In 2023, EPFL researchers made a groundbreaking discovery in spintronics, sending and storing data using charge-free magnetic waves called spin waves instead of traditional electron flows. This breakthrough, led by Dirk Grundler’s team from the Lab of Nanoscale Magnetic Materials and Magnonics at the School of Engineering, showed great promise for sustainable computing. However, the ability to reset the magnetic bits was still limited.

Now, in a new study published in Nature Physics, Grundler’s lab, along with colleagues from Beihang University in China, has found that hematite – an iron oxide compound abundant on Earth and environmentally friendly compared to existing spintronics materials – exhibits unprecedented magnetic behavior. This discovery could make repeated encoding possible, eliminating the energy loss associated with electron-based devices.

The researchers’ work demonstrates that hematite is not only a sustainable replacement for established materials like yttrium iron garnet but also exhibits entirely new spin physics that can be harnessed for signal processing at ultrahigh frequencies. This is essential for developing ultrafast spintronic devices and their applications in next-generation information and communication technology.

The discovery came unexpectedly when EPFL alumnus Haiming Yu, now a professor at Beihang University, detected strange electrical signals from a nanostructured platinum stripe on hematite. Measured by researcher Lutong Sheng, these signals were unlike anything observed on conventional magnetic materials, leading Yu’s team to send the device to Grundler’s lab for analysis.

While examining the magnon signals in the sample, Grundler spotted a ‘wiggle’ in their spatial distribution, which eventually led to the discovery of an interference pattern. This was the critical turning point in this research, as determined by EPFL PhD student Anna Duvakina using light scattering microscopy.

Having two magnon modes is crucial for spin currents generated from magnons to switch back and forth between opposing polarizations on the same device. This could finally allow repeated encoding and storage of digital data. Next, the researchers hope to test this idea by mounting a nanomagnet onto the hematite device.

“Hematite has been known to man for thousands of years but its magnetism has been too weak for standard applications,” Grundler says. “Now, it turns out that it outperforms a material that was optimized for microwave electronics in the 1950s.” This is the beauty of science: you can take this old, earth-abundant material and find this very timely application for it, which could allow us to have a more efficient and sustainable approach to spintronics.

Gut bacteria have long been known to play a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. These tiny microorganisms reside in our intestines and are responsible for breaking down food, regulating our metabolism, and even influencing our mood. But did you know that these gut microbes can also produce powerful cancer-fighting molecules? A recent study has made this astonishing discovery, and it could potentially revolutionize the way we approach cancer treatment.

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have found that certain types of bacteria in the gut can transform cholesterol-derived bile acids into potent anti-cancer agents. These modified bile acids are capable of blocking the activity of a molecule called the androgen receptor, which plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth and development. By inhibiting this receptor, these cancer-fighting molecules can help prevent the spread of tumors and even trigger their destruction.

The study was led by Dr. Chun-Jun Guo, an associate professor of immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine, who said that he was “very surprised” by the findings. The researchers tested over 100 different bile acid molecules modified by gut bacteria and discovered three specific compounds that were capable of blocking the androgen receptor.

When these modified bile acids were administered to mice with bladder cancer, they were found to induce a potent anti-tumor response. Further analysis revealed that the bile acids specifically boosted the activity of T cells, the immune cells best equipped to kill cancer cells.

The researchers believe that this discovery could lead to new approaches for treating various types of cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung cancer. They suggest introducing targeted gut microbes to patients before therapy or directly administering the anti-cancer bile acids as part of treatment.

However, important questions remain unanswered. How might diet influence microbiota composition and affect the production of these beneficial molecules? What physiological effects might these modified bile acids have in healthy individuals?

The researchers are now focused on precisely controlling the synthesis and release of these beneficial molecules using advanced techniques to genetically engineer gut commensal bacteria. They aim to understand the broader physiological impact initiated by these androgen-blocking, microbiota-derived bile acids.

This breakthrough has opened up exciting new possibilities for cancer treatment, and it highlights the profound partnership between the human host and its gut microbiota. By integrating microbial activity into the design of future therapies, researchers may be able to unlock new ways of harnessing the power of our gut microbes to promote overall health and well-being.

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High blood pressure is a global concern that affects over 30% of adults worldwide. It’s the leading cause of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other serious health issues like chronic kidney disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and dementia.

When it comes to managing high blood pressure, most people are advised to reduce their sodium intake. However, new research from the University of Waterloo suggests that increasing the ratio of dietary potassium to sodium may be a more effective approach for lowering blood pressure.

According to Professor Anita Layton, “Usually, we’re told to eat less salt, but our research shows that adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet, such as bananas or broccoli, might have a greater positive impact on your blood pressure than just cutting sodium.”

Potassium and sodium are both essential electrolytes that help regulate various bodily functions, including muscle contraction, water balance, and electrical signals. Our bodies were designed to thrive on a high-potassium, low-sodium diet, which was typical in our ancestors’ diets rich in fruits and vegetables.

However, modern western diets tend to be high in sodium and low in potassium, which may explain why high blood pressure is more prevalent in industrialized societies. While previous research has shown that increasing potassium intake can help control blood pressure, this study took it a step further by developing a mathematical model that identifies how the ratio of potassium to sodium affects the body.

The researchers also found that sex differences play a role in how blood pressure responds to changes in potassium and sodium ratios. Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than pre-menopausal women, but they are also more likely to respond positively to an increased ratio of potassium to sodium.

The study’s lead author, Melissa Stadt, emphasizes the importance of mathematical models like this one, which allow researchers to quickly, cheaply, and ethically identify how different factors impact the body. This knowledge can help us develop more effective strategies for managing high blood pressure and promoting overall well-being.