Some birds can sense Earth's magnetic field, using it to navigate. But precisely how they do this has long remained a mystery. Now, researchers have confirmed that a protein found in bird eyes - the cryptochrome - displays a quantum mechanical phenomenon which makes it sensitive to magnetic fields. The researchers suggest this mechanism could be behind birds’ magnetoreception abilities.Research paper: Magnetic sensitivity of cryptochrome 4 from a migratory songbirdNews and Views: Unravelling the enigma of bird magnetoreception
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How quantum biology could help birds 'see' magnetic fields
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Adam Levy
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Adam Levy is a science journalist based in London.
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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01725-1
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