Browse 6,486 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.
Showing 51 studies (Microorganisms) from Glaser RF/Microwave Archive
Carl M. Olsen, Clifford L. Drake, Stuart L. Bunch · 1966
This 1966 study examined how microwave energy affects various microorganisms and found that microwaves killed bacteria and fungi through non-thermal mechanisms distinct from conventional heating. The research showed microwave exposure reduced bacterial populations by up to 99% and altered cellular respiration in ways that simple heat treatment could not explain.
Carl M. Olsen · 1965
This 1965 study investigated using microwave energy to control bread mold growth, testing whether microwaves could reduce populations of common fungi that spoil bread products. The research explored microwave radiation as an alternative to chemical preservatives like sodium propionate for extending bread shelf life.
L. Miro, H. Atlan, Y. Arnaud, G. Deltour, R. Loubiere · 1965
French researchers in 1965 exposed bacteria to microwave radiation, then subjected them to gamma ray sterilization to test if the microwave exposure provided any protective effect. The study found that bacteria pre-exposed to very high frequency electromagnetic fields showed improved survival rates when later exposed to lethal gamma radiation. This suggests microwave fields may trigger protective biological responses in living organisms.
Philip Schmidt · 1964
This 1964 technical report examined how radiofrequency energy affects toxins produced by two dangerous bacteria: Corynebacterium diphtheriae (which causes diphtheria) and Clostridium welchii (which causes gas gangrene). The research investigated whether RF energy could alter or neutralize these bacterial toxins, representing early exploration of electromagnetic fields' effects on biological systems.
Donald E. Barber · 1962
Researchers in 1962 exposed luminous bacteria to microwave radiation between 2608.7-3082.3 MHz at power levels up to 16.7 watts, finding no non-thermal biological effects. This early study used glowing bacteria as a sensitive test system to detect potential microwave damage beyond simple heating. The findings suggested that microwave exposure at these frequencies and power levels did not harm living cells through mechanisms other than thermal heating.
Edwin Lorenz Carstensen · 1962
This 1962 research by Edwin Carstensen examined the internal electrical conductivity properties of E. coli bacteria. The study represents early foundational work measuring how electromagnetic fields interact with living microorganisms at the cellular level. This type of biophysical research laid groundwork for understanding how EMF exposure affects biological systems.
A. A. TEIXEIRA-PINTO et al. · 1960
This 1960 study investigated how radio frequency electromagnetic fields affect the movement and behavior of single-celled organisms like bacteria. Researchers found that motile bacteria had their normal swimming patterns constrained when exposed to RF fields, suggesting non-thermal biological effects. This was among the first scientific evidence that EMF could influence living organisms through mechanisms beyond just heating tissue.
George H. Brown, Wendell C. Morrison · 1954
This 1954 research explored how strong radio-frequency fields affect microorganisms in water solutions, investigating RF energy as a potential method for pasteurization and sterilization. The authors concluded that no significant destruction of bacteria occurred from the fields at frequencies up to 600 megacycles, excepting destruction brought about by thermal effects: non-viability was a temperature effect, not an electric field effect.
O. Cimitan · 1951
This study investigated the bactericidal (bacteria-killing) effects of shortwave irradiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation, on various bacterial species. Bacterial cultures were exposed to ultraviolet radiation from mercury vapor lamps and electrical discharge from capacitors, and absorption spectra were determined for each strain. Different species showed distinct absorption spectra, with maximum absorption around 2650 Angstroms.
Maurizio Terni, Pietro Lombardini · 1951
This 1951 Italian study by Dr. Terni investigated how microwave radiation affects bacteria, including E. coli. As one of the earliest scientific examinations of microwave effects on living organisms, it established foundational research into how electromagnetic fields interact with biological systems. The research helped lay groundwork for understanding potential biological impacts of microwave technology.
S. E. Jacobs, Margaret J. Thornley, P. Maurice · 1950
Researchers in 1950 exposed bacteria, principally E. coli (Bact. coli) and Staph. aureus, in glass containers to high-frequency electric fields at 1-65 Mc./s. using external electrodes. Various periods and intensities were tried, but no lethal temperature was allowed to develop, and there was no evidence that any mortality was caused by the treatments, even when voltage stresses high enough to induce rapid heat development in poorly conducting treatment fluids were used.
H. Schaefer, H. Schwan · 1947
This 1947 research investigated whether ultrashort radio frequency waves could selectively heat individual cells in biological tissue, focusing on bacteria and microorganisms. The study explored how electromagnetic fields might target single cells rather than heating tissue uniformly, examining the role of different dielectric properties between cell types.
