Stockholm: Americans David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian identified receptors in the skin that respond to heat and pressure. Their work is focused on the field of somato sensation, which explores the ability of specialized organs such as eyes, ears and skin to see, hear and feel.

Two scientists won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for their discoveries into how the human body perceives temperature and touch, revelations that could lead to new ways of treating pain or even heart disease.

In our daily lives we take these sensations for granted, but how are nerve impulses initiated so that temperature and pressure can be perceived? the committee wrote in the announcement. This question has been solved by this year’s Nobel Prize Laureates.

Last year’s prize went to three scientists who discovered the liver-ravaging hepatitis C virus, a breakthrough that led to cures for the deadly disease and tests to keep the scourge from spreading through blood banks. The prize is the first to be awarded this year. The other prizes are for outstanding work in the fields of physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics.