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.

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Showing 2,561 studies from BioInitiative Report

8-oxoG DNA Glycosylase-1 Inhibition Sensitizes Neuro-2a Cells to Oxidative DNA Base Damage Induced by 900 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation.

Wang X et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed mouse brain cells to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 24 hours and found it caused DNA damage through oxidative stress. The damage occurred at radiation levels as low as 1-2 watts per kilogram, which is within the range of typical cell phone use. When the cells' natural DNA repair mechanisms were disabled, even lower radiation levels caused genetic damage.

Cell oxidation–reduction imbalance after modulated radiofrequency radiation.

Marjanovic AM, Pavicic I, Trosic I, · 2015

Researchers exposed hamster cells to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (1800 MHz) for 10, 30, and 60 minutes to study cellular damage. They found that even brief 10-minute exposures significantly increased reactive oxygen species (cellular stress markers) and disrupted the cells' natural balance between oxidation and antioxidant defense. This suggests that RF radiation at levels similar to cell phone use can trigger oxidative stress in living cells.

Electromagnetic radiation at 900 MHz induces sperm apoptosis through bcl-2, bax and caspase-3 signaling pathways in rats.

Liu Q, Si T, Xu X, Liang F, Wang L, Pan S. · 2015

Researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for two hours daily over 50 days. Sperm cell death increased 91% compared to unexposed rats, with radiation triggering cellular damage through increased free radicals and decreased antioxidant defenses, demonstrating clear reproductive harm.

Comparison of the Genotoxic Effects Induced by 50 Hz Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in GC-2 Cells.

Duan W et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed a mouse spermatocyte-derived GC-2 cell line intermittently to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at intensities of 1, 2, or 3 mT, or to 1800 MHz RF-EMF in GSM-Talk mode at SAR values of 1, 2, or 4 W/kg. After 24 hours of exposure, neither ELF-EMF nor RF-EMF affected cell viability. ELF-EMF exposure significantly increased DNA strand breaks at 3 mT, while RF-EMF exposure significantly induced oxidative DNA base damage at a SAR of 4 W/kg. The researchers suggest that both field types may produce genotoxicity at relatively high intensities but through different patterns of DNA damage.

The effect of melatonin on the liver of rats exposed to microwave radiation

Djordjevic B et al. · 2015

Researchers studied whether melatonin treatment (2 mg/kg) might favorably impact liver tissue in rats exposed to microwave radiation. The experiment used 84 six-weeks-old Wistar male rats exposed for 4 hours a day to microwaves at 900 MHz for 20, 40, and 60 days. Microwave exposure increased malondialdehyde after 40 days, protein carbonyl content after 20 days, and catalase and xanthine oxidase activity after 40 days. Melatonin reduced malondialdehyde after 40 days but had no effect on the other analyzed parameters.

Circadian Rhythmicity of Antioxidant Markers in Rats Exposed to 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Fields

Cao H, Qin F, Liu X, Wang J, Cao Y, Tong J, Zhao H · 2015

Researchers exposed male Sprague Dawley rats to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency fields at different times of day to study whether circadian rhythms of plasma antioxidants were affected. Six groups of animals were exposed at a power density of 201.7 μW/cm2 and a specific absorption rate of 0.05653 W/kg for 2 hours per day for 32 consecutive days, each at a different time of day, while a seventh group served as sham-exposed controls. The circadian rhythms of melatonin, GSH-Px, and SOD were shifted in exposed rats, with levels significantly decreased when exposure was given at 23 and 3 h GMT. The researchers concluded that there may be adverse effects of radiofrequency exposure on antioxidant function, affecting both daily antioxidant levels and circadian rhythmicity.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field induces apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells via oxidative stress.

Yang ML, Ye ZM · 2015

Researchers exposed human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells to a 50 Hz, 1 mT extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) for 1, 2 and 3 hours in vitro. ELF-EMF decreased the viability of MG-63 cells, inhibited cell growth, induced cell apoptosis and increased the level of ROS significantly. The apoptosis rate declined significantly after treatment with ROS inhibitor NAC or p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580. The researchers concluded that increased ROS and p38MAPK activation may be involved in the mechanism.

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on catalase, cytochrome P450 and nitric oxide synthase in erythro-leukemic cells.

