The human nose is actually more powerful than your eyes because it can detect more than one trillion unique smells. Scientists believe that if the universal code behind each smell could be deciphered, you can do things like send smells over the internet.
Story Length: 3:39
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AIR DATE: 03/20/2014
January 18, 2017
4:51
For people who are visually impaired, many of the experiences sighted people take for granted aren’t available, such as going to an art museum. Now, the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. are offering special tours to help blind and visually impaired visitors “see” the art. This story takes you on a tour with this unique group of visitors.
Read MoreFebruary 25, 2016
3:36
Dogs have a powerful sense of smell. For a long time we’ve counted on their noses to help us find bombs. However, dogs have had some trouble detecting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Navy is currently funding research to improve their detection skills in this area. By exposing dogs to thousands of different scents, scientists are training dogs to recognize potentially explosive ingredients and mixtures. Listen to the story to hear more about this life-saving research.
Read MoreDecember 27, 2015
6:42
Theater is meant to be a sensory experience, but for some autistic children, the sounds and lights are overwhelming. Children with sensitivities to light, sound, and touch can’t filter all of this input and can react in different ways. For families with autistic children, going to the theater can be a stressful experience. Trinity Repertory Company, in Rhode Island, has created a innovative theater experience for these families. The house lights are kept on throughout the performance, there are places for children to get out of their seats to move around and sounds are toned down. Trinity Rep also makes a video that prepares children for the entire experience, from the curtain going up through clapping at the end of the performance. Listen to hear more about how children and families respond to this sensory-friendly performance.
Read MoreApril 23, 2014
5:12
The reason why some people dislike cilantro may not be due to taste, but to smell. This cilantro experiment indicates that certain people are genetically-inclined to “hate” cilantro.
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