Seeing Earth's Magnetic Fields: Cryptochromes and Blue Light

Birds Can See Earth's Magnetic Fields -- And We Finally Know How That's Possible

By Michelle Starr

The mystery behind how birds navigate might finally be solved: it's not the iron in their beaks providing a magnetic compass, but a newly discovered protein in their eyes that lets them "see" Earth's magnetic fields.

These findings come courtesy of two new papers -- one studying robins, the other zebra finches.

The eye protein is called "Cry4," and it's part of a class of proteins called "cryptochromes" -- photoreceptors sensitive to blue light, found in both plants and animals. These proteins play a role in regulating circadian rhythms.

There's also been evidence in recent years that, in birds, the cryptochromes in their eyes are responsible for their ability to orient themselves by detecting magnetic fields, a sense called "magneto-reception."

We know that birds can only sense magnetic fields if certain wavelengths of light are available -- specifically, studies have shown that avian magneto-reception seems dependent on blue light.

This seems to confirm that the mechanism is a visual one, based in the cryptochromes, which may be able to detect the fields because of "quantum coherence."

To find more clues on these cryptochromes, two teams of biologists set to work. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden studied zebra finches, and researchers from the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg in Germany studied European robins.

The Lund team measured gene expression of three cryptochromes, Cry1, Cry2, and Cry4, in the brains, muscles and eyes of zebra finches. Their hypothesis was that the cryptochromes associated with magnetoreception should maintain constant reception over the circadian day.

They found that, as expected for circadian clock genes, Cry1 and Cry2 fluctuated daily -- but Cry4 expressed at constant levels, making it the most likely candidate for magnetoreception.

This finding was supported by the robin study, which found the same thing.

"We also found that Cry1a, Cry1b, and Cry2 mRNA display robust circadian oscillation patterns, whereas Cry4 shows only a weak circadian oscillation," the researchers wrote.

But they made a couple of other interesting findings, too. The first is that Cry4 is clustered in a region of the retina that receives a lot of light -- which makes sense for light-dependent magnetoreception.

The other is that European robins have increased Cry4 expression during the migratory season, compared to non-migratory chickens.

Both sets of researchers caution that more research is needed before Cry4 can be declared the protein responsible for magnetoreception.

The evidence is strong, but it's not definitive, and both Cry1 and Cry2 have also been implicated in magnetoreception, the former in garden warblers and the latter in fruit flies.

Observing birds with non-functioning Cry4 could help confirm the role it seems to play, while other studies will be needed to figure Cry1's role.

So what does a bird actually see? Well, we can't ever know what the world looks like through another species' eyes, but we can take a very strong guess.

According to researchers at the Theoretical and Computational Biophysics group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, whose researcher Klaus Schulten first predicted magnetoreceptive cryptochromes in 1978, they could provide a magnetic field "filter" over the bird's field of view (like in the picture above).

The zebra finch study was published in the "Journal of the Royal Society Interface," and the robin study was published in "Current Biology."

Devices, Not Drugs: Part I: Sleep Disorders: A Personal Report

by Don Mangus

Here’s a start on my one-man, anecdotal report on all the devices, esoteric research, and alternative treatments I’ve explored over the last year or three.

I feel that technological, dietary, lifestyle, and mind/body treatments for physical and mental health ailments and syndromes are the preferred way to go -- whenever possible. They are underutilized, IMHO.

Why take a drug or risk an operation if you can treat an existing problem treatable with a device? There will likely be fewer harmful or irreversible side-effect/complications, or dangerous drug interactions, with the added benefits of lower cost, and most likely, less pain.

It seems likely that many of our modern health problems are really  the result of our modern lifestyle outstripping the adaptations of our biological evolution.

For instance -- it may be more common and natural for many folks to sleep at several night/day periods during the natural rise and fall of circadian rhythm/hormonal cycles rather than to force the entire sleep experience into a solid, compressed eight-hour block.

This modern-day, Western concept may be simply a cultural result of trying to squeeze more productivity out of post-Industrial Revolution workers. The same goes for the electric light, which artificially extended our wakeful hours. It’s been reported that Thomas Edison deplored sleep as “wasted time.”

Likewise, it seems our sympathetic nervous system has remained at a stage of evolution adapted for quick bursts of “fight or flight” responses to survive the short-term dangers of the Paleolithic Era, rather than the chronic situational stresses common to our modern workplace -- never-ending deadlines, societal pressures, anxiety-producing forcasts of impending crises – as well as just plain old over-stimulation of our senses and minds.

