Biologists knew that some migratory animals, from birds to sea turtles, were able to sense Earth's magnetic fields. Now, new research has shown that people can also feel changes in these areas.
A team of geologists and neuroscientists from the California Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo decided to determine if a person has a feeling known as magnetoreception.
Magnetoreception is a sense that allows the body to sense a magnetic field, which allows it to determine the direction of movement, altitude, or location on the ground.
“Magnetoreception, the perception of the geomagnetic field, is a sensory ability found in all major groups of vertebrates and some invertebrates, but its presence in humans has not been tested,” the researchers write.
Led by geological scientist Dr. Joseph Kirshvink and neuroscientist Dr. Shin Shimoho, the team used electroencephalography, or EEG, to record the participants' brainwave bursts as they manipulated magnetic fields.
In experiments, a decrease in the activity of the alpha range was recorded in some study participants. This decline is a common response to touch input, scientists say.
"We have identified a strong, specific response of the human brain to significant rotations of the Earth's magnetic fields."
The study was specially tuned for the Northern Hemisphere where the study was conducted. The researchers hope to continue studying how different human populations respond to changes in Earth's magnetic fields to gain more information about this additional ability of the human body.
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“Given the known presence of highly advanced geomagnetic navigation systems in species throughout the animal kingdom, it may not be surprising that we can preserve at least some functional neural components, especially given the nomadic hunter / gatherer lifestyle of our not too distant ancestors,” the team wrote. in his research. "The full extent of this legacy remains to be seen."
The study was published in the journal eNeuro. Research funding was provided by the Human Frontiers Science Program, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Japan Society for the Advancement of Science.