QuickCheck: Do ants have a stronger sense of smell than dogs?


ANTS are well known for their hard working nature, while dogs are valued for their loyalty and acute sense of smell. This makes canines valuable allies for authorities in sniffing out contraband or following tracks.

However, it is said that ants also possess a remarkable sense of smell, one that possibly surpasses man's best friend, the dog. So, is it true that ants have a stronger sense of smell than dogs?

VERDICT:

TRUE

Scientists have discovered that ants possess an extraordinary sense of smell capable of detecting volatile organic compounds (VOC) associated with various diseases, including cancer.

The study suggests that ants could be trained to recognise and react to specific odours, making them potential allies in early disease detection.

Ants, it appears, are not only adept at identifying cancer but may also outshine dogs in certain scenarios.

The study's implications extend beyond medical applications, hinting at a broader range of possibilities where ants could prove invaluable.

While dogs have long been the gold standard for scent detection, particularly in search and rescue missions or identifying illicit substances, the ant's smaller size and colony-based communication may offer distinct advantages.

According to experts, the collective intelligence of an ant colony and their sensitivity to a wide range of odours opens up new avenues for exploration in scent-based applications.

As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries behind ants' extraordinary abilities, it becomes clear that these tiny insects could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare and scent detection technology.

References:

https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/sniffer-ants-detect-smell-cancer

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/01/24/ants-smell-cancer/

https://hopperenvironmentalservices.com/five-things-you-probably-didn-t-know-about-ants/#:~:text=Ants%20Have%20a%20Sense%20of,than%20that%20of%20a%20dog.

https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/science-and-future/ants-smell-cancer-study-564149.html

https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)00229-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004222002292%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

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