to screening local communities, sniffer dogs may one day be used at airports to detect malaria carriers to help stop cross-border infection.
Hair Follicles Can 'Smell' Sandalwood
Hair follicles contain an olfactory receptor, OR2AT4, which binds to synthetic sandalwood - sandalore.
Cautionary note: Some years ago (2003) research was published by Mark Spehr and others in Science showing that sperm smell their way to the egg stimulated by the compound bourgeonal secreted by the egg. This was promoted as a possible treatment for infertility. Sperm were found to contain the olfactory receptor hOR17-4 that binds boureonal which is the smell of Lily of the Valley.
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| IMAGE BY EVAN NEUHAUS AND MARC SPEHR © SCIENCE |
Olfaction wins an IgNobel prize!
BIOLOGY PRIZE [SWEDEN, COLOMBIA, GERMANY, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND]
Paul Becher, Sebastien Lebreton, Erika Wallin, Erik Hedenstrom, Felipe Borrero-Echeverry, Marie Bengtsson, Volker Jorger, and Peter Witzgall, for demonstrating that wine experts can reliably identify, by smell, the presence of a single fly in a glass of wine.
Paul Becher, Sebastien Lebreton, Erika Wallin, Erik Hedenstrom, Felipe Borrero-Echeverry, Marie Bengtsson, Volker Jorger, and Peter Witzgall, for demonstrating that wine experts can reliably identify, by smell, the presence of a single fly in a glass of wine.
REFERENCE: "The Scent of the Fly," Paul G. Becher, Sebastien Lebreton, Erika A. Wallin, Erik Hedenstrom, Felipe Borrero-Echeverry, Marie Bengtsson, Volker Jorger, and Peter Witzgall, bioRxiv, no. 20637, 2017.
Smell and light mood boost - measured
Fluctuating bright light (10,000 lux) and synchronous smell stimulation. You can measure an increase in mood-energy in response to this innovative therapy. This could be used for treating those with mood disturbances (e.g. anxiety, depression). More information on the technology is given in the Therapeutic Uses of Smell pages.
Stories on the sense of smell - National Public Radio (US)
Sound features on the sense of smell from US radio (13th Sept 2018), e.g. "Learn To Sniff Like A Dog And Experience The World In A New Way"The Subjectivity of Scent
Interesting article on smell, from Fleur Fruzza in Women's Health August 2018. "Been wedded to the same floral eau de toilette for more than a decade? Or do you hold fast to fragrance recommendations from a beauty-mad pal? Well, don't." Smell preference, smell affect, smell memory etc., with help from Prof Tim Jacob.The Smell Podcast
Interesting podcasts on smell, from Katie Price. "The Smell Podcast, where we explore all things smell and taste. If you have a smell/taste disorder or are supporting a family member who does, this podcast is for you! We'll explore listener stories and current research on smell and taste!" It's on Spotify too - Smell Podcast.(13th Sept 2018).
Gene therapy restores sense of smell (in mice)
Scientists have restored the sense of smell in mice through gene therapy for the first time — a hopeful sign for people who can’t smell anything from birth or lose it due to disease. The new findings come from a team at Michigan University Medical School and their colleagues at several other institutions. The researchers caution that it will take time for their work to affect human treatment, and that it will be most important for people who have lost their sense of smell due to a genetic disorder, rather than those who lose it due to aging, head trauma, or chronic sinus problems. But their work paves the way for a better understanding of anosmia at the cellular level (1st August 2018).
The smell of cities in the summer
Does your city smell in summer? Why is this? Odor experts agree New York City is the most infamous for its summer stench, but other major cities like Philadelphia and San Francisco suffer from the same problem. Does Venice smell - people say no . What is your experience? After all this time spent in your home city, can you actually describe what it smells like? Above all, what is its defining aroma? Dr Victoria Henshaw, author of the Smell and the City blog, can give you some ideas as to how to appreciate your city's smells.
Thailand cave rescue: Children found ‘by smell’
12th July 2018 - Swansea is starting to smell
An investigation has been launched. If you've been out and about enjoying the warm weather in Swansea recently you probably aren't the only person to have noticed an unpleasant smell.
A new type of deodorant? Experts believe they have found a better way to tackle body odour (BO). The key, they say, is understanding how skin bacteria create the smell from virtually odourless armpit sweat.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44680255
AI is developing a sense of smell: to detect disease on human breath (The Conversation 8.06.2018). However there is some scepticism about how useful AI is/will be in detecting and categorising smells generally (Robert F. Service for Science 19 Feb 2017). You have to tell the computer/algorithm how it is supposed to classify aroma and if we humans aren't really sure then the computer just amplifies our ignorance.
The smell of rain "Petrichor".
