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Related Concept Videos

Magnetism01:30

Magnetism

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Magnets are commonly found in everyday objects, such as toys, hangers, elevators, doorbells, and computer devices. Experimentation on these magnets shows that all magnets have two poles: one is labeled north (N) and the other south (S). Magnetic poles repel if they are alike and attract if unlike. Moreover, both poles of a magnet attract unmagnetized pieces of iron.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
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Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Using Magnetometry to Monitor Cellular Incorporation and Subsequent Biodegradation of Chemically Synthetized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
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Magnetite pollution nanoparticles in the human brain.

Barbara A Maher1, Imad A M Ahmed2, Vassil Karloukovski3

  • 1Centre for Environmental Magnetism and Palaeomagnetism, Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom; b.maher@lancaster.ac.uk.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 8, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Magnetite nanoparticles, abundant in the human brain, originate from pollution, not internal sources. These airborne particles enter the brain directly, posing potential health risks due to their magnetic and chemical properties.

Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseaseairborne particulate matterbrain magnetitecombustion-derived nanoparticlesmagnetite pollution particles

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Environmental Science
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Magnetite nanoparticles have been previously detected in the human brain.
  • Magnetite's properties (redox activity, magnetic behavior) suggest potential impacts on brain health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the source and characteristics of magnetite nanoparticles in the human brain.
  • To investigate the potential health implications of externally sourced magnetite nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic analyses were employed to detect and characterize magnetite nanoparticles.
  • Electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology and texture of the nanoparticles.

Main Results:

  • Abundant magnetite nanoparticles, consistent with high-temperature formation, were identified in the brain.
  • These nanoparticles are distinct from endogenous magnetite and often co-occur with other transition metal nanoparticles.
  • The observed characteristics suggest an external, pollution-derived origin for these brain magnetites.

Conclusions:

  • Externally sourced, high-temperature magnetite nanoparticles from airborne pollution can enter the human brain directly via the olfactory bulb.
  • These nanoparticles may pose a hazard to human health due to their unique properties.