3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.

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Showing 1,453 studies in Cellular Effects

The in vivo effects of low-intensity radiofrequency fields on the motor activity of protozoa

Sarapultseva EI, Igolkina JV, Tikhonov VN, Dubrova YE · 2014

Researchers exposed single-celled organisms called ciliates to radiofrequency radiation at levels similar to what we encounter from cell phones and wireless devices. The radiation significantly reduced the organisms' ability to move, and this damage persisted in their offspring for at least 10-15 generations even though the offspring were never directly exposed. This suggests that RF radiation can cause biological effects that are passed down to future generations.

Reduction of Phosphorylated Synapsin I (Ser-553) Leads to Spatial Memory Impairment by Attenuating GABA Release after Microwave Exposure in Wistar Rats

Qiao S et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation for 5 minutes and found it impaired their spatial memory and learning abilities. The study revealed that this cognitive damage occurred because the radiation disrupted a key brain protein (phosphorylated synapsin I) that helps release GABA, a crucial neurotransmitter for brain function. This suggests that even brief microwave exposure can interfere with the brain's chemical communication system, potentially affecting memory and learning.

Biochemical Modifications and Neuronal Damage in Brain of Young and Adult Rats After Long-Term Exposure to Mobile Phone Radiations.

Motawi TK, Darwish HA, Moustafa YM, Labib MM. · 2014

Scientists exposed rats to mobile phone radiation (900 MHz) for 2 hours daily over 60 days. Both young and adult rats showed significant brain damage, including cellular stress and activated cell death pathways. Young rats were particularly affected, suggesting mobile phone exposure may harm developing brains.

Immunohistochemical localization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the superior olivary complex of mice after radiofrequency exposure

Maskey D, Kim MJ · 2014

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation for 3 months and found significant reductions in brain proteins essential for neuron survival in auditory processing regions. This suggests chronic RF exposure at typical phone absorption rates may damage neurons responsible for hearing.

Differential Pro-Inflammatory Responses of Astrocytes and Microglia Involve STAT3 Activation in Response to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Fields.

Lu Y et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed brain cells to 1,800 MHz cell phone radiation and found it triggered inflammation in both microglia and astrocytes, but through different biological pathways. The study identified how radiofrequency exposure activates specific proteins that release inflammatory chemicals, potentially explaining brain inflammation from cell phone use.

Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on NGF induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.

Jung IS, Kim HJ, Noh R, Kim SC, Kim CW. · 2014

Researchers exposed nerve cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (power line frequency) for five days. The magnetic fields enhanced nerve cell growth, increasing nerve extensions and proteins needed for nerve development. This suggests power line frequencies might stimulate nerve regeneration and offer insights for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Electromagnetic radiation (Wi-Fi) and epilepsy induce calcium entry and apoptosis through activation of TRPV1 channel in hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats

Ghazizadeh V, Nazıroğlu M · 2014

Researchers exposed brain and nerve cells from epileptic rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour and found it triggered additional calcium influx and cell death beyond what epilepsy alone caused. The Wi-Fi exposure activated specific calcium channels (TRPV1) that allowed harmful calcium to flood into neurons, leading to oxidative stress and programmed cell death. This suggests Wi-Fi radiation may worsen neurological conditions by overwhelming brain cells with calcium.

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation impairs neurite outgrowth of embryonic neural stem cells

Chen C et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed embryonic brain stem cells to cell phone frequency radiation (1800 MHz) at levels similar to what phones emit during calls. They found that after three days of exposure at the highest level tested, the developing brain cells couldn't properly grow their connecting branches (neurites), which are essential for forming neural networks. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation could potentially interfere with normal brain development in developing embryos.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Exposure to acute electromagnetic radiation of mobile phone exposure range alters transiently skin homeostasis of a model of pigmented reconstructed epidermis.

Simon D et al. · 2013

French researchers exposed lab-grown skin models to cell phone radiation (900 MHz) for 6 hours to see if it affected skin health and structure. While they found no major damage or cell death, the radiation did cause temporary changes in key skin proteins that help maintain the skin's protective barrier. The researchers concluded this could potentially weaken the skin's ability to protect against environmental threats.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Assessment of oxidant/antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users.

Khalil AM, Abu Khadra KM, Aljaberi AM, Gagaa MH, Issa HS. · 2013

Researchers tested saliva samples from people before, during, and after 15 and 30-minute cell phone calls to measure oxidative stress markers (chemicals that indicate cellular damage). They found no significant changes in these stress markers, suggesting that short-term phone use doesn't trigger measurable oxidative damage in saliva. This challenges the theory that cell phone radiation causes immediate cellular stress through oxidative pathways.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Electromagnetic fields (UHF) increase voltage sensitivity of membrane ion channels; possible indication of cell phone effect on living cells.

Ketabi N, Mobasheri H, Faraji-Dana R. · 2013

Iranian researchers exposed protein ion channels (tiny gateways in cell membranes) to cell phone frequencies between 910-990 MHz and found that the electromagnetic fields made these channels more sensitive to electrical changes. While the channels still functioned normally, they responded more readily to voltage changes when exposed to EMF, with the strongest effect occurring at 930 MHz. This suggests that cell phone radiation can subtly alter how cellular components behave at the molecular level, even without causing obvious damage.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

No genotoxic effect in exfoliated bladder cells of rat under the exposure of 1800 and 2100-MHz radio frequency radiation.

