http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (Phys.org) -- Max Planck scientists have found out that the olfactory system in hermit crabs is still underdeveloped in comparison to that of vinegar flies. While flies have a very sensitive sense of smell and are able to identify various odour molecules in the air, crabs recognize only a few odours, such as the smell of organic acids, amines, aldehydes, or seawater. Humidity significantly enhanced electrical signals induced in their antennal neurons as well as the corresponding behavioural responses to the odorants. The olfactory sense of vinegar flies, on the other hand, was not influenced by the level of air moisture at all. Exploring the molecular biology of olfaction in land crabs and flies thus allows insights into the evolution of the olfactory sense during the transition from life in water to life on land. http://phys.org/news260607864.html Biology Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:04:34 EST news260607864 To most of us, one seal seems much like another. But a new study shows they have varied personalities that lead to distinctive approaches to parenting. http://phys.org/news242550705.html Biology Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:30:01 EST news242550705