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Electromagnetic Noise Found To Affect Bird Navigation

Posted by timothy on from the or-did-you-mean-magnetic-north? dept.

Rambo Tribble (1273454) writes "A 7-year German study has come to a troubling conclusion: the EM noise from human activities is interfering with birds' magnetic 'compass' [paywalled paper, but above-average abstract], and potentially disrupting migratory behavior. While science is unclear how the birds' compasses work, it is theorized it employs the quantum phenomenon of electron spin. As the lead researcher, Prof Henrik Mouritsen, is quoted as saying, 'A very small perturbation of these electron spins would actually prevent the birds from using their magnetic compass.' The BBC has a nice summary article, as well."

2 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Adapt or die. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Figure it out birds! Or else we'll replace you with lifelike robot birds that don't crap on my car.

    1. Re:Adapt or die. by cyberchondriac · · Score: 3, Funny

      This is exactly why they crap on our cars, picnic tables, and heads. It's retaliation, pure and simple. :)

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