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Time - Man of the Year
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1992-09-10
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THE WEEK, Page 25HEALTH & SCIENCEMagnets on the Brain
Why some humans have a better sense of direction
Scientists have known for years that some animals -- birds,
fish, insects -- have tiny natural magnets embedded in their
tissues, crystals of a mineral known as magnetite. The
suspicion is that magnetite enables these creatures to sense the
earth's magnetic field, letting them navigate from one place to
another with what amounts to biological compasses.
Now a group of scientists at the California Institute of
Technology has discovered that magnetite is found in human
brains as well. That could eventually explain why some people
have a better sense of direction -- perhaps they have more
magnetite. The presence of magnetically sensitive crystals in
the brain could conceivably explain the health problems some
people claim are caused by electromagnetic fields. Until now,
no one knew of anything in the body that could be affected by
these fields. One caveat from a researcher: the magnetic fields
from high-tension power lines, often cited as prime culprits,
are not strong enough to affect the crystals his team found --
though those from some home appliances, like electric blankets,
may be. Even then, the link is only more plausible than it once
was, but still a long way from proved.