Ants, despite their tiny size, possess an impressive olfactory system equipped with around 400 smell receptors. This extensive array of receptors is key to their ability to communicate through pheromones in large societies.

A recent study by researchers from New York University and the University of Florida has highlighted the crucial role of a protein named Orco in the survival and function of olfactory neurons in ants.

In their research, the scientists focused on Harpegnathos saltator, or jumping ants, and found that altering the orco gene led to a major reduction in the number of olfactory neurons.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/milky-way-collided-with-another-galaxy-shredded-and-devoured-it-years-ago-729957">Milky Way collided with another galaxy, shredded and devoured it years ago</a>

This suggested&nbsp;that Orco is essential for both the development and the maintenance of these cells.

Study’s first author Bogdan Sieriebriennikov said,&nbsp;“Understanding how the nervous system develops is among the most pressing challenges in modern neuroscience."&nbsp;

“Ants, like humans, are highly social and display cooperative social behavior, and thus provide an ideal system to study sensory-mediated social behaviour,” said Hua Yan, the study’s senior author.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-for-first-time-spot-alien-type-creatures-living-in-darkest-depths-of-our-ocean-729947">Scientists for first time spot alien-type creatures living in darkest depths of our ocean</a>

“Loss of function of odorant receptor neurons leads to deficits in olfactory sensing and is often associated with social isolation, neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, and social disorders such as autism,” added Yan.

<h2>What did the study entail?&nbsp;</h2>

The researchers used CRISPR technology to create genetically modified ants by mutating the orco gene. These modified ants exhibited changes in their olfactory organs and had trouble interacting with their peers.

“We found that the antennae—which are the ‘nose’ of the ant—had very few cells. They were almost empty, suggesting that the cells that sense smell were absent from the mutant ants,” noted Yan.

According to the study, the researchers found out that mutant ants lacking Orco lost most of their olfactory neurons. The reduction in the neurons took place even before these ants reached their adulthood.

Watch | Global warming is accelerating at unprecedented pace, says study

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“The cells appear to be made normally, and they start developing—growing, changing shape, and switching on certain genes they will need later, such as odorant receptors,” said Sieriebriennikov. “Once the developing cells turn on the odorant receptors, very soon they start dying in massive amounts.”

Caused by the inability of odorant receptors to form Orco, this premature neuronal death could be due to stress.&nbsp;

Interestingly, some neurons did survive without Orco. This indicates that other factors might also play a role in their development. “Some neurons must periodically ‘fire’ to develop properly. Without Orco, smell cells did not ‘fire’ and complete their development, leading to their death,” Sieriebriennikov added.

The study has been published in Science Advances.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Ants, despite their tiny size, possess an impressive olfactory system equipped with around 400 smell receptors. This extensive array of receptors is key to their ability to communicate through pheromones in large societies.

Ants, despite their tiny size, possess an impressive olfactory system equipped with around 400 smell receptors. This extensive array of receptors is key to their ability to communicate through pheromones in large societies. A recent study by researchers from New York University and the University of Florida has highlighted the crucial role of a protein named Orco in the survival and function of olfactory neurons in ants. In their research, the scientists focused on Harpegnathos saltator, or jumping ants, and found that altering the orco gene led to a major reduction in the number of olfactory neurons. Also Read | Milky Way collided with another galaxy, shredded and devoured it years ago This suggested that Orco is essential for both the development and the maintenance of these cells. Study’s first author Bogdan Sieriebriennikov said, “Understanding how the nervous system develops is among the most pressing challenges in modern neuroscience." “Ants, like humans, are highly social and display cooperative social behavior, and thus provide an ideal system to study sensory-mediated social behaviour,” said Hua Yan, the study’s senior author. Also Read | Scientists for first time spot alien-type creatures living in darkest depths of our ocean “Loss of function of odorant receptor neurons leads to deficits in olfactory sensing and is often associated with social isolation, neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, and social disorders such as autism,” added Yan. What did the study entail? The researchers used CRISPR technology to create genetically modified ants by mutating the orco gene. These modified ants exhibited changes in their olfactory organs and had trouble interacting with their peers. “We found that the antennae—which are the ‘nose’ of the ant—had very few cells. They were almost empty, suggesting that the cells that sense smell were absent from the mutant ants,” noted Yan. According to the study, the researchers found out that mutant ants lacking Orco lost most of their olfactory neurons. The reduction in the neurons took place even before these ants reached their adulthood. Watch | Global warming is accelerating at unprecedented pace, says study × “The cells appear to be made normally, and they start developing—growing, changing shape, and switching on certain genes they will need later, such as odorant receptors,” said Sieriebriennikov. “Once the developing cells turn on the odorant receptors, very soon they start dying in massive amounts.” Caused by the inability of odorant receptors to form Orco, this premature neuronal death could be due to stress. Interestingly, some neurons did survive without Orco. This indicates that other factors might also play a role in their development. “Some neurons must periodically ‘fire’ to develop properly. Without Orco, smell cells did not ‘fire’ and complete their development, leading to their death,” Sieriebriennikov added. The study has been published in Science Advances. (With inputs from agencies)

Ants’ sense of smell crucial to their survival and social interaction: Study

Astronauts say that they have smelled unusual scents in space. However, that's not surprising due to the difference between the chemistry of Earth and space. Technically, one cannot smell anything in space as it is an airless vacuum.

