Birds and fish have the innate ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field, contributing to their impressive migratory abilities. A type of photoreceptor called ‘cryptochromes’ is said to enable this receptiveness to magnetic fields. Human cells also contain cryptochromes and – as this discovery shows – we also react to the Earth’s magnetism. Whilst we may not ‘see’ waves of magnetism, scientists in Tokyo have shown that our cells, when made artifically fluorescent, will dim when exposed to magnetic fields. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
