Migrating birds, it seems, can “see” the Earth’s magnetic field which they use as a compass to guide them around the globe.
Specialized neurons in the eye, sensitive to magnetic direction, have been shown for the first time to connect via a specific brain pathway to an area in the forebrain of birds responsible for vision.
Magnetic sensing molecules in the eye, known as cryptochromes, appear to stimulate photoreceptors depending on the orientation of the magnetic field.
This strongly suggests migratory birds perceive the magnetic field as a visual pattern, the researchers said.
Imagine being able to see magnetic fields!
Imagine seeing infrared (hot/cold!) or even colors!
Biggest proof against evolution according to behe et all.
What should we think of this evidence?
What??
Over 20 species of migratory birds and others have an internal compass – an iron-rich structure, in some species a tiny sliver of magnetite, in their beaks.
It’ll be interesting to see how these compasses relate to this vision thing, if the visual sensors and compass structures occur together in any species and if they’re related – or if they’re seperately evolved. Intriguing stuff.
Also, there’re even bacteria that have evolved cellular compasses called ‘magnetosomes’, chains of single nanomagnets. How kewl is that?
There’s this too:
“Some birds have their own “compasses” built into their brains and orient according to magnetic north. In one of the oddest experiments, researchers put little magnetic caps on homing pigeons that reversed magnetic polarity atop the birds’ heads. They flew the exact opposite direction that they would have flown when released.
Since those experiments, molecular biologists have identified a magnetic particle in some bird brain cells. These particles change alignment according to magnetic influence.”
http://realindy.com/birdmigration.htm
That’s what I was referring to – I mistakenly only mentioned beaks, but some have that nanocompass in their skulls…
In other news, the Government has begun researching how to genetically modify a human with the ability to see magnetic fields… you know, for war.
#3 – Natural selection would say the smart ones would figure out which way their desired climate is, and the dumb ones would die.
Wow!! I hadn’t heard about it being visual. I had only heard the same things as Lauren and RBG. This is quite cool.
Of course, humans never like to be outdone. How long before someone goes from live wire detection to implanted compass?
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mods/news/2006/06/71087
They follow cars with New York/New Jersey license plates South every winter… this is no big mystery!
I still want some magnetic implants in the nerve endings of my fingers 😉