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 1,982 studies with bioeffects seen from BioInitiative Report

Overproduction of free radical species in embryonal cells exposed to low intensity radiofrequency radiation

Burlaka A et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed Japanese quail embryos in ovo to GSM 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation at 0.25 µW/cm2 for 158 to 360 hours on a discontinuous schedule. The exposure produced a significant persistent overproduction of superoxide and nitrogen oxide in embryo cells throughout the analysis period. Exposed embryo cells also showed significantly increased levels of TBARS and 8-oxo-dG alongside significantly decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities.

Effect of 900 MHz radıofrequency radıatıon on oxıdatıve stress in rat brain and serum

Bilgici B, Akar A, Avci B, Tuncel OK · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field at a whole body average specific absorption rate of 1.08 W/kg for 1 hour per day for 3 weeks. Malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein product levels increased in rat brain tissue after electromagnetic field exposure. Nitric oxide levels in the brain showed no significant difference, but serum nitric oxide increased significantly after exposure, and garlic did not reduce that increase. The researchers also tested orally administered garlic powder at 500 mg/kg/day and found it had a protective effect against the oxidative stress seen in brain tissue.

Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices

Atasoy HI, Gunal MY, Atasoy P, Elgun S, Bugdayci G · 2013

Researchers exposed male rats to radiofrequency radiation from Wi-Fi devices operating at 2.437 GHz for 24 hours a day for 20 weeks, then examined their testes. The exposed rats showed significant increases in markers indicating DNA damage in the testes compared to controls. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity were decreased in the exposed group, which the researchers suggested may have been due to radiofrequency effects on enzyme activity. The researchers said these findings raise questions about the safety of radiofrequency exposure from Wi-Fi Internet access devices for growing organisms of reproductive age, with a potential effect on both fertility and the integrity of germ cells.

Replication of heart rate variability provocation study with 2.4-GHz cordless phone confirms original findings.

Havas M, Marrongelle J · 2013

This study replicated earlier research by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) responses in 69 subjects between the ages of 26 and 80 in both Canada and the USA. Subjects were exposed for 3-minute intervals to radiation generated by a 2.4-GHz cordless phone base station at 3-8 μW/cm². Based on HRV analyses, 7% of subjects were classified as "moderately to very" sensitive, 29% as "little to moderately" sensitive, and 30% as "not to little" sensitive.

Antioxidant capacity of parsley cells (Petroselinum crispum L.) in relation to iron-induced ferritin levels and static magnetic field

Rajabbeigi E, Ghanati F, Abdolmaleki P, Payez A · 2013

Researchers studied how parsley cells responded to 21 ppm iron and a static magnetic field (SMF; 30 mT), measuring antioxidant enzymes and related molecules at 6 and 12 hours after treatments. SMF exposure alone increased catalase activity, but when combined with iron, or with iron alone, catalase activity decreased compared to control cells. The combination of SMF with iron reduced the iron content of cells and lessened iron's negative effect on catalase activity. Ferritin levels dropped significantly in SMF-treated and SMF-plus-iron-treated cells at 12 hours, leading the researchers to question ferritin's proposed role as a reactive oxygen species detoxifying molecule.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human peripheral blood neutrophils exposed in vitro to static magnetic field.

Poniedziałek B et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood samples to a gradient static magnetic field (SMF) in vitro to measure its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neutrophils. Blood samples from healthy individuals were incubated in an inhomogeneous SMF at either the south or north pole for 15, 30, or 45 minutes, with a maximum field induction of approximately 60 mT. The exposure induced statistically significant changes in ROS production in both unstimulated and PMA-stimulated neutrophils, with effects that were highly correlated with exposure time and depended on field orientation.

The effect of electromagnetic field on reactive oxygen species production in human neutrophils in vitro.