Astronauts say that they have smelled unusual scents in space. However, that's not surprising due to the difference between the chemistry of Earth and space. Technically, one cannot smell anything in space as it is an airless vacuum. However, it's not entirely a vacuum, as it has all sorts of molecules, some of which have strong odours, according to Space.com. Gunpowder, Ozone, Burnt Steak Some of the most prominent odours that astronauts have reported smelling in space are gunpowder, ozone and burnt steak. According to scientists, there can be two reasons behind it. First, while an astronaut is on a spacewalk, single oxygen atoms can cling to their spacesuit and enter the airlock. It repressurises molecular oxygen, which floods into the airlock and reacts with the single atoms of oxygen to form ozone, explaining the sour, metallic smell. Secondly, most interstellar carbon has PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) found in charred food like burned toast or barbecued meat. Astronauts could've picked these easily, as there are plenty in the solar system, and brought them inside the space station or the capsule. Rotten eggs and urine However, these are not the only strange odours reported in space. Europen Space Agency's Rosetta crossed comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014, detecting many different molecules in the comet's gaseous halo surrounding its nucleus. These molecules include hydrogen sulphide, which gives rotten eggs their unpleasant stink, and ammonia, whose smell reminds one of urine. ALSO READ | Radio signal that took 8 billion years to reach Earth came from seven interacting galaxies Hydrogen cyanide, an almond-like smelling toxic molecule, sweet-smelling carbon disulphide and pickled aroma of formaldehyde were also present in the halo. Although one would shut their nostrils at this combination of smells, the odour of this comet was weak, as most of the comet's coma was water vapour and carbon dioxide. Gasoline and booze An astronaut can't smell Saturn's moon Titan, as it has no oxygen and a minus 176.6 degrees Celsius temperature. However, scientists have found that Titan reeks of gasoline. NASA discovered that Titan's hazy atmosphere contains a chemical, identified by Cassini spacecraft, consisting of nitrogen, methane and benzene, hailing from a family of molecules called polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs). Thus, the presence of benzene gives Titan its petroleum stench. Furthermore, Sagittarius B2, a massive interstellar molecular cloud of star-forming gas and dust, located less than 400 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way, contains large amounts of alcohol, including vinyl alcohol, methanol, and ethanol, which is used to make beer. Astronomers also discovered ethyl formate, a sweet-smelling chemical found in raspberries, in Sagittarius B2 in 2009. (With inputs from agencies)

Astronauts reveal what space smells like, and it’s stinkier than you’d expect

Does having a good sense of smell also mean good cognitive health? US' National Institute of Aging have found an answer to this question - research has found that there is a link between sense of smell and Dementia especially in older adults.

Is sense of smell linked to cognitive health? | Sense of smell, bio-marker for Dementia, says study

Our two nostrils operate somewhat independently and possess their own distinct sense of smell, a recent study has claimed. The discovery reflects on the intricacies of the brain and how the sensory information, such as that of smell, is processed by our neural network.

The research has been published in Current Biology.

<h2>What does the study say?</h2>

The research builds upon previous research involving animals and humans, and suggests that our brains might possess the capability to process the input from each nostril separately while also managing to form a cohesive perception of a specific smell.&nbsp;

<h2>How the study was conducted?</h2>

To delve deeper into this phenomenon, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, the Barrow Neurological Institute, and Ohio State University collaborated with 10 epilepsy patients who had undergone brain electrode implantation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-nose-knows-exposure-to-certain-fragrances-during-sleep-can-help-your-brain-work-better-says-study-622112">The nose knows: Exposure to certain fragrances during sleep can help your brain work better, says study</a>

During the experiments, participants were exposed to three different scents, as well as a control of pure air, either through one nostril, the other, or both simultaneously.&nbsp;

Subsequently, the subjects identified the smell and specified which nostril they used for detection—left, right, or both—while the researchers recorded brain responses through electrodes.

A number of startling observations emerged from the study.&nbsp;

When the same scent was presented to each nostril individually, the resulting brain activity showed similar but not identical patterns, indicating a degree of independence.

