new study; Mice can manipulate particles in the air using sound

Mice can use sound to manipulate particles in the air to enhance their extraordinary sense of smell, a new study says.

According to Tekna Technology Media Science News Department, the sounds that mice make are usually not registered by the human ear because they are ultrasonic, meaning they are at a higher frequency than the upper limit of human hearing. According to Critter Control, a pest control company, they can convey different emotions depending on the frequency of the sound. Therefore, researchers and experts already knew that rats have a complex communication system.

Previous studies of how sound production and reception interact with olfaction often point to odors as cues to the types of sounds that may be functionally useful. However, a new study wants to prove that ultrasonic sounds may affect what rodents smell, which opens a new window into how rodents navigate their environment and how we approach the treatment of psychological disorders.

The ultrasound field in mice has been the subject of research interest since the 1950s. The study describes mice as creatures with “unique adaptations for exploring and exploiting a wide variety of habitats.” After studying their ultrasonic calls, Eduardo Mercado, a bioacoustician from the University at Buffalo, discovered a fascinating behavioral pattern. After making the sound, they sniff the air.

“This phenomenon has never been seen in any animal before,” said Mercado at the University of Buffalo, professor of psychology in the State University of New York’s College of Arts and Sciences. He continued that there are techniques in vibroacoustics that can manipulate particles, so he uses this logic. applied to mice.

He believes mice do something similar, using sound “to create odor clusters” that enhance “reception.” In other words, sound enhances their sense of smell and detects the footprints of their friends or enemies. Mice are used in research as animals that have striking similarities with humans. In particular, they are used to understand a wide range of disorders in the areas of “communication, social behavior and emotion processing”. To see the latest news, refer to the scientific news page of Tekna Media.