Maes A, Anthonissen R, Wambacq S, Simons K, Verschaeve L. · 2016
Scientists exposed cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from power lines at levels above 50 microtesla and found genetic damage patterns similar to Alzheimer's patients. The exposure caused chromosome instability in cells, suggesting a possible biological link between power line magnetic fields and Alzheimer's disease development.
Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Shiri L, Alaei H, Naghdi N. · 2016
Researchers exposed rats to 10 Hz magnetic fields for 15 days to study brain chemistry effects. Three hours of daily exposure decreased serotonin breakdown products in the brain's mood-regulating region, while one hour had no effect. This suggests magnetic fields can alter brain chemistry linked to mood.
Rostami A et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed male rats to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) at 3 Hz and 60 Hz for several days and measured effects on brain activity and behavior. They found that both frequencies significantly reduced the rats' movement and decreased the firing rate of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a brain region important for arousal and attention. The study also detected widespread changes in brain proteins, suggesting that ELF-EMF exposure can alter brain function at multiple biological levels.
Reale M et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed human brain cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (the type from power lines) for up to 48 hours to see if it would cause neurological damage. They found no significant harmful effects on the cells' ability to manage oxidative stress or inflammation, though there were minor changes in serotonin metabolism. The study suggests that ELF-EMF exposure at these levels is unlikely to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
Çiğ B, Nazıroğlu M. · 2015
Researchers exposed breast cancer cells to radiation from mobile phones (900 and 1800 MHz) and Wi-Fi (2450 MHz) at various distances to see how proximity affected cellular damage. They found that radiation sources placed within 10 centimeters of the cells triggered harmful effects including oxidative stress, cell death, and calcium overload, while sources placed 20-25 centimeters away showed no significant effects. This suggests that distance from EMF sources matters significantly for cellular protection.
Deshmukh PS et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed rats to low-level microwave radiation at cell phone frequencies (900-2450 MHz) for 6 months and found significant brain damage. The exposed animals showed impaired learning and memory, elevated stress proteins, and DNA damage in brain tissue. These effects occurred at radiation levels thousands of times lower than current safety limits, suggesting chronic exposure to common wireless devices may harm cognitive function.
Ghosn R et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed 26 healthy young adults to radiofrequency signals from a mobile phone while measuring their brain activity using EEG (electroencephalogram). They found that RF exposure significantly reduced alpha brain waves (8-12 Hz), which are associated with relaxed, alert states, and this effect persisted even after the exposure ended. The study carefully controlled for other factors like stress hormones and caffeine that could influence brain activity.
Benassi B et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed human brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and found that while the fields didn't harm the cells directly, they made the cells much more vulnerable to a chemical toxin that causes Parkinson's disease-like damage. The magnetic field exposure disrupted the cells' natural antioxidant defenses, causing normally survivable toxin levels to trigger cell death through oxidative stress.
Saygin M, Asci H, Ozmen O, Cankara FN, Dincoglu D, Ilhan I. · 2015
Researchers exposed young male rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by WiFi and microwaves) for 3 hours daily over 30 days and found significant damage to their testes. The radiation increased oxidative stress, triggered inflammation, and reduced sperm production in the animals' reproductive organs. However, when rats received gallic acid (a natural antioxidant) alongside the radiation exposure, it protected against much of this testicular damage.
Saygin M, Asci H, Ozmen O, Cankara FN, Dincoglu D, Ilhan I · 2015
Researchers exposed young male rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency as WiFi and Bluetooth) for 3 hours daily over 30 days and found significant damage to testicular tissue and sperm production. The radiation increased oxidative stress markers and inflammatory proteins while reducing sperm counts in the testes. However, when rats were given gallic acid (an antioxidant found in tea and berries), it largely prevented these reproductive damages.
Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Li N. · 2015
Researchers exposed rats to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (the type emitted by power lines and electrical devices) for 12 weeks to see if it would affect memory and brain health, particularly markers associated with Alzheimer's disease. They found no changes in the rats' memory performance, brain tissue structure, or levels of amyloid-beta proteins that are linked to Alzheimer's. This suggests that short-term exposure to these fields at the levels tested did not harm cognitive function in this animal model.
Calvente I et al. · 2015
Spanish researchers measured radiofrequency radiation around 123 families' homes, finding average levels of 196 mV/m electric field strength. Though below safety guidelines, the study emphasized applying precautionary measures to protect children from chronic EMF exposure due to their developing biology and increasing wireless device use.
Saili L et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed rabbits to WiFi signals (2.45GHz) for one hour and measured their heart function and blood pressure. The WiFi exposure increased heart rate by 22% and blood pressure by 14%, while also disrupting normal heart rhythm patterns. This suggests that common WiFi radiation can directly affect cardiovascular function, even after just brief exposure.
