The heart produces magnetic signals that can be used to diagnose disease, but they are hard to measure wacpan / Alamy
A diamond-based quantum sensor has been used to measure magnetic signals from the heart of a living animal for the first time. It is a step towards being able to use quantum devices in ordinary medical settings.
The heart’s magnetic signals are a useful diagnostic for cardiovascular diseases, but they are also very faint – millions of times weaker than fridge magnets. To detect them, medical professionals must use special sensing equipment that is typically costly, bulky…
