Zeng Y, Shen Y, Hong L, Chen Y, Shi X, Zeng Q, Yu P · 2017
Researchers exposed brain cells from the hippocampus (a memory center) to 50-Hz magnetic fields at 2 milliTesla for 8 hours daily and measured various biological effects. They found that repeated exposure reduced cell survival and increased harmful reactive oxygen species, but did not cause DNA damage or cell death. The study suggests that while these magnetic fields create cellular stress, they may not cause severe biological damage.
Cichoń N et al. · 2017
Researchers studied 48 stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, with half receiving additional exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (40 Hz) for 15 minutes daily. The EMF-exposed group showed increased levels of nitric oxide compounds in their blood and demonstrated better functional and mental recovery compared to the control group. This suggests that specific EMF frequencies might help enhance brain healing after stroke.
Zeng Y, Shen Y , Hong L, Chen Y, Shi X, Zeng Q, Yu P. · 2017
Researchers exposed brain cells important for memory to power-line frequency magnetic fields for eight hours daily. The exposure reduced cell health and increased cellular damage from free radicals, suggesting household electrical fields may stress brain cells without causing severe damage.
Ehnert S et al. · 2017
German researchers exposed human bone cells to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (16 Hz) for 7 minutes daily over 5 days to study cellular responses. They found that single exposures triggered oxidative stress, but repeated exposures actually strengthened the cells' antioxidant defenses and improved bone formation. The study suggests these electromagnetic fields might help bone healing by training cells to better handle oxidative damage.
Clarke D et al. · 2017
Researchers exposed brain support cells called astrocytes to repetitive magnetic stimulation at different frequencies to see how they responded. They found that 1 Hz magnetic pulses caused a significant increase in calcium levels inside these cells, which is a sign of cellular activation. This suggests that magnetic fields can directly influence brain cells beyond just neurons, potentially explaining some of the biological effects seen with magnetic field exposure.
Villarini M et al. · 2017
Italian researchers exposed brain cancer cells (neuroblastoma) to 50 Hz magnetic fields and aluminum compounds, both separately and together, to see if they would cause DNA damage. After exposing the cells to magnetic field levels ranging from 0.01 to 1 mT for up to 5 hours, they found no DNA damage, no changes in cellular stress markers, or any harmful synergistic effects when the exposures were combined. This suggests that short-term exposure to these power-frequency magnetic fields, even in combination with aluminum, does not appear to damage DNA in these particular brain cell types.
Benassi B et al. · 2016
Italian researchers exposed brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields, then tested their response to a Parkinson's toxin. While EMF alone didn't harm cells, it weakened their antioxidant defenses, making them far more vulnerable to the toxin's damage, suggesting EMF might increase susceptibility to Parkinson's disease.
Falone S et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed drug-resistant brain cancer cells to pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) at 75 Hz for brief periods over five days, then tested how well the cells handled oxidative stress. The PEMF treatment boosted the cells' antioxidant defenses and reduced harmful reactive oxygen species when challenged with hydrogen peroxide. This suggests that specific electromagnetic field exposures might actually help protect cells from oxidative damage rather than harm them.
Duong CN, Kim JY · 2016
Researchers exposed human brain immune cells to magnetic fields at 50 Hz while depriving them of oxygen to mimic stroke conditions. The magnetic field exposure protected cells from dying by reducing harmful calcium and oxidative stress, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for stroke treatment.
Kesari KK, Juutilainen J, Luukkonen J, Naarala J. · 2016
Researchers exposed brain cells to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type from power lines) at levels as low as 10 microtesla for 24 hours. The study found significant DNA damage in human neuroblastoma cells and increased oxidative stress in rat brain cells. These effects occurred at magnetic field levels that are commonly encountered near electrical appliances and power infrastructure.
Hu Y et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed genetically modified mice with Alzheimer's disease to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50Hz, 500μT) for three months daily. The magnetic field exposure improved cognitive function, reduced brain cell death, and decreased tau protein abnormalities that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that controlled magnetic field exposure might have therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative conditions.
Calabrò E. · 2016
Researchers exposed human brain-like cells to a 50 Hz magnetic field (the type emitted by power lines and household appliances) for 4 hours and found significant changes in cellular proteins. The magnetic field caused proteins to clump together abnormally and altered their structural bonds, which are critical for proper brain cell function. These molecular changes suggest that everyday electromagnetic fields may disrupt normal cellular processes in brain tissue.