Also watch |&nbsp;New research reveals that rats have the ability to imagine

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Moreover, simultaneous exposure to scents through both nostrils produced two distinct bursts of brain activity, suggesting that nostrils may not always operate in sync with each other

The study also revealed that utilising both nostrils enhanced the identification of odours, and the process occurred more rapidly, implying the advantageous nature of two nostrils, akin to the benefits of having two eyes or ears.

The piriform cortex (PC) brain region is responsible for processing the sense of smell.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the bottom line?</h2>

As various senses are interconnected in terms of processing by our body's neural network, the meaning of these findings extend beyond the sense of smell, marking a new beginning towards curious horizons of the&nbsp;sensory processing in the brain.

(With inputs from agencies)

Our two nostrils operate somewhat independently and possess their own distinct sense of smell, a recent study has claimed. The discovery reflects on the intricacies of the brain and how the sensory information, such as that of smell, is processed by our neural network.

Our two nostrils operate somewhat independently and possess their own distinct sense of smell, a recent study has claimed. The discovery reflects on the intricacies of the brain and how the sensory information, such as that of smell, is processed by our neural network. The research has been published in Current Biology. What does the study say? The research builds upon previous research involving animals and humans, and suggests that our brains might possess the capability to process the input from each nostril separately while also managing to form a cohesive perception of a specific smell. How the study was conducted? To delve deeper into this phenomenon, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, the Barrow Neurological Institute, and Ohio State University collaborated with 10 epilepsy patients who had undergone brain electrode implantation. Also read | The nose knows: Exposure to certain fragrances during sleep can help your brain work better, says study During the experiments, participants were exposed to three different scents, as well as a control of pure air, either through one nostril, the other, or both simultaneously. Subsequently, the subjects identified the smell and specified which nostril they used for detection—left, right, or both—while the researchers recorded brain responses through electrodes. A number of startling observations emerged from the study. When the same scent was presented to each nostril individually, the resulting brain activity showed similar but not identical patterns, indicating a degree of independence. Also watch | New research reveals that rats have the ability to imagine × Moreover, simultaneous exposure to scents through both nostrils produced two distinct bursts of brain activity, suggesting that nostrils may not always operate in sync with each other The study also revealed that utilising both nostrils enhanced the identification of odours, and the process occurred more rapidly, implying the advantageous nature of two nostrils, akin to the benefits of having two eyes or ears. The piriform cortex (PC) brain region is responsible for processing the sense of smell. What is the bottom line? As various senses are interconnected in terms of processing by our body's neural network, the meaning of these findings extend beyond the sense of smell, marking a new beginning towards curious horizons of the sensory processing in the brain. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists explain why humans have two nostrils and not just one

We generally know about particles. Everything is made up of atoms and molecules. We all know this. But when is comes to sense of smell, the molecular level understanding is something that's not common knowledge. What is a smell? How do we perceive it? These are some of the questions scientists have been working upon for decades. And there has now been a breakthrough finally.

Scientists have created the first molecular-level, 3D picture of how an odour molecule activates a human odorant receptor, a crucial step towards deciphering the sense of smell.

This will help a longstanding impasse in our understanding of olfaction (sense of smell). The 3D picture of the odour molecule has implications for fragrances, food science and beyond.

The 3D model has been created by scientists at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). This is sure to reignite interest in the sense of smell.

The findings have been published in the journal Nature, reported Press Trust of India.

Odorant receptors, proteins that bind odour molecules on the surface of olfactory cells, make up half of the largest, most diverse family of receptors in our bodies. A deeper understanding of them paves the way for new insights about a range of biological processes.

Smell involves about 400 unique receptors.

Each of the hundreds of thousands of scents we can detect is made of a mixture of different odour molecules. Each type of molecule may be detected by an array of receptors, creating a puzzle for the brain to solve each time the nose catches a whiff of something new.

"It's like hitting keys on a piano to produce a chord," said Hiroaki Matsunami, professor at Duke University and a close collaborator of Aashish Manglik, associate professor, UCSF.

Matsunami's work over the past two decades has focused on decoding the sense of smell.

"Seeing how an odorant receptor binds an odorant explains how this works at a fundamental level," said Matsunami.

We haven't been able to map olfaction, because without a picture, said Manglik, we didn't know how odour molecules would react with their corresponding odour receptors.

To create the 3D picture, the study said, Manglik's lab used a type of imaging called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), that allows researchers to see atomic structure and study the molecular shapes of proteins.

But before Manglik's team could visualise the odorant receptor binding an odorant, they first needed to purify a sufficient quantity of the receptor protein.

Odorant receptors are notoriously challenging, some say impossible, to make in the lab for such purposes.

The Manglik and Matsunami teams looked for an odorant receptor that was abundant in both the body and the nose, thinking it might be easier to make artificially, and one that also could detect water-soluble odorants, according to the study.

