First-of-its-kind map of the mouse nose reveals surprises about the sense of smell

A colorful x-ray image of a mouse nose, showing various pathways with purple, blue and green lines.

Scientists have created a comprehensive map of smell receptors in the mouse nose, revealing a few surprises about this fundamental sense.

Smell receptors, or olfactory receptors, were previously thought to be randomly distributed within the lining of the nasal cavity. But now, the first-of-its-kind map shows that they are highly organized, with different types separated into tight bands.