Feng B, Qiu L, Ye C, Chen L, Fu Y, Sun W. · 2016
Chinese researchers exposed human cells to magnetic fields at levels similar to those found near power lines and appliances (0.4 mT for 60 minutes). They discovered that this exposure damaged the powerhouses of cells (mitochondria) by triggering a harmful chain reaction involving oxidative stress. The damage occurred through a specific biological pathway that could be blocked with antioxidants, suggesting the effects are real and measurable.
Salunke BP, Umathe SN, Chavan JG. · 2016
Researchers exposed mice to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for up to 120 days and found it caused significant anxiety-like behavior. The study identified that these fields disrupt brain chemistry by affecting NMDA receptors and increasing glutamate levels in key brain regions. This suggests that long-term exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields can alter brain function and behavior.
Tang R, Xu Y, Ma F, Ren J, Shen S, Du Y, Hou Y, Wang T · 2016
Researchers exposed mice with lung cancer to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (7.5 Hz, 0.4 Tesla) for 2 hours daily over 27 days and found the treatment significantly reduced tumor spread in the lungs. The magnetic fields worked by altering immune cell behavior - specifically reducing regulatory T cells (immune cells that normally suppress anti-tumor responses) and increasing cellular stress molecules called reactive oxygen species. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might enhance the body's natural ability to fight cancer by modifying immune system function.
Falone S et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma cells (a type of brain cancer cell) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 1 milliTesla and found the fields made the cancer cells grow faster and become more aggressive. The magnetic field exposure triggered protective mechanisms in the cancer cells that helped them survive and multiply more effectively. This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields might promote the growth of existing brain tumors.
Nakayama M, Nakamura A, Hondou T, Miyata H · 2016
Researchers exposed immune cells called macrophages to 50-Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 24 hours to see if it would damage their DNA. They found that magnetic field exposure alone caused no harm, but when cells were first activated by bacterial toxins, the magnetic field exposure increased DNA damage and reduced cell survival.
Feng B, Dai A, Chen L, Qiu L, Fu Y, Sun W. · 2016
Researchers exposed human cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency used in household electricity) and found that even brief exposures triggered increased production of reactive oxygen species - harmful molecules that can damage cells. The magnetic fields caused specific cellular receptors to cluster together abnormally, a process linked to various health problems including cancer development.
Gok DK et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their offspring to 50 Hz electric fields (the same frequency as household electricity) and measured brain wave responses to visual and touch stimuli. The exposed animals showed delayed brain responses and increased oxidative damage in both brain and retinal tissue compared to unexposed controls. This suggests that electric field exposure during development can impair nervous system function through cellular damage mechanisms.
Gok DK et al. · 2016
Scientists exposed pregnant rats to 50 Hz electric fields from power lines and tested their offspring's brain responses as adults. The exposed rats showed delayed neural processing for vision and touch, plus increased brain damage markers, suggesting developmental electric field exposure causes lasting nervous system changes.
Akpınar D et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their offspring to power line-frequency electric fields, then tested brain function. EMF exposure significantly impaired the brain's ability to detect sound changes, a skill essential for learning and attention, with damage linked to cellular oxidative stress.
Ansari AM et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type produced by power lines and electrical devices) for either 2 hours once or 2 hours daily for 2 weeks. They found that long-term exposure actually reduced depression-like behavior in the mice, while short-term exposure had no effect. The study suggests these magnetic fields may alter brain chemistry by affecting nitric oxide levels, which plays a role in mood regulation.
Feng B, Ye C, Qiu L, Chen L, Fu Y, Sun W · 2016
Researchers exposed human cells to a 50-Hz magnetic field (the same frequency as power lines) and found it protected cells from dying when they were later exposed to a toxic chemical. The magnetic field triggered the release of reactive oxygen species from mitochondria (the cell's power plants), which activated protective cellular pathways. This suggests extremely low frequency magnetic fields can influence fundamental cellular survival mechanisms.
Hu Y et al. · 2016
Researchers exposed mice with Alzheimer's disease to a 50 Hz magnetic field (the type from power lines) for 20 hours daily over 3 months. The magnetic field exposure improved the mice's memory and learning abilities, while also reducing toxic protein buildup in their brains that's characteristic of Alzheimer's. This suggests that certain types of electromagnetic fields might actually have protective effects on brain health rather than harmful ones.
Mahmoudinasab H, Sanie-Jahromi F, Saadat M · 2016
Researchers exposed breast cancer cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (household electricity frequency) for 30 minutes. Stronger fields significantly altered genes that protect cells from damage, especially during on-off exposure patterns. This shows brief EMF exposure can disrupt cellular defense systems.