Poniedzialek B et al. · 2013

Researchers investigated the effect of low frequency electromagnetic field on reactive oxygen species production in human neutrophils in peripheral blood in vitro. Three different levels of magnetic induction were analyzed: 10, 40 and 60 μT. Incubation in EMF slightly inhibited activity in unstimulated neutrophils, while activity increased in PMA-stimulated neutrophils after incubation in EMF.

Electromagnetic fields induce neural differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells via ROS mediated EGFR activation.

Park JE, Seo YK, Yoon HH, Kim CW, Park JK, Jeon S · 2013

Researchers treated human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) with ELF-EMF at 50 Hz and 1 mT and measured neural marker expression and cell signaling. The expression of neural markers NF-L, MAP2, and NeuroD1 increased at 6 days, while phosphorylation of Akt and CREB, but not ERK, increased at 90 min. The researchers suggest that EMF induces neural differentiation through activation of EGFR signaling and mild generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Effect of a static magnetic fields and fluoride ions on the antioxidant defense system of mice fibroblasts.

Kurzeja E et al. · 2013

Researchers studied the potential relationship between static magnetic field exposure and the antioxidant system of fibroblasts cultured with fluoride ions. Three chambers with static magnetic fields of different intensities (0.4, 0.6, and 0.7 T) were used, and fluoride ions were added at a concentration of 0.12 mM. Static magnetic fields were found to reduce the oxidative stress caused by fluoride ions and to normalize the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. The results also suggest that exposure to fluoride and a static magnetic field improves the tolerance of cells to the oxidative stress induced by fluoride ions.

Influence of extremely low-frequency magnetic field on the activity of antioxidant enzymes during skin wound healing in rats

Glinka M, Sieroń A, Birkner E, Cieślar G · 2013

Researchers measured the activity of antioxidant enzymes and a lipid peroxidation marker in male rats exposed to an extremely low-frequency magnetic field during skin wound healing. Each animal had an experimental cut wound on its back. The 40 Hz, 10 mT exposure was associated with increased glutathione peroxidase activity in serum and decreased malone dialdehyde in liver tissue, which the researchers described as suggesting inhibition of phospholipid peroxidation and stabilization of cellular membranes.

Effects of low intensity static magnetic field on FTIR spectra and ROS production in SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells.

Calabrò E et al. · 2013

Researchers investigated the effects of exposing human SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells to a uniform static magnetic field at an intensity of 2.2 mT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that exposure changed the secondary structure of cellular proteins and lipid components. A decrease of membrane mitochondrial potential up to 30% was measured after 24 h of exposure, and this effect was associated with reactive oxygen species production increase.

Changes of dendritic spine density and morphology in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex induced by extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure.

Xiong J, He C, Li C, Tan G, Li J, Yu Z, Hu Z, Chen F. · 2013

Researchers exposed rats to a 0.5 mT 50 Hz extremely low-frequency magnetic field for 14 and 28 days and then used Golgi staining to examine dendritic spines in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex. Exposure reduced spine density in stellate neurons and the basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons at both time points, largely due to loss of thin and branched spines. Reduced spine density in the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons was only observed at 28 days, reflecting distinct vulnerability of spines in the apical and basal dendrites.

Effects of exposure to a 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field during the early adolescent period on spatial memory in mice.

Wang X et al. · 2013

Researchers exposed early adolescent male mice to a 50 Hz magnetic field at 2 mT for 60 minutes per day from postnatal day 23 to 35. Spatial memory was then tested using the Y-maze and Morris water maze tasks. The magnetic field exposure did not affect Y-maze performance but improved spatial learning acquisition and memory retention in the water maze.

The influence of static magnetic field (50 mT) on development and motor behaviour of Tenebrio (Insecta, Coleoptera)

Todorović D et al. · 2013

Researchers analyzed pupa-adult development and motor behaviour of Tenebrio obscursus and T. molitor after exposure to a static magnetic field of 50 mT. The static magnetic field did not affect the pupa-to-adult developmental timing in either species. Motor behaviour of T. obscurus adults was not significantly changed by the magnetic field, but changes were seen in T. molitor.

