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

Mobile-phone Radiation-induced Perturbation of Gene-expression Profiling, Redox Equilibrium and Sporadic-apoptosis Control in the Ovary of Drosophila melanogaster.

Manta AK et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed fruit flies to mobile phone radiation for just 30 minutes and found significant biological disruptions in their ovaries. The exposure caused a 60% increase in harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, altered the activity of 168 genes, and doubled the rate of cell death in reproductive tissue. These findings suggest that even brief exposure to cell phone radiation can trigger cellular stress and damage reproductive cells.

Microwave radiation (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress: Whole-body exposure effect on histopathology of Wistar rats.

Chauhan P, Verma HN, Sisodia R, Kesari KK. · 2017

Researchers exposed male Wistar rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at a power density of 0.2 mW/cm2 for 2 hours a day for 35 days, then examined brain, liver, kidney, testis, and spleen. Significantly high levels of lipid peroxide were found in the liver (p < 0.001), brain (p < 0.004), and spleen (p < 0.006) of exposed rats. Histological changes were also observed in the brain, liver, testis, kidney, and spleen after whole-body microwave exposure, compared to the control group.

Electromagnetic fields at a mobile phone frequency (900 MHz) trigger the onset of general stress response along with DNA modifications in Eisenia fetida earthworms

Bourdineaud JP et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed Eisenia fetida earthworms to electromagnetic fields at 900 MHz and field levels ranging from 10 to 120 V m-1 for a period of two hours. All exposure treatments induced significant DNA modifications, and the number of probe hybridisation sites showed a significant two-fold decrease even after 24 hours of recovery. Genes involved in general stress, oxidative stress, and immune defence were up-regulated after exposure, and Western blots confirmed an increased quantity of HSP70 and MTCO1 proteins.

The antioxidant effect of Green Tea Mega EGCG against electromagnetic radiation-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus and striatum of rats

Ahmed NA, Radwan NM, Aboul Ezz HS, Salama NA · 2017

Researchers exposed adult rats to EMR at a frequency of 900 MHz modulated at 217 Hz, with a power density of 0.02 mW/cm2 and SAR of 1.245 W/kg, and measured oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus and striatum. EMR exposure produced disturbances in oxidant and antioxidant parameters in both brain regions. Green tea mega EGCG given at the beginning of EMR exposure for two and three months had more beneficial effect against EMR-induced oxidative stress than EGCG given after two months of exposure.

Resveratrol may reverse the effects of long-term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers of a power plant.

Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhu B, Zhang H, Sun Y, Sun C · 2017

Researchers enrolled 186 male workers with occupational exposure to high-voltage electricity lines and 154 male subjects with insignificant exposure as a reference control. Resveratrol or placebo was given as dietary supplements at 500 mg twice daily, and inflammatory biomarkers and biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed. Workers who had long-term exposure to high-voltage electricity lines showed elevated urinary levels of 8-OHdG and F2-isoprostane compared to the reference group. Resveratrol significantly reversed the adverse impacts of ELF-EMF, and stimulated cytokine production by resveratrol was found in exposed workers but not in the reference group.

Effects of single and repeated exposure to a 50-Hz 2-mT electromagnetic field on primary cultured hippocampal neurons

Zeng Y, Shen Y, Hong L, Chen Y, Shi X, Zeng Q, Yu P · 2017

Researchers evaluated the biological effects of different patterns of extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure on primary cultured hippocampal neurons, looking at viability, apoptosis, genomic instability, and oxidative stress. Repeated exposure to a 50-Hz 2-mT field for 8 hours per day decreased cell viability and increased the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. The researchers noted that none of the repeated exposure patterns had significant effects on DNA damage, apoptosis, or autophagy, suggesting no severe biological consequences in the cultured neurons.

Pulsed or continuous electromagnetic field induce p53/p21-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway in mouse spermatogenic cells in vitro and thus may affect male fertility.

Solek P et al. · 2017

Researchers investigated the effects of pulsed and continuous electromagnetic fields on two mouse spermatogenic cell lines, GC-1 spg and GC-2 spd, in vitro. The researchers evaluated mitochondrial metabolism, morphology, proliferation rate, viability, cell cycle progression, oxidative stress balance, and regulatory proteins. The results strongly suggested that EMF induced oxidative and nitrosative stress-mediated DNA damage, resulting in p53/p21-dependent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The researchers concluded that electromagnetic field impairs male fertility by inducing p53/p21-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

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.

