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

Purkinje cell number decreases in the adult female rat cerebellum following exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field

Sonmez OF, Odaci E, Bas O, Kaplan S · 2010

Researchers exposed 16-week-old adult female rats to 900 MHz EMF for 1 hour per day for 28 days and then counted Purkinje cells in the cerebellum using a stereological technique. The total number of Purkinje cells in the exposed group was significantly lower than in both the control group (p < 0.004) and the sham-exposed group (p < 0.002). Body and brain weights did not differ significantly between the exposed and unexposed groups.

The effect of mobile phone on the number of Purkinje cells: a stereological study

Rağbetli MC et al. · 2010

Researchers investigated the effect of mobile phone exposure on Purkinje and granule neurons in the developing cerebellum. Pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to GSM mobile phone radiation at 890–915 MHz at 0.95 W/Kg specific absorption rate (SAR). The study found a significant decrease in the number of Purkinje cells and a tendency for granule cells to increase.

Chronic 835-MHz radiofrequency exposure to mice hippocampus alters the distribution of calbindin and GFAP immunoreactivity.

Maskey D et al. · 2010

Researchers investigated the effect of 835-MHz radiofrequency exposure on rat hippocampus for 3 months using immunohistochemical methods. A decrease in calbindin immunoreactivity was observed in the exposed group, with loss of interneurons and pyramidal cells in the CA1 area and loss of granule cells. An overall increase in GFAP immunoreactivity was observed in the hippocampus of exposed rats, and apoptotic cells were detected in the CA1, CA3 areas and dentate gyrus.

Effect of 835 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure on calcium binding proteins in the hippocampus of the mouse brain.

Maskey D et al. · 2010

Researchers measured calbindin (CB) and calretinin (CR) expression in the hippocampus of mice after exposure to 835 MHz electromagnetic fields at various durations and absorption rates. Exposure conditions included 1 hour per day for 5 days at a specific absorption rate of 1.6 W/kg, 1 hour per day for 5 days at 4.0 W/kg, 5 hours per day for 1 day at 1.6 W/kg, 5 hours per day for 1 day at 4.0 W/kg, and daily exposure for 1 month at 1.6 W/kg. Exposure for 1 month produced almost complete loss of pyramidal cells in the CA1 area. Body weights did not change significantly across the exposure groups.

Radiofrequency fields, transthyretin, and Alzheimer's disease

Söderqvist F, Hardell L, Carlberg M, Mild KH · 2010

Researchers proposed that transthyretin (TTR), a protein that sequesters amyloid-beta, might help explain findings related to radiofrequency exposure and Alzheimer's disease. In a provocation study on 41 persons exposed for 30 minutes to an 890-MHz GSM signal at 1.0 Watt/kg to the temporal area of the brain, serum TTR was found to be statistically significantly increased 60 minutes after exposure. In a cross-sectional study on 313 subjects, a statistically significantly positive association was found between serum TTR and time since first use of mobile phones and desktop cordless phones combined (P=0.03).

Effects of mobile phone use on brain tissue from the rat and a possible protective role of vitamin C - a preliminary study.

Imge EB, Kiliçoğlu B, Devrim E, Cetin R, Durak I · 2010

Forty female rats were divided into four groups: control, mobile phone, mobile phone plus vitamin C, and vitamin C alone. The mobile phone groups were exposed to a mobile phone signal (900 MHz), and vitamin C was administered orally for four weeks. Mobile phone exposure caused an inhibition in 5'-NT and CAT activities compared to the control group, while GSH-Px activity and MDA levels were reduced but not significantly. The researchers suggested that vitamin C may play a protective role against detrimental effects of mobile phone radiation in brain tissue.

STAT3 signalling pathway is involved in the activation of microglia induced by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields.

Hao Y, Yang X, Chen C, Yuan-Wang, Wang X, Li M, Yu Z · 2010

Researchers exposed murine N9 microglial cells to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields and examined several molecular markers of cell activation. After exposure, a significant increase of STAT3 DNA-binding ability was noted, and EMF rapidly induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and activated JAK1 and JAK2. Transcription levels of the inflammation-associated genes iNOS and TNF-alpha also increased after EMF exposure. When a JAK inhibitor called P6 was applied, it reduced induction of iNOS and TNF-alpha, nuclear factor binding activity, and activation of STAT3 in EMF-stimulated microglia.

Whole body exposure with GSM 900 MHz affects spatial memory in mice

Fragopoulou AF et al. · 2010

Researchers tested the effects of mobile phone radiation on spatial learning and memory in mice using the Morris water maze, a hippocampal-dependent spatial memory task. The mice received a 2 h daily dose of pulsed GSM 900 MHz radiation from a commercially available mobile phone for 4 days at SAR values ranging from 0.41 to 0.98 W/kg. Exposed animals showed a deficit in transferring acquired spatial information across training days, with increased escape latency and distance swam compared to sham-exposed animals. During the memory probe trial, sham-exposed animals showed the expected preference for the target quadrant, while exposed animals showed no preference.