Age-Dependent Effects of ELF-MF on Oxidative Stress in the Brain of Mongolian Gerbils.

Selaković V, Rauš Balind S, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2013

Researchers investigated the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF; 50 Hz; 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT) on oxidative stress in the brains of 3-month-old (adult) and 10-month-old (middle-aged) Mongolian gerbils. Nitric oxide level, superoxide production, superoxide dismutase activity, and index of lipid peroxidation were measured in the forebrain cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum immediately and 3 days after cessation of 7-day exposure. ELF-MF significantly increased oxidative stress in all tested brain regions, and the effect was higher in middle-aged gerbils and correlated with the value of magnetic induction.

Response of Hippocampal Neurons and Glial Cells to Alternating Magnetic Field in Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia.

Rauš S et al. · 2013

Researchers studied whether exposure to an extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF, 50 Hz) affects postischemic damage in the hippocampus of Mongolian gerbils. After 10-min bilateral carotid occlusion, gerbils were continuously exposed to ELF-MF at an average magnetic induction of 0.5 mT for 7 days, with outcomes assessed on the seventh and 14th days after reperfusion. Ischemic gerbils exposed to ELF-MF had significantly lower cell loss and greater astrocyte and microglial responses compared with ischemic gerbils without exposure on the seventh day after reperfusion. By the 14th day after reperfusion, differences in the measured parameters were low and insignificant.

Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field in prevention of spinal cord injury-induced osteoporosis.

Manjhi J, Kumar S, Behari J, Mathur R. · 2013

Researchers studied whether extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure could reduce osteoporosis caused by spinal cord injury in rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 24) were equally divided into sham, SCI, and SCI+MF groups. Starting one day after injury, the exposed group received ELF magnetic field at 17.96 micro-Tesla and 50 Hz for two hours per day over eight weeks. Bone mineral content, bone mineral density, and biochemical markers were significantly lower in spinal cord injury rats compared with the sham group, and these decreases were attenuated in the magnetic field-treated group, except for carbon content.

Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic field restores spinal cord injury-induced tonic pain and its related neurotransmitter concentration in the brain

Kumar S et al. · 2013

Researchers studied the effect of a 50 Hz, 17.96 μT magnetic field on tonic pain behavior and brain neurotransmitters in rats with complete thoracic spinal cord injury at week 8. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into Sham, SCI, and SCI+MF groups, with pain behavior assessed using block pain rating, session pain rating, time spent in pain categories, and flinch counts. Pain ratings and flinch counts were significantly lower in SCI rats than in Sham rats, but these measures were comparable between the SCI+MF and Sham groups. Serotonin was lower in the cortex, remaining forebrain areas, and brainstem, while GABA and norepinephrine were higher in the brainstem of SCI rats, but these levels were comparable to Sham in the SCI+MF group.

Chronic exposure to an extremely low‐frequency magnetic field induces depression‐like behavior and corticosterone secretion without enhancement of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in mice†

Kitaoka K, Kitamura M, Aoi S, Shimizu N, Yoshizaki K. · 2013

Researchers investigated whether chronic extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure affected emotional behavior and corticosterone synthesis in mice, using an intensity of 3 mT over a total exposure of 200 hours. Exposed mice showed a significant increase in total immobility time in a forced swim test and showed latency to enter the light box in a light-dark transition test, compared with sham-treated mice. Corticosterone secretion was significantly high in the exposed mice, but no changes were observed in adrenocorticotropic hormone or stress-response gene expression, and Cyp17a1 mRNA was significantly reduced.

Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields modulates Na+ currents in rat cerebellar granule cells through increase of AA/PGE2 and EP receptor-mediated cAMP/PKA pathway.

