A group of South Korean scientists has identified the negative effects of magnetic nanoparticles on human cells, a finding that urges the development of new nanoparticles that are safe to humans, the science ministry said Wednesday.

According to the study, led by Chae Kwon-seok and Jang Yong-min, both professors at Kyungpook National University, nanoparticles magnetize themselves under strong magnetic fields, which make the particles cytotoxic to human cells.

The presence of magnetic nanoparticles in human bodies lead to an increase of multinucleated giant cells, which in turn cause tumors, cell deformation and even apoptosis, or death of cells, it said.

"The study confirmed magnetic nanoparticles that are widely in use for various purposes, including medical diagnosis, cause cytotoxicity under strong magnetic fields, which will hopefully lead to the establishment of safety standards for magnetic nanoparticles and development of new nanoparticles that are safe to humans," Chae said.

The findings were published on Sept. 10 in the international journal, Biomaterials, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which partly funded the research. (Yonhap News)