They settled on a receptor called OR51E2, which is known to respond to propionate, a molecule that contributes to the pungent smell of Swiss cheese.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

We generally know about particles. Everything is made up of atoms and molecules. We all know this. But when is comes to sense of smell, the molecular level understanding is something that's not common knowledge.

We generally know about particles. Everything is made up of atoms and molecules. We all know this. But when is comes to sense of smell, the molecular level understanding is something that's not common knowledge. What is a smell? How do we perceive it? These are some of the questions scientists have been working upon for decades. And there has now been a breakthrough finally. Scientists have created the first molecular-level, 3D picture of how an odour molecule activates a human odorant receptor, a crucial step towards deciphering the sense of smell. This will help a longstanding impasse in our understanding of olfaction (sense of smell). The 3D picture of the odour molecule has implications for fragrances, food science and beyond. The 3D model has been created by scientists at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). This is sure to reignite interest in the sense of smell. The findings have been published in the journal Nature, reported Press Trust of India. Odorant receptors, proteins that bind odour molecules on the surface of olfactory cells, make up half of the largest, most diverse family of receptors in our bodies. A deeper understanding of them paves the way for new insights about a range of biological processes. Smell involves about 400 unique receptors. Each of the hundreds of thousands of scents we can detect is made of a mixture of different odour molecules. Each type of molecule may be detected by an array of receptors, creating a puzzle for the brain to solve each time the nose catches a whiff of something new. "It's like hitting keys on a piano to produce a chord," said Hiroaki Matsunami, professor at Duke University and a close collaborator of Aashish Manglik, associate professor, UCSF. Matsunami's work over the past two decades has focused on decoding the sense of smell. "Seeing how an odorant receptor binds an odorant explains how this works at a fundamental level," said Matsunami. We haven't been able to map olfaction, because without a picture, said Manglik, we didn't know how odour molecules would react with their corresponding odour receptors. To create the 3D picture, the study said, Manglik's lab used a type of imaging called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), that allows researchers to see atomic structure and study the molecular shapes of proteins. But before Manglik's team could visualise the odorant receptor binding an odorant, they first needed to purify a sufficient quantity of the receptor protein. Odorant receptors are notoriously challenging, some say impossible, to make in the lab for such purposes. The Manglik and Matsunami teams looked for an odorant receptor that was abundant in both the body and the nose, thinking it might be easier to make artificially, and one that also could detect water-soluble odorants, according to the study. They settled on a receptor called OR51E2, which is known to respond to propionate, a molecule that contributes to the pungent smell of Swiss cheese. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Understanding sense of smell: Scientists create 3D image of odour molecule

New research suggests that air pollution might be causing us to lose our sense of smell. Exposure to high levels of particulate matter can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma from short-term exposure. Long-term or chronic exposure to fine particulate matter increases a person’s risk for diseases with a longer onset, like stroke and cancer. But beyond inflammatory sinonasal and neurocognitive diseases, air pollution is contributing to loss of smell, known as anosmia. Our sense of smell helps with appetite, and also serves as a warning system to avert dangers and toxins. The unique positioning of the olfactory nerve in the nasal cavity places the olfactory system at particular risk from airborne pollutants.

Gravitas: Is bad air causing us to lose our sense of smell?

Loss of sense of smell is a symptom of Covid. Those who were infected have reported disturbance in their ability to smell. Many patients have even reported that the smells of common objects felt like disgusting ones like that of sewage.

Though loss of smell is associated with Covid and it's a well-known symptom, biological basis for the sense of disgust was not known.

Researchers have now zeroed-in on a highly potent molecule that triggers sense of disgust in those who have Covid.

The molecule is called 2-furanmethanethiol. It is found in coffee. Researchers found that those with normal sense of smell associated this molecule with coffee and in some cases popcorn. But in those with Covid infection, it elicited a disgusted reaction with the patients equating the smell with sewage.

“This is solid evidence that it’s not ‘all in the head’, and that the sense of disgust can be related to the compounds in the distorted foods. The central nervous system is certainly involved as well in interpreting the signals that it receives from the nose.” said Dr Jane Parker, the director of the Flavour Centre at the University of Reading and co-author of the research. Dr Parker was quoted by The Guardian.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Loss of sense of smell is a symptom of Covid. Those who were infected have reported disturbance in their ability to smell. Many patients have even reported that the smells of common objects felt like disgusting ones like that of sewage.

