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 1,332 studies with bioeffects seen from SafeRemr Research Collection

The effect of melatonin on body mass and behaviour of rats during an exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phone.

Sokolovic D et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed Wistar rats to microwave radiation for 4 hours per day and tested whether melatonin could counter any resulting changes in body mass or behaviour. A significant body mass reduction was noted in animals exposed to MW radiation when compared to controls after 20, 40 and 60 days (p<0.001). Exposed animals showed anxiety-related behaviour described as agitation and irritability after 10 days of exposure, and these changes became less noticeable after the radiation source was removed. Melatonin pretreatment significantly increased body weight in irradiated rats compared to irradiated rats without melatonin after 20 days (p<0.05), and melatonin administration caused a decrease in stress-induced behaviour.

Sleep EEG alterations: effects of different pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields.

Schmid MR et al. · 2012

Thirty young healthy men were exposed, at weekly intervals, for 30 minutes directly before an 8-hour sleep period to a 900-MHz RF EMF pulse-modulated at 14 Hz, at 217 Hz, or to a sham control. EEG power in the spindle frequency range was increased during non-rapid eye movement sleep after the 14-Hz pulse-modulated condition, while a similar but non-significant increase was also observed after the 217-Hz condition. No clear exposure-related effects on cognitive performance were seen, and the exposure-induced effect showed considerable individual variability.

Analgetic effects of non-thermal GSM-1900 radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the land snail Helix pomatia.

Nittby H et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed 29 land snails of the strain Helix pomatia to GSM electromagnetic fields at 1900 MHz at 48 mW/kg for 1 hour each, while 29 snails served as sham controls. Before and after exposure, snails were placed on a hot plate and the time until they retracted was measured by two blinded observers. GSM-exposed snails were less sensitive to thermal pain compared to sham controls, indicating a significant analgesia (Mann-Whitney p < 0.001).

Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time.

Mortazavi SM et al. · 2012

Researchers measured visual reaction time in 160 right-handed university students aged 18 to 31 before and after a 10-minute real or sham exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones. The mean reaction time after real exposure was 286.78 ms and after sham exposure was 295.86 ms (P < 0.001). The researchers also compared reaction times across low-level, moderate, and frequent mobile phone users to assess possible chronic exposure effects. Male students showed shorter reaction times than female students in both talk and standby modes.

Microwave radiation induced oxidative stress, cognitive impairment and inflammation in brain of Fischer rats.

Megha K et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed male Fischer-344 rats to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz microwave radiation for 30 days at 2 hours per day to evaluate oxidative stress, cognitive impairment, and inflammation in the brain. Compared with sham-exposed animals, microwave-exposed rats showed significant impairment in cognitive function and oxidative stress in brain tissues. A significant increase in the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha was also observed following microwave exposure.

Calcium-binding proteins and GFAP immunoreactivity alterations in murine hippocampus after 1 month of exposure to 835 MHz radiofrequency at SAR values of 1.6 and 4.0 W/kg

Maskey D, Kim HJ, Kim HG, Kim MJ. · 2012

Researchers exposed mice to 835 MHz radiofrequency at SAR values of 1.6 W/kg and 4.0 W/kg for one month to study effects in the hippocampus. Compared with a sham control group, both exposed groups showed decreased calbindin D28-k and calretinin, loss of immunoreactive cells, and increased GFAP with hypertrophic cytoplasmic processes. The group exposed at 4.0 W/kg showed a more prominent decrease in calbindin and calretinin, and more prominent GFAP immunoreactivity, than the group exposed at 1.6 W/kg.

Individual differences in the effects of mobile phone exposure on human sleep: Rethinking the problem

Loughran SP, McKenzie RJ, Jackson ML, Howard ME, Croft RJ. · 2012

Twenty volunteers each underwent two experimental nights in which they were randomly exposed to either an active or sham condition before a full night of sleep. EEG spectral power was increased in the sleep spindle frequency range in the first 30 minutes of non-REM sleep after active exposure. The increase was more prominent in participants who had already shown an increase in the original study, suggesting the effect is sensitive to individual variability.

Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA Electromagnetic Fields Affects the Apoptosis of Astrocytes via Caspase-3-Dependent Pathway.

Liu YX et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA electromagnetic fields for 12, 24, and 48 hours to investigate whether the radiation would alter glial cell biology and act as a tumor-promoting agent. After 48 hours of exposure, mitochondria were damaged and significant apoptosis of astrocytes was induced, with increased expression of bax and a reduced level of bcl-2. Astrocytes did not form tumors in either the control or exposed groups, and exposed C6 glioma cells showed no significant differences in biological features or tumor formation ability compared with unexposed cells.

Effects of electromagnetic radiation on spatial memory and synapses in rat hippocampal CA1.

Li Y, Shi C, Lu G, Xu Q, Liu S. · 2012

Researchers exposed 8-week-old Wistar rats to near-field radiation at 0.52–1.08 W/kg for 2 hours per day for 1 month. Behavioral changes were examined using the Morris water maze, and the irradiated rats exhibited impaired performance compared with the sham-irradiated rats. The morphological changes included mitochondrial degenerations, fewer synapses, and shorter postsynaptic densities in the radiated rats.

Effect of 900 MHz radio frequency radiation on beta amyloid protein, protein carbonyl, and malondialdehyde in the brain

Dasdag S, Akdag MZ, Kizil G, Kizil M, Cakir DU, Yokus B · 2012

Researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation for 2 hours per day, 7 days a week, for 10 months, then measured beta amyloid protein, protein carbonyl, and malondialdehyde in the brain. Beta amyloid protein, protein carbonyl, and malondialdehyde levels were found to be higher in the brains of exposed rats. Only the increase in protein carbonyl was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency on corticosterone, emotional memory and neuroinflammation in middle-aged rats

Bouji M, Lecomte A, Hode Y, de Seze R, Villégier AS · 2012

Researchers assessed the effects of a single GSM exposure at 900 MHz with a specific absorption rate of 6 W/kg on young adult (6-week-old) and middle-aged (12-month-old) rats. The study measured brain IL-1β and IL-6, plasmatic corticosterone levels, and emotional memory. Results showed an IL-1β increase in the olfactory bulb and enhanced contextual emotional memory in GSM-exposed middle-aged rats, while plasmatic corticosterone levels increased in GSM-exposed young adults. Acute GSM exposure did not induce astrocyte activation, in contrast to previously published work.

Fetal Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure From 800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones Affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice

Aldad TS, Gan G, Gao XB, Taylor HS · 2012

Researchers used a mouse model to examine whether in-utero radiofrequency exposure from cellular telephones affects adult behavior. Mice exposed in the womb were hyperactive and had impaired memory, as measured using the object recognition, light/dark box, and step-down assays. The exposed mice also had dose-responsive impaired glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto layer V pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex.

8-Oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine as a biomarker of DNA damage by mobile phone radiation.

Khalil AM, Gagaa M, Alshamali A. · 2012

Researchers exposed adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to mobile phone radio frequency radiation from a GSM signal generator at a whole-body specific absorption rate of 1.0 W/kg for 2 hours. Urinary levels of 8-oxodG, described as one major form of oxidative DNA damage, were significantly elevated in exposed rats compared to controls at most time points.

Sangwan and P Badotra

Unknown authors · 2011

Researchers compared studies using real mobile phone emissions versus simulated EMF generators in biological experiments. They found that studies using actual phones showed adverse effects nearly 100% of the time, while studies with simulated EMF showed effects less than 50% of the time. The key difference appears to be that real phone emissions constantly vary unpredictably, making them more bioactive than fixed laboratory signals.

Reproductive Health
Review
148 citations

Effects of the exposure to mobile phones on male reproduction: a review of the literature

LaVignera et al · 2011

This 2011 review examined how mobile phone radiation affects male fertility in both laboratory animals and humans. Studies consistently found that radiofrequency radiation from cell phones reduces sperm count, decreases sperm movement, and increases cellular damage. The effects appear directly linked to how long men use their phones.

