The scent of sickness: 5 questions answered about using dogs – and mice and ferrets – to detect disease
Scientists are experimenting with using dogs to sniff out people infected with COVID-19. But dogs aren't the only animals with a nose for disease.
Jan. 13, 2021 • ~8 min
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Daily DIY sniff checks could catch many cases of COVID-19
COVID-19 patients often lose their sense of smell and taste. This is rare for a viral infection. At-home smell tests could be used as a screening tool and help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Dec. 9, 2020 • ~8 min
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Your dog's nose knows no bounds – and neither does its love for you
Dogs process the sensory world very differently than humans, but love in a way that is entirely familiar.
Oct. 26, 2020 • ~6 min
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Synthetic odors created by activating brain cells help neuroscientists understand how smell works
Brains recognize a smell based on which cells fire, in what order – the same way you recognize a song based on its pattern of notes. How much can you change the 'tune' and still know the smell?
July 8, 2020 • ~8 min
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What doctors know about lingering symptoms of coronavirus
Is it possible that people who recover from COVID-19 will be plagued with long term side effects from the infection? An infectious disease physician reviews the evidence so far.
June 24, 2020 • ~7 min
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COVID-19, smell and taste – how is COVID-19 different from other respiratory diseases?
Many respiratory viruses cause us to temporarily lose our sense of smell. But SARS-CoV-2 isn't like those other viruses. Researchers are now exploring how it differs and whether patients recover.
June 4, 2020 • ~8 min
covid-19 pandemic sars-cov-2 viruses smell senses taste
What makes something smell good or bad?
Mmmmmmm. That smells delicious. Wait, how do you know that?
June 1, 2020 • ~5 min
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Sudden loss of smell – why it is a reason to self-isolate
There is abundant evidence that a sudden loss of smell is related to COVID-19.
May 18, 2020 • ~6 min
covid-19 coronavirus symptoms smell anosmia sense-of-smell
Sudden loss of smell – enough reason to self-isolate?
There is abundant evidence that a sudden loss of smell is related to COVID-19.
May 18, 2020 • ~6 min
covid-19 coronavirus symptoms smell anosmia sense-of-smell
Is the loss of your sense of smell and taste an early sign of COVID-19?
Patients who later test positive for COVID-19 are reporting early loss of smell and taste. Researchers are now trying to understand if this could be an early sign of the disease.
March 27, 2020 • ~7 min
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