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New Study Fuels Debate About Source of Birds’ Magnetic Sense
New Study Fuels Debate About Source of Birds’ Magnetic Sense
A detailed analysis of cryptochrome 4 shows that the protein is highly sensitive to magnetic fields in vitro, but some researchers dispute the authors’ assertion that the findings could help explain avian magnetoreception.
A detailed analysis of cryptochrome 4 shows that the protein is highly sensitive to magnetic fields in vitro, but some researchers dispute the authors’ assertion that the findings could help explain avian magnetoreception.
magnetic receptors
Can Humans Sense Magnetic Fields?
Carolyn Wilke | Mar 19, 2019 | 5 min read
A study of people’s brainwaves hints at their unconscious ability to perceive the Earth’s magnetic field.
Worms’ Magnetic Sense Questioned
Abby Olena, PhD | Apr 25, 2018 | 5 min read
Unsuccessful attempts to reproduce the results of a 2015 study reporting that C. elegans orient themselves by Earth’s magnetic field spark debate among researchers.
Zebrafish and Medaka Can Sense Magnetic Fields
Shawna Williams | Mar 19, 2018 | 3 min read
Unlike in some animals, their sense of magnetoreception appears to be independent of blue light.
Smart Skin Enables Magnetoreception
Jef Akst | Sep 1, 2016 | 3 min read
Researchers develop a wearable technology that can detect magnetic fields and translate the signal into a visual display—a first step toward equipping humans with an entirely new sense.
Mag-Neato!
The Scientist | Aug 31, 2016 | 1 min read
Scientists are unraveling how animals use Earth's magnetic field to navigate.
Biological Compass
Bob Grant | Nov 16, 2015 | 4 min read
A protein complex discovered in Drosophila may be capable of sensing magnetism and serves as a clue to how some animal species navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field.
Alleged Scoop Sours Magnetoreceptor Collaboration
Kerry Grens | Sep 21, 2015 | 2 min read
University administrators request a retraction upon learning that one researcher scooped another’s results despite having agreed not to.
Source of Animal Magnetism Identified
Hayley Dunning | Jul 9, 2012 | 3 min read
Decades after science discovered that animals can navigate using the earth’s magnetic field, researchers isolate the first vertebrate cells containing magnetic iron.