3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.

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Showing 355 studies (Cell Studies)

RKIP Regulates Neural Cell Apoptosis Induced by Exposure to Microwave Radiation Partly Through the MEK/ERK/CREB Pathway

Zuo H et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed nerve cells to microwave radiation at 2.856 GHz (similar to some wireless devices) for just 5 minutes and found it triggered cell death through a specific biological pathway. The radiation disrupted a protective protein called RKIP, which normally helps prevent nerve cells from dying, leading to increased cell death in the exposed samples. This suggests that even brief microwave exposure can interfere with the brain's natural protective mechanisms.

Cell Phone Generated Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on the Locomotor Behaviors of the Fishes Poecilia reticulata and Danio rerio.

Lee D, Lee J, Lee I. · 2015

Researchers exposed guppies and zebrafish to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 3 minutes and tracked their swimming behavior. They found that fed fish showed significant changes in their movement patterns and swimming speed when exposed to the RF EMF, while hungry fish showed no changes. The study ruled out temperature effects, confirming the behavioral changes were due to the electromagnetic field itself.

Whole Body / GeneralNo Effects Found

Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Automated Blood Cell Measurements.

Vagdatli E et al. · 2014

Researchers tested whether cell phones and laptops interfere with automated blood testing equipment used in medical labs. They found that multiple devices (especially four phones together) caused the blood analyzer to produce incorrect cell counts, and when seven devices operated simultaneously, the machine gave bizarre results and eventually stopped working. This matters because inaccurate blood tests could lead to misdiagnosis or unnecessary medical procedures.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

EFFECT OF DISCONTINUOUS MICROWAVES EXPOSURE (2.45 GHz) ON ESCHERICHIA COLI MEMBRANE: INVESTIGATIONS ON THERMAL VERSUS NON THERMAL EFFECTS.

Rougier C, Prorot A, Chazal P, Leveque P, Leprat P · 2014

Researchers exposed E. coli bacteria to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) at various power levels while keeping the temperature constant at body temperature. They found that higher power levels (400-2000 watts) caused slight damage to bacterial cell membranes, even though the temperature wasn't hot enough to explain this damage through heating alone. This suggests microwave radiation may have biological effects beyond just heating.

CardiovascularNo Effects Found

Electromagnetic Immunity of Implantable Pacemakers Exposed to Wi-Fi Devices.

Mattei E, Censi F, Triventi M, Calcagnini G · 2014

Italian researchers tested 10 modern pacemakers from five manufacturers to see if Wi-Fi signals could interfere with their life-saving functions. They exposed the devices to Wi-Fi radiation at levels five times higher than what's legally allowed for commercial devices. None of the pacemakers showed any performance problems, even at these elevated exposure levels.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Influence of Smartphone Wi-Fi Signals on Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Lee SS, Kim HR, Kim MS, Park S, Yoon ES, Park SH, Kim DW. · 2014

Researchers exposed fat-derived stem cells to Wi-Fi signals from smartphones uploading data for 10 hours daily over 5 days to test for harmful effects. They found no damage to the cells - no increased cell death, no changes in growth factors, and no other signs of harm from the electromagnetic signals. The only effect was slightly increased cell growth, which the researchers attributed to heat from the phone rather than the Wi-Fi radiation itself.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

The incidence rate and mortality of malignant brain tumors after 10 years of intensive cell phone use in Taiwan.

Hsu MH et al. · 2014

Taiwanese researchers tracked brain tumor rates across their entire population of 23 million people for 10 years (2000-2009) as cell phone use became widespread. They found only 4 cases of malignant brain tumors and 4 deaths during this period, with no correlation between intensive cell phone use and brain cancer rates. The study suggests that a decade of heavy cell phone adoption did not increase brain tumor incidence in Taiwan.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Cell phone use and parotid salivary gland alterations: no molecular evidence.

de Souza FT et al. · 2014

Researchers studied whether cell phone use causes stress-related changes in the parotid salivary glands (located near the ear where phones are held) by comparing saliva from 62 people's exposed and unexposed glands. They found no differences in cellular stress markers, protein levels, or salivary flow between the phone-exposed side and the opposite side, even when accounting for years of use or calling time.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically-stressed PC12 cells.

de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014

Researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at extremely high levels - up to 1000 microteslas, which is 10,000 times stronger than typical background exposure. They tested both healthy cells and chemically-stressed cells that were more vulnerable to damage. The study found no toxic effects on the nerve cells' calcium balance, oxidative stress levels, or cell membrane integrity, even at these extraordinarily high exposure levels.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Assessment of oxidant/antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users

Khalil AM, Abu Khadra KM, Aljaberi AM, Gagaa MH, Issa HS. · 2014

Researchers measured oxidative stress markers in saliva from people before, during, and after 15-30 minute cell phone calls to see if radiofrequency radiation causes cellular damage. They found no significant changes in any of the stress markers or antioxidant levels, suggesting that short-term phone use doesn't trigger detectable oxidative stress in saliva.

