Showing results for "SMELL" in Science

Our sense of smell - or olfaction as it is technically known - is our most enigmatic sense. It can conjure up memories, taking us back to very specific places and emotions, whilst powerful smells can induce strong feelings of hunger or nausea. In the animal kingdom smell can be used to find food, a mate, or a home; to sense danger; and to send and receive complex messages with other members of a species. Yet despite its fundamental importance in our mental life and in the existence of all animals, our scientific understanding of how smell works is limited.

Smell is the most emotional and evocative of our senses: it can bring back memories faster and with more immediacy than a photograph - so why is it so little understood? Armed with a hungry curiosity and a willingness to self-experiment, author Barney Shaw goes in search of the hidden meanings of smells. Using plain words to describe what he finds, he investigates the chemistry, psychology, history and future of this underappreciated sense.

Meteorologists Simon King and Clare Nasir reveal the captivating ways the weather works, from exploring incredible weather phenomenon (how are rainbows formed?) and expertly breaking down our knowledge of the elements (could we harness the power of lightning?) to explaining the significance of weather in history (has the weather ever started a war?) and importantly discussing the future of weather (could climate modification save the planet?). In What Does Rain Smell Like? Simon and Clare uncover the thrilling science behind a subject that affects us all.

I’m Irene, and I’ve always noticed smells before other people. Whether that’s you, or you’re the complete opposite, this podcast is for you. The more I learned about our powerful sense of smell — through cooking in restaurants, teaching cooking classes, and researching— the more I realized it’s the sense we know the least about. Over the years I’ve made friends with scientists, perfumers, herbalists, chefs, artists, and tech developers who all work with smell. This is where you can get a whiff of their discoveries and get advice for honing into your own sense of smell. Ask ...

Discover taste and smell like never before! Hosted by Mindy Yang and Stephanie Feuer of the World Taste & Smell Association (TasteAndSmell.org), this podcast unpacks the art, science, and innovation shaping our sensory world. Join us for inspiring stories and bold ideas from visionaries redefining the future of taste and smell.