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

Oxidative Stress233 citations

Oxidative damage in the kidney induced by 900-MHz-emitted mobile phone: protection by melatonin.

Oktem F, Ozguner F, Mollaoglu H, Koyu A, Uz E · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900-MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 10 days and found significant kidney damage through oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals). The study showed increased markers of kidney damage and reduced antioxidant defenses, but when rats were given melatonin before exposure, these harmful effects were largely prevented.

Influence of (460 MHz) electromagnetic fields on the induced lipid peroxidation in the structures of visual analyzer and hypothalamus in experimental animals

Musaev AV, Ismailova LF, Gadzhiev AM. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 460 MHz microwave radiation and measured oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in their brains and visual systems. They found that high-intensity microwaves caused harmful oxidative stress, while low-intensity microwaves actually activated protective antioxidant systems. This suggests that the biological effects of microwave radiation depend heavily on the exposure intensity.

Microwaves from GSM Mobile Telephones Affect 53BP1 and gamma-H2AX Foci in Human Lymphocytes from Hypersensitive and Healthy Persons.

Markova E, Hillert L, Malmgren L, Persson BR, Belyaev IY · 2005

Researchers exposed human immune cells (lymphocytes) to microwave radiation from GSM mobile phones and found that the radiation caused DNA damage markers similar to heat shock stress. The study compared cells from both healthy people and those who report electromagnetic sensitivity, finding similar responses in both groups. This suggests that mobile phone radiation can trigger cellular stress responses that indicate potential DNA damage, regardless of whether someone feels sensitive to electromagnetic fields.

2.45GHz radiofrequency fields alter gene expression in cultured human cells.

Lee S et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed human immune cells to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwave ovens) for 2-6 hours and found it altered the activity of hundreds of genes. After just 2 hours, 221 genes changed their expression patterns, increasing to 759 genes after 6 hours. Importantly, genes related to cell death increased their activity while genes controlling normal cell division decreased, and this happened without any heating effects.

Numerical assessment of induced ELF Currents in the human head due to the battery current of a digital mobile phone.

Ilvonen S, Sihvonen AP, Karkkainen K, Sarvas J. · 2005

Finnish researchers measured the extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields created by mobile phone batteries and calculated how these fields induce electrical currents in the human head and brain. They found that while phones do create measurable electrical currents in brain tissue from their battery operation, these exposure levels remained within international safety guidelines. The study highlights an often-overlooked source of EMF exposure from phones beyond just the radiofrequency radiation used for communication.

Cytogenetic damage in mobile phone users: preliminary data.

Gandhi G, Singh P. · 2005

Researchers examined cellular damage in mobile phone users by analyzing two types of cells: lymphocytes (white blood cells) from blood samples and cells from inside the cheek. They found increased genetic damage in both cell types among mobile phone users, including more cells with damaged DNA structures (micronuclei) and abnormal chromosome changes that indicate the body's genetic material is being harmed.

Localized effects of microwave radiation on the intact eye lens in culture conditions.

Dovrat A et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed bovine eye lenses to low-power microwave radiation (1 GHz) for over 36 hours and found it significantly impacted the lens's optical function. While the lenses appeared to recover when radiation stopped, microscopic examination revealed permanent cellular damage that was completely different from heat-induced cataracts. This suggests microwave radiation can harm eye tissue through non-thermal mechanisms that may not be immediately visible.

Cellular Effects131 citations

Electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency induce apoptosis and inactivation of the multi-chaperone complex in human epidermoid cancer cells.

Caraglia M et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed human cancer cells to microwave radiation at mobile phone frequencies (1.95 MHz) for 12 hours and found it triggered cell death (apoptosis) in 45% of cells within just 3 hours. The radiation disrupted critical cellular proteins that normally help cells survive, essentially causing the cells' protective mechanisms to break down. This suggests that mobile phone radiation can directly damage cellular processes that keep cells alive and functioning properly.

Structural and kinetic effects of mobile phone microwaves on acetylcholinesterase activity.

Barteri M, Pala A, Rotella S. · 2005

Italian researchers exposed acetylcholinesterase, a crucial brain enzyme that helps nerve cells communicate, to radiation from a commercial cell phone. They found that the cell phone radiation irreversibly altered both the structure and activity of this enzyme. This matters because acetylcholinesterase is essential for proper nervous system function, and any disruption could potentially affect brain and nerve activity.

Radiofrequency-induced carcinogenesis: cellular calcium homeostasis changes as a triggering factor.

Anghileri LJ, Mayayo E, Domingo JL, Thouvenot P. · 2005

Researchers exposed cancer-prone mice to radiofrequency radiation for just one hour per week over four months and tracked their health for 18 months. The RF-exposed mice developed cancer earlier and died sooner than unexposed controls, with the radiation disrupting calcium transport in cells - a process critical for normal cell function. This suggests that even minimal RF exposure may accelerate cancer development in vulnerable populations.

The effect of electromagnetic waves on the growth of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar.

Aksoy U, Sahin S, Ozkoc S, Ergor G. · 2005

Turkish researchers exposed two types of parasites (Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar) to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation from a mobile phone for 24 hours. Both parasite species showed significant decreases in their numbers compared to unexposed control groups, with the electromagnetic field exposure causing cellular damage that led to parasite death. This demonstrates that mobile phone radiation can harm living single-cell organisms at the cellular level.

