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senses

vampire bat

Life

Vampire bats might avoid bitter substances to dodge indigestion

Vampire bat taste receptors react to "bitter salts" like magnesium sulphate – perhaps because drinking water containing the salts might react badly with the blood the bats eat

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round goby fish

Environment

Some fish fins are as sensitive to touch as human fingertips

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naked mole rat

Life

Naked mole rats are nearly deaf because their ears can’t amplify sound

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Anosmia

Definition

Anosmia

plank

Last Word

This week’s new questions

Regulars

miso soup

Humans

Umami: How to maximise the savoury taste that makes food so satisfying

Regulars

New Scientist Default Image

Humans

The life of Veronique Le Guen, record-breaking caver

Regulars

Some people are exceptionally good at recognising voices

Mind

Some people are exceptionally good at recognising voices

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Fossil of a newly-discovered mammal shows it had bizarre ears

Life

Fossil of a newly-discovered mammal shows it had bizarre ears

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Mother and baby

Humans

Babies are less afraid when they can smell their mothers

When babies can smell their mothers’ odour, their brains respond less to fearful situations

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Humans

Just thinking about bright objects changes the size of your pupils

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Humans

Your body's hidden language: How smell reveals more than you ever knew

Features

Mind

Weird illusion makes you think fabric is moving faster than it is

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Humans

Humans are good at smelling cheese thanks to special smell receptors

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