Scientists Closer To Creating Artificial Noses 99
Scientists at MIT have moved closer to being able to create an artificial nose after finding a way to mass-produce smell receptors. The MIT RealNose project seeks to recreate the most complex and least-understood of the five senses: smell. The team plans to work with researchers around the world to develop a portable microfluidic device that can identify various smells, including diseases with unique odors, such as diabetes and certain cancers.
what's the point? (Score:0, Interesting)
Re:Who would want a nose that sensitive? (Score:1, Interesting)
Smelling these are pretty much useless, but I wouldn't at all mind being able to smell contagious diseases like the flu, which will give me a good warning to stay away from that person. I'd rather feel crappy for a few seconds than for a few days.
Just like feeling pain - it may be annoying, but in most cases you are going to be better off than if you didn't feel its early warning.
More portable than a dog (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:what's the point? (Score:4, Interesting)
Not that important (Score:1, Interesting)
I lost my sense of smell in a head injury 5 years ago. My sense of taste was not affected.
Contrary to what you might think, I don't miss it much. In fact, in the city, most smells are bad. I'd say the situations where I am aware that I am not sensing a bad smell (cig smoke, urine, exhaust, chemicals, dog poo, etc) outnumber the ones where I am missing a good smell (flowers, perfume, dinner, the smell after rain, choc chip cookies) probably about five to one.
The worst part really is acting like I can smell things when I cannot because I don't want to be the freak.
Five senses? Bah. (Score:0, Interesting)
the most complex and least-understood of the five senses, smell
There is only one sense, and that sense is touch. Think about it.
I lost my sense of smell (Score:4, Interesting)
I lost my sense of smell entirely for a couple of years. It has since returned, though not all that strongly. You don't realize what it's like unless it happens. Yeah, I could go into a barn and not be bothered and if my dog farted I didn't care, but I couldn't smell gas (the kind they sell you to heat up the stove), or anything burning, or sweat, or gasoline fumes (suggesting accompanying odorless CO), or spoilage in food that otherwise looked okay, or mildew, or that very special burning plastic stink of a hot CPU. Use your imagination for more 'exotic' issues.
It's damn dangerous to not have your sense of smell. I also lost interest in food. I couldn't understand at first why I needed more and more garlic until S.O. complained and I realized something was wrong. It sneaks up on you (just like fat!)
A couple of years later we were driving from Spokane to Seattle, a boring 300 mile trip in I-90, and my S.O. said, "You probaby can't tell this, but..."
"A skunk!" I said.
I've never been so happy to smell a skunk in my life! So I'd be happy with a plug-in replacement.
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I've been waiting for this... (Score:3, Interesting)
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