Cason AM, Kwon B, Smith JC, Houpt TA · 2009
Researchers exposed rats to extremely strong static magnetic fields (14.1 Tesla, like MRI machines) and found they walked in circles, developed taste aversion, and showed brain activity changes. When the rats' inner ears were surgically destroyed, all these effects disappeared, proving the inner ear is essential for the body's response to high magnetic fields.
Bas O, Odaci E, Mollaoglu H, Ucok K, Kaplan S · 2009
This study examined the effects of prenatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields on hippocampal development in rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to the electromagnetic field during gestation days 1-19, and their offspring were analyzed at 4 weeks of age. The researchers found that prenatal electromagnetic field exposure significantly reduced the total number of pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis region of the hippocampus compared to controls.
Vácha M, Puzová T, Kvícalová M · 2009
Researchers found that weak radio frequency electromagnetic fields can disrupt the magnetic navigation abilities of both birds and cockroaches. Radio waves at just 1.2 MHz - thousands of times weaker than Earth's magnetic field - interfered with the insects' ability to sense direction. This suggests that common radio frequencies might affect the biological compass systems that many animals rely on for navigation.
Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L · 2009
Swedish researchers tested whether wireless phone use affects blood-brain barrier integrity by measuring S100B protein levels in 1,000 adults. The study found no significant association between mobile or cordless phone use and elevated S100B levels, suggesting wireless phones don't compromise the blood-brain barrier based on this biomarker.
Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L · 2009
This cross-sectional study of 1,000 Swedish subjects examined whether long-term and short-term use of mobile and cordless telephones was associated with changes in serum transthyretin levels, a marker potentially reflecting effects on the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. The study found sex-dependent associations: men showed higher serum transthyretin with longer use of analogue and combined mobile/cordless phones, but lower levels with UMTS phone use, while women showed higher levels with shorter time intervals after recent phone calls.
Naziroğlu M, Gümral N · 2009
This study investigated whether 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from wireless devices affects brain antioxidant systems and EEG activity in rats, and whether selenium and L-carnitine supplementation could provide protective effects. The researchers found that EMR exposure reduced brain concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E, while selenium and L-carnitine supplementation helped restore these levels and reduce lipid peroxidation, with L-carnitine showing a stronger protective effect than selenium.
Masuda H et al. · 2009
Japanese researchers exposed 64 rats to 915 MHz electromagnetic fields (similar to older cell phone frequencies) for 2 hours at various power levels, then examined their brains 14 and 50 days later. They found no evidence of blood-brain barrier damage or neuronal harm, contradicting an earlier Swedish study that claimed such effects. This represents an important failure to replicate concerning brain damage claims.
Del Vecchio G et al. · 2009
Italian researchers exposed developing brain cells to 900 MHz GSM cell phone radiation at 1 W/kg and found it reduced the growth of neural projections (neurites) that are critical for brain development. The study used both mouse brain cell lines and rat brain neurons, finding consistent effects across both models within 24-72 hours of exposure.
Del Vecchio G et al. · 2009
This in vitro study examined how continuous GSM-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure (900 MHz, 1 W/kg SAR) affected neural cell viability and vulnerability to neurotoxic challenges in two cell systems: SN56 cholinergic cells and rat primary cortical neurons. RF exposure alone did not affect cell viability or proliferation, but co-exposure with hydrogen peroxide exacerbated neurotoxic effects in SN56 cells only, while no cooperative effects were observed with glutamate or beta-amyloid.
de Tommaso M et al. · 2009
Researchers exposed 10 healthy volunteers to 900 MHz GSM cell phone signals and measured brain electrical activity using event-related potentials. Both active phones and sham phones (with electromagnetic power dissipated internally) reduced brain arousal responses compared to phones that were completely off. This suggests cell phone exposure affects brain electrical activity and attention processing.
de Gannes FP et al. · 2009
This study examined whether a 2-hour exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone signals would cause blood-brain barrier permeability changes and neuronal degeneration in rats, as previously reported by Salford et al. The researchers exposed rats at various SAR levels and evaluated outcomes at 14 and 50 days post-exposure, finding no statistically significant albumin leakage, neuronal degeneration, or apoptotic neurons across tested groups, contradicting the earlier findings.
Del Vecchio G et al. · 2009
Researchers exposed developing brain cells to cell phone radiation at 900 MHz (the same frequency used by GSM phones) and found it reduced the number of nerve branches that normally grow during brain development. The radiation also increased production of beta-thymosin, a protein that regulates cell structure, suggesting the EMF interfered with normal neural maturation processes.