Sangun O, Dundar B, Darici H, Comlekci S, Doguc DK, Celik S · 2015
Researchers exposed pregnant and newborn female rats to WiFi-frequency radiation (2450 MHz) for one hour daily and tracked their development through puberty. Rats exposed in the womb showed slower growth, delayed puberty, and increased oxidative stress in brain and ovary tissues compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that WiFi radiation during critical developmental periods may disrupt normal reproductive maturation.
Misa-Agustiño MJ et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) and found it caused visible damage to the thymus, a key immune system organ. The radiation triggered cellular stress responses, increased blood vessel leakage, and altered stress proteins even at levels below those that cause heating. This suggests that EMF exposure can disrupt immune system function through non-thermal biological mechanisms.
Holovská K et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used by WiFi and microwave ovens) for 3 hours daily over 3 weeks at power levels of 2.8 mW/cm². They found liver damage including inflammation, blood vessel dilation, and cellular changes including fat accumulation and dying liver cells. This suggests that chronic exposure to common microwave frequencies may harm liver function.
Yang ML, Ye ZM · 2015
Researchers exposed bone cancer cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) at 50 Hz and 1 milliTesla for up to 3 hours. They found the EMF exposure triggered cancer cell death (apoptosis) by increasing oxidative stress and activating specific cellular pathways. This suggests ELF-EMF might have potential therapeutic applications against bone cancer, though this was only tested in laboratory cell cultures, not living organisms.
Misa-Agustiño MJ et al. · 2015
Spanish researchers exposed rats to 2.45 GHz radiation (the same frequency as Wi-Fi and microwave ovens) and found significant changes in thyroid gland structure. The radiation caused thyroid follicles to swell and shrink in different patterns depending on exposure duration and power levels. These structural changes suggest the thyroid gland was responding to radiation stress, raising questions about potential long-term effects on thyroid function in humans exposed to similar frequencies.
Ross CL, Teli T, Harrison BS. · 2015
Researchers exposed cells containing human opioid receptors to 5 Hz electromagnetic fields and found they reduced cellular activity (cAMP levels) 23% more effectively than morphine. The effect was frequency-specific, as 13 Hz EMF produced no significant changes. This suggests certain EMF frequencies might influence pain pathways in ways similar to opioid drugs, potentially offering therapeutic benefits without drug side effects.
Lewicka M et al. · 2015
Polish researchers exposed human blood platelets to electromagnetic fields from car electronics, physiotherapy equipment, and LCD monitors for 30 minutes. They found that all three sources caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals), with car electronics producing the strongest effects. This suggests that common electronic devices may damage our blood cells and potentially contribute to diseases linked to oxidative stress.
Masoudian N et al. · 2015
Researchers exposed brain nerve cells to electromagnetic fields from power lines and appliances. EMF exposure caused glutamate, a crucial brain chemical, to fluctuate by up to 40%. This matters because glutamate disruptions are linked to neurological diseases and brain cell damage.
Jin H, Yoon HE, Lee JS, Kim JK, Myung SH, Lee YS. · 2015
Researchers exposed human lung cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (1-2 mT) alone and combined with radiation or hydrogen peroxide to test whether EMFs might make cells more vulnerable to genetic damage. The magnetic fields alone caused no genetic damage, and they didn't make the cells more susceptible to damage when combined with other stressors. This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields at these levels don't compromise cellular genetic stability.
Yang G, Ren Z, Mei YA. · 2015
Researchers exposed rat brain cells to power line frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz) and found they significantly boosted GABA receptor activity - the brain's main calming system. This change could potentially affect sleep, anxiety, and seizure control, showing how electromagnetic fields may influence brain function.
Mahdavi SM, Sahraei H, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Najafi Abedi A. · 2015
Iranian researchers exposed rats to 40 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in many electrical systems) for 21 days and tracked changes in behavior and metabolism. They found significant disruptions including altered body weight patterns, reduced appetite, elevated blood glucose levels, and decreased movement and exploration behaviors. These findings suggest that even relatively low-frequency electromagnetic fields can disrupt normal biological functions in mammals.
Todorović D, Prolić Z, Petković B, Kalauzi A. · 2015
Researchers exposed longhorn beetles to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) and measured how their brain neurons responded. They found that square wave magnetic fields caused measurable changes in neural activity after 10-15 minutes of exposure, while sine wave fields did not. This demonstrates that even insects show biological responses to power-frequency magnetic fields, and that the waveform shape matters for biological effects.
