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Nature 416, 27-28 (7 March 2002) | doi:10.1038/416027a
Neurobiology: A cool ion channel
Charles S. Zuker
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Abstract
Researchers are getting warm in their search for the details of cold detection. The discovery of a cold-sensitive ion channel will help dissect how the nervous system encodes and decodes the temperature spectrum.
The feel of a cool breeze on a hot summer day; the refreshing, soothing effects of menthol; the chill of a harsh winter night — three familiar experiences that illustrate some of the diverse sensations of 'cold'. But how do we detect chilly temperatures, and why do minty flavours have a cooling effect?
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