Effects of 2G and 3G mobile phones on human alpha rhythms: Resting EEG in adolescents, young adults, and the elderly

Croft RJ et al. · 2010

Researchers tested whether adolescents and the elderly are more sensitive to mobile phone-related bioeffects than young adults, using both 2G GSM and 3G W-CDMA exposures. Resting alpha activity in the 8-12 Hz band of the EEG was recorded and compared between conditions in a double-blind crossover design, with each participant receiving sham, 2G, and 3G exposures separated by at least 4 days. Young adults showed greater alpha activity in the 2G condition compared to sham, but no effect was found in adolescents or the elderly, and 3G exposure produced no effect in any group.

Effects of GSM signals during exposure to event related potentials (ERPs)

Bak M, Dudarewicz A, Zmyślony M, Sliwinska-Kowalska M · 2010

Researchers assessed the effect of electromagnetic field from the GSM mobile phone system on human brain function in volunteers. The assessment was based on event related potentials, with P300 latency, amplitude, and latency of the N1, N2, P2 waves analysed. The statistical analysis revealed an effect of EMF on P300 amplitude, with lower amplitudes observed only during exposure. No statistically significant changes were noted in the latencies of the N1, N2, P2 waves or in the latency of the P300 itself.

Electromagnetic Field Treatment Protects Against and Reverses Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease Mice

Arendash GW et al. · 2010

Researchers studied the effects of long-term EMF exposure at 918 MHz and 0.25 w/kg on both normal mice and transgenic mice bred to develop Alzheimer's-like cognitive impairment. Both cognitive-protective and cognitive-enhancing effects of EMF exposure were discovered for both normal mice and transgenic mice destined to develop Alzheimer's-like cognitive impairment. In Alzheimer's disease mice, long-term EMF exposure reduced brain amyloid-beta deposition through anti-aggregation actions and increased brain temperature during exposure periods. The researchers concluded that EMF exposure may represent a non-invasive, non-pharmacologic therapeutic against Alzheimer's disease, while cautioning against directly extrapolating these mouse findings to humans.

GFAP expression in the rat brain following sub-chronic exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field signal

Ammari M et al. · 2010

This study measured glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in 48 rat brains to evaluate reactive astrocytosis after sub-chronic head-only exposure to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field signal. Rats were exposed either for 45 minutes per day at a SAR of 1.5 W/kg or for 15 minutes per day at a SAR of 6 W/kg, five days per week over an eight-week period. Compared to sham-treated rats, exposed rats showed an increase in GFAP levels in different brain areas, measured three and ten days after treatment.

Exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation induces oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA in primary cultured neurons.

Xu S et al. · 2010

Researchers exposed primary cultured cortical neurons to pulsed radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at 1800 MHz modulated by 217 Hz at an average specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg. At 24 hours after exposure, researchers found a significant increase in levels of 8-hydroxyguanine, a common biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, in the mitochondria of neurons. The copy number of mitochondrial DNA and the levels of mitochondrial RNA transcripts showed an obvious reduction after RF exposure. Each of these mitochondrial DNA disturbances could be reversed by pretreatment with melatonin.

Evaluation of genotoxic effects in male Wistar rats following microwave exposure.

Kumar S, Kesari KK, Behari J. · 2010

Wistar rats were exposed to microwaves for 2 hours a day for 45 days at either 10 GHz or 50 GHz, and blood cells and serum were then analyzed. The exposed rats showed micronuclei formation and a significant increase in ROS production, along with significant changes in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels. The researchers concluded that microwave exposure may be effective at the genetic level and suggested this may indicate tumor promotion through overproduction of reactive oxygen species.

Mutagenic response of 2.45 GHz radiation exposure on rat brain.

Kesari KK, Behari J, Kumar S. · 2010

Researchers exposed male Wistar rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation for 2 hours a day for 35 days at a power density of 0.34 mW/cm2. The whole brain tissue was dissected and used for study of double strand DNA breaks by micro gel electrophoresis and comet assay. Exposed brain cells showed a significant increase in comet head, tail length, and tail movement. The study concluded that chronic exposure to these radiations may cause significant damage to brain, which may be an indication of possible tumour promotion.

The effect of radiofrequency radiation on DNA and lipid damage in non-pregnant and pregnant rabbits and their newborns.