Ed. Gilles · 1944
This 1944 study by Gilles investigated how ultrashort waves (microwave radiation) kill microorganisms like bacteria. The research examined the lethal effects of this electromagnetic radiation on various microbes, providing early evidence that microwaves can damage living biological systems. This work helped establish that electromagnetic fields can have profound biological effects at the cellular level.
E. Gilles · 1944
This 1944 research investigated whether ultrashort radio waves could kill fungi and bacteria through thermal (heating) effects. The study found that these electromagnetic waves could destroy microorganisms, but only when they generated enough heat under specific conditions.
Hugh Fleming · 1944
This 1944 study by Fleming examined how high-frequency electromagnetic fields affect microorganisms like bacteria. The research investigated biological effects of RF fields on microbes, likely in connection with medical diathermy treatments. This represents early scientific inquiry into how electromagnetic energy interacts with living organisms at the cellular level.
Wilhelm Krasny-Ergen · 1936
This 1936 study by W. Krasny-Ergen examined how alternating electrical fields affect colloids (tiny particles suspended in liquid) through non-thermal mechanisms. The research focused on biological effects that occur without heating, specifically studying how electrical vibrations and induction powers influence microorganisms. This represents early scientific recognition that electromagnetic fields can produce biological effects beyond simple heating.
Conrad K. Gale · 1935
This 1935 research investigated whether short and ultrashort waves have selective properties and thermic powers of penetration, using paramecia (single-celled organisms) and electrolytic solutions. With wavelengths of 6, 10 and 20 meters, the reaction of the paramecia was identical and ran parallel to the temperature curves. Experiments with electrolytic solutions showed that 8-meter and 15-meter waves penetrate water layers and heat solutions in different spaces.
Liebesny, P. · 1934
This 1934 conference paper by P. Liebesny examined the biological effects of Hertzian shortwaves (radio frequency radiation) on microorganisms. The research focused on both thermal and non-thermal effects of shortwave electromagnetic fields on microscopic life forms. This represents some of the earliest documented scientific investigation into how radio frequency energy affects living biological systems.
Dr. W. Haase, Dr. E. Schliephake · 1931
This 1931 German research by W. Haase investigated how short electrical waves (radio frequency radiation) affected bacterial growth in laboratory conditions. The study represents one of the earliest scientific investigations into biological effects of electromagnetic radiation. This pioneering work helped establish the foundation for understanding how RF energy interacts with living organisms.
Dr. W. Haase, Priv.-Doz. Dr. E. Schliephake · 1931
This 1931 German study by Dr. Haase and Dr. Schliephake investigated how short-wave radio frequency radiation affects bacterial growth. The research examined biological effects of electromagnetic waves on microorganisms, representing some of the earliest scientific inquiry into EMF impacts on living systems. This work helped establish the foundation for understanding how wireless signals interact with biological processes.
Unknown authors
Researchers exposed Salmonella bacteria to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at varying power levels to test for genetic damage (mutagenicity). The study was motivated by concerns about potential low-level radiation exposure from proposed Solar Power Satellite systems. Results showed mixed findings, with no clear mutagenic effects demonstrated at the tested exposure levels.
Unknown authors
Researchers exposed bacteria carrying dormant lambda phage viruses to millimeter-wave radiation to test whether EMF could trigger viral activation. The study found that millimeter-wave exposure failed to induce the lambda phage to become active in E. coli bacteria. This research examines whether EMF radiation can disrupt normal biological processes at the cellular level.
Unknown authors
Researchers exposed E. coli bacteria to millimeter wave radiation at frequencies of 51.3-52.3 GHz (similar to some 5G frequencies) at low power levels. The study examined whether this exposure could trigger colicin production, a natural bacterial defense mechanism. The findings suggest that even low-level millimeter wave radiation can influence bacterial cellular processes.
Unknown authors
Researchers exposed E. coli bacteria to 1.07 GHz radiofrequency fields and found the radiation made bacteria vulnerable to viral infection and easier to kill than heat alone. The study also showed that bacteriophage viruses were rapidly inactivated by RF fields that barely affected the bacteria, with 80% of viruses destroyed in just 2 minutes.
Tomberg, V.
This early research by Tomberg examined how short electrical waves (under 8 meters wavelength) affect microorganisms, distinguishing between electromagnetic and electric field effects. The study found that biological effects depend on the conductivity and structure of the organism, with 'quasi-specific' thermal effects being most therapeutically relevant. The research challenged claims that certain frequencies promote microbial growth.