Humans may have magnetic "Sixth Sense"

Recent findings by the University of Massachusetts Medical School have suggested that humans may be able to detect magnetic fields.

In the study, protein from the human retina was placed in fruit flies. The fruit flies showed that they were able to detect magnetic fields as a result.

This suggests that the protein is able to work as a magnetosensor. It is still not conclusive if humans use the protein for those purposes.

Animals have been known to use the earth’s magnetic fields to navigate during migration. In animals, special proteins called cryptochromes allow them to sense magnetic fields as a coordination system. This protein is also found in the human eye.

While past research has suggested that humans cannot sense these magnetic fields, the results of this recent study have caused scientists to reevaluate this theory.

"It is thought to be very important for how animals migrate. Perhaps this protein is also fulfilling an important function for sensing magnetic fields in humans”, said Steven Reppert, a researcher from the study.

In the experiment, Reppert and his colleagues replaced the cryptochromes from the eyes of wild fruit flies with those found in humans. They then placed the flies into a T-shaped maze, varying the location of magnetic field.

The fruit flies were found to naturally avoid areas with the magnetic fields. When conditioned, they favoured those locations, going towards the magnetic field.

"It may aid how animals perceive how objects are in time and space in a way we haven't thought about before," said Reppert.

Enjoyed this article? "Like" it on Facebook and drop us a comment!