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mit scientists move closer to 'artificial noses'
Published Sep. 30, 2008
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists said Monday they have moved closer to creating "artificial noses," after finding a way to mass-produce smell receptors in a laboratory.
Artificial noses could one day replace dogs that sniff out drugs and explosives, and could have numerous medical applications including identifying diseases that have distinct odors, according to Shuguang Zhang, associate director of MIT's Center for Biomedical Engineering and senior author of a study on the subject.
"Smell is perhaps one of the oldest and most primitive senses, but nobody really understands how it works," said Zhang.
"It still remains a tantalizing enigma."
The MIT scientist traveled to the Jeffersonian institute in Washington DC yesterday to demonstrate the new device to the scientist working at the institute.
The demonstration was thrown into confusion, because every time they attempted to identify a smell the computer kept coming up with the same answer: Bullshi!t.
The MIT scientist were about to cancel the demonstration when the machine suddenly started working properly and was able to identify over 25 different smells.
Coincidently, this was also the same time Congress adjourned for the day.
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GOLO member since September 29, 2008
September 30, 2008 4:32 p.m.
If they need extra nose materials they can take a trip to Italy. Most of our noses could take a trim and still be ok.
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September 30, 2008 4:23 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:46 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:44 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:43 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:42 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:34 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:25 p.m.
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September 30, 2008 3:24 p.m.
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