Sign in Subscribe

eye

Pigeons navigate using magnetic sensors in livers

Pigeons navigate using magnetic sensors in livers

By Stephen Beech Pigeons find their way home by using magnetic sensors in their livers, suggests new research. Immune cells packed with iron act as an "internal compass" — helping the birds detect the Earth's magnetic field, say German scientists. How pigeons fly hundreds of miles and

Can you cry underwater?

Can you cry underwater?

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Can you cry underwater? – Rosie, age 17, Bedford, New Hampshire Your eyes are constantly coated by tears, made of oil, water and

Are you about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know

Are you about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know

Are you about to have cataract surgery? Here’s what ophthalmologists say you need to know Cataract surgery is one of the most popular and commonly performed procedures in the world. The vast majority of patients have excellent outcomes with few complications, Allan Steigleman, a University of Florida ophthalmology professor,

Does closing your eyes help you hear better?

Does closing your eyes help you hear better?

By Stephen Beech Closing your eyes might not help you hear better after all, according to new research. People with their eyes shut struggled to hear faint sounds in noisy environments audible to open-eyed participants in a study. Most people close their eyes when trying to concentrate on a

Astro Weekly: The illusion of self

What does it feel like to be reading this? If you are a human being, it probably feels like you are absorbing these symbols via the eye and subsequently unmixing and interpreting them (this happens very quickly, and we usually do it subconsciously). But what does it mean for “you”