Patruno A, Tabrez S, Pesce M, Shakil S, Kamal MA, Reale M · 2015

Researchers evaluated the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on catalase, cytochrome P450, and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity and protein expression in the myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. A significant modulation of iNOS, CAT, and cytochrome P450 protein expression was recorded in both stimulated and non-stimulated cell lines following ELF-EMF exposure. Changes in the kinetic parameters of these enzymes in response to ELF-EMF indicated an interaction between ELF-EMF and the enzymological system.

Does static magnetic field-exposure induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat kidney and muscle? Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementations.

Ghodbane S, Lahbib A, Ammari M, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to a static magnetic field at 128 mT for one hour per day over five days and measured catalase activity, malondialdehyde concentration, and apoptosis inducing factor labeling in kidney and muscle. SMF exposure increased MDA concentrations by 25% and CAT activities by 34% in kidney, but not in muscle. The treatment failed to induce caspase-independent pathway apoptosis in both kidney and muscle. Selenium pre-treatment inhibited both the MDA and CAT increases in kidney, while vitamin E corrected only MDA levels in rat kidney.

Static magnetic field exposure-induced oxidative response and caspase-independent apoptosis in rat liver: effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementations.

Ghodbane S, Ammari M, Lahbib A, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to a static magnetic field of 128 mT for one hour per day over five consecutive days and measured oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brain and liver. The exposure increased catalase activity by 24% in the liver but not in the brain, while malondialdehyde concentration was unchanged in both tissues. Static magnetic field exposure also induced hepatocyte apoptosis through a caspase-independent pathway involving mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor, but no such effect was found in the brain. Selenium and vitamin E supplementation restored liver catalase activity in exposed rats but did not reduce liver apoptosis.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field modulates the level of neurotransmitters.

Chung YH et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to an extremely low frequency magnetic field at 60 Hz and 2.0 mT for 2 or 5 days, then measured neurotransmitter levels in the cortex, striatum, thalamus, cerebellum and hippocampus. The exposure produced significant differences in norepinephrine and vanillyl mandelic acid in the striatum, thalamus, cerebellum and hippocampus. Significant increases in serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were observed in the striatum, thalamus or hippocampus, and dopamine concentration was significantly increased in the thalamus. The researchers concluded that exposure to ELF-MF may evoke changes in these brain chemicals, though the mechanisms remain to be characterized.

RKIP Regulates Neural Cell Apoptosis Induced by Exposure to Microwave Radiation Partly Through the MEK/ERK/CREB Pathway

Zuo H et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed differentiated PC12 cells to continuous microwave radiation at 2.856 GHz for 5 minutes with an average power density of 30 mW/cm2. After exposure, RKIP was downregulated while the MEK/ERK/CREB signaling pathway was activated excessively. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax decreased, caspase-3 activity increased, and apoptotic DNA fragmentation increased. The researchers suggested that RKIP may act as a key regulator of neuronal damage caused by microwave radiation.

Effects of fetal microwave radiation exposure on offspring behavior in mice

Zhang Y, Li Z, Gao Y, Zhang C. · 2015

Researchers investigated whether in utero exposure to 9.417-GHz microwave throughout gestation affected behavior in mouse offspring. Offspring showed less movement in the center of an open field and in an open arm of the elevated-plus maze, which the researchers interpreted as increased anxiety-related behavior. Offspring also showed reduced immobility in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test, which was interpreted as decreased depression-related behavior. In the Morris water maze, male offspring showed decreased learning and memory while female offspring were not affected, suggesting gender-dependent effects.

Microwave Exposure Impairs Synaptic Plasticity in the Rat Hippocampus and PC12 Cells through Over-activation of the NMDA Receptor Signaling Pathway.

Xiong L et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed 48 male Wistar rats to 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 10 min every other day for three times, and separately exposed PC12 cells to 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 5 min. Microwave exposure caused injury in rat hippocampal structure and PC12 cells, especially the structure and quantity of synapses. The ratio of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters was increased and the intracellular calcium level was elevated in PC12 cells. Significant changes in NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B and related signaling molecules were observed, and these were closely associated with impaired synaptic plasticity.

