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. Last year we talked to physicists Simon Benjamin and Erik Gauger for our article Flying home with quantum physics, and we found out that studying these little creatures' quantum compass may help us achieve the holy grail of computer science: building a quantum computer.

Now you can read all the technical details as Benjamin, Gauger and their colleagues has just published their research in Physical Review Letters. Their research has also been featured in New Scientist.

You can hear Benjamin and Gauger discuss their work in our podcast, and learn how birds have harnessed quantum physics in the accompanying article.