The study showed that the brain neurons—the ones that had gone quiet—remembered how to connect again after stimulation from magnets.
Last week while doing the usual necessary admin like sorting through emails for real work, and interesting stuff (not necessarily in that order), I came across an update from Study Finds.
They had published findings that claimed magnets might help reverse brain damage in mice with Alzheimer’s.
Not slow it.
Not manage it.
Actually fix it.
And it was happening right here in Brisbane at the University of Queensland.
Scientists stimulated mice with something called rTMS—Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Basically 600 low-key brain pulses were applied to the critters, over a couple of sessions, and abracadabra!
The brain neurons—the ones that had gone quiet—remembered how to connect again.
In other words the brains got more flexible. Not permanently, but enough for the scientists to consider that the brain could possibly be reawakened. So to speak.
That’s a pretty big deal.
And while impressed by what it could mean to all the folks and their families devastated by the wretched effects of Alzheimer’s, I couldn’t help but think that magnets are pretty, well, magic, really.
It’s not the first time I’ve noticed they can do some weirdly impressive stuff.
Over and above the extremely mesmerising Newton’s cradle, magnets have been doing some great, if not unexpected and quiet work in the world.
Levitating frogs: In 1997 scientists in the Netherlands levitated a frog using magnets. No wires. No strings. Just physics. Frogs—like us—are full of water and water is diamagnetic. Which means with a big enough magnet, we too could levitate—but probably puke first. That won an IG Nobel prize.
Treating depression: Clinics have been treating depression with TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) for over 20 years. So there are already people walking amongst us that have been magnetically rebooted. No pills, no scalpels. Much like the rTMS with the mice, it uses low frequency (no shock treatment here) to stimulate brain neurons, basically helping people get themselves together. So to speak, no offence intended.
Cleaning up oil spills: Back in 2018, scientists from Houston’s Rice University developed magnetic nanoparticles that can bind to oil in water. Once they’re magnetised, you can literally drag the oil out with a magnet. Handy if we ever see the likes of the Exxon Valdez debacle again right?
Magnetic slime that eats batteries: Possibly the weirdest and coolest is the Hong Kong-invented self-healing magnetic slime that can move through tight spaces (like digestive systems) to pick up small objects (like button batteries). Creepy, yes. But if it stops kids getting rushed to the ER on Boxing Day after they’ve had the time to work out how to dismantle their new electronic toys, we’re all on board, right?
Heal bones and boost cells: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) uses magnetic fields to speed up bone healing and stimulate cellular repair. It’s FDA approved in the US for non-healing fractures, and is also being studied for relief from chronic pain and depression, like TMS.
Magnets are how our data lives: Binary code is represented by tiny magnetic fields; that’s how your hard drive stores data. No magnets = no files and no memes.
Maglev trains use magnetic levitation to hover over tracks: No wheels, and no drag or friction means speeds of over 600km/h. Silent speed.
Harvest electricity from the air: Magnetic induction allows wireless charging of phones, toothbrushes and even entire electric cars. Coming soon? Possibly magnetic roads to charge said vehicles whilst driving.
Then there’s navigation.
Some animals, including birds, turtles, and even cows, can sense Earth’s magnetic field and use it for navigation.
There’s also evidence humans might have some low-key magnetosensing ability; we just haven’t figured out how to use it without getting distracted by Wi-Fi. Which tracks, honestly.
Magnets might not be actual magic. But they sure act like it.
Some applications are total whackery (yes, looking at you magnetic bracelets from 2004), but some are quietly reshaping science, and therefore our lives and life on earth.
The Alzheimer’s mouse study is just another example of, “wait, magnets can do that?”
It might go nowhere. It might lead to a breakthrough.
But if a few zaps to the skull can bring parts of a brain back online, whether it’s in rodents, humans, or whatever other animal gets ethically approved next, I’m thinking we keep them close.
Just maybe not in our pocket with our smartphone.