Activation of VEGF/Flk-1-ERK Pathway Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Injury After Microwave Exposure

Wang LF et al. · 2015

Researchers used an in vitro blood-brain barrier model exposed to microwave radiation at 50 mW/cm2 for 5 minutes to study how the VEGF/Flk-1-ERK pathway relates to barrier injury. Microwave radiation caused tight junctions to broaden and fracture, with decreased TEER values and increased HRP permeability. When Flk-1 and MEK1/2 inhibitors were applied, the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier were recovered.

Exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields activates the mkp-1/ERK pathway and causes blood-brain barrier damage and cognitive impairment in rats.

Tang J et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed 108 male Sprague-Dawley rats to a 900 MHz, 1 mW/cm2 electromagnetic field for 14 or 28 days at 3 hours per day, with some rats left unexposed as a sham group. Rats exposed for 28 days crossed platforms less often and spent less time in the target quadrant than rats exposed for 14 days and unexposed rats. Twenty-eight days of exposure was also associated with cellular edema, neuronal cell organelle degeneration, and albumin and HO-1 extravasation in the hippocampus and cortex. The researchers found that 28 days of EMF exposure induced the expression of mkp-1, resulting in ERK dephosphorylation.

Does the Brain Detect 3G Mobile Phone Radiation Peaks? An Explorative In-Depth Analysis of an Experimental Study.

Roggeveen S, van Os J, Lousberg R · 2015

Researchers investigated whether third generation mobile phone radiation peaks produce event-related potentials in the brain. Thirty-one healthy females took part in a single-blind, cross-over design where a 15 minute mobile phone exposure was compared to two 15 minute sham phone conditions. When the phone was placed at the ear, an enlarged cortical reactivity was found in the frontal and central cortical regions, but not when it was placed at the heart.

EEG Changes Due to Experimentally Induced 3G Mobile Phone Radiation

Roggeveen S, van Os J, Viechtbauer W, Lousberg R · 2015

Researchers investigated whether placement of a 3G dialing mobile phone causes direct changes in EEG activity compared to placement of a sham phone. Thirty-one healthy females each participated on two days, with the phone placed at the ear on one day and the chest on the other. Significant radiation effects were found for the alpha, slow beta, fast beta, and gamma bands, with ear placement showing significant results and chest placement not.

Effect of Low-Intensity Microwave Radiation on Monoamine Neurotransmitters and Their Key Regulating Enzymes in Rat Brain.

Megha K et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed Fischer rats to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz microwave radiation for 30 days at 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, with specific absorption rates of 5.953 × 10−4 and 5.835 × 10−4 W/kg respectively. Levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin were measured in the hippocampus using LC–MS/MS. Exposed animals showed significant reductions in DA, NE, E and 5-HT, and significant downregulation in mRNA expression of TH, TPH1, and TPH2 compared with sham-exposed animals (p < 0.05).

Inter‐individual and intra‐individual variation of the effects of pulsed RF EMF exposure on the human sleep EEG

Lustenberger et al. · 2015

The study investigated how much variation exists between individuals and within the same individual in response to pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure during sleep. The EEG analysis showed exposure-related increases in the delta-theta frequency range at several fronto-central electrodes, but no differences in the spindle frequency range. Reproducible within-subject effects on sleep spindle and delta-theta activity were not observed, and it remained unclear whether a biological trait of how subjects' brains react to RF EMF exists.

Cell Phone Generated Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on the Locomotor Behaviors of the Fishes Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio.

Lee D, Lee J, Lee I. · 2015

Researchers tracked the movement of 10 pairs of guppies and 15 pairs of zebrafish in a fish tank under a cell phone-generated RF EMF. Fish locomotion was observed under normal conditions, in the visual presence of a cell phone, after feeding, and under starvation. Fish locomotor behavior was random both in normal conditions and in the presence of an off-signaled cell phone, but there were significant changes in locomotion after feeding under the RF EMF. The researchers also demonstrated that temperature elevation caused by the cell phone was not relevant to the observed effects.

Radiofrequency signal affects alpha band in resting electroencephalogram

Ghosn R et al. · 2015

Researchers recorded resting EEG in 26 healthy young subjects under sham and real RF exposure conditions in a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. Compared with the sham session, the exposure session showed a statistically significant decrease of alpha band spectral power during the closed-eyes condition. This effect persisted in the postexposure session, and no significant changes were detected in electrode impedance, salivary cortisol, or caffeine between conditions.

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