Hwang Y, Ahn J, Mun J, Bae S, Jeong YU, Vinokurov NA, Kim P. · 2014
Researchers exposed mouse ear skin to terahertz (THz) radiation at 2.7 THz frequency for 30 minutes and monitored the immune response using advanced microscopy. They found that THz exposure triggered a massive inflammatory response, with immune cells called neutrophils flooding into the exposed skin area within 6 hours. Importantly, this inflammatory reaction occurred without any detectable heating of the skin, suggesting the radiation caused biological effects through non-thermal mechanisms.
Davanipour Z, Tseng C-C, Lee PJ, Markides KS, Sobel E. · 2014
Researchers studied 3,050 elderly Mexican Americans to examine whether jobs with high magnetic field exposure affected severe cognitive problems. Workers in high-exposure occupations like power plants were 3.4 times more likely to develop severe cognitive dysfunction, particularly among older adults and smokers.
Davanipour Z, Tseng C-C, Lee PJ, Markides KS, Sobel E. · 2014
Researchers studied over 3,000 elderly Mexican Americans to see if working in jobs with high magnetic field exposure (like electricians or welders) was linked to severe cognitive problems. They found that people who worked in high magnetic field occupations were 3.4 times more likely to develop severe cognitive dysfunction, with the risk being even higher for older adults and smokers. This is the first study to specifically examine the connection between workplace magnetic field exposure and severe cognitive decline in older adults.
Mahdavi SM, Sahraei H, Yaghmaei P, Tavakoli H. · 2014
Researchers exposed male rats to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields at 1 Hz and 5 Hz to study effects on stress hormones and behavior. They found that these exposures altered stress hormone levels (increasing ACTH while decreasing noradrenaline) and changed glucose metabolism differently depending on the frequency used. The study demonstrates that even very low frequency EMF exposures can disrupt the body's stress response system in measurable ways.
de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014
Dutch researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels up to 1,000 microtesla for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 48 hours. They found no effects on calcium levels, oxidative stress, or cell membrane integrity, even in cells that had been chemically stressed to make them more vulnerable. The exposure levels were 10,000 times higher than typical background magnetic field exposure.
Li L, Xiong DF, Liu JW, Li ZX, Zeng GC, Li HL. · 2014
Chinese researchers tested whether power line workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields while inspecting transformers and power lines showed changes in brain function and reaction times. They compared 310 inspection workers to 300 office staff using computerized tests measuring mental arithmetic, visual memory, and reaction speed. Despite many workers being exposed to electric fields above China's occupational safety standards, the study found no differences in cognitive performance between the two groups.
Li Y, Zhang C, Song T. · 2014
Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100 microT (similar to levels near some electrical appliances) for 90 days while testing their spatial memory and learning abilities using a water maze. The magnetic field exposure did not impair the rats' ability to learn or remember spatial tasks, nor did it interfere with improvements from previous training. This suggests that this level of extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure does not harm basic learning and memory functions.
Sorahan T, Mohammed N · 2014
Researchers tracked 73,051 UK electrical workers for nearly 40 years to see if workplace magnetic field exposure increased their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, motor neurone disease, or Parkinson's disease. The study found no statistically significant increase in any of these neurodegenerative diseases, even among workers with the highest magnetic field exposures. This suggests that occupational magnetic field exposure at the levels experienced by electrical workers does not elevate the risk of these brain diseases.
de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014
Researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels up to 1,000 microtesla for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 48 hours. They tested both healthy cells and chemically-stressed cells that were more vulnerable to damage. The magnetic field exposure caused no detectable effects on calcium levels, cellular damage, or oxidative stress in either type of cell.
Jin YB et al. · 2014
Researchers exposed four different types of human and mouse cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 4 to 16 hours, both alone and combined with known DNA-damaging agents like radiation and hydrogen peroxide. They found no DNA damage from the magnetic field exposure alone, and the magnetic fields did not make other DNA-damaging agents more harmful. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields at 1 milliTesla may not directly damage cellular DNA.
de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014
Researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at extremely high levels - up to 1000 microteslas, which is 10,000 times stronger than typical background exposure. They tested both healthy cells and chemically-stressed cells that were more vulnerable to damage. The study found no toxic effects on the nerve cells' calcium balance, oxidative stress levels, or cell membrane integrity, even at these extraordinarily high exposure levels.