Loss of sense of smell is a symptom of Covid. Those who were infected have reported disturbance in their ability to smell. Many patients have even reported that the smells of common objects felt like disgusting ones like that of sewage. Though loss of smell is associated with Covid and it's a well-known symptom, biological basis for the sense of disgust was not known. Researchers have now zeroed-in on a highly potent molecule that triggers sense of disgust in those who have Covid. The molecule is called 2-furanmethanethiol. It is found in coffee. Researchers found that those with normal sense of smell associated this molecule with coffee and in some cases popcorn. But in those with Covid infection, it elicited a disgusted reaction with the patients equating the smell with sewage. “This is solid evidence that it’s not ‘all in the head’, and that the sense of disgust can be related to the compounds in the distorted foods. The central nervous system is certainly involved as well in interpreting the signals that it receives from the nose.” said Dr Jane Parker, the director of the Flavour Centre at the University of Reading and co-author of the research. Dr Parker was quoted by The Guardian. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Researchers identify 'trigger molecule' for changes in ability to smell during Covid

Ever dream you had Spidey Sense so that it would tingle when danger is lurking just around the corner? Well it appears nature has already given you one and you take it for granted. It appears you can literally smell the danger.

No, we are not talking about the smell of the wasted food your partner so lovingly cooked for you. It's about real dangers.

A study has dwelled into the sense of smell and has found that the bundle of nerves connected internally to our nose takes just milliseconds to send message to our brain to do something if something smells fishy.

The research was carried out by Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

The study was done by observing two groups of non-smoking people. The first group had 19 persons who were asked to smell perfume of linalool or fruity-smelling ethyl butyrate. They were also made to smell diethyl disulfide which has a garlicky smell.

The brainwaves of these people were observed. Two types of brain waves were observed.

One was gamma waves. These are fast processing waves which we rely on for attention and memory. The second type is beta waves. These waves are generated when we make decisions with deliberation.

The second group had 21 volunteers. They were made to smell pleasant and not-so-pleasant odours as well. Their physical reactions were timed.

It was found that gamma and beta waves were 'coupling' to co-ordinate a response.

If the smell was unpleasant, in other words, deemed to be a threat, a message was sent to motor cortex of our brain within 150 milliseconds to take an action. This may then involve reactions like jerking the head away from the smell, momentarily stopping to inhale and other reactions.

Ever dream you had Spidey Sense so that it would tingle when danger is lurking just around the corner? Well it appears nature has already given you one and you take it for granted.

Ever dream you had Spidey Sense so that it would tingle when danger is lurking just around the corner? Well it appears nature has already given you one and you take it for granted. It appears you can literally smell the danger. No, we are not talking about the smell of the wasted food your partner so lovingly cooked for you. It's about real dangers. A study has dwelled into the sense of smell and has found that the bundle of nerves connected internally to our nose takes just milliseconds to send message to our brain to do something if something smells fishy. The research was carried out by Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The study was done by observing two groups of non-smoking people. The first group had 19 persons who were asked to smell perfume of linalool or fruity-smelling ethyl butyrate. They were also made to smell diethyl disulfide which has a garlicky smell. The brainwaves of these people were observed. Two types of brain waves were observed. One was gamma waves. These are fast processing waves which we rely on for attention and memory. The second type is beta waves. These waves are generated when we make decisions with deliberation. The second group had 21 volunteers. They were made to smell pleasant and not-so-pleasant odours as well. Their physical reactions were timed. It was found that gamma and beta waves were 'coupling' to co-ordinate a response. If the smell was unpleasant, in other words, deemed to be a threat, a message was sent to motor cortex of our brain within 150 milliseconds to take an action. This may then involve reactions like jerking the head away from the smell, momentarily stopping to inhale and other reactions.

We can literally 'smell' danger coming our way, study finds

Patients of coronavirus have reported prolonged loss of smell and taste, along with several other problems, and experts seem to have found a way to treat it.<o:p></o:p>

A group of UK researchers have discovered that vitamin A nasal drops might be able to cure the loss (or altered) sense of smell in people post Covid.<o:p></o:p>

Loss of smell has been a commonly reported symptom in majority of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid</a> patients. While some recover from it a few days after they recover from the deadly virus, others have reported prolonged effect.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hell-breaks-loose-as-lancet-describes-women-as-bodies-with-vaginas-416804">Hell breaks loose as Lancet describes women as 'bodies with vaginas'</a></o:p>

University of East Anglia has started a 12-week trial, titled 'Apollo trial', in which only a handful of patients (volunteers) will be given the treatment. <o:p></o:p>

The selected volunteers will be given the treatment and will also be asked to sniff powerful smells such as roses and rotten eggs. Experts will then run brain scans to check if the vitamin has been able to repair injured olfactory pathways (also known as 'smell nerves').<o:p></o:p>

As per researchers, the vitamin had showed benefits in Germany and experts "will explore how this treatment works to help repair tissues in the nose damaged by viruses". The researchers are also hoping that this study "could one day help improve the lives of millions around the world who suffer from smell loss, by returning their fifth sense".

