As much as we love magnets, we recognize there are still plenty of mysteries surrounding them. One such mystery that has plagued scientists for decades is the role Earth’s magnetic field plays in helping numerous animals navigate—from caribou herds to flocks of birds. Even humans might be able to pick up on this magnetism. Employing Earth’s magnetic field helps explain how various species can navigate over hundreds, if not thousands, of miles. For example, green sea turtles spend the majority of their lives in the open ocean feeding on jellyfish. Yet, when it’s time to lay their eggs, they are able to return to the exact beach on which they hatched. Are they somehow able to sense the beach’s coordinates based on the magnetic field? Even if animals do in fact utilize the magnetic field, how do they sense it? In other words, what in their biology enables them to sense it in the first place? The Compass Protein One theory suggests this ability to use Earth’s magnetic field is buried deep within animals’ DNA. Two separate research teams in China determined a certain protein within the cells acts as a sort of magnet, literally compelling an animal in the right direction based on how these proteins interact with very weak levels of magnetism. It’s the aptly named “compass protein.” According to theories, two unique proteins bond within every cell of an animal. These proteins, IscA1 and Cry4 form a bond that is then able to hone in on Earth’s magnetic field. The key to this combination is that it supposedly uses rod-shaped iron molecules that move in the direction of the magnetic field, not unlike a compass needle. However, the scientific community is less than convinced. The first issue is how thoughtful the research truly was. The two Chinese teams competed to be the first ones done with the study, leaving many in the community to wonder if it was rushed. Another big issue is if a microscopic protein like the one proposed could possibly even detect something as relatively weak as Earth’s magnetic field. Other scientists argued that the proposed number of 40 iron particles would be nowhere close enough—that this number would have to literally be in the millions to detect a magnetic direction. Despite all the criticism, the original researchers are remaining steadfast on their claim of a compass protein and hope to conduct more experiments. Until then, how animals use Earth’s magnetic field remains a mystery. Make sure to check back regularly for all the latest magnetic news!