Zebrafish embryos often die in the absence of a magnetic field and develop with severe anomalies. This was reported by the press service of the RNF.
Earth’s magnetic field has existed for several billion years and even appeared before the possible origin of life. It provides protection to the atmosphere and inhabitants from the solar wind and cosmic radiation, and without it Earth would most likely be like Mars. It also affects some animals.
Specialists of the Unique Instrumentation Scientific and Technological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences and colleagues from other universities discovered that the magnetic field has a direct effect on zebrafish fish. Danio rerio is an unpretentious fish, and some of its species have a transparent body, which makes them easy to study. From the second to the fifth day after fertilization, the authors placed the developing fish in conditions where there was almost no magnetic field, while some of the embryos remained in the geomagnetic field. As the embryos developed, the scientists constantly monitored body parameters, including heart rate and organ health, using microscopes.
The results showed reduced fish survival in magnetic vacuum. In addition, 5.5% to 12.5% ​​of embryos developing without geomagnetic field under normal light conditions and continuous illumination, respectively, turned out to have various developmental defects – drop, body curvature and others. Heart rate increased by about ten beats per minute, and the interval between heartbeats was more variable in embryos located in zero magnetic field under constant illumination.
The authors of the study believe that their work is not only of fundamental scientific importance, but also important to the development of astronautics. On deep space flights, humans will remain outside the Earth’s magnetic field for extended periods of time, and its absence is likely to affect health and possible pregnancy alike.
Former environmentalists solvethat extinct sea cows saved kelp forests from being eaten by porcupines.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.