6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 6,486 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.

Filter Studies

Clear all filters

Showing 425 studies in Immune System

Evaluation of Wi-Fi Radiation Effects on Antibiotic Susceptibility, Metabolic Activity and Biofilm Formation by Escherichia Coli 0157H7, Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermis

Said-Salman IH, Jebali FA, Yusef HH, Mustafa ME · 2019

A Wi-Fi router was used as a source of microwaves and bacterial cells were exposed continuously for 24 and 48 hours. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion on Müller Hinton agar, motility of Escherichia coli O157H7 was assessed on motility agar, and metabolic activity and biofilm formation were measured with MTT assay and crystal violet quantification. Exposure altered motility and antibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli O157H7, did not change antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermis, and increased metabolic activity and biofilm formation in Escherichia coli O157H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.

The effects of extremely low- frequency electromagnetic fields on c-Maf, STAT6, and RORα expressions in spleen and thymus of rat

Unknown authors · 2019

Researchers exposed 80 adult male rats to ELF-EMFs at 1, 100, 500, and 2000 µT, 50 Hz, 2 hours daily for up to 60 days and immunized them on days 31, 44, and 58. Gene expression of c-Maf, STAT6, and RORα in the thymus did not change significantly at any flux density. In the spleen, RORα and c-Maf expression was significantly downregulated at 1 and 100 µT, while STAT6 expression decreased significantly only at 100 µT. The authors concluded that low magnetic flux densities of ELF-EMFs may reduce expression of these genes in the spleen.

Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Decrease Serum Levels of Interleukin-17, Transforming Growth Factor-β and Downregulate Foxp3 Expression in the Spleen

Unknown authors · 2018

Researchers exposed 80 male rats to extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields at magnetic flux intensities of 1, 100, 500, and 2,000 μT and a control. All rats were immunized with human serum albumin after 1 month of exposure and the experiment continued for another 1 month. Thymus weight significantly declined at intensity of 2,000 μT. At the preimmunization phase, serum IL-17 and TGF-β levels were significantly decreased at intensities of 1 and 100 μT. Foxp3 expression was also downregulated at intensities of 1 and 100 μT.

Exposure to radiation from single or combined radio frequencies provokes macrophage dysfunction in the RAW 264.7 cell line.

López-Furelos A et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to single or combined radiofrequency signals at 900 and 2450 MHz for 4, 24, 48, or 72 hours in a GTEM chamber. They measured cell viability, nitric oxide production, HSP70 and TNF-α expression, and phagocytic activity. Phagocytic activity declined with longer exposure, while combined exposure raised HSP70 at 48 hours and significantly increased nitric oxide and TNF-α at 72 hours.

Exposure to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields affects morphology, DNA-related Raman spectra and mitochondrial functions in human lympho-monocytes.

Lasalvia M et al. · 2018

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood lympho-monocytes in a reverberation chamber to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields at 200 V/m for times ranging from 1 to 20 hours. Some exposed cells took on an enlarged and deformed shape, and Raman spectra of the nuclear compartment showed reductions in DNA backbone-linked vibrational modes. After 20 hours of exposure, resting oxygen consumption rate increased and was coupled to a significant increase of the FoF1-ATP synthase-related oxygen consumption. The researchers suggested that adaptive mechanisms, likely via redox signaling, may compensate for early impairments of the oxidative phosphorylation system caused by EMF exposure.

Evaluation of the Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation Emitted From Wi-Fi Router and Mobile Phone Simulator on the Antibacterial Susceptibility of Pathogenic Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli.

Taheri M et al. · 2017

Researchers assessed whether 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiation and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router radiation alter the susceptibility of microorganisms to different antibiotics. The study found that exposure to Wi-Fi and RF simulator radiation can significantly alter inhibition zone diameters and growth rates for Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. Pure cultures of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were exposed to RF-EMFs from a GSM 900 MHz mobile phone simulator and a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router.

The response of human bacteria to static magnetic field and radiofrequency electromagnetic field.

Crabtree DPE, Herrera BJ, Kang S. · 2017

The study aimed to investigate the response of human bacteria to static magnetic field and radiofrequency electromagnetic field. Researchers investigated the response of both laboratory culture strains and isolates of skin bacteria under static magnetic field (SMF) and RF-EMF. Growth patterns of laboratory cultures of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis under SMF were variable per different species. Bacterial isolates of skin microbiota from 4 subjects with different cell phone usage history also showed inconsistent growth responses.