Electromagnetic fields affect transcript levels of apoptosis-related genes in embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells.

Nikolova T et al. · 2005

German researchers exposed developing brain cells to both power line frequencies (50 Hz) and cell phone frequencies (1.71 GHz) for 6 hours to study genetic effects. They found that both types of electromagnetic fields triggered changes in genes that control cell death and DNA damage responses, though the cells themselves appeared to function normally afterward. This suggests that EMF exposure can activate cellular stress responses even when no obvious harm is visible.

Genetic damage in mobile phone users: some preliminary findings.

Gandhi G, Anita · 2005

Researchers tested 24 mobile phone users' blood cells for genetic damage and found significantly more DNA breaks and chromosomal abnormalities compared to non-users. The study used two different laboratory tests to measure cellular damage in white blood cells from people exposed to mobile phone radiation between 800-2000 MHz. These findings suggest that everyday mobile phone use may cause measurable genetic damage at the cellular level.

Nitric oxide level in the nasal and sinus mucosa after exposure to electromagnetic field.

Yariktas M et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) for two weeks and measured nitric oxide levels in their nasal passages. They found that EMF exposure significantly increased nitric oxide production in the nose and sinus tissues, but giving the rats melatonin prevented this increase. This suggests that cell phone radiation may trigger inflammatory responses in nasal tissues.

Cardiovascular155 citations

Mobile phone-induced myocardial oxidative stress: protection by a novel antioxidant agent caffeic acid phenethyl ester.

Ozguner F et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz mobile phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 10 days and measured heart tissue damage. They found that phone radiation increased harmful molecules that damage heart cells while reducing the body's natural protective antioxidants. When rats were also given an antioxidant compound, it prevented most of the heart damage from the radiation.

Comparative analysis of the protective effects of melatonin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on mobile phone-induced renal impairment in rat.

Ozguner F et al. · 2005

Turkish researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz mobile phone radiation and found it caused kidney damage by increasing harmful molecules and reducing protective antioxidants. However, when rats were pre-treated with melatonin or CAPE (a natural compound from propolis), both substances protected against this kidney damage, with melatonin showing stronger protective effects. This suggests that mobile phone radiation can harm kidney tissue through oxidative stress, but natural antioxidants may offer protection.

A novel antioxidant agent caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents long-term mobile phone exposure-induced renal impairment in rat. Prognostic value of malondialdehyde, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and nitric oxide determination.

Ozguner F, Oktem F, Ayata A, Koyu A, Yilmaz HR. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz mobile phone radiation (the same frequency used by many cell phones) and found it caused significant kidney damage through oxidative stress - essentially, the radiation generated harmful molecules that damaged kidney tissue and reduced the kidneys' natural antioxidant defenses. When the researchers treated another group of rats with an antioxidant compound, it prevented most of this kidney damage, suggesting that cell phone radiation harms organs by overwhelming the body's ability to neutralize harmful free radicals.

Oxidative Stress233 citations

Oxidative Damage in the Kidney Induced by 900-MHz-Emitted Mobile Phone: Protection by Melatonin

Oktem F, Ozguner F, Mollaoglu H, Koyu A, Uz E. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 10 days and found significant kidney damage, including increased oxidative stress markers and reduced antioxidant defenses. The study also showed that melatonin (a natural hormone) completely protected against this kidney damage when given before radiation exposure. This suggests that cell phone radiation can harm organs beyond the brain, particularly the kidneys which absorb radiation when phones are carried on belts or in pockets.

Electromagnetic fields inhibit endothelin-1 production stimulated by thrombin in endothelial cells.

Morimoto S et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed blood vessel cells to electromagnetic fields and found that EMF reduced production of endothelin-1, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. The EMF effects worked through nitric oxide pathways and varied depending on the type of blood vessel cells tested. This suggests EMF exposure can directly alter how blood vessels function at the cellular level.

Low-intensity electromagnetic fields induce human cryptochrome to modulate intracellular reactive oxygen species

Regoli F et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed land snails to 50-Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency used in power lines) for up to two months and measured cellular damage. The magnetic field exposure triggered oxidative stress, causing the snails' cells to produce harmful molecules that damaged DNA and cellular membranes. This study demonstrates that power-line frequency electromagnetic fields can disrupt cellular defenses and cause biological damage in living organisms.

The assessment of oxygen metabolism selected parameters of blood platelets exposed to low frequency magnetic radiation in cars--in vitro studies.

Buczyński A et al. · 2005

Polish researchers exposed human blood platelets to the type of low-frequency magnetic fields found in cars for 30, 60, and 90 minutes. They discovered that these magnetic fields triggered increased production of harmful free radicals and cellular damage markers in the platelets. This suggests that the magnetic fields generated by car electrical systems may cause oxidative stress in blood cells, potentially affecting cardiovascular health.

Acute effects of pulsed microwaves and 3-nitropropionic acid on neuronal ultrastructure in the rat caudate-putamen.

Seaman RL, Phelix CF. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to pulsed microwave radiation at cell phone-level intensities and examined brain cell structure under a microscope. High-intensity microwaves (6 W/kg) caused visible damage to brain cell components, while lower-intensity exposure (0.6 W/kg) appeared to have protective effects against a brain toxin. The findings suggest that microwave radiation can alter brain cell structure in complex ways that depend on the exposure intensity.

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