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-has-decreased-life-expectancy-for-men-but-not-for-women-study-415365">Covid has decreased life expectancy for men, but not for women: Study</a></o:p>

Scientists have recommended patients to try and smell at least four different odours twice a day for several months, to bring back their sense of smell.<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, experts are urging people to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible to avoid getting infected. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Vaccines</a> are not just helping cut risk of catching the virus, but are also reducing chanced of people developing long Covid.<o:p></o:p>

UK's Health Secretary Sajid Javid also motivated locals to get vaccinated as soon as possible. "It is clear vaccines are building a wall of defence against the virus and are the best way to protect people from serious illness. I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward for both their jabs as quickly as possible."<o:p></o:p>

Patients of coronavirus have reported prolonged loss of smell and taste, along with several other problems, and experts seem to have found a way to treat it. A group of UK researchers have discovered that vitamin A nasal drops might be able to cure the loss (or altered) sense of smell in people post Covid.

Patients of coronavirus have reported prolonged loss of smell and taste, along with several other problems, and experts seem to have found a way to treat it. A group of UK researchers have discovered that vitamin A nasal drops might be able to cure the loss (or altered) sense of smell in people post Covid. Loss of smell has been a commonly reported symptom in majority of the Covid patients. While some recover from it a few days after they recover from the deadly virus, others have reported prolonged effect. Also read | Hell breaks loose as Lancet describes women as 'bodies with vaginas' University of East Anglia has started a 12-week trial, titled 'Apollo trial', in which only a handful of patients (volunteers) will be given the treatment. The selected volunteers will be given the treatment and will also be asked to sniff powerful smells such as roses and rotten eggs. Experts will then run brain scans to check if the vitamin has been able to repair injured olfactory pathways (also known as 'smell nerves'). As per researchers, the vitamin had showed benefits in Germany and experts "will explore how this treatment works to help repair tissues in the nose damaged by viruses". The researchers are also hoping that this study "could one day help improve the lives of millions around the world who suffer from smell loss, by returning their fifth sense". Also read | Covid has decreased life expectancy for men, but not for women: Study Scientists have recommended patients to try and smell at least four different odours twice a day for several months, to bring back their sense of smell. Meanwhile, experts are urging people to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible to avoid getting infected. Vaccines are not just helping cut risk of catching the virus, but are also reducing chanced of people developing long Covid. UK's Health Secretary Sajid Javid also motivated locals to get vaccinated as soon as possible. "It is clear vaccines are building a wall of defence against the virus and are the best way to protect people from serious illness. I encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward for both their jabs as quickly as possible."

Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-caused loss of smell? Experts answer

Loss of the sense of smell and taste have been recognised as key symptoms of the COVID-19 infection. But is this loss permanent? WION tells you, How long do you have to wait to regain these senses?

COVID-19 Symptoms: Is loss of smell & taste permanent?

For people who have battled the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, the hard days may not be over yet.&nbsp;

In a new study, scientists have found that people's sense of smell and taste may not return for up to five months after contracting the deadly virus.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccines-tremendously-cut-risk-of-hospitalisation-scottish-study-finds-365507" hreflang="en">COVID-19 vaccines tremendously cut risk of hospitalisation, Scottish study finds</a>

A team of scientists from Canada's University of Quebec surveyed 813 health care workers who had tested positive for coronavirus.

The volunteers were asked to rank their sense of smell and taste on a scale from 0 to 10, and some were also asked to perform an at-home test to evaluate their senses.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-approves-study-that-will-deliberately-infect-volunteers-with-coronavirus-364533" hreflang="en">UK approves study that will deliberately infect volunteers with coronavirus</a>

It was found that during initial infection, more than 70 per cent of these volunteers of the survey lost their sense of smell and 65 per cent reported losing their sense of taste.

Surprisingly, 17 per cent of people still could not properly smell and 9 per cent could not taste even five months after they had recovered from the deadly virus.

Also watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-study-zinc-vitamin-c-wont-help-fight-wuhan-virus-363896" hreflang="en">Gravitas | Study: Zinc, Vitamin C won't help fight Wuhan Virus</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-study-zinc-vitamin-c-wont-help-fight-wuhan-virus-363896/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Our results show that an impaired sense of smell and taste may persist in a number of people with Covid-19," Dr Johannes Frasnelli of the University of Quebec said. "This emphasizes the importance of following up with people who have been infected, and need further research to discover the extent of neurological problems associated with Covid-19."

This has raised the question of poor follow-up and post-COVID care of the patients, especially in poorer countries where hospitals are struggling to accommodate sufferers.

For people who have battled the deadly coronavirus, the hard days may not be over yet. In a new study, scientists have found that people's sense of smell and taste may not return for up to five months after contracting the deadly virus.

