Bacteria which sense the Earth's magnetic field

Researchers uncover how a nanoscale 'compass' inside bacteria orients them to the Earth's magnetic field.
It is not only migratory birds that orient themselves to the magnetic field of the Earth. Also bacteria -- supposedly "simple" organisms -- have evolved to be able to take advantage of the magnetic field in their search for optimal living conditions. Such "magnetotactic"microorganisms use a miniature, cellular compass made of a chain of single nanomagnets, called magnetosomes.