Human magnetic sense is mediated by a light and magnetic field resonance-dependent mechanism

2022 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 829

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Human magnetic sense is mediated by a light and magnetic field resonance-dependent mechanism Kwon-Seok Chae, Soo-Chan Kim, Hye-Jin Kwon, Yongkuk Kim. Human magnetic sense is mediated by a light and magnetic field resonance-dependent mechanism. Sci Rep. 2022 May 30;12(1):8997. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022- 12460-6. Abstract Numerous organisms use the Earth's magnetic field as a sensory cue for migration, body alignment, or food search. Despite some contradictory reports, yet it is generally accepted that humans do not sense the geomagnetic field. Here, we demonstrate that a magnetic field resonance mechanism mediates light-dependent magnetic orientation in men, using a rotary chair experiment combined with a two-alternative forced choice paradigm. Two groups of subjects were classified with different magnetic orientation tendencies depending on the food context. Magnetic orientation of the subjects was sensitive to the wavelength of incident light and was critically dependent on blue light reaching the eyes. Importantly, it appears that a magnetic field resonance- dependent mechanism mediates these responses, as evidenced by disruption or augmentation of the ability to orient by radiofrequency magnetic fields at the Larmor frequency and the dependence of these effects on the angle between the radiofrequency and geomagnetic fields. Furthermore, inversion of the vertical component of the geomagnetic field revealed a non-canonical inclination compass effect on the magnetic orientation. These results establish the existence of a human magnetic sense and suggest an underlying quantum mechanical magnetoreception mechanism. Open access paper: nature.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionmixed

Populationmen (human subjects)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a rotary chair two-alternative forced choice experiment, subjects showed light-dependent magnetic orientation that was critically dependent on blue light reaching the eyes. Orientation responses were reported to be disrupted or augmented by radiofrequency magnetic fields at the Larmor frequency, with effects depending on the angle between the RF and geomagnetic fields; inverting the vertical geomagnetic component produced a non-canonical inclination compass effect.

Outcomes measured

magnetic orientation ability (two-alternative forced choice in rotary chair)
light wavelength dependence (blue light requirement)
disruption/augmentation of orientation by RF magnetic fields at Larmor frequency
dependence on angle between RF and geomagnetic fields
effect of inverting vertical component of geomagnetic field (inclination compass effect)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
RF exposure parameters (field strength, exact frequency value, duration) not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Only men mentioned; generalizability to other populations not stated
Two groups classified by food context; details of classification and potential confounding not provided in provided abstract/metadata

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "radiofrequency magnetic fields (Larmor frequency) and geomagnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "men (human subjects)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "magnetic orientation ability (two-alternative forced choice in rotary chair)",
    "light wavelength dependence (blue light requirement)",
    "disruption/augmentation of orientation by RF magnetic fields at Larmor frequency",
    "dependence on angle between RF and geomagnetic fields",
    "effect of inverting vertical component of geomagnetic field (inclination compass effect)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a rotary chair two-alternative forced choice experiment, subjects showed light-dependent magnetic orientation that was critically dependent on blue light reaching the eyes. Orientation responses were reported to be disrupted or augmented by radiofrequency magnetic fields at the Larmor frequency, with effects depending on the angle between the RF and geomagnetic fields; inverting the vertical geomagnetic component produced a non-canonical inclination compass effect.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "RF exposure parameters (field strength, exact frequency value, duration) not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Only men mentioned; generalizability to other populations not stated",
    "Two groups classified by food context; details of classification and potential confounding not provided in provided abstract/metadata"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "human magnetoreception",
    "geomagnetic field",
    "radiofrequency magnetic fields",
    "Larmor frequency",
    "blue light",
    "magnetic orientation",
    "rotary chair",
    "two-alternative forced choice",
    "inclination compass",
    "resonance-dependent mechanism"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Involves RF magnetic fields and geomagnetic interactions, potentially relevant to broader EMF exposure discussions, though not directly a health-risk or guideline paper."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022
PubMed: Not supplied

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