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Special Molecule Gives Birds a Magnetic Biocompass

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bio-magneto-driver dept.

Aaron Rowe writes "CORDIS news reports that a team of scientists has identified a family of molecules called cryptochromes that allow migratory birds to sense magnetic fields. Curiously enough, these molecules only function when accompanied by blue light. The article also mentions, 'The researchers also suggest that, as cryptochromes have been strongly conserved throughout evolution, all biological organisms could have the ability to detect magnetic fields, even if they do not use them.'"

9 of 276 comments (clear)

  1. I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by TheDarkener · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    This has NOTHING to do with this story, and I apologize.

    How come there are no 9/11/2001 stories today on Slashdot? Did we all forget? Is it not important enough anymore to warrant a story?

    It's not only insulting, but downright strange that there hasn't been ONE main story about it today. What the hell is going on?

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
    1. Re:I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by qbwiz · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      I'm sorry, but I think you're five years out of date. 9/11/2001 was a very important day, but I believe that everyone's heard of it by new, and there aren't really any new stories that will add to our understanding of it. It isn't really "News for Nerds" (although it was "Stuff that Matters").

      --
      Ewige Blumenkraft.
    2. Re:I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by CosmeticLobotamy · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I suspect there will also be no stories featuring World Heart Day on Slashdot, despite heart disease being way more significant in every way than 9/11. I hate to be inconsiderate of tragedy victims, but are you not satisfied with it being mentioned on every other media outlet on every day of the year?

      By the way, I like your "9/11/2001", as though somebody wouldn't have known what you were talking about if you left off the year.

    3. Re:I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by TheDarkener · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I'm sick of it too. I'm sick of the same stories about the heroes and the police and the victims and the terrorists. I've been sick of it for a LONG TIME now.

      I was looking for a different angle on it, a Slashdot angle. An angle that focuses on the science and physics of 9/11. I'm sure you can agree that science and physics is geeky enough to talk about here, right?

      Don't you think the physics of buildings falling because of aircraft crashing into them is amazing? Worth research, possibly to avoid it happening again? "Conspiracy theories" about how the buildings shouldn't have fallen straight down into their own footprints? What about WTC7? Do you even know what I'm talking about?

      There's plenty of shit to talk about regarding the science and physics. How come we aren't interested? Are we all to scared to talk about it? Afraid you're gonna learn something you don't want to know?

      Go ahead and flame the living shit out of me. Close your eyes and pretend it didn't happen, or it was 'far too long ago' to worry about anymore. Meanwhile, the fairy princess and her smurf friends are baking you happy cookies. Enjoy the spoonfeeding.

      --
      It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
    4. Re:I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by 4D6963 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Is it not important enough anymore to warrant a story?

      I can't believe how even after hearing about it on TV everyday for the last 5 years, some people still don't grow tired of hearing about it.

      Only 3,000 people (a bit less actually) died. While I may sound like a troll for saying "only", it's because we need to relativize, 3,000 people dying en masse is not a lot nor even exceptional compared to what happens all the time on Earth. But maybe it has to do with both happening in the USA and being very spectacular... Still, give me a break with 9/11, it's getting old, I mean I'm getting fed up.

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      You just got troll'd!
    5. Re:I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by TheLink · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Why should the rest of the world care? The US citizens and Gov don't seem to be bothered about dealing with the root causes of 9/11.

      They went an attacked _Iraq_ instead, and the US Gov used (and continues to use) 9/11 as an opportunity to make the USA and the rest of the world a worse place.

      for everyone's sake impeach Bush first and deal with the Diebold crap.

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    6. Re:I know this is SERIOUSLY OT but I need to ask. by hackwrench · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      There are some things that are important in that everyone should know about it. There are some things that are important in that people should have nothing to do with it. I'm not so sure that 9/11 doesn't fall into the latter and could use some input on it.

  2. test message...please delete by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    plese delete

  3. Okay. so what the fuck do you do? by TechGranny · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Do you bitch and moan and whine or do you fight even more?

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    Make the world better. Quit hating.