Nervous system

With millions of people losing their ability to detect aromas as a result of COVID-19, our most underappreciated sense is drawing researchers’ attention.

Development of an olfactory implant that could tackle anosmia is in its early stages.

The ability of aromas to bring back highly specific memories is becoming better understood, and could be used to boost and heal our brains.

Computational neuroscientist Guangyu Robert Yang lifts the lid on the use of machine learning to detect and process odours, and the wider implications for neuroscience.

The hundreds of receptors that give us our sense of smell have been found to have important roles in other parts of the body, and the prospect of targeting them with drugs is growing.

Veterinarian Cynthia Otto explains how we might harness animals’ ability to smell human illnesses — including COVID-19.