Comments on: New technique identifies magnetic cells in animals by watching them spin

By: Jess Tauber

Jess Tauber — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 06:42:29 +0000

So maybe now the researchers can difference out the irons between species…

By: Niall G.

Niall G. — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:34:44 +0000

Good to gets some proof of the process behind magnetoreception. Previously people suggested that salmon and trout used stellar navigation… Now to add this to my WIP PhD introduction chapter!

By: A. Labjunkie

A. Labjunkie — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:50:15 +0000

I’d wager a beer that the Eder group borrowed the idea for using a magnetoscope from experiments done in the 60s on magnetotactic bacteria. These bugs have magnetite filled filament networks called “magnetosomes” capable of imparting the ability to passively align in a magnetic field. Many of the species tested, even after being killed via fixation, will align in magnetic fields.

By: Chris M.

Chris M. — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 22:53:11 +0000

@Tommaso, Magnetite is effectively iron and oxygen, organized nicely; it may be built by the cells themselves.

By: Tommaso

Tommaso — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:59:44 +0000

Through which process they get magnetite in the cells? Is it already present in the eggs? Is it then harvested through food?

By: Dai Shizuka

Dai Shizuka — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 02:31:45 +0000

I love clever experiments. This is a clever experiment.