Welcome back to The Deep Dive where we surprise and intrigue you with a brand-new timely topic explored every Tuesday.

This week we’re diving into your nose and all the fantastical scents that exist in this world. Let’s explore the science and wonder of smell.

Yours in media,
Elizabeth He, Visual Communications Editor

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Stop and Smell the Molasses

Can You Still Smell Boston’s Great Molasses Flood? (58 sec clip)

Curiosity Desk host Edgar B. Herwick III takes us on a journey from the heart of Boston’s Italian community to the labs of olfactory experts. Watch the clip or the full episode.

Here’s also a 2 min clip that’s not smell related, but related to the molasses story and the forceful flow. Crazy stuff.

Got Your Nose!

How Many Smells Can You Smell? (4 min clip)

We walk through life led by our noses. Literally. Because they’re on the front of our faces. How does smell work?

Our Sense of Smell (1 min clip)

The experience of smell starts when air molecules meet tiny little hairs in our nasal cavity. Then what?

Smelling Doesn’t Just Perceive a Scent – It Changes It (4 min clip)

Take a look at how smells work, how they move, and how every sniff we take changes the odor itself. Smells like magic.

Scent-sational Smells

What’s That After-Rain Smell Made Of? (4 min clip)

There’s always a sweet smell in the air after it rains. Why is that?

Sweaty T-shirts and Human Mate Choice (3 min clip)

Sense of smell may have more to do with mate choice than scientists previously thought. Love at first scent.

What Ancient Greek and Roman Statues Used to Smell Like (article)

Researchers have known for many years that there was more to the plain white marble you typically see in museums. Apparently, they had a special smell.

French Gold & Enamel Scent Bottle (2 min clip)

Take a look at Stuart Whitehurst’s appraisal from ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. How cute!

Follow Your E-Noses

This Device Smells Diseases by Imitating a Dog’s Nose (4 min clip)

By studying dog noses, scientists at MIT are building an electronic nose that is learning to analyze odors and sniff out diseases. Could this tech someday be integrated into smartphones?

This Artificial Nose Sniffs Out Rotting Food (11 min video)

This special technology detects spoiled food before it gets shipped to markets. The power of scent.

Off Topic

Already know all you want to about noses? Check out three unrelated things we found interesting this week.

  1. How did Boston’s MBTA lines get their colors? (50 sec clip)
  2. What is the Labubu craze that’s taking over the world? (article & 4 min audio)
  3. Want daily news coverage from trusted local sources? Sign up for GBH Daily! Tomorrow, GBH News political reporter Adam Reilly will share his analysis on how Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and challenger Josh Kraft are talking about Mass. and Cass.