Maestú C et al. · 2013
Spanish researchers tested whether very low-intensity 8 Hz magnetic fields could help women with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. After eight weekly sessions, patients receiving real magnetic stimulation showed significant improvements in pain thresholds, daily functioning, chronic pain levels, and sleep quality compared to those receiving fake treatment. The benefits appeared quickly for pain relief but took six weeks to develop for other symptoms, suggesting magnetic fields may offer a safe treatment option for fibromyalgia patients.
Lustenberger C et al. · 2013
Swiss researchers exposed 16 men to pulsed radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) throughout entire nights of sleep and measured their brain activity and learning ability. They found that RF exposure altered brain wave patterns during sleep and reduced the participants' ability to improve on a motor skill task by 20% compared to nights without exposure. This suggests that RF radiation can interfere with the brain's natural sleep processes that are essential for learning and memory consolidation.
Kim HJ, Jung J, Park JH, Kim JH, Ko KN, Kim CW. · 2013
Researchers exposed bone marrow stem cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (power line frequency) and found the fields accelerated transformation into nerve cells while slowing cell division. This suggests power frequency EMFs might influence how our bodies generate neurons, potentially affecting neurological health.
Bai WF, Xu WC, Feng Y, Huang H, Li XP, Deng CY, Zhang MS. · 2013
Researchers exposed rat bone marrow stem cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency as household electricity) for one hour daily over 12 days. The EMF exposure significantly enhanced the stem cells' ability to transform into functional brain neurons, complete with working synapses and electrical activity. This suggests that power frequency magnetic fields can directly influence cellular development and may have therapeutic applications for treating nervous system diseases.
Rauš S et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 7 days after inducing stroke-like brain damage. The magnetic field exposure actually reduced brain cell death in the hippocampus, the brain region most critical for memory formation. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might have protective effects on brain tissue after injury.
Rauš S et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) after inducing stroke-like brain damage to see if EMF exposure affected recovery. They found that animals exposed to magnetic fields at 0.5 mT had significantly less brain cell death and better immune cell responses compared to unexposed animals. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might actually protect brain tissue during injury recovery.
Calabrò E et al. · 2013
Italian researchers exposed human brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (European power frequency) and found exposures above 0.8 milliTesla damaged cellular energy systems and altered protein structures. This demonstrates measurable biological harm from power-frequency magnetic fields at levels found in some occupational environments.
Akdag MZ et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 10 months to test effects on sperm health, cell death, and oxidative stress. They found no impact on sperm count or quality, and no oxidative damage at either exposure level tested. However, higher exposure (500 μT) did increase markers of programmed cell death in testicular tissue.
Manikonda PK et al. · 2013
Researchers exposed young rats to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type from power lines and appliances) for 90 days and found significant oxidative stress damage in their brains. The damage was dose-dependent, meaning higher field strengths caused more harm, and affected different brain regions differently. This suggests that chronic exposure to these common magnetic fields may damage brain cells by overwhelming the body's natural antioxidant defenses.
Selaković V, Rauš Balind S, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2013
Researchers exposed young adult and middle-aged gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields at three different intensities for seven days, then measured oxidative stress markers in their brains. They found that magnetic field exposure increased oxidative stress in all brain regions tested, with stronger effects at higher field intensities and in older animals. The effects were still detectable three days after exposure ended, particularly in the middle-aged gerbils.
Selaković V, Rauš Balind S, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2013
Scientists exposed gerbils to power line frequency magnetic fields for seven days. The exposure increased brain cell damage in all tested regions, with stronger effects in older animals and at higher field strengths. Younger brains recovered better after exposure ended, suggesting age affects vulnerability.
Akdag MZ, Dasdag S, Cakir DU, Yokus B, Kizil G, Kizil M. · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields at levels considered safe for humans for 10 months. The fields didn't affect Alzheimer's-related proteins but significantly increased markers of cellular damage in brain tissue, suggesting long-term exposure may harm brain cells.
Akdag MZ, Dasdag S, Cakir DU, Yokus B, Kizil G, Kizil M. · 2013
Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields at levels considered safe by current standards for 10 months. The exposure significantly increased two markers of brain cell damage and aging, suggesting that even "safe" magnetic field levels may cause harmful oxidative stress in brain tissue over time.
Glinka M, Sieroń A, Birkner E, Cieślar G · 2013
Researchers exposed rats with skin wounds to 40 Hz magnetic fields at 10 mT (millitesla) to see if it would help healing. They found the magnetic field exposure increased antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced cellular damage markers, suggesting the treatment helped protect cells from harmful oxidative stress during the wound healing process.
