Quantum mechanics is usually associated with weird and counterintuitive phenomena we can't observe in real life. But it turns out that quantum processes can occur in living organisms, too, and with very concrete consequences. Some species of birds, for example, use quantum mechanics to navigate. And as Plus found out at a conference in 2010, studying these little creatures' quantum compass may help us achieve the holy grail of computer science: building a quantum computer.

To find out more, read Flying home with quantum physics

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