[release]
[b]For migratory birds and sea turtles, the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field is crucial to navigating the long-distance voyages these animals undertake during migration. Humans, however, are widely assumed not to have an innate magnetic sense. Research published in Nature Communications this week by faculty at the University of Massachusetts Medical School shows that a [highlight]protein expressed in the human retina can sense magnetic fields when implanted into Drosophila[/highlight], reopening an area of [highlight]sensory biology[/highlight] in humans for further exploration.
[/b]
In many migratory animals, the light-sensitive chemical reactions involving the flavoprotein cryptochrome (CRY) are thought to play an important role in the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field. In the case of Drosophila, previous studies from the Reppert laboratory have shown that the cryptochrome protein found in these flies can function as a light-dependent magnetic sensor.
To test whether the human cryptochrome 2 protein (hCRY2) has a similar magnetic sensory ability, Steven Reppert, MD, the Higgins Family Professor of Neuroscience and chair and professor of neurobiology, graduate student Lauren Foley, and Robert Gegear, PhD, a post doctoral fellow in the Reppert lab now an assistant professor of biology and biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, created a transgenic Drosophila model lacking its native cryptochrome protein but expressing hCRY2 instead. Using a behavioral system Reppert's group previously developed, they showed that these transgenic flies were able to sense and respond to an electric-coil-generated magnetic field and do so in a light-dependent manner.
These findings demonstrate that hCRY2 has the molecular capability to function in a magnetic sensing system and may pave the way for further investigation into human magnetoreception. "Additional research on magneto sensitivity in humans at the behavioral level, with particular emphasis on the influence of magnetic field on visual function, rather than non-visual navigation, would be informative," wrote Reppert and his colleagues in the study.[/release]
[url=http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-humans-earth-magnetism.html]Source[/url]
[url=http://reppertlab.org/media/files/publications_files/naturepaperaug21_08_.pdf]Thesis[/url]
they can't
Not at all.
If it starts with "Can" or "How" or is a question, articles going to be stupid.
Sounds like the power the rubbishest X-man would have
it can be simulated with equipment
We don't have anything that interacts with magnetic fields in our body
Apart from iron
[IMG]http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llc453hiTN1qbmsmho1_500.jpg[/IMG]
You called?
-snip- Nevermind, read it wrong.
[QUOTE=Eudoxia;30618007][IMG]http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llc453hiTN1qbmsmho1_500.jpg[/IMG]
You called?[/QUOTE]
Is it done with Southpaw yet?
[quote]Our behavioural assay for magnetosensitivity does not at present
have a pure directional component, and therefore it is difficult to
relate our findings directly to the use of geomagnetic fields for animal
orientation and navigation. Nevertheless, it is probable that the response
we have identified is the prototype for the involvement of Cry
in chemical-based magnetic sensing. Thus, our findings open new
avenues of investigation into the cellular and molecular basis of
chemical-based magnetic sensing in animals. The powerful genetics
of Drosophila will facilitate an understanding of the precise mechanism
of action of Cry in magnetosensitivity, such as the actual
involvement of magnetosensitive radical pairs produced by photoinduced
electron transfer reactions28. Our data further show that the
biological functions of Drosophila Cry extend beyond those in circadian
clocks.[/quote]
How the article got "can humans detect magnetism" from the source letter, I'll never know.
Oh my god, JC! Magnetism.
[QUOTE=Judas;30617710]they can't[/QUOTE]
Actually, while maybe not via the same method of this article, there is a potential way (but you'd need need to be able to detected forces of like 1 micronewton or something).
You see, small amounts of magnetite ([url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetite]a naturally occurring magnetic mineral[/url]) have been found in humans (mainly in bones in your nose if I recall correctly) which means that your nose should technically act like a VERY WEAK magnet. If you were able to detect the very weak pull towards one of Earth's poles then you'd be essentially sensing a magnetic field.
Technically you wouldn't be detecting magnetic fields themselves but would be inferring them by sensing inertial changes to your body.
[QUOTE=cjone2;30617842]Sounds like the power the rubbishest X-man would have[/QUOTE]
Magneto can sense it.
[editline]21st June 2011[/editline]
I am a huge x-men nerd trust me.
[QUOTE=Eudoxia;30618007][IMG]http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llc453hiTN1qbmsmho1_500.jpg[/IMG]
You called?[/QUOTE]
Is that the girl who home surgically implanted magnets into herself?
Is there something wrong if I can feel my nose slightly bending (In a sort of congested feeling) Northward whenever I am looking East or West? Its annoying.
[QUOTE=certified;30626639]Is there something wrong if I can feel my nose slightly bending (In a sort of congested feeling) Northward whenever I am looking East or West? Its annoying.[/QUOTE]
clearly you have cancer
[QUOTE=certified;30626639]Is there something wrong if I can feel my nose slightly bending (In a sort of congested feeling) Northward whenever I am looking East or West? Its annoying.[/QUOTE]
stop snorting iron filings like they're the next coke and you'll be fine
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