Direction-dependent effects of combined static and ELF magnetic fields on cell proliferation and superoxide radical production.

Naarala J et al. · 2017

Researchers studied how the direction of combined static and extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields affected cell proliferation and superoxide radical production. Proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was stimulated by a nearly vertical 60 or 120 μT static magnetic field compared with cells that were shielded against magnetic fields. When the static field was combined with an extremely low frequency ELF field, proliferation was suppressed by a horizontal but not by a vertical ELF field.

Preventing electromagnetic pulse irradiation damage on testis using selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi. A preclinical study in young male mice.

Miao X et al. · 2017

Researchers conducted a preclinical randomized study using 3-week-old male BALB/c mice repeatedly exposed to electromagnetic pulses at a peak intensity of 200 kV/m, 5 days per week for four consecutive weeks. Some mice also received daily co-administration of selenium-rich Cordyceps fungi at 100 mg/kg. Mice exposed without Cordyceps showed decreased sperm formation, shrunk seminiferous tubule diameters, and diminished antioxidative capacity at 28 and 60 days after exposure. Daily Cordyceps co-treatment alleviated the testicular damage, increased sperm formation, and reduced apoptotic spermatogenic cells.

Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on oxidative stress in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Medina-Fernandez FJ et al. · 2017

Researchers injected rats with a single dose of 150 μg of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG, fragment 35–55) to produce experimental multiple sclerosis. The MOG injection caused motor symptoms such as tail paralysis and limb paresis/paralysis, along with oxidative stress and cell death similar to MS. Rats were then treated with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields applied as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at 60 Hz and 0.7 mT for 2 hours a day, once a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. The researchers found that TMS attenuated motor symptoms and oxidative and cell damage, and also increased the antioxidant system.

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.

Simultaneous application of cisplatin and static magnetic field enhances oxidative stress in HeLa cell line

Kamalipooya S et al. · 2017

Researchers studied the effects of combining a static magnetic field (SMF) with the anticancer drug cisplatin on oxidative stress in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and normal skin fibroblast cells (Hu02). Cells were exposed to SMF intensities of 7, 10, and 15 mT for 24 and 48 hours, and cytotoxic effects were measured using reactive oxygen species content and membrane lipid peroxidation. The combination of both treatments for 48 hours led to a marked decrease in HeLa cell viability of about 89% compared to untreated cells. The study suggests that among the optional intensities of SMF tested, the intensity of 10 mT led to higher damage to cancer cells at lower doses of the drug.

Cellular detection of 50 Hz magnetic fields and weak blue light: effects on superoxide levels and genotoxicity.

Höytö A, Herrala M, Luukkonen J, Juutilainen J, Naarala J. · 2017

Researchers exposed human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to a 50 Hz, 100 μT magnetic field with or without a non-phototoxic level of blue light for 24 hours. The magnetic field increased cytosolic superoxide production, while blue light suppressed that effect. Mitochondrial superoxide production was reduced by both the magnetic field and blue light, but these effects were not additive. Micronucleus frequency was not affected by blue light or the magnetic field alone, but blue light, significantly when combined with the magnetic field, enhanced menadione-induced micronuclei.

Role of Sod Gene in Response to Static Magnetic Fields in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Hanini R, Chatti A, Ghorbel SB, Landoulsi A. · 2017

Researchers studied the protective role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) against a static magnetic field of 200 mT in wild-type and mutant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lacking one or both SOD enzymes. Inactivation of the sodM and/or sodB genes increased the sensitivity of the bacteria to stress from the static magnetic field. Mutant strains also showed significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage to lipids, compared to wild-type cells.

Assessing the combined effect of extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure and oxidative stress on LINE-1 promoter methylation in human neural cells.

Giorgi G et al. · 2017

Researchers exposed human neural cells (BE(2)C) to an extremely low frequency pulsed magnetic field (50 Hz, 1 mT) for 24 and 48 hours, alone and combined with oxidative stress, to study DNA methylation changes. Exposure to the magnetic field alone or oxidative stress alone produced only weak changes in DNA methylation levels at different CpG sites. When the two exposures were combined, a significant decrease in DNA methylation levels was found at different CpG sites, and most of those changes were transient.