Old news but always interesting [The Conversation 31.04.2015] The term was coined in 1964 by two Australian CSIRO researchers, Isabel Joy Bear and Richard G. Thomas, for an article in the journal Nature. In the article, the authors describe how the smell derives from an oil exuded by certain plants during dry periods, whereupon it is absorbed by clay-based soils and rocks. During rain, the oil is released into the air along with another compound, geosmin, a metabolic by-product of certain actinobacteria, which is emitted by wet soil, producing the distinctive scent; ozone may also be present if there is lightning. In a follow-up paper, Bear and Thomas (1965) showed that the oil retards seed germination and early plant growth (thanks Wikipedia - yes, I donate regularly).Uranus smells of rotten eggs
Using smell to alter crowd behaviour in Holland
Why big brand perfumes may be losing their allure
Big perfume companies such as Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and Coty have been having a tough time. Might the perfumed wind of change be in the air "Everything smells the same - people are getting bored of the big brands and want something different," says Nick Steward, the London-based founder of a new fragrance brand, Gallivant. Nick thinks that people now want something that the giants can't or won't offer. His range of unisex perfumes (in small 30ml bottles) are inspired by and named after cities such as Tel Aviv and London. Mr Steward says the smaller size makes them more affordable. The perfumes have been well received at the launch earlier this year, but he admits: "It's a really tough business to make money in."My own personal (timsmell.blog) opinion is that the perfume industry is creatively bankrupt and people are looking to "niche" perfumers to supply something interesting but there really is nothing genuinely new. The banning or restriction of certain key perfume ingredients by the industry regulatory IFRA has made the business of making perfumes really tricky. For instance, Channel No. 5 has had to be reformulated because the key ingredient Oakmoss is now restricted. I believe that the industry needs to do some homework and by that I mean some real science to find out what smell actually does. They have been incredibly reluctant to do this because they make money by just putting (cheap) smells in fancy bottles and wrapping them up nicely. So where is the motivation for change? What could perfume do? Well, here is one thing: it could help you find your perfect partner and it could then help keep them interested in you. The science behind this is known but the industry are not interested. Yet! 04/10/2017 BBC News story
NEW! A new device to tell you if you smell - the KunKun Body.
The Guardian (13th July 2017) reports on this new development from Minolta.
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Humans sense of smell claimed to be as good as dogs
Science article by Prof McGann from Rutgers tries to make out that human sense of smell is on a par with other mammals, e.g. dogs (read article). No! I completely disagree. A bloodhound can tell the direction of travel of a human trail by sniffing 5 steps. Can you? What's your opinion? Leave a comment. (11 May 2017)===================================================
More on the Vibrational Theory of Smell
New article in PNAS tries to refute the "vibrational theory" of smell - and fails.Eric Block and others have performed experiments to test the claim that deuterated compounds smell different from their nondeuterated analogues because, although they have the same shape, their vibrational signature is different. The paper in PNAS is focussed on refuting Luca Turin's 2013 PLoS paper "Molecular Vibration-Sensing Component in Human Olfaction". This new article describes the use of a heterologous gene expression system in which one receptor - OR5AN1 - is exposed to a series of deuterated musks and apparently does not distinguish between deuterated and nondeuterated versions. Luca Turin points out in Phys Org
Scents to make you smell younger in the Daily Mail (13 Apr 2015). Probably not
Olfactory ensheathing cells used to help paralysed man walk again
A man who suffered a spinal cord injury following a knife attack has been enabled to walk again. Cells from his own olfactory bulb were taken and grown in culture. They were then microinjected into regions around the spinal cord injury. Two years after the treatment he is able to walk again using a frame.
Sense of smell a predictor of death
In a study of over 3000 people aged 57-85, 39% of those with anosmia (loss of sense of smell) were dead within 5 years compared to 10% with a normal sense of smell. So, losing your sense of smell is linked in some, unknown way to overall health and longevity. The conclusion is that smell function is linked to health and wellbeing and olfactory function is a marker for mortality.
Men are from bacon, women are from lemons
Did you know men and women are different, because they are. They are so different that they even like different things. Men like meat, visual stuff. Women like lemons, feelings. It's a wonder it ever works, because meat and pictures and lemons and feelings go together like a tornado in a teacup without any good smells in it.
21st August 2014
Oh, and by the way there really is a bacon scented perfume for men
Losing your sense of smell can make you fat and destroy your libido - Daily Mail article
The sweet smell of success. Does success really smell sweet? A panel of 200 of Britons with 'sophisticated noses' sorted through over 100 individual smells from candy floss to urine to identify the aroma. They found the smells of leather, cedarwood and pencil are not associated with successful business people Patchouli, which is popular in joss sticks, is the scent most associated with successful men and women.
Potential future cure for anosmia - work in mice has shown that stem cells in the nose ca nn grow and develop into smell receptor cells. They can be made to do this by removing a gene that codes for a "brake" to growth in these cells.
Cancer detected by smell - Dogs can be trained to detect cancer (first shown by a UK lab - see below - Dogs sniff cancer) but now a machine is being developed to "sniff" cancer. Metabolomx, a small company in Mountain View, California plans to bring a cancer-sniffing device to market. Dogs have also been trained to detect diabetes on breath. **UPDATE ** A company called Breathlink has a breath sampling device that is currently (May 2015) undergoing clinical trials to detect breast cancer and lung cancer. Another company Owlstone is similarly trialing a device to detect lung cancer. More on smell and health in my website.
Is NEW CAR smell dangerous? What is that "new car" smell? Why do manufacturers go to great lengths to manufacture it? The Ecology Center identified more than 275 chemicals, some of which are associated with allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver problems, and cancer.
Perfume ban - The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) advised the European Commission to restrict citral, found in lemon and tangerine oil, along with coumarin, found in tropical tonka beans, and eugenol, found in rose oil and about 90 other perfume ingredients. Chanel No. 5 would have disappeared as would many other famous brands. This proposed ban stemmed from fears about skin allergies. Perfumers (and most people of good sense) were outraged. The word was that the SCCS was flexing its muscle having been ignored by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). However, a new set of EU guidelines has been issued that scales back the rather extreme recommendations of the SCCS.
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