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Articles on Magnetism

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Fusion could create more energy than any other process that could be produced on Earth. Shutterstock

Nuclear fusion: how excited should we be?

Fusion produces more energy per gram of fuel than any other process that could be achieved on Earth.
Do you have a magnetic compass in your head? Lightspring/Shutterstock.com

New evidence for a human magnetic sense that lets your brain detect the Earth’s magnetic field

Your brain’s sensory talents go way beyond those traditional five senses. A team of geoscientists and neurobiologists explored how the human brain monitors and responds to magnetic fields.
Every magnet has two sides: a north pole and a south pole. Helena/flickr

Curious Kids: How and why do magnets stick together?

The energy needed to pull magnets apart comes from you, and you get it from the food you eat. And the plants or animals you eat get their energy from other plants and animals, or from the Sun. All energy comes from somewhere.
Is this an impostor trying to break into your phone with his voice? Georgejmclittle/Shutterstock.com

Protecting your smartphone from voice impersonators

You can log in to your smartphone by talking to it. Current security systems don’t protect enough against imitators. The best way to ensure voice authentication is secure is to start with the sound.
All the magnets we’ve ever seen have a north and a south, but there might be some out there that have only one end. Shutterstock

Explainer: the mysterious missing magnetic monopole

Physicists have theorised about the existence of a magnetic monopole for decades, but we have yet to find one.
Optical elements of the experimental setup allowing to obtain visible-spectrum laser pulses as short as 10 femtoseconds. Courtesy of Dr. R. Borrego-Varillas and Prof. G. Cerullo, University Politecnico Milan (Italy)

Using lasers to make data storage faster than ever

The speed comparison between today’s technology and femtosecond spintronics is like comparing the fastest bullet train on Earth to the speed of light.
The invisible force and visible effects of magnetism. Hans Splinter

I’m stuck like glue: why I love magnets and you should too

I have a confession: I’m obsessed with magnets. We rely on magnets every day, but seldom give them a second thought. There are magnets in your credit card, your cellphone, your car, microwave oven and…
Magnets have mysterious powers – now shown to influence heat and sound. Magnet image via www.shutterstock.com.

Magnetic fields can control heat and sound

Sound waves are made of particles called phonons. New research shows they’re affected by magnetic fields, with researchers able to steer heat magnetically.
Superconducting materials have strange and unusual properties including magnetic levitation. Shutterstock

Explainer: what is a superconductor?

Just what is a superconductor? And what can it be used for? Research using superconductors at higher temperatures opens up more possibilities for this fascinating class of materials.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can help alleviate symptoms of autism, such as anxiety. AGUILA_JONATHAN/Flickr

Here’s a brainwave – magnetic pulses could treat autism

Around 1 in 68 children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the US Centres for Disease Control – an extraordinarily high number. Although the prevalence rise is probably due mainly to changes…

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