For people who have battled the deadly coronavirus, the hard days may not be over yet. In a new study, scientists have found that people's sense of smell and taste may not return for up to five months after contracting the deadly virus. Also read| COVID-19 vaccines tremendously cut risk of hospitalisation, Scottish study finds A team of scientists from Canada's University of Quebec surveyed 813 health care workers who had tested positive for coronavirus. The volunteers were asked to rank their sense of smell and taste on a scale from 0 to 10, and some were also asked to perform an at-home test to evaluate their senses. Also read| UK approves study that will deliberately infect volunteers with coronavirus It was found that during initial infection, more than 70 per cent of these volunteers of the survey lost their sense of smell and 65 per cent reported losing their sense of taste. Surprisingly, 17 per cent of people still could not properly smell and 9 per cent could not taste even five months after they had recovered from the deadly virus. Also watch| Gravitas | Study: Zinc, Vitamin C won't help fight Wuhan Virus "Our results show that an impaired sense of smell and taste may persist in a number of people with Covid-19," Dr Johannes Frasnelli of the University of Quebec said. "This emphasizes the importance of following up with people who have been infected, and need further research to discover the extent of neurological problems associated with Covid-19." This has raised the question of poor follow-up and post-COVID care of the patients, especially in poorer countries where hospitals are struggling to accommodate sufferers.

COVID-19 patients may not get back sense of taste and smell for months: Study

Phones or watches may be smart enough to detect sound, light, motion, touch, direction, acceleration and even the weather, but they can`t smell. 
 
That`s created a technology bottleneck that companies have spent more than a decade trying to fill. Most have failed. 
 
A powerful portable electronic nose, says Redg Snodgrass, a venture capitalist funding hardware start-ups, would open up new horizons for health, food, personal hygiene and even security. 
 
Imagine, he says, being able to analyse what someone has eaten or drunk based on the chemicals they emit; detect disease early via an app; or smell the fear in a potential terrorist. &quot;Smell,&quot; he says, &quot;is an important piece&quot; of the puzzle. 
 
It`s not through lack of trying. Aborted projects and failed companies litter the aroma-sensing landscape. But that`s not stopping newcomers from trying. 
 
Like Tristan Rousselle`s Grenoble-based Aryballe Technologies, which recently showed off a prototype of NeOse, a hand-held device he says will initially detect up to 50 common odours. &quot;It`s a risky project. There are simpler things to do in life,&quot; he says candidly. 
 
MASS, NOT ENERGY 
 
The problem, says David Edwards, a chemical engineer at Harvard University, is that unlike light and sound, scent is not energy, but mass. &quot;It`s a very different kind of signal,&quot; he says. 
 
That means each smell requires a different kind of sensor, making devices bulky and limited in what they can do. The aroma of coffee, for example, consists of more than 600 components. 
 
France`s Alpha MOS was first to build electronic noses for limited industrial use, but its foray into developing a smaller model that would do more has run aground. Within a year of unveiling a prototype for a device that would allow smartphones to detect and analyse smells, the website of its US-based arm Boyd Sense has gone dark. Neither company responded to emails requesting comment. 
 
The website of Adamant Technologies, which in 2013 promised a device that would wirelessly connect to smartphones and measure a 
user`s health from their breath, has also gone quiet. Its founder didn`t respond to emails seeking comment. 
 
For now, start-ups focus on narrower goals or on industries that don`t care about portability. 
 
California-based Aromyx, for example, is working with major food companies to help them capture a digital profile for every odour, using its EssenceChip. Wave some food across the device and it captures a digital signature that can be manipulated as if it were a sound or image file. 
 
But, despite its name, this is not being done on silicon, says CEO Chris Hanson. Nor is the device something you could carry or wear. &quot;Mobile and wearable are a decade away at least,&quot; he says. 
 
Partly, the problem is that we still don`t understand well how humans and animals detect and interpret smells. The Nobel prize for understanding the principles of olfaction, or smell, was awarded only 12 years ago.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The biology of olfaction is still a frontier of science, very connected to the frontier of neuroscience,&quot; says Edwards, the Harvard chemical engineer. 
 
MORE PUSH THAN PULL 
 
That leaves start-ups reaching for lower-hanging fruit. 
 
Snodgrass is funding a start-up called Tzoa, a wearable that measures air quality. He says interest in this from polluted China is particularly strong. Another, Nima, raised $9 million last month to build devices that can test food for proteins and substances, including gluten, peanuts and milk. Its first product will be available shortly, the company says. 
 
For now, mobile phones are more likely to deliver smells than detect them. Edwards` Vapor Communications, for example, in April launched Cyrano, a tub-sized cylinder that users can direct to emit scents from a mobile app - in the same way iTunes or Spotify directs a speaker to emit sounds. 
 
Japanese start-up Scentee is revamping its scent-emitting smartphone module, says co-founder Koki Tsubouchi, shifting focus from sending scent messages to controlling the fragrance of a room. 
 
There may be scepticism - history and cinemas are littered with the residue of failed attempts to introduce smell into our lives going back to the 1930s - but companies sniff a revival. 
 
