Smell, Mapped at Last

[phkrause]

Scientists have created the first-ever map of smell receptors in the nose, according to a study published yesterday. The breakthrough could pave the way for therapies to treat loss of smell, such as stem cell treatments or brain-computer interfaces. A Harvard team used mice to detail the arrangement of smell receptors in the nose, which bind to odor molecules and send signals to the brain (watch process). The map reveals that the receptors are highly organized, clustering in horizontal bands by type (see map). This layout mirrors the layout of the brain region that interprets smells, providing insights into how signals flow from the nose to the brain.  For more than three decades, scientists assumed the over 1,000 smell receptor types were randomly arranged, in part because their sheer number made patterns difficult to discern. The latest study is the product of new genetic techniques that enabled the analysis of about 5.5 million neurons across more than 300 mice. Why can't you smell the inside of your nose? Blame olfactory fatigue. (w/audio)

[Joe Knapp]

On 5/1/2026 at 3:07 AM, phkrause said:

For more than three decades, scientists assumed the over 1,000 smell receptor types were randomly arranged, in part because their sheer number made patterns difficult to discern.

There is no part of the human body that is random. 

 

Quote

In addition, randomness possesses a relative nature, in the sense that it may be a consequence of lack of information about the observed system. A particularly challenging question concerns the existence of true, intrinsic randomness that manifests itself irrespectively of any other cause or explanation.
https://hal.science/hal-04116281/document

When ever the evolutionary community sees something that they do not understand, they claim it is random. 

[phkrause]

21 hours ago, Joe Knapp said:

When ever the evolutionary community sees something that they do not understand, they claim it is random. 

Exactly!! At least it always seems that way!!