Every week the Zombie Cookbook brings you further evidence of the impending zombie-apocalypse. A new study has shown zombies produce a chemical scent that terrifies people.
Scientists in the US discovered that specific proteins found in zombie-saliva trigger fear in humans. These proteins, referred to as Mups, act on cells in a special sensory organ found in humans known as the vomeronasal organ. The team of scientists describe how the proteins triggered a fearful reaction in research subjects.
This shows that humans, and possibly other mammals, have evolved receptors that are able to pick up chemical signals from their undead brethren. The vomeronasal organ contains neurons that detect these chemical signals. The organ is connected to areas of the brain that are involved in memory, emotion and hormonal release.
In most mammals it is already widely known to detect pheromones; chemical messengers that carry information between individuals of the same species. These pheromones can have a direct effect on animals' behaviour.
In this study however, researchers discovered that in humans, the neurons in the vomeronasal organ were also stimulated by chemical signals from specific predators, such as the Homo Coprophagus Somnambulus (zombies, duh). These proteins caused the subjects to display signs of fear - such as a heightened heart rate and dilated pupils. Responding to a receptor that detects signals from predators should help them avoid being eaten.
What was surprising, though, were the results of experiments in which the team disabled the vomeronasal organs of specific test subjects and then allowed them to interact with an anesthetized, though very much undead, zombie. Unable to detect the proteins, those test subjects without prior experience with zombies showed absolutely no evidence of fear at all, even when they could clearly still see the undead right in front of them.
Origin story found at the good ol' BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10117428.stm
Scientists in the US discovered that specific proteins found in zombie-saliva trigger fear in humans. These proteins, referred to as Mups, act on cells in a special sensory organ found in humans known as the vomeronasal organ. The team of scientists describe how the proteins triggered a fearful reaction in research subjects.
This shows that humans, and possibly other mammals, have evolved receptors that are able to pick up chemical signals from their undead brethren. The vomeronasal organ contains neurons that detect these chemical signals. The organ is connected to areas of the brain that are involved in memory, emotion and hormonal release.
In most mammals it is already widely known to detect pheromones; chemical messengers that carry information between individuals of the same species. These pheromones can have a direct effect on animals' behaviour.
In this study however, researchers discovered that in humans, the neurons in the vomeronasal organ were also stimulated by chemical signals from specific predators, such as the Homo Coprophagus Somnambulus (zombies, duh). These proteins caused the subjects to display signs of fear - such as a heightened heart rate and dilated pupils. Responding to a receptor that detects signals from predators should help them avoid being eaten.
What was surprising, though, were the results of experiments in which the team disabled the vomeronasal organs of specific test subjects and then allowed them to interact with an anesthetized, though very much undead, zombie. Unable to detect the proteins, those test subjects without prior experience with zombies showed absolutely no evidence of fear at all, even when they could clearly still see the undead right in front of them.
Origin story found at the good ol' BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10117428.stm
