Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29059181›Full record

ArticlePLoS biology2017

Magnetoreception-A sense without a receptor.

Gregory C Nordmann, Tobias Hochstoeger, David A Keays

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS biology, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 57 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
57citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

57 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Echolocating free-tailed bats use vision and hearing but not magnetoreception when navigating a maze.Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Magnetotaxis in an anaerobic ciliate via tripartite syntrophy.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2026
    Article
  5. Evidence for cephalic magnetic map receptors in sea turtles.The Journal of experimental biology · 2026
    Article
  6. The sensory ecology of caterpillars.Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · 2026
    Review
  7. From skylight cues to magnetic fields: the toolkit of insect long-distance navigation.Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · 2026
    Review
  8. A hybrid compass mechanism combining radical pairs and magnetite crystals.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2026
    Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Magneto-oncology: a radical pair primer.Frontiers in oncology · 2025
    Review
  14. Article
  15. Review
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Review
  20. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Gregory C NordmannResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria.
Tobias HochstoegerResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria.
David A KeaysResearch Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8343-8002

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Evolution has equipped life on our planet with an array of extraordinary senses, but perhaps the least understood is magnetoreception. Despite compelling behavioral evidence that this sense exists, the cells, molecules, and mechanisms that mediate sensory transduction remain unknown. So how could animals detect magnetic fields? We introduce and discuss 3 concepts that attempt to address this question: (1) a mechanically sensitive magnetite-based magnetoreceptor, (2) a light-sensitive chemical-based mechanism, and (3) electromagnetic induction within accessory structures. In discussing the merits and issues with each of these ideas, we draw on existing precepts in sensory biology. We argue that solving this scientific mystery will require the development of new genetic tools in magnetosensitive species, coupled with an interdisciplinary approach that bridges physics, behavior, anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, and genetics.

Indexed as

Magnetic FieldsAnimalsElectromagnetic FieldsLightReceptors, Cell SurfaceReceptors, Cell Surface

Identifiers

PMID29059181
PMCPMC5695626

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.