So…away we go...

Sleep Devices:

I suffer with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This sleep disorder is best treated by the “gold standard” of medical devices -- the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Before I treated this pernicious condition eleven years ago, I was at my wit’s end.

I'd advise my fellow sufferers to avoid painful throat operations or oral jaw-jacking appliances, and to favor the CPAP instead. However, one way or another, the condition should be treated and never ignored.

Not treating chronic OSA can lead to heart damage or even sudden death from arrhythmia-induced cardiac arrest -- so it should be treated. OSA is a very common problem for the general public, and the real money-maker for sleep clinics, and thus easily diagnosed and treated.

Chronic Insomnia is a much, much more difficult condition to treat. I was nearly done-in by a month-long bought of chronic insomnia, and finally had to be hospitalized due to such complications as severe anxiety, depression, , and finally, ceaseless ruminations of suicide. That’s how bad it got. I can fully empathize with the tragic consequences of the sleep-deprived desperation exhibited such celebrities as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Heath Ledger.

It took two weeks of nightly experiments with various formulations/combinations of heavy-duty “drug cocktails” to stabilize my sleep and mood. Although the intervention worked, these meds are troublesome, and should only be used short-term if possible. I titrated myself off them as much and as soon as possible.

If you have to take them -- you have to -- but there’s a long-term price to pay. From personal experience, I’d strongly recommend avoiding two especially troublesome meds -- Ambien and Zyprexa, if at all possible.

However, if you find yourself suffering from such extreme symptoms as I did, hospitalization is a great idea – it sped up the healing process and the intervention should be considered a necessary Emergency Room situation. Don’t try to “tough it out” or go it alone. Reach out for help.

A Few Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

Natural Supplements: For mild cases of temporary insomnia -- melatonin, valerian root, and l-theanine supplements may help.

Sleep hygiene: it might help in bad-habit or “conditioned” cases. Among the key concepts to try are: a quiet environment (use ear plugs or a “white noise” machine), room and body temperature, and total darkness (use an eye mask).

Also, avoid caffeine, alcohol, exercise, and food too close to bedtime. Avoid over-stimulation from such situations as emotional phone calls, and excessive ruminations about the day’s events or tomorrow’s plans.

Another good trick is to take a warm bath prior to getting into bed. As the body’s temperature cools down, it’s easier to fall asleep.

These CBT techniques work best for very minor, temporary insomnia.

The Effects of Colored Light on Circadian Rhythms, the Light-Dark Cycle, and Melatonin Release:

There’s a theory that “light pollution” profoundly disrupts the natural circadian rhythms/body clock and thus the body’s release of melatonin.

I’m a believer that this theory is very, very valid.

Exposure to bright sunlight for 25 minutes in the morning exposes the body to “blue part” of the light spectrum which inhibits the release of melatonin, and also helps set the natural wake/sleep cycle.

On a side note, on cloudy days -- or for those suffering a bout of Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) -- exposure to artificial light from a special blue-light lamp can sometimes bring relief.

I’ve experimented with wearing blue-lensed glasses in the early morning to enhance my wakefulness. These glasses also seem to have an added calming effect on my mood. Although they may make you appear to be a hipster or jazzman, they do seem to be very effective for me.

The biggest factor though, is that later in the evening and night, we subject ourselves to artificial “light pollution” from electric lights, TV screens, computer monitors, light-emitting diodes, etc.

The thing to do here, in the early evening, is to don “blue-blocker” sunglasses (orange or amber colored lenses) which simulate darkness to the body and signal the circadian rhythms to begin a release of melatonin.

I put my “blue-blockers” on when I come home from work, and wear them while using my computer, tablet, reading, and watching TV. They simulate a perpetual sunset.

When I wake in the middle of the night, I also wear them while I read. This very simple device prevents “over-stimulation” from “full-spectrum, white electric light,” and makes it much, much easier to drift back to sleep. I can’t recommend them highly enough for insomniacs.

 What a simple solution – so much better than hypnotic drugs.

An Endorsement of Naps: I love to take an afternoon nap when I can. The best time is naturally, from noon to 3:30 PM. This is the time of a natural lull in alertness in our circadian cycle, but “power napping” is much discouraged by most modern Western work schedules.

I’d nap every day if I could.

More on my other experiments with devices and supplements, later.

