Electroreception
The ability to detect invisible electrical fields.
In a recent study published here - Paper scientists observed the ability to detect invisible electrical fields - electroreception - for the first time in a terrestrial predator-prey interaction.
Electroreception, previously only known in aquatic environments, is common in fish. The elephantnose fish, for example, has a tail organ that emits weak electric pulses, while receptors on its skin detect distortions in the field caused by nearby objects, creating an "electric image" similar to a shadow on its skin.
However, electroreception is rarely seen in air.
Now, researchers have discovered that caterpillars can sense the electrostatic fields of approaching wasps. Interestingly, caterpillars don't need their own electrical charge to sense predators.
This aligns with findings that caterpillars carry less net charge compared to other insects. This could potentially allow them to remain in "electrical stealth" mode against predators that use electroreception, while still detecting electric fields themselves.
Some animals have evolved the ability to detect invisible electrical fields, and it makes me wonder if humans have a similar but "switched off" ability.
For instance, in the study here - Paper it was found that the human retina contains the CRY2 protein, which theoretically allows for magnetic field detection, but our brain doesn't seem to process this information. It seems strange to have it sitting there inactive, as if it's "switched off" and not doing anything.
If humans could sense electric fields, it might provide awareness of other people (or even other lifeforms) that are otherwise undetectable through our usual senses like sight or hearing.
Some researchers, like biochemist Freeman Cope, have explored this idea. Cope noted that some people don't just claim to see, but actually can see a haze around magnets, which he referred to as a "magnet aura."
He proposed that the ability to sense magnetic fields might be linked to biological Josephson Junctions in the nervous system, similar to those used in sensitive magnetic field detectors in labs.
In his paper “Biological Sensitivity to Weak Magnetic Fields Due to Biological Superconductive Josephson Junctions?” he wrote:
“Various species of organisms can detect weak magnetic fields (0.1 to 5 Gauss) [Gauss units are a measurement of the field strength].
Indirect evidence suggests that electron tunneling may occur across junctions between superconductive micro-regions in living systems. Man-made superconductive Josephson junctions have been fabricated with magnetic sensitivity as high as 10-11 Gauss.
It is suggested that superconductive Josephson junctions in living systems may provide a physical mechanism with more than enough sensitivity to explain the observed responses of organisms to weak magnetic fields.”
Josephson Junctions are used in highly sensitive magnetic sensors, specifically in devices called superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). SQUIDs are among the most sensitive magnetometers available and can detect extremely small magnetic fields, often down to the scale of femtotesla.
If magnetic field vision is colorful and rich in detail, it makes me wonder how electroreception would be experienced.
Would it manifest visually, or perhaps trigger a subtle feeling that "something is wrong"? Or could it create a heightened, conscious awareness of someone or something's presence, even if they're not visible?
Source:
Paper - https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2322674121
Caterpillars Sense Hungry Wasps’ Electrical Field - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/caterpillars-sense-hungry-wasps-electrical-field/
More about the wonders of bioelectricity and bio-plasma in our body -
Freeman Cope paper - Biological sensitivity to weak magnetic fields due to biological superconductive Josephson junctions? - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4749009/
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