Alterations of thymic morphology and antioxidant biomarkers in 60-day-old male rats following exposure to a continuous 900 MHz electromagnetic field during adolescence.

Kulaber A, Kerimoğlu G, Ersöz Ş, Çolakoğlu S, Odacı E. · 2017

Researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz EMF for 1 h/day on postnatal days 22–59. Malondialdehyde levels increased in the EMF group compared to the other groups. Extravascular erythrocytes were observed in the medullary and corticomedullary regions of the thymus in exposed rats.

Extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation enhances neutrophil response to particulate agonists.

Vlasova II et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed whole blood to millimeter-wave radiation at 32.9-39.6 GHz and 100 W/m² for 15 minutes and measured neutrophil oxidant production and morphofunctional changes. Neutrophil response to opsonized zymosan and E. coli was intensified after radiation exposure, while neutrophils remained intact without agonist addition. Similar enhancement occurred with isolated neutrophils in plasma, and heating was identified as the primary mechanism for increased oxidant production.

Acute Neuroinflammation Promotes Cell Responses to 1800 MHz GSM Electromagnetic Fields in the Rat Cerebral Cortex.

Lameth J et al. · 2017

Researchers investigated whether a 2-hour head-only exposure to GSM-1800 MHz could affect a neuroinflammatory reaction triggered by lipopolysaccharide in 2-week-old or adult rats. In developing rats, 24 hours after exposure, cortical interleukin-1β and NOX2 NADPH oxidase transcripts were reduced by 50 to 60% compared with sham-exposed animals. Adult rats showed a 50% reduction in IL1β mRNA but no NOX2 suppression and displayed a significant growth response of microglial cell processes. GSM exposure decreased phosphorylation at two residues on the GluA1 AMPA receptor subunit (serine 831 and 845). The changes in gene expression, microglia, and GluA1 phosphorylation did not persist 72 hours after exposure and were absent without LPS pretreatment.

Behavioral testing of mice exposed to intermediate frequency magnetic fields indicates mild memory impairment.

Kumari K et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed mice to 7.5 kHz magnetic fields at 12 or 120 μT for 5 weeks. No effects were seen on body weight, spontaneous activity, motor coordination, anxiety, or aggression. In the Morris swim task, the 120 μT group showed a less steep learning curve than other groups. The passive avoidance task revealed a clear memory impairment over 48 hours in the 120 μT group. Hippocampal astroglial activation and neurogenesis were unchanged, while tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA increased significantly in the 120 μT group.

Effects of exposure to electromagnetic field from 915 MHz radiofrequency identification system on circulating blood cells in the healthy adult rat.

Kim HS et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed Sprague-Dawley rats to a 915 MHz radiofrequency identification signal at a whole-body specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. The number of red blood cells and values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell indices were increased in the RFID-exposed group compared with the cage-control and sham-exposed groups. The number of white blood cells, including lymphocytes, was decreased in RFID-exposed rats, though T-cell counts and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio showed no statistically significant difference between sham-exposed and RFID-exposed groups. The researchers noted that these changes do not necessarily indicate that RFID exposure is harmful, as they were within the normal physiological response range.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field protects injured spinal cord from the microglia- and iron-induced tissue damage.

Dey S, Bose S, Kumar S, Rathore R, Mathur R, Jain S. · 2017

Researchers performed complete transection of the spinal cord at the T13 level in male Wistar rats, then exposed them to a magnetic field at 50 Hz and 17.96 µT for 2 hours daily for 8 weeks. Compared to injured rats that received no magnetic field, injured rats that received the magnetic field showed significant improvement in locomotion. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry revealed significant reductions in lesion volume, microglia, macrophage, collagen tissue, and iron content, along with higher vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the magnetic field group.

Effect of 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field on the production of superoxide anion and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 in RAW264 cells

Pooam M, Nakayama M, Nishigaki C, Miyata H · 2017

Researchers exposed RAW264 macrophage cells to a 50-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field at 0.1 mT or 0.5 mT and measured superoxide production, HSP70 expression, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The magnetic field enhanced production of superoxide and the expression of HSP70. The researchers suggested that the 50-Hz magnetic field diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, which led to increased superoxide production and HSP70 expression.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure enhances inflammatory response and inhibits effect of antioxidant in RAW 264.7 cells.