He YL, Liu DD, Fang YJ, Zhan XQ, Yao JJ, Mei YA. · 2013

Researchers investigated the effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on sodium channel activity in rat cerebellar granule cells. Exposing the cells to ELF-EMF for 10–60 minutes significantly increased sodium currents by 30–125% in a time- and intensity-dependent manner. Increases in intracellular arachidonic acid, prostaglandin E2, and phosphorylated PKA levels were observed in the cells following ELF-EMF exposure. The data demonstrated for the first time that neuronal sodium currents are significantly increased by ELF-EMF exposure via a cPLA2, arachidonic acid, prostaglandin E2, EP receptors, and PKA signaling pathway.

Increased vascular permeability in the circumventricular organs of adult rat brain due to stimulation by extremely low frequency magnetic fields

Gutiérrez-Mercado YK et al. · 2013

Researchers used 96 Wistar male rats divided into three groups of 32 rats each: a control group, a sham group, and an experimental group exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at 120 Hz and 0.66 mT. All animals received colloidal carbon intravenously, and capillary permeability was studied using optical and transmission electron microscopy. In the exposed group, researchers detected an increase in capillary permeability and a significant increase in vascular area, effects not seen in the control or sham groups.

Effects of ELF Magnetic Field in Combination with Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3) on Cellular Growth and Surface Morphology of Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Esmekaya MA et al. · 2013

Researchers investigated the effects of a 50 Hz, 2 mT magnetic field, with or without iron(III) chloride, on the growth and morphology of Escherichia coli. No significant differences in cell viability were found between exposed and sham-exposed bacteria, and FeCl3 treatment also did not change cell viability. However, pore formations and membrane destruction were observed on the surface of cells exposed to the ELF field for 24 hours.

Influence of Magnetic Field on Brain Activity During Administration of Caffeine

El Gohary MI, Salama AA, El Saeid AA, El Sayed TM, Kotb HS. · 2013

Researchers studied how caffeine and extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure affected brain electrical activity in rats over 15 days. Caffeine given at 10 mg/kg caused a reduction in the mean power amplitude of EEG signals across most frequency bands, especially the alpha band (8–12 Hz), and this effect was more evident in motor cortex than in visual cortex. Exposure to ELF-MF at 0.2 mT enhanced mean power amplitude in most EEG frequency bands, with the effect more pronounced in the right hemisphere than the left. When caffeine was given alongside ELF-MF exposure, a large increase in alpha-band amplitude appeared after 5 days at all recording sites.

The preventive effect of lotus seedpod procyanidins on cognitive impairment and oxidative damage induced by extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure

Duan Y, Wang Z, Zhang H, He Y, Lu R, Zhang R, Sun G, Sun X. · 2013

Researchers investigated whether lotus seedpod procyanidins (LSPCs) given by oral gavage could protect mice from cognitive deficits and oxidative damage caused by extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure at 50 Hz and 8 mT for 28 days. A water maze test indicated that learning and memory abilities of the ELF-EMF group deteriorated significantly compared with the control group, but the ELF-EMF + LSPCs90 group had remarkably improved learning and memory abilities compared with the ELF-EMF group. ELF-EMF exposure was associated with significant increases in oxidative stress markers and decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities.

Effects of aluminum and extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation on oxidative stress and memory in brain of mice.

Deng Y, Zhang Y, Jia S, Liu J, Liu Y, Xu W, Liu L. · 2013

Researchers divided sixty male SPF Kunming mice into four groups: a control group, an ELF-MF group exposed at 2 mT for 4 hours per day, a group given aluminum at 200 mg per kg, and a combined ELF-MF plus aluminum group. After 8 weeks of treatment, all three exposure groups showed learning memory impairment, with prolonged escaping latency to the platform and a reduced percentage of time in the platform quadrant in the Morris water maze task. All three exposed groups showed a statistically significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and an increase in malondialdehyde levels. The combined ELF-MF plus aluminum treatment induced no more damage than ELF-MF and aluminum did separately.

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