Improved bearing roller elements are disclosed. A first disclosed improvement is the addition of vanes to a ring-roller type element which allows fluids (such as liquids or gases) to flow through the bearing assembly. The fluids can then provide convection cooling. With proper configuration, the use of such vaned ring-roller elements can even allow the creation of a pump, either as part of the larger apparatus' cooling system or as a dedicated device. A second disclosed improvement, which can be used in combination with the first or in isolation, is the use of magnetic spokes in ring-roller type elements which allows them to be driven by an electromagnetic field. The use of such magnetic elements in the bearing roller elements also allows electromagnetic braking and/or regenerative braking.A bearing assembly incorporating the roller elements in a ring configuration and using pre-load to produce additional benefits is also disclosed.