Kim SJ et al. · 2017

Researchers examined the effects of 60 Hz 0.8 mT extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on a macrophage cell line called RAW 264.7. Under ELF-EMF exposure, production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased, and the expression of those genes was also upregulated. Cell proliferation was not altered by ELF-EMF exposure. The researchers suggest that ELF-EMF amplifies inflammatory responses through enhanced macrophage activation and can decrease the effectiveness of antioxidants.

Protective effect of procyanidins extracted from the lotus seedpod on immune function injury induced by extremely low frequency electromagnetic field

Unknown authors · 2016

The study evaluated the protective effect of lotus seedpod procyanidins against extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure at 50 Hz, 8 mT for 28 days. LSPCs increased the organ index of mice and restored damaged blood-producing function and cytokine levels including INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in the spleen to normal. LSPCs also inhibited splenocyte stagnation in G0/G1 phase, promoted proliferation, reduced apoptosis, prevented DNA content decline, and reversed changes in Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 expression.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Evaluation of cell viability, DNA single-strand breaks, and nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW264 exposed to a 50-Hz magnetic field.

Nakayama M, Nakamura A, Hondou T, Miyata H · 2016

Researchers measured DNA single-strand breaks, cell viability, and nitric oxide production in macrophage RAW264 cells exposed to a 0.5-mT, 50-Hz magnetic field for 24 hours with or without LPS stimulation. The magnetic field alone did not alter nitric oxide production. The combined effect of LPS and magnetic field was not mediated by LPS-induced nitric oxide production.

Cell phone use is associated with an inflammatory cytokine profile of parotid gland saliva.

Siqueira EC et al. · 2016

Researchers studied 83 Brazilian individuals to compare cytokine levels in saliva from the parotid gland exposed to cell phone radiation (ipsilateral) versus the contralateral gland. After multiple testing correction, they found decreased IL-10 and increased IL-1β in the ipsilateral side compared to the contralateral side (P < 0.05). Subjects who used cell phones for more than 10 years showed larger differences in IL-10 levels between sides (P = 0.0012). No differences were observed for any parameter in relation to monthly cell phone usage in minutes.

Effect of electromagnetic waves from mobile phone on immune status of male rats: possible protective role of vitamin D.

El-Gohary OA, Said MA. · 2016

Rats were randomly divided into six groups including controls, vitamin D only, EMF 1 h/day, EMF 2 h/day, and combined EMF and vitamin D groups. After 30 days of exposure, 1 h/day EMF significantly decreased immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgE, IgM, IgG) and total leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts, while significantly increasing neutrophil and monocyte counts. The changes were more pronounced in rats exposed to 2 h/day EMF. Vitamin D supplementation reversed these immune alterations in EMF-exposed rats. Shorter exposures of 7, 14, and 21 days produced no significant differences among groups.

Immune responses of a wall lizard to whole-body exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

Mina D et al. · 2016

The study investigated the effects of radiofrequency EMR from a DECT base on the immune responses of the Aegean wall lizard. Adult male lizards were exposed 24 h/day for 8 weeks to 1880-1900 MHz DECT base radiation at an average electric field intensity of 3.2 V/m. Inflammatory responses were suppressed by approximately 45% in exposed lizards compared to sham-exposed animals. T cell-mediated responses were marginally affected. Immune reactivity was assessed using the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin swelling and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) tests.

Induction of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase in Mouse Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Exposed to 900 MHz Radiofrequency Fields: Preliminary Observations.

He Q, Sun Y, Zong L, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2016

Researchers exposed mouse bone marrow stromal cells to 900 MHz RF at 120 μW/cm(2) power intensity for 3 hours/day for 5 days. The study measured PARP-1 mRNA and protein levels at multiple time points after exposure using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Cells exposed to radiofrequency fields showed significantly increased PARP-1 mRNA and protein levels, while sham-exposed cells did not show such changes.

Effect of Radiofrequency Radiation on Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Gläser K et al. · 2016

Researchers irradiated human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and HL-60 cells at GSM (900 MHz), UMTS (1,950 MHz), and LTE (2,535 MHz) frequencies, at intensities ranging from 0 to 4 W/kg SAR, for short and long exposure periods. Studied endpoints included apoptosis, oxidative stress, cell cycle, DNA damage, and DNA repair. In all but one endpoint, no clear effect of mobile phone radiation was detected; the only alteration was a small but statistically significant decrease in DNA damage in HSC exposed to GSM modulation for 4 hours.

Browse by Health Effect