Naziroğlu M, Gümral N · 2009
This study examined whether 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation affects the brain's antioxidant defense system in rats and whether selenium or L-carnitine supplementation could provide protective effects. Exposure to the radiation for 60 minutes daily over 28 days reduced brain levels of vitamins A, C, and E, while selenium and L-carnitine supplementation partially restored these antioxidant markers, with L-carnitine showing stronger protective effects than selenium.
Harris SR et al · 2009
This study attempted to independently replicate a 2009 finding that weak magnetic fields (500 μT) enhanced cryptochrome-dependent responses in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Using multiple experimental conditions and magnetic field intensities (50 μT to ~100 mT), the researchers measured hypocotyl length, anthocyanin accumulation, and gene expression levels, but found no consistent or statistically significant magnetic field responses.
Burda H et al · 2009
Researchers found that cattle and deer normally align their bodies north-south with Earth's magnetic field, but this natural behavior disappears near high-voltage power lines. The extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields from power lines disrupt this magnetic sensing ability, with effects diminishing as distance from the lines increases.
Funk RH et al · 2009
This comprehensive 2009 review examined how electric fields, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic fields affect cells and tissues at the biological level. Researchers found that cells naturally produce electric fields through ion channels and transporters, and that external electromagnetic fields can trigger cellular responses that reach all the way to gene expression changes in cell nuclei. The review highlights that living tissues constantly experience alternating electromagnetic fields, making this a fundamental aspect of cell biology.
de Gannes FP et al · 2009
French researchers exposed genetically modified mice prone to ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at power line frequencies for 7 weeks before disease symptoms appeared. The study found no evidence that magnetic field exposure accelerated disease progression, affected motor function, or shortened lifespan in this animal model.
Orendacova J et al · 2009
Slovak researchers exposed newborn and elderly rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency as WiFi and microwaves) for 2-3 days and found significant disruption of brain cell development. The study showed that electromagnetic field exposure interfered with neurogenesis (new brain cell formation) in age- and dose-dependent ways, with effects lasting weeks after exposure ended.
McQuade JM et al · 2009
Air Force researchers exposed rats to 915 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for 30 minutes at various power levels to test whether it damages the blood-brain barrier. They found no detectable leakage of albumin proteins across this protective barrier, contradicting earlier studies from Lund University that reported blood-brain barrier damage from similar exposures.
Masuda H et al · 2009
Japanese researchers exposed 64 rats to 915 MHz electromagnetic fields (similar to older cordless phones) for 2 hours at various power levels, then examined their brains 14 and 50 days later. They found no evidence of blood-brain barrier damage or neuron death, contradicting earlier Swedish research that claimed such effects occurred.
Robertson JA et al · 2009
This 2009 functional MRI study investigated how exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (DC to 300 Hz) affects pain processing in the human brain. The researchers found significant differences in brain activation patterns between exposed and sham-exposed groups in regions including the insula, anterior cingulate, and hippocampus/caudate, suggesting that low-intensity magnetic fields can modulate neural processing of acute thermal pain in humans.
Davanipour Z, Sobel E · 2009
Scientists reviewed evidence linking long-term occupational exposure to magnetic fields with increased risks of Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. They found that high-level magnetic field exposure affects two key biological processes: increasing harmful amyloid beta production in the brain and decreasing protective melatonin production. This research suggests both power line frequencies and radio frequencies may have similar biological effects.
Burda H et al · 2009
Researchers found that cattle and deer naturally align their bodies north-south with Earth's magnetic field, but this behavior becomes random near high-voltage power lines. The extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields from power lines disrupt the animals' magnetic sensing ability, with effects diminishing as distance from the lines increases.
Robertson JA et al · 2009
This functional MRI study examined how exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (DC to 300 Hz) affects pain processing in the human brain. The researchers found significant differences in brain activation patterns between exposed and sham-exposed groups in regions including the insula, anterior cingulate, and hippocampus/caudate, suggesting that low-intensity magnetic fields can modulate neural activity related to acute thermal pain perception.
Huttunen P et al · 2009
Finnish researchers tested 29 adults for sensitivity to FM radio and TV tower signals by using a movable wall to create changing electromagnetic standing waves. Nine people showed hand movements that correlated with the electromagnetic field changes, while 14 showed no response at all. The study suggests some people can physically detect broadcast tower radiation.
