Weak magnetic fields alter stem cell-mediated growth.
Van Huizen AV, Morton JM, Kinsey LJ, Von Kannon DG, Saad MA, Birkholz TR, Czajka JM, Cyrus J, Barnes FS, Beane WS · 2019
View Original AbstractWeak magnetic fields can either increase or decrease stem cell activity and tissue regeneration, proving biological effects occur at low exposure levels.
Plain English Summary
Researchers studied how weak magnetic fields affect stem cells by examining tissue regeneration in planarians (flatworms that can regrow body parts). They found that depending on the magnetic field strength, these fields could either increase or decrease new tissue formation by altering stem cell activity and cellular stress responses. This suggests weak magnetic fields might be developed as therapeutic tools to control cell growth and healing processes.
Why This Matters
This research adds important evidence to our understanding of how even weak magnetic fields can influence fundamental biological processes. The study demonstrates that magnetic fields don't just affect cells in laboratory dishes - they can alter stem cell behavior and tissue regeneration in living organisms. What makes this particularly significant is that the effects were bidirectional, meaning different field strengths could either promote or inhibit cellular growth. This contradicts the common industry claim that weak EMFs have no biological effects. The reality is that our bodies contain stem cells that are constantly working to repair and maintain our tissues, and this research shows these critical processes can be influenced by magnetic field exposure. While the study focused on potential therapeutic applications, it raises important questions about how the magnetic fields we encounter daily from power lines, appliances, and electronic devices might be affecting our natural healing processes.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To study weak magnetic fields alter stem cell-mediated growth
Using the planarian regeneration model, we show that WMFs altered stem cell proliferation and subseq...
These data reveal that on the basis of field strength, WMF exposure can increase or decrease new tis...
Show BibTeX
@article{av_2019_weak_magnetic_fields_alter_1606,
author = {Van Huizen AV and Morton JM and Kinsey LJ and Von Kannon DG and Saad MA and Birkholz TR and Czajka JM and Cyrus J and Barnes FS and Beane WS},
title = {Weak magnetic fields alter stem cell-mediated growth.},
year = {2019},
url = {https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau7201?intcmp=trendmd-adv},
}