Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Human eye protein senses Earth's magnetism
BBC ^ | June 21, 2011 | Unknown

Posted on 06/21/2011 11:51:14 AM PDT by decimon


Fruit fly scanning electron micrograph

A light-sensitive protein in the human eye has been shown to act as a "compass" in a magnetic field, when it is present in flies' eyes.

The study in Nature Communications showed that without their natural "magnetoreception" protein, the flies did not respond to a magnetic field - but replacing the protein with the human version restored the ability.

Despite much controversy, no conclusive evidence exists that humans can sense the Earth's magnetic field, and the find may revive interest in the idea.

Although humans, like migratory birds, are known to have cryptochrome in their eyes, the idea of human magnetoreception has remained largely unexplored since pioneering experiments by Robin Baker of the University of Manchester in the 1980s.

Dr Baker used a long series of experiments on thousands of volunteers that suggested humans could indirectly sense magnetic fields, though he never definitively identified the mechanism. In subsequent years, several groups attempted to repeat those experiments, claiming opposing results.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 last
To: Bigg Red

I am one of those people who will always turn the opposite way of where I have to go in some unfamiliar place. This applies to walking around a town we are visiting, leaving the hotel room, etc. I try to remember to do the opposite of my first impulse, directionally, but I don’t always do that until I realize I went the wrong way. it is a family joke.

I am the same as you with maps. Thanks for admitting it! I always feel so intimidated by them. At least I’m not alone.

I wonder if this is some form of dyslexia?


41 posted on 06/22/2011 5:01:58 AM PDT by reformedliberal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: gleeaikin

I’m currently reading a collection of papers about smell, perfume, and pheromones. Some authors postulate that humans have lost or “dialed down” much of our scent-based behaviour, in order to allow us to live in close quarters. Many animals must behave in certain ways when presented with certain smells, we are not as driven.

There are no doubt senses that we either don’t know how to use, are blocked by genetics or custom, or are so weak we don’t recognize them.


42 posted on 06/22/2011 5:32:01 AM PDT by DBrow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: gleeaikin

“This probably explains why women can usually find what their husbands are frantically looking for. ;-)”

There is a joke that has made the rounds in our culture, with a surprising different twist on men; it goes like this:

Speaker one: Do you know why it takes one million sperm to fertilize a single egg?

Speaker two: No. Why is that?

Speaker one: Because they won’t stop and ask for directions!


43 posted on 06/22/2011 9:09:18 AM PDT by Wuli
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: reformedliberal

You made me smile, as you could have been describing me regarding the wrong turns in buildings. Several years ago, after one of my sons became engaged, I met his future MIL for lunch so that we could get to know each other. We wound up going to the ladies’ room together, and, after washing my hands, with my mouth yapping away, I turned to go out where I knew the door was and, instead, ran into the wall.

As for maps, I have the advantage of having 3 (of 5) sisters who are the same way, so I have always known I am not alone in that regard.


44 posted on 06/22/2011 9:54:52 AM PDT by Bigg Red (Palin in 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson