Investigation of Thermal Balance in Mammals by Means of Microwave Radiation
B. S. Jacobson, S. B. Prausnitz, C. Susskind · 1959
1959 research showed 3-centimeter microwave radiation significantly altered thermal regulation in mice, demonstrating measurable biological effects decades before consumer microwave technology.
Plain English Summary
Researchers in 1959 exposed mice to 3-centimeter wavelength microwave radiation to study how electromagnetic energy affects body temperature regulation in mammals. The study found that microwave exposure could be used as a research tool to investigate thermal balance and heat exchange processes in warm-blooded animals. This early research laid groundwork for understanding how microwave radiation interacts with biological systems.
Why This Matters
This 1959 study represents some of the earliest scientific investigation into how microwave radiation affects living mammals, predating widespread consumer microwave technology by decades. What makes this research particularly relevant today is that 3-centimeter wavelength radiation corresponds to frequencies around 10 GHz, which overlaps with some modern wireless communications including certain 5G applications and WiFi bands. The researchers' focus on thermal effects reflects the prevailing scientific understanding of the time that heating was the primary biological mechanism of concern. However, we now know that EMF effects can occur at exposure levels well below those that cause measurable heating. The fact that these early researchers could detect measurable changes in thermal regulation suggests that microwave radiation was having significant physiological impacts on the test animals, even with 1950s-era equipment that likely produced much higher power levels than today's consumer devices.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{investigation_of_thermal_balance_in_mammals_by_means_of_microwave_radiation_g5711,
author = {B. S. Jacobson and S. B. Prausnitz and C. Susskind},
title = {Investigation of Thermal Balance in Mammals by Means of Microwave Radiation},
year = {1959},
}