Behavioral effects on rats of motion within a high static magnetic field

Unknown authors · 2011

Researchers exposed rats to a powerful 14.1 Tesla static magnetic field (similar to high-end MRI machines) and found that both moving through the field and staying in it caused behavioral changes including suppressed rearing, circular walking patterns, and conditioned taste aversion. The study showed that movement through the magnetic field gradient alone was sufficient to cause some effects, but prolonged exposure was needed for the full range of behavioral impacts.

Beneficial effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with cognitive training for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a proof of concept study

Unknown authors · 2011

Researchers tested whether combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with cognitive training could help Alzheimer's patients. Eight patients received daily treatments targeting six brain regions for 6 weeks, followed by maintenance sessions. The combination therapy improved cognitive test scores by approximately 4 points and appeared as effective as standard Alzheimer's medications.

Fifty hertz magnetic fields individually affect chromatin conformation in human lymphocytes: dependence on amplitude, temperature, and initial chromatin state

Unknown authors · 2011

Scientists exposed human immune cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the frequency used in European power systems) at very low intensities of 5-20 µT and found the fields altered the structure of DNA packaging inside cells. The effects varied between individuals and depended on temperature and the initial state of the cell's genetic material.

Hypospermatogenesis and spermatozoa maturation arrest in rats induced by mobile phone radiation

Meo SA et al. · 2011

Researchers exposed male rats to mobile phone radiation for either 30 or 60 minutes daily over three months, then examined their reproductive organs under a microscope. The rats exposed for 60 minutes per day showed significant damage to sperm production (18.75% developed hypospermatogenesis, where fewer sperm are produced, and 18.75% had maturation arrest, where sperm development stops prematurely), while rats exposed for 30 minutes showed no effects. This suggests that longer daily exposure to mobile phone radiation can impair male fertility in laboratory animals.

In vitro effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves on bovine spermatozoa motility.

Lukac N et al. · 2011

Researchers exposed bull sperm to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used by GSM cell phones) for different time periods and measured sperm movement using computer analysis. They found that longer exposure times significantly reduced sperm motility and swimming ability, with the most dramatic effects occurring after 7 hours of exposure. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation can impair sperm function in a time-dependent manner.

The therapeutic effect of a pulsed electromagnetic field on the reproductive patterns of male Wistar rats exposed to a 2.45-GHz microwave field.

Kumar S, Kesari KK, Behari J. · 2011

Researchers exposed male rats to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in WiFi and microwave ovens) for 2 hours daily over 60 days and found significant damage to reproductive function, including reduced testosterone and increased cellular stress markers. However, when they also exposed the rats to low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields, this treatment appeared to counteract much of the microwave damage. The study suggests that while microwave radiation can harm male fertility, certain types of electromagnetic therapy might offer protection.

Cognitive effects of cellular phones: a possible role of non-radiofrequency radiation factors.

Hareuveny R, Eliyahu I, Luria R, Meiran N, Margaliot M. · 2011

Israeli researchers tested whether cell phones affect cognitive performance by having 29 men perform memory tasks while phones were attached to their heads. In a clever twist, they used external antennas placed far away to eliminate radiofrequency radiation from the phones themselves. Even without RF exposure, they still found the same cognitive effects as their previous studies, suggesting that factors other than radiation might be responsible for phone-related cognitive changes.

Oxidative stress and prevention of the adaptive response to chronic iron overload in the brain of young adult rats exposed to a 150 kilohertz electromagnetic field.

Maaroufi K et al. · 2011

Researchers exposed young adult rats to electromagnetic fields at 150 kHz frequency and examined how this affected their brains' ability to handle iron buildup. They found that EMF exposure increased harmful oxidative damage in brain tissue and prevented the brain's natural protective responses that normally help deal with excess iron. This suggests that EMF exposure may make the brain more vulnerable to iron-related damage.

Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment.

Garaj-Vrhovac V et al. · 2011

Croatian researchers studied marine radar operators exposed to microwave radiation and found significant DNA damage and cellular stress compared to unexposed workers. The exposed group showed doubled genetic damage markers and clear oxidative stress, providing evidence that occupational microwave exposure causes measurable harm to human cells.

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