Guler G, Tomruk A, Ozgur E, Seyhan N. · 2010

Researchers investigated oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation levels in the brain tissue of pregnant and non-pregnant New Zealand White rabbits and their newborns exposed to radiofrequency radiation. The rabbits were exposed to radiofrequency radiation at 1800 MHz GSM at 14 V/m for 15 minutes per day over 7 days. MDA and 8-OHdG levels in exposed pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits were significantly increased compared to controls, but no difference was found in the newborns.

Reactive oxygen species levels and DNA fragmentation on astrocytes in primary culture after acute exposure to low intensity microwave electromagnetic field.

Campisi A et al. · 2010

Researchers exposed primary rat neocortical astroglial cell cultures to electromagnetic fields in the microwave range, either as continuous waves or amplitude-modulated at 50 Hz, for 5, 10, or 20 minutes. A significant increase in ROS levels and DNA fragmentation was found only after exposure of the astrocytes to modulated EMF for 20 min. Cell viability was not affected, and the irradiation conditions allowed the exclusion of any possible thermal effect.

Dose related shifts in the developmental progress of chick embryos exposed to mobile phone induced electromagnetic fields.

Zareen N, Khan MY, Minhas LA. · 2009

Researchers exposed developing chick embryos to mobile phone electromagnetic fields at different intensities to study effects on survival and development. They found that EMF exposure significantly reduced embryo survival rates, while the developmental effects varied dramatically by dose - lower exposures caused growth delays, while higher exposures actually accelerated growth. This suggests that mobile phone radiation affects developing organisms in complex, dose-dependent ways that could have implications for human reproductive health.

The estimation of 3D SAR distributions in the human head from mobile phone compliance testing data for epidemiological studies.

Wake K et al. · 2009

Researchers developed a method to accurately map how cell phone radiation (called SAR) spreads throughout the human brain using standard phone testing data. They found they could successfully estimate radiation exposure patterns in specific brain regions where tumors develop. This technique was used in the major INTERPHONE study to better understand the relationship between cell phone use and brain cancer risk.

Determinants of mobile phone output power in a multinational study - implications for exposure assessment.

Vrijheid M et al. · 2009

Researchers tracked over 60,000 phone calls across 12 countries to measure how much radiofrequency power mobile phones actually emit during real-world use. They found that phones operate at about 50% of their maximum power on average, with phones using maximum power for 39% of call time. The actual exposure levels varied dramatically between different network operators and countries, sometimes differing by 2-3 times, which has major implications for studies trying to link phone use to health effects.

Quantifying the impact of selection bias caused by nonparticipation in a case-control study of mobile phone use.

Vrijheid M et al. · 2009

This study examined a critical flaw in mobile phone brain tumor research: people who refuse to participate in studies are less likely to use mobile phones regularly. Researchers found that non-participants used phones at lower rates (50-56%) compared to study participants (66-69%), creating a systematic bias that could underestimate cancer risks by about 10%. This means many studies may be missing the very people whose phone usage patterns could reveal stronger links to brain tumors.

Radio frequency radiation (RFR) from TV and radio transmitters at a pilot region in Turkey.

Sirav B, Seyhan N · 2009

Turkish researchers measured radio frequency radiation levels around a transmission site in Ankara that houses 64 TV and radio towers plus a mobile phone base station near residential areas. They calculated that radiation levels were approximately four times higher than Turkey's safety standards (which match international ICNIRP guidelines). The study highlights how multiple transmitters in one location can create cumulative exposures that exceed regulatory limits.

Risks for central nervous system diseases among mobile phone subscribers: a Danish retrospective cohort study.

Schüz J, Waldemar G, Olsen JH, Johansen C. · 2009

Danish researchers tracked over 420,000 mobile phone subscribers from 1982-1995 through 2003 to see if phone use was linked to brain and nervous system diseases. They found mobile phone users had 10-20% higher rates of migraine and vertigo, but surprisingly lower rates of dementia, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy in men. The increased migraine and vertigo rates persisted even among long-term users of 10+ years.

Cancer & Tumors
Not an original health-effects study
162 citations

Mobile Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: A Meta-Analysis

Myung SK et al. · 2009

Researchers analyzed 23 studies involving nearly 38,000 people to examine whether mobile phone use increases tumor risk. While overall results showed no clear association, the highest-quality studies with proper blinding revealed a harmful effect, and people who used phones for 10 years or longer showed an 18% increased risk of tumors. The findings highlight how study design quality significantly affects results in EMF research.

Effects of mobile phone radiofrequency on the structure and function of the normal human hemoglobin.

Mousavy SJ et al. · 2009

Researchers exposed human hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) to cell phone radiofrequency radiation at 910MHz and 940MHz frequencies. They found that the radiation altered hemoglobin's ability to carry oxygen and changed its molecular structure, with greater effects at higher radiation intensities and longer exposure times. This suggests that cell phone radiation could potentially interfere with your blood's fundamental ability to transport oxygen throughout your body.

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