Day: November 14, 2019

  • Our Ever Shifting Science of Smell

    Our Ever Shifting Science of Smell

    In 1927, Scientists had believed the human nose was capable of detecting 10,000 distinct odours. According to a recent study authored by Rockefeller University, the human nose is capable of detecting at least one trillion distinct scents. Back then, we had only begun to scratch (and sniff) the capabilities of olfactometric science. Our advancements since have helped tremendously with our sense of smell. They are bringing us closer to the pinnacle of understanding the science of scents.

    As we begin our day in the Scentroid Office, the distinct aroma of crushed coffee beans in the espresso machine fills the room. Each bean is different; a trained nose can detect notes of caramel, nuts, sandalwood, spices, tobacco, vanilla, and even chocolate. All flavours masked behind the pleasant sensation of roasting.  As odour experts, we understand with the science of smell that this aroma is first processed inside our olfactory bulbs. Small nerve tissue called glomeruli then transfers the processed information to other parts of our brain.

    So what were to happen if someone was missing this essential odour processing center? Perhaps it may be thought that their sense of smell (and potentially their sense of taste), are nonexistent?

    On Nov. 6, 2019, a case study was released by the Neuron Scientific Journal titled “Human Olfaction without Apparent Olfactory bulbs”. Download the Science of Smell case study PDF here. Within the study, a group of women missing their olfactory bulbs (OB) were somehow capable of smelling. These women, with no OB, displayed normal odour awareness, detection, discrimination, identification, and representation. Globally, 0.6% of women and 4.25% of left-handed women that were lacking OBs, were capable of performing olfaction tasks.

    How will these new studies change the way we think about the science of odour and odour technology? Only time will tell! #TheNoseKnows

  • New Delhi Air Quality Crisis; UN Responds

    New Delhi Air Quality Crisis; UN Responds

    If you search for “New Delhi Air” you will be bombarded by articles discussing rapidly declining air quality. As per the Atlantic: Ministers are demanding school cancellations. Citizens are ordered to stay indoors for several days and keep all windows closed. Five million children have been handed face masks to help with the rapidly declining air quality. Click here for the article.

    A haze surrounds New Delhi thick enough to obscure the sky and block sunlight. As per CTV news, air pollution in northern India, including New Delhi, peaks due to smoke from agricultural fires. These are concentrated in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab states which mix with the city’s vehicle emissions and construction dust. Authorities have resorted to emergency measures such as banning construction, reducing traffic and prohibiting the use of diesel generators. But the steps have had little effect because state governments have failed to co-operate in tackling pollution. Click here for the article.

    A recent report by the Health Effects Institute believes that mitigation measures are desperately needed. Pollution-related death tolls in India will rise from 1.1 million in 2015 to 1.7 million in 2030. By 2050, a staggering 3.6 million deaths are expected.

    The United Nations Environment Program has responded to this crisis by calling for the strengthening government to environmental relations, mandating anti-pollution policies, and finding creative solutions to everyday problems (such as preventing agricultural open burning by burning crop residue into a resource to produce fuel for electricity generation). This may not solve the problem, but it’s an incredible first step.

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