Trending Now - Study Reveals Pigeons Use Liver-based Sensors for Navigation
WHO:
ABC News - Martin Wikelski, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany.
ABC News - Christian Kurts, a researcher at the University of Bonn in Germany.
ABC News - Clivia Lisowski, a co-author of the study from the University of Bonn.
ABC News - Albert Kao, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Boston, who commented on the study.
ABC News - Simon Spiro, a veterinary pathologist, and Hal Drakesmith, a biologist, who wrote an accompanying editorial.
WHAT:
ABC News - The study is the first to present a full-fledged theory regarding the role of immune cells in pigeons' magnetic sensing.
ABC News - The immune cells in the liver break down red blood cells and store iron, which may help transmit magnetic signals to the brain.
ABC News - The researchers found that the birds' magnetic compasses only got scrambled on overcast days, indicating they also use the sun for navigation.
ABC News - The study is the first to present a full-fledged theory regarding the role of immune cells in pigeons' magnetic sensing.
ABC News - The immune cells in the liver are located near nerve fibers, which may help transmit the magnetic sense to the brain.
ABC News - The researchers suggest that other birds and animals, like mice, could operate using a similar magnetic GPS system.
ABC News - A study suggests that pigeons use their liver to navigate.
ABC News - Pigeons can fly hundreds of miles in a single day.
ABC News - The study found that specialized immune cells in the pigeon's liver may play a role in their sense of direction.
ABC News - When pigeons were stripped of immune cells in their liver, they "just couldn't find their way."
ABC News - The study was published in the journal Science.
WHERE:
ABC News - The research was conducted in Germany, specifically at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Bonn.
WHEN:
ABC News - The study was published on a Thursday in the journal Science.
WHY:
ABC News - The researchers aim to verify how pigeons navigate and to understand the mechanisms behind the transmission of magnetic signals to the brain.
ABC News - The researchers aimed to understand how pigeons navigate without getting lost, a mystery that has persisted for almost 100 years.
HOW:
ABC News - The immune cells are located near nerve fibers in the liver, which may help transmit the "magnetic sense" to the brain.
ABC News - The study indicates that immune cells have also been found in other areas of the pigeon's body, including the beak and spleen.
ABC News - Researchers searched for magnetic clues in pigeons' organs and found a strong signal in the liver.
ABC News - The immune cells in the liver break down red blood cells and store iron, which may help transmit magnetic signals to the brain.
ABC News - The birds' magnetic compasses were found to be scrambled on overcast days, indicating they also use the sun for navigation.
Phys.org - The study suggests that other birds and animals, like mice, could operate using a similar magnetic GPS.
(UPDATED May 29, 2026 04:19 UTC)
A groundbreaking study has unveiled a comprehensive theory about how immune cells in pigeons contribute to their ability to sense magnetic fields. These immune cells, found near nerve fibers in the liver, break down red blood cells and store iron, potentially aiding in the transmission of magnetic signals to the brain. Interestingly, researchers discovered that the birds' magnetic compasses become confused only on overcast days, suggesting they also rely on the sun for navigation.
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(UPDATED May 28, 2026 21:37 UTC)
A groundbreaking study has unveiled a comprehensive theory about how immune cells in pigeons contribute to their ability to sense magnetic fields. These immune cells, found near nerve fibers in the liver, may play a crucial role in transmitting magnetic signals to the brain, and researchers believe that similar mechanisms could be at work in other birds and even animals like mice. The study also highlights the presence of immune cells in other parts of the pigeon's body, such as the beak and spleen, as scientists work to deepen our understanding of avian navigation.
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(UPDATED May 28, 2026 19:56 UTC)
A new study from researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Bonn suggests that pigeons use their liver to navigate, a mystery that has puzzled scientists for nearly a century. The study found that specialized immune cells in the pigeon's liver may play a crucial role in their sense of direction, as pigeons stripped of these cells were unable to find their way. Published in the journal Science, the research indicates that these birds, which can fly hundreds of miles in a single day, may also rely on the sun for navigation, especially when their magnetic compasses are scrambled on overcast days.