Mammals use the same underlying system—preserved through evolution—to process smells

Phys.orgIndependentCenteryesterday

New research from Northwestern University reveals that both mice and humans use a similar underlying neurophysiological system to process smells, despite differences in the duration and method of sniffing. Two studies published in Science Advances show that although a mouse’s single sniff is much shorter than a human’s, the tempo of smell processing is the same across species. This suggests that mammals share a common evolutionary framework for olfaction, with variations in how each species applies the system. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the basic wiring of the olfactory system, which could lead to advancements in detecting and treating neurological conditions such as autism, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses scientific research on olfaction in mammals, focusing on neurophysiological similarities between humans and animals. There is no political framing, controversy, or ideological emphasis present in the content.