The Irlen Revolution: Colored Lens Therapy

The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing your Perception and Your Life by Helen Irlen 

After decades of revolutionizing the treatment of dyslexia through the use of colored lenses, educational pioneer Helen Irlen has turned her attention to children and adults who suffer from other learning disabilities. The Irlen Revolution examines the author s unique program for helping people with ADHD/ADD, Asperger s syndrome, autism, depth perception problems, head injuries, strokes, and a host of other conditions that affect learning.

The Irlen Revolution begins with an overview of learning disabilities and a look at standard treatments. It then examines the Irlen Method and explores the scientific basis of the program.

Finally, the author discusses the individual disorders what they are, and how the Irlen approach may be used to treat them successfully. An extensive resource section provides additional guidance for readers who want to learn more about the program.

When 60 Minutes featured a dyslexic child being cured with the Irlen Method, the world was introduced to a safe and effective tool to combat dyslexia. Now the battle lines have been expanded, and many more people can benefit from The Irlen Revolution.

Devices, Not Drugs: Orange Glasses

Great Sleep! Reduced Cancer!: A Scientific Approach to Great Sleep and Reduced Cancer Risk by Richard L. Hansler


In 2001 it was discovered that it is only the blue component in ordinary white light that causes melatonin suppression.

Melatonin is the hormone that promotes sleep and is a powerful cancer fighter. This book traces the story of how research with animals and humans has demonstrated the health benefits of long periods of darkness that maximize melatonin.

By blocking just the blue light a condition of “virtual darkness” allows enjoyment of normal evening activities while maximizing melatonin flow. The benefits go far beyond better sleep and reducing cancer risk. They include helping to avoid postpartum depression, improving symptoms of ADHD, and helping to stabilize mood in patients with bipolar disorder.

Amazon Customer Reviews

Light and our Lives November 25, 2008
By Rebecca E. Hutchins

As a behavioral optometrist who has long been fascinated by the non-visual portion of the optic nerve, and who recently learned about melanopsin and its implications, this book was meant for me to read. It has an incredible amount of information not readily available on the effects of light at night on our health. The author worked for 40-some years in the lighting industry, and is now concerned enough about the implications of light in insomnia and cancer that he is attempting to find a way to address some of the issues with the use of blue-blocking lenses. I did purchase two pair from the website to compare with those that we use in our office, and found the tint a little hard to handle personally, but I think the topic is a timely and important one, and it is well-handled in this book. I am beginning to believe that Light Pollution and Light at Night may be almost as big an issue to our survival as Global Warming.

Blue light, melatonin, quality of sleep and antioxidant properties April 18, 2012
By J. Duncan

Interesting info on light, the blue spectrum in particular, and how it affects (delays) the start of melatonin production, which affects the onset of sleep. Contains several ideas on how to reduce exposure to blue light, at what times you should consider this, and how even slight exposures late at night (or during the night) can still interfere. UVEX glasses are a cost-effective way to start.

Not sure how - but it works March 24, 2013
By IUS Jan

Dr. Oz promoted this on his television show. I bought the book and the glasses. I am amazed but if you remember to use them (especially if you are on the computer at night) the technologies works. I get drowsy faster and when I go to bed I fall asleep more quickly. I am a believer.

Into the Blue: Marge's Little Lulu #25 July 1950

Little Lulu tries out some blue lenses for herself! Good choice -- I dig them, baby.

Blue Don

Super-sophisticated self-help savant Donno takes a full dose of azure light in Lakewood at 6AM this morning.

Photo by Starbuckaroo Brian Smith


Yes, your blueness.

Spectral coordinates
Wavelength	450–495 nm
Frequency	~670–610 THz
Common connotations
Ice, water, sky, sadness, winter, police, royalty, Hanukkah, boys, cold, calm, magic, trueness, conservatism (universally) and capitalism, liberalism (US), the Crips
Colour coordinates
Hex triplet	#0000FF
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HSV       (h, s, v)	(240°, 100%, 100%)
Source	HTML/CSS[1]
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450–495 nm

~670–610 THz

Ice, water, sky, sadness, winter, police, royalty, Hanukkah, boys, cold, calm, magic, trueness, conservatism (universally) and capitalism, liberalism (US), the Crips

#0000FF

(0, 0, 255)

(240°, 100%, 100%)

HTML/CSS^[1]

B:Normalized to [0–255] (byte