Gurbuz N, Sirav B, Colbay M, Yetkin I, Seyhan N. · 2013

Turkish researchers exposed rats to cell phone frequencies (1800 and 2100 MHz) for 30 minutes daily over one to two months, then examined their bladder cells for micronuclei-tiny fragments that indicate DNA damage. The study found no significant increase in these genetic damage markers compared to unexposed control rats, suggesting the RF radiation did not cause detectable DNA damage in bladder tissue at the tested exposure levels.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Effect of 950 MHz UHF electromagnetic radiation on biomarkers of oxidative damage, metabolism of UFA and antioxidants in the livers of young rats of different ages.

Furtado-Filho OV et al. · 2013

Brazilian researchers exposed young rats to 950 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to older cell phone frequencies) for 30 minutes daily from birth through 30 days of age. While the study found no oxidative stress or DNA damage in most age groups, 30-day-old rats showed genetic damage in liver cells, and newborns had altered fatty acid levels and reduced antioxidant enzyme production.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Influence of GSM Signals on Human Peripheral Lymphocytes: Study of Genotoxicity.

Waldmann P et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed human blood cells from 40 volunteers to cell phone radiation (1,800 MHz) for 28 hours at three different intensities and tested for DNA damage using multiple methods. The study found no evidence that the radiation caused genetic damage to the cells at any exposure level. This collaborative study across six independent laboratories used rigorous controls and blinded analysis to ensure reliable results.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Extremely low-frequency magnetic exposure appears to have no effect on pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease in aluminum-overloaded rat.

Zhang C, Li Y, Wang C, Lv R, Song T. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the type from power lines) for 12 weeks to see if this exposure would worsen Alzheimer's-like symptoms caused by aluminum poisoning. They found that magnetic field exposure alone had no effect on brain function or Alzheimer's markers, and it didn't make aluminum-induced brain damage any worse. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields may not contribute to Alzheimer's disease development.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

ELF magnetic fields tuned to ion parametric resonance conditions do not affect TEA-sensitive voltage-dependent outward K(+) currents in a human neural cell line.

Gavoçi E et al. · 2013

Researchers tested whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields could affect potassium channels in human brain cells by using specific field combinations designed to trigger 'ion parametric resonance' - a theoretical mechanism where magnetic fields might interfere with how ions move through cell membranes. They found no changes in potassium channel activity during or after exposure, suggesting these particular magnetic field conditions don't disrupt this specific type of cellular communication in brain cells.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Synchronization dynamics induced on pairs of neurons under applied weak alternating magnetic fields.

Azanza MJ et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed pairs of snail neurons to weak 50 Hz magnetic fields (similar to power line frequencies) to see if the fields could synchronize their electrical activity. They found that magnetic fields between 0.2 and 150 Gauss could indeed cause the neurons to fire in synchronized patterns, with stronger fields sometimes disrupting this synchronization. This suggests that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can directly influence how nerve cells communicate with each other.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Effects of combined radiofrequency radiation exposure on levels of reactive oxygen species in neuronal cells.

Kang KA et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed neuronal brain cells to combined cell phone radiation (CDMA and WCDMA signals) for 2 hours to see if it would increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are harmful molecules that can damage cells. The study found no increase in ROS levels from the radiation exposure, even when combined with chemicals known to cause oxidative stress. This suggests the specific radiation levels tested did not trigger cellular damage in these lab-grown brain cells.

Reproductive HealthNo Effects Found

Can safe and long-term exposure to extremely low frequency (50 Hz) magnetic fields affect apoptosis, reproduction, and oxidative stress?

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.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

ELF magnetic fields tuned to ion parametric resonance conditions do not affect TEA-sensitive voltage-dependent outward K(+) currents in a human neural cell line.

Gavoçi E et al. · 2013

Researchers tested whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields tuned to specific resonance conditions could affect potassium ion channels in human brain cells. They found no significant changes in the electrical currents flowing through these channels when exposed to the magnetic fields. This study failed to confirm a theory called ion parametric resonance, which suggests that precisely tuned magnetic fields can disrupt cellular function by affecting ion movement.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Synchronization dynamics induced on pairs of neurons under applied weak alternating magnetic fields.

Azanza MJ et al. · 2013

Spanish researchers exposed pairs of snail neurons to weak 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as household electricity) to study how these fields affect brain cell communication. They found that the magnetic fields could force neurons to fire in sync with each other, creating artificial patterns of brain activity that matched the timing of the field exposure. This suggests that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can directly influence how brain cells communicate with each other.

p25/CDK5 is partially involved in neuronal injury induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure.

Zhang Y, She F, Li L, Chen C, Xu S, Luo X, Li M, He M, Yu Z. · 2013

Researchers exposed newborn rat brain cells to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwaves) for just 10 minutes and found significant neuronal damage. The brain cells showed decreased viability, increased cell death, and abnormal protein changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The study identified a specific cellular pathway (p25/CDK5) that appears to drive this RF-induced brain cell injury.

Germination response of MR 219 rice variety to different exposure times and periods of 2450 MHz microwave frequency.

Talei D, Valdiani A, Maziah M, Mohsenkhah M · 2013

Malaysian researchers exposed rice seeds to 2450 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) for different time periods to see how it affected germination. They found that 10 hours of exposure led to 100% germination in just three days, compared to lower rates with shorter exposures. The study suggests microwave radiation can accelerate plant growth processes.

Effects of 940 MHz EMF on Luciferase Solution: Structure, Function, and Dielectric Studies.

Sefidbakht Y et al. · 2013

Iranian researchers exposed luciferase (a protein that produces light in fireflies) to 940 MHz electromagnetic fields similar to those from mobile phones. They found the EMF exposure significantly increased the protein's activity and changed its structure, making it less likely to clump together. This demonstrates that mobile phone frequencies can directly alter protein function at the molecular level.

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