Tongue News and Research

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Madagascar's Leaf-Tailed Geckos Still Hold Many Mysteries

Leaf-tailed geckos are masters of camouflage. Some species have skin flaps around the whole body and head, as well as flattened tails.

17 Aug 2023

The Bilateral Laryngeal Motor Cortex’s Role in Preventing Speech Perception Difficulties

Understanding how the motor cortex participates in active inference of speech perception and choice is critical for understanding human language intelligence, which may inspire the next generation of AI.

10 Aug 2023

Extraoral Bitter Taste Receptors Serve as Endogenous Sensors for Bile Acids

Taste receptors for bitter substances are not only observed on the tongue but also on cells outside of the oral cavity.

5 Jul 2023

Study Sheds Light on How Foxp2 Gene Controls the Ability to Produce Speech

Mutations of a gene called Foxp2 have been linked to a type of speech disorder called apraxia that makes it difficult to produce sequences of sound. A new study from MIT and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University sheds light on how this gene controls the ability to produce speech.

5 May 2023

A protein in the lung forms a natural protective barrier against SARS-CoV-2 infection

University of Sydney scientists have discovered a protein in the lung that blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection and forms a natural protective barrier in the human body.

10 Feb 2023

Synthetic biosensor could lead to better understanding of cell biology

A synthetic biosensor that mimics properties found in cell membranes and provides an electronic readout of activity could lead to a better understanding of cell biology, development of new drugs, and the creation of sensory organs on a chip capable of detecting chemicals, similar to how noses and tongues work.

8 Feb 2023

New insights into the lubrication mechanism of chocolate

Scientists found the physical process that takes place in the mouth when a piece of chocolate is eaten.

31 Jan 2023

Resolving evolutionary origins of the platypus of fungi

A new study led by a research group from the University of Alberta has shown that nearly 600 apparently diverse fungi that never quite discovered a fit along the fungal family tree have been shown to have a general ancestor.

25 Nov 2022

The mechanism behind the satiating effect of milk protein

Quark and cheese are primarily casein-based in terms of protein content. The stomach’s digestion of casein results in the production of protein fragments (peptides) that have an unpleasant flavor, despite casein itself not having a bitter flavor.

13 Oct 2022

Specific gene variant linked with poor response to sublingual immunotherapy for allergies

Although sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has become an effective treatment option for many allergies, about 20-30% of patients don’t respond to SLIT for Japanese cedar pollinosis–a highly common disease.

8 Mar 2022

Study details the design of RNA-based breathalyzer to diagnose SARS-CoV-2

In a new study in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, published by Elsevier, investigators report on the design and testing of a breathalyzer, known as the Bubbler, that relies on viral RNA detection to diagnose SARS-CoV-2. Its name is derived from the bubbling sound that occurs when the patient exhales into the device.

14 Dec 2021

Dopamine may play a key role in shaping female songbirds' auditory preference

In humans, the dopamine system has been tied to rewards and pleasurable sensations. As well as to memory and learning.

24 Nov 2021

Gallic acid regulates gastric acid secretion by activating bitter taste receptor

An Austrian–German group of researchers recently discovered proof that gallic acid influences gastric acid release by driving a bitter receptor.

29 Oct 2021

Researchers report several compounds responsible for coffee’s distinctive mouthfeel

Coffee drinkers intuitively recognize the pleasure of swallowing a smooth, rich brew versus a watery one. Aside from added cream or sugar, the coffee itself contributes to this sensation -; referred to as body or mouthfeel -; but the specific compounds are not well defined.

24 Aug 2021

Maya population size varied over time in response to climate change, study shows

A McGill-led study has shown that the size of the Maya population in the lowland city of Itzan (in present-day Guatemala) varied over time in response to climate change. The findings, published recently in Quaternary Science Reviews, show that both droughts and very wet periods led to important population declines.

1 Jul 2021

Scientists reveal how critical enzyme in the cell works

S-acylation is the process of chemically linking a lipid to protein via a thioester bond. It is an important process of the cell that regulates the localization and function of numerous proteins.

12 Mar 2021

Species' thermal tolerance is linked to the current climate where they live

Many species might be left vulnerable in the face of climate change, unable to adapt their physiologies to respond to rapid global warming. According to a team of international researchers, species evolve heat tolerance more slowly than cold tolerance, and the level of heat they can adapt to has limits.

5 Mar 2021