The fight against cancer just found a new group of soldiers: magnetic nanoparticles. In a recent study at Georgia Tech, scientists proved they could attach the nanoparticles to cancer cells then isolate them with a magnet. The procedure still has some bugs to work out (like whether the nanoparticles are poisonous) but early results are promising.

The new procedure combined with already proven, cancer-fighting procedures such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery could significantly help stop cancer from spreading to other areas in the body.

I found a video showing how the procedure works in the bloodstream. I also have a News Illustrated page running this Sunday explaining how the process works. You can also try own hand at the procedure with the interactive graphic below.