Whereas radio waves emitted by radio and tv broadcasting and CB radio can disrupt the magnetic compass of migratory birds, these utilized in cellular communication networks don’t as a result of the frequencies are too excessive to have an effect on their sense of orientation. This was the important thing discovering of a brand new research printed within the scientific journal Proceedings of the Nationwide Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by a crew of researchers led by Professor Dr Henrik Mouritsen of the College of Oldenburg and Professor Dr Peter Hore of the College of Oxford (UK).
This discovering additionally bolsters the researchers’ principle that the magnetic compass sense in these birds relies on a quantum-mechanical impact (often known as radical pair mechanism) positioned of their eyes. For this research, the crew mixed behavioural experiments with advanced quantum-mechanical calculations on a supercomputer.
Mouritsen, Hore and colleagues had already demonstrated in 2014 that electrosmog (human-made electromagnetic noise) within the AM radio waveband, similar to that generated by family electrical home equipment, impairs migratory birds’ capability to make use of the Earth’s magnetic area for orientation (often known as magnetoreception).
They posit that this weak electrosmog, which is innocent for people, impacts the advanced quantum-physical processes in sure cells within the retinas of migratory birds which allow them to navigate with the assistance of the Earth’s comparatively weak magnetic area. However whether or not electrosmog additionally impacts free-flying birds similar to long-distance migratory birds, whose numbers have been declining for a while for unknown causes, stays unclear.
A lightweight-sensitive protein known as cryptochrome
Within the present research, the researchers took a more in-depth take a look at the connection between the quantum-mechanical mechanism which they think types the idea for the birds’ magnetic sense and the disruption of this mechanism by radio waves. Their goal was to seek out additional proof of how the magnetic compass sense features and thus present a foundation for additional investigations into disruptive results on the birds’ migratory behaviour. The main target of their curiosity was the cut-off frequency above which the navigation of migratory birds stays unaffected, since figuring out this worth permits conclusions to be drawn in regards to the properties of the particular magnetic sensor within the birds. Their principle is that this sensor is a light-sensitive protein known as cryptochrome 4 which possesses the mandatory magnetic properties.
The scientists’ preliminary theoretical prediction was that the cut-off frequency would lie someplace between 120 and 220 megahertz within the Very Excessive Frequency (VHF) vary, so the crew carried out behavioural experiments with Eurasian blackcaps utilizing completely different frequency bands inside this vary. In a research printed in 2022 the researchers had already demonstrated that radio waves of a frequency between 75 and 85 megahertz intrude with the magnetic compass sense of those small songbirds. These experiments confirmed that their magnetic compass stopped working after they have been uncovered to those radio frequencies, however labored correctly with out publicity. Blackcaps are lengthy and medium-distance migrants that may cowl lengthy distances throughout their annual migration
Excessive frequency radio waves didn’t have an effect on the compass sense
Within the present research, a crew led by Mouritsen and Hore in addition to the 2 lead authors — biologist Bo Leberecht and chemist Siu Ying Wong, each from the College of Oldenburg — carried out experiments with frequencies between 140 and 150 megahertz and between 235 and 245 megahertz. They discovered that the radio waves in each these frequency bands didn’t have an effect on the birds’ magnetic compass sense — which confirmed the scientists’ theoretical predictions.
The researchers additionally carried out mannequin calculations during which they simulated the quantum-mechanical processes contained in the cryptochrome protein. On the idea of those calculations they have been capable of slim down the cut-off frequency even additional, to 116 megahertz. In line with the simulations, radio waves above this frequency would solely have a weak impact on the birds’ magnetic orientation. This prediction was borne out by the outcomes of the experiments. “Our experiments, along with detailed theoretical predictions, present sturdy proof that the compass magnetoreceptor in migratory birds relies on a flavin-containing radical pair and never a totally completely different type of receptor, for instance one based mostly on magnetic nanoparticles,” Mouritsen explains.
Cellular communications networks don’t impair the birds’ magnetic sense
Gaining a greater understanding of magnetoreception is necessary for bettering the safety of migratory birds. It may well present insights on key questions, similar to what sort of electromagnetic radiation drives birds off target and will due to this fact be averted in areas like nature reserves the place migratory birds cease to relaxation. Mouritsen underlines that whereas the radio waves utilized in radio and tv broadcasting or CB radio play a decisive function in disrupting magnetoreception, cellular communications networks don’t impair the birds’ magnetic sense: “The frequencies used listed below are all above the related threshold.”
This analysis is a results of the Collaborative Analysis Centre (CRC) Magnetoreception and navigation in vertebrates: from biophysics to mind and behavior, of which Mouritsen is the spokesperson. The CRC’s worldwide crew contains researchers from a variety of disciplines together with neurobiology, quantum physics, biochemistry, pc modelling and behavioural biology. Along with the College of Oldenburg, the Institute of Avian Analysis “Vogelwarte Helgoland” (IfV) in Wilhelmshaven, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Ruhr College Bochum and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot (Israel) are additionally taking part within the CRC. Three researchers from the College of Oxford (UK) are affiliated with the CRC as Mercator Fellows.
Autor