Dutch group Philips filed a recent patent for a device that would influence, or prime, users` behaviour by stimulating their senses, including through smell. Nike filed something similar, pumping scents through a user`s headphones or glasses to improve performance. 
 
The holy grail, though, remains sensing smells.&nbsp; 
 
Samsung Electronics was recently awarded a patent for an olfactory sensor that could be incorporated into any device, from a smartphone to an electronic tattoo. 
 
One day these devices will be commonplace, says Avery Gilbert, an expert on scent and author of a book on the science behind it, gradually embedding specialised applications into our lives.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I don`t think you`re going to solve it all at once,&quot; he says. 
 
(Reuters)

Aryballe Technologies displayed a prototype of NeOse, a hand-held device that can detect up to 50 common odours

Phones or watches may be smart enough to detect sound, light, motion, touch, direction, acceleration and even the weather, but they can`t smell. That`s created a technology bottleneck that companies have spent more than a decade trying to fill. Most have failed. A powerful portable electronic nose, says Redg Snodgrass, a venture capitalist funding hardware start-ups, would open up new horizons for health, food, personal hygiene and even security. Imagine, he says, being able to analyse what someone has eaten or drunk based on the chemicals they emit; detect disease early via an app; or smell the fear in a potential terrorist. "Smell," he says, "is an important piece" of the puzzle. It`s not through lack of trying. Aborted projects and failed companies litter the aroma-sensing landscape. But that`s not stopping newcomers from trying. Like Tristan Rousselle`s Grenoble-based Aryballe Technologies, which recently showed off a prototype of NeOse, a hand-held device he says will initially detect up to 50 common odours. "It`s a risky project. There are simpler things to do in life," he says candidly. MASS, NOT ENERGY The problem, says David Edwards, a chemical engineer at Harvard University, is that unlike light and sound, scent is not energy, but mass. "It`s a very different kind of signal," he says. That means each smell requires a different kind of sensor, making devices bulky and limited in what they can do. The aroma of coffee, for example, consists of more than 600 components. France`s Alpha MOS was first to build electronic noses for limited industrial use, but its foray into developing a smaller model that would do more has run aground. Within a year of unveiling a prototype for a device that would allow smartphones to detect and analyse smells, the website of its US-based arm Boyd Sense has gone dark. Neither company responded to emails requesting comment. The website of Adamant Technologies, which in 2013 promised a device that would wirelessly connect to smartphones and measure a user`s health from their breath, has also gone quiet. Its founder didn`t respond to emails seeking comment. For now, start-ups focus on narrower goals or on industries that don`t care about portability. California-based Aromyx, for example, is working with major food companies to help them capture a digital profile for every odour, using its EssenceChip. Wave some food across the device and it captures a digital signature that can be manipulated as if it were a sound or image file. But, despite its name, this is not being done on silicon, says CEO Chris Hanson. Nor is the device something you could carry or wear. "Mobile and wearable are a decade away at least," he says. Partly, the problem is that we still don`t understand well how humans and animals detect and interpret smells. The Nobel prize for understanding the principles of olfaction, or smell, was awarded only 12 years ago. "The biology of olfaction is still a frontier of science, very connected to the frontier of neuroscience," says Edwards, the Harvard chemical engineer. MORE PUSH THAN PULL That leaves start-ups reaching for lower-hanging fruit. Snodgrass is funding a start-up called Tzoa, a wearable that measures air quality. He says interest in this from polluted China is particularly strong. Another, Nima, raised $9 million last month to build devices that can test food for proteins and substances, including gluten, peanuts and milk. Its first product will be available shortly, the company says. For now, mobile phones are more likely to deliver smells than detect them. Edwards` Vapor Communications, for example, in April launched Cyrano, a tub-sized cylinder that users can direct to emit scents from a mobile app - in the same way iTunes or Spotify directs a speaker to emit sounds. Japanese start-up Scentee is revamping its scent-emitting smartphone module, says co-founder Koki Tsubouchi, shifting focus from sending scent messages to controlling the fragrance of a room. There may be scepticism - history and cinemas are littered with the residue of failed attempts to introduce smell into our lives going back to the 1930s - but companies sniff a revival. Dutch group Philips filed a recent patent for a device that would influence, or prime, users` behaviour by stimulating their senses, including through smell. Nike filed something similar, pumping scents through a user`s headphones or glasses to improve performance. The holy grail, though, remains sensing smells. Samsung Electronics was recently awarded a patent for an olfactory sensor that could be incorporated into any device, from a smartphone to an electronic tattoo. One day these devices will be commonplace, says Avery Gilbert, an expert on scent and author of a book on the science behind it, gradually embedding specialised applications into our lives. "I don`t think you`re going to solve it all at once," he says. (Reuters)

Portable electronic nose to broaden scope for health industry

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