Hu in the Lab (IMAGE) Washington University School of Medicine Caption Hongzhen Hu, Ph.D., shown in his laboratory at the Washington University Center for the Study of Itch, has found that itching caused by touch is directly related to the number of touch receptors embedded in the skin. His team found, in mice, that fewer receptors make it more likely touching will induce itching. Credit Matt Miller Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.