The research shows that the volume of this endocast closely tracks the number of intact odor-receptor genes an animal carries.

Bigger bulbs point to richer gene repertoires – and stronger sense of smell. That tight anatomical-genetic link opens a reliable window into the olfactory abilities of mammals across deep time.

— Read more in Fossils reveal a powerful sense of smell in ancient mammals at Earth.com.

Pine contains compounds called terpenes, like α-pinene and limonene, which are touted in wellness circles for their stress-reducing and mood-boosting properties. Aromatherapy brands frequently promote pine essential oils with terms like “refreshing” and “uplifting,” suggesting there’s something inherently calming in the chemistry of the tree itself.

But that idea doesn’t hold up scientifically, according to [neuroscientist Dr. Rachel] Herz. She says the perception of scent occurs in the amygdala-hippocampal complex, otherwise known as the primary olfactory cortex. It is this mechanism that drives pleasant experiences around particular scents.

— Read more in Why smelling a pine tree can instantly lift your mood at Popular Science.

The marine whiff of ambergris. The citrusy tang of grapefruit. The must of “corked” wine. The human nose can detect a virtually infinite palette of odors, some at vanishingly low concentrations. But puzzlingly, our bodies only use about 400 receptor proteins to interpret them. Now, fragrance researchers in Switzerland have landed on a new way to study the proteins in the laboratory—and their results, they say, challenge a foundational theory of how smell works.

— Read more in Perfume scientists tweak cells into having ‘sense of smell’ at Science.org.