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Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura.

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Dimitrijević D, Savić T, Anđelković M, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2014

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Magnetic fields at power line frequencies altered fruit fly development and significantly reduced movement, showing EMF can affect both growth and nervous system function.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed fruit flies to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) at 0.5 milliTesla for 48 hours and tracked their development and behavior. The magnetic field exposure shortened development time, increased survival rates, but significantly reduced the flies' movement and activity levels. This study demonstrates that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can alter both biological development and nervous system function in living organisms.

Why This Matters

This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how extremely low frequency magnetic fields affect biological systems. The 0.5 milliTesla exposure level used here is significantly higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01 to 0.2 milliTesla near appliances), but it's within the range that can occur near power lines or electrical substations. What makes this research particularly valuable is that it shows EMF effects on both development and nervous system function, with the locomotor changes persisting longer when adult flies were exposed versus larvae. The science demonstrates that ELF magnetic fields can influence biological processes across different life stages, affecting both cellular development and neurological function. While fruit flies aren't humans, they share fundamental biological processes with us, and their nervous systems respond to environmental stressors in ways that often parallel human responses.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.5 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
48 h

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 4,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields are essential ecological factors which may induce changes in many organisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effects in Drosophila subobscura exposed for 48 h to ELF magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) at different developmental stages.

Egg-first instar larvae developmental stage of D. subobscura isofemale lines was exposed to ELF magn...

ELF magnetic field shortens developmental time, increases viability and does not affect sex ratio of...

Applied ELF magnetic field modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of D. subobscura. Observed effects can be attributed to the influence of magnetic field on different stages of development where the hormonal and nervous systems play important role in the control of examined parameters.

Cite This Study
Dimitrijević D, Savić T, Anđelković M, Prolić Z, Janać B. (2014). Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura. Int J Radiat Biol. 2014 Mar19.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2014_extremely_low_frequency_magnetic_634,
  author = {Dimitrijević D and Savić T and Anđelković M and Prolić Z and Janać B.},
  title = {Extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) modifies fitness components and locomotor activity of Drosophila subobscura.},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3109/09553002.2014.888105},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09553002.2014.888105},
}
DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.888105

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research shows 50 Hz magnetic fields (power line frequency) can alter nervous system function. A 2014 study found fruit flies exposed to these fields showed significantly reduced movement and activity levels, indicating effects on brain-controlled behaviors.
Yes, 50 Hz magnetic field exposure significantly reduces locomotor activity. Researchers found fruit flies exposed to power line frequency magnetic fields moved less and showed decreased activity levels, with effects lasting longer in newly developed adults.
ELF magnetic fields can alter normal development patterns. A study found 50 Hz exposure shortened development time and increased survival rates in fruit flies, but also reduced their movement abilities, suggesting mixed developmental effects.
Power line frequency magnetic fields appear to influence nervous system function by affecting hormonal and developmental processes. Research demonstrates these fields can reduce movement and activity levels, indicating direct effects on brain-controlled behaviors.
50 Hz EMF exposure significantly decreases locomotor activity and movement patterns. Studies show fruit flies exposed to power line frequency magnetic fields become less active, with behavioral changes persisting longer when exposure occurs during development.