Power frequency magnetic field promotes a more malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma cells via redox-related mechanisms.

Falone S et al. · 2017

Researchers investigated whether a 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF magnetic field promoted hyperproliferation and improved defence against reactive oxygen species in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The field activated antioxidant and detoxification pathways linked to more aggressive cell behavior, along with upregulation of major sirtuins and increased NRF2 signaling. Exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field as low as 100 µT may still be able to alter cancer cell behavior and responses to clinically relevant drugs.

Cytotoxic effects of moderate static magnetic field exposure on human periphery blood mononuclear cells are influenced by Val16Ala-MnSOD gene polymorphism.

Dornelles EB et al. · 2017

Researchers tested the in vitro cytotoxic effects of a 5 mT static magnetic field on human blood cells carrying different variants of the Val16Ala polymorphism in the manganese superoxide dismutase gene. Cytotoxic effects were observed in AA cells at all exposure times, while AV cells showed higher mortality only after 6 hours, and higher apoptosis induction was seen in AA cells compared to VV and AV cells. The authors suggest the results indicate a toxicogenetic effect of the static magnetic field related to an imbalance in SOD2 activity.

Anxiety-like behavioural effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field in rats.

Djordjevic NZ, Paunović MG, Peulić AS · 2017

Researchers investigated whether short-term exposure to ELF-EMF at 50 Hz could produce anxiety-like behaviour in rats through changes in hypothalamic oxidative stress and nitric oxide. Ten adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into a control group with no exposure and an experimental group exposed to the field during 7 days, after which open field and elevated plus maze tests measured anxiety-like behaviour. The exposed rats showed anxiety-like behaviour and higher concentrations of superoxide anion and nitric oxide in the hypothalamus, while peroxynitrite concentration was not affected.

Benign Effect of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on Brain Plasticity Assessed by Nitric Oxide Metabolism during Poststroke Rehabilitation

Cichoń N et al. · 2017

Patients were divided into two groups, both undergoing the same 4-week rehabilitation program, with one group also receiving daily ELF-EMF exposure. The ELF-EMF group was exposed to a field of 40 Hz and 7 mT for 15 minutes per day. ELF-EMF significantly increased 3-nitrotyrosine and nitrate/nitrite levels, while NOS2 expression was insignificantly decreased in both groups. The researchers concluded that ELF-EMF therapy is capable of promoting recovery in poststroke patients.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) reduces oxidative stress and improves functional and psychological status in ischemic stroke patients.

Cichoń N, Bijak M, Miller E, Saluk J. · 2017

Researchers investigated the effect of ELF-EMF on clinical and antioxidant status in post-stroke patients. Fifty-seven patients were divided into two groups: ELF-EMF and non-ELF-EMF, and both groups underwent the same 4-week rehabilitation program. The ELF-EMF group was additionally exposed to a field of 40 Hz, 7 mT for 15 min/day for 4 weeks, 5 days a week. ELF-EMF significantly increased enzymatic antioxidant activity, though total antioxidant status levels did not change in either group.

Effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on antioxidant activity in the human keratinocyte cell line NCTC 2544

Calcabrini C et al. · 2017

Researchers investigated whether ELF-EMF exposure causes significant cell damage in human keratinocytes, to support potential ELF-EMF use in regenerative medicine for skin injuries. Reactive oxygen species production was evaluated in human keratinocytes exposed for 1 H to 50 Hz ELF-EMF at field strengths from 0.25 to 2 G, and significant ROS increases resulted at 0.5 and 1 G. All significant alterations observed in the first 4 H of exposure reverted to controls 24 H after, and the exposure did not have a cytotoxic effect.

Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice.

Wang K et al. · 2017

Researchers examined the effects of a single 30-minute exposure to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on recognition memory in mice, using the novel object recognition task. Exposure at an intensity above 2.2 W/kg SAR produced a significant, density-dependent increase in the recognition memory index, with no corresponding changes in spontaneous locomotor activity. The researchers also found that exposure increased dendritic-spine density and length in hippocampal and prefrontal cortical neurons, and significantly altered neuronal excitability in pyramidal neurons. The SAR used in the study was 3.3 W/kg, which the researchers noted was outside the range encountered in normal daily life.

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