Oxidative StressNo Effects Found

Cell phone use and parotid salivary gland alterations: no molecular evidence

de Souza FT et al. · 2014

Researchers examined saliva from 62 people to see if cell phone radiation causes cellular stress in the parotid glands (the largest salivary glands near your ears). They compared saliva from the gland on the same side as phone use to the opposite side, measuring stress markers like proteins and antioxidants. No differences were found between the exposed and unexposed sides, suggesting cell phone radiation doesn't cause detectable cellular stress in these glands.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically-stressed PC12 cells.

de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014

Researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels up to 1,000 microtesla for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 48 hours. They tested both healthy cells and chemically-stressed cells that were more vulnerable to damage. The magnetic field exposure caused no detectable effects on calcium levels, cellular damage, or oxidative stress in either type of cell.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Assessment of the neurotoxic potential of exposure to 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) in naïve and chemically stressed PC12 cells

de Groot MW, Kock MD, Westerink RH. · 2014

Dutch researchers exposed nerve cells (PC12 cells) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels up to 1,000 microtesla for periods ranging from 30 minutes to 48 hours. They found no effects on calcium levels, oxidative stress, or cell membrane integrity, even in cells that had been chemically stressed to make them more vulnerable. The exposure levels were 10,000 times higher than typical background magnetic field exposure.

State of the reproductive system in male rats of 1st generation obtained from irradiated parents and exposed to electromagnetic radiation (897 MHz) during embryogenesis and postnatal development.

Vereshchako GG, Chueshova NV, Gorokh GA, Naumov AD. · 2014

Russian researchers exposed pregnant rats and their male offspring to cell phone radiation (897 MHz) for 8 hours daily throughout pregnancy and early development. The exposed male rats showed accelerated sexual development, disrupted sperm production with abnormal cell counts at different stages, and decreased sperm viability despite having more mature sperm overall. This suggests that EMF exposure during critical developmental periods can cause lasting reproductive damage that persists into adulthood.

Effects of melatonin on Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in lens of rats

Tök L, Nazıroğlu M, Doğan S, Kahya MC, Tök O. · 2014

Turkish researchers exposed rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over 30 days and found it caused oxidative stress in the eye lens, similar to cellular damage from aging or toxins. When rats were given melatonin supplements, the antioxidant significantly reduced this Wi-Fi-induced damage. This suggests that common Wi-Fi exposure may harm delicate eye tissues, but natural protective compounds could help defend against such effects.

Changes in mitochondrial functioning with electromagnetic radiation of ultra high frequency as revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance methods.

Burlaka A et al. · 2014

Ukrainian researchers exposed rats to ultra-high frequency electromagnetic radiation at levels permitted for radar station workers and studied the effects on cellular powerhouses called mitochondria. They found significant disruption in how mitochondria produce energy, particularly increased production of harmful free radicals and reduced oxygen delivery to cells. The damage was more severe when the radiation was delivered in pulses rather than continuously, suggesting that everyday wireless devices that pulse signals may pose greater risks to cellular health.

Effects of melatonin on Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in lens of rats.

Tök L, Nazıroğlu M, Doğan S, Kahya MC, Tök O. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour daily over 30 days to study effects on eye lens health. They found that Wi-Fi exposure caused oxidative stress in the lens tissue, indicated by increased harmful byproducts and decreased protective antioxidant activity. However, when rats were given melatonin supplements, these negative effects were significantly reduced, suggesting melatonin may help protect eye tissue from Wi-Fi-related damage.

[Effect of American Ginseng Capsule on the liver oxidative injury and the Nrf2 protein expression in rats exposed by electromagnetic radiation of frequency of cell phone.] [Article in Chinese].

Luo YP, Ma HR, Chen JW, Li JJ, Li CX. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for 4 hours daily over 12 days and found it caused liver damage, including cell death and oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions that damage tissue). The radiation increased harmful compounds and decreased protective antioxidants in liver cells. However, herbal supplements helped protect against this damage, suggesting the liver effects were reversible.

Changes in mitochondrial functioning with electromagnetic radiation of ultra high frequency as revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance methods

Burlaka A et al. · 2014

Ukrainian researchers exposed rats to ultra-high frequency electromagnetic radiation for 28 days at levels equivalent to maximum permitted doses for radar station workers. They found significant damage to mitochondria (the cell's power plants) in liver, heart, and blood vessel tissues, including disrupted energy production and increased harmful free radicals. This cellular damage was more severe when the radiation was delivered in pulses rather than continuously.

Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the response of a conductance-based neuron model.

Yi G, Wang J, Wei X, Deng B, Tsang KM, Chan WL, Han C. · 2014

Computer modeling revealed that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields from power lines and appliances disrupt brain cell firing patterns. The disruption increases with stronger fields and occurs through resonance when field frequencies match natural brain rhythms, explaining how weak magnetic fields influence brain function.

RKIP Regulates Neural Cell Apoptosis Induced by Exposure to Microwave Radiation Partly Through the MEK/ERK/CREB Pathway.

Zuo H et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed neural cells to microwave radiation at 2.856 GHz for 5 minutes and found that the radiation triggered cell death (apoptosis) by disrupting a key protective protein called RKIP. When RKIP levels dropped after radiation exposure, it activated harmful cellular pathways that led to DNA fragmentation and neural cell death. This study identifies a specific biological mechanism by which microwave radiation can damage brain cells.

Mobile Phone Radiation Alters Proliferation of Hepatocarcinoma Cells.

Ozgur E, Guler G, Kismali G, Seyhan N · 2014

Researchers exposed liver cancer cells to mobile phone radiation at levels typical of phone use (2 W/kg SAR) for up to 4 hours. The radiation decreased cell survival and caused DNA damage, with 1,800-MHz frequencies proving more harmful than 900-MHz. This suggests that the radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones can directly damage cells at exposure levels considered safe by current regulations.

Selenium Reduces Mobile Phone (900 MHz)-Induced Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Function, and Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells.

Kahya MC, Nazıroğlu M, Ciğ B. · 2014

Researchers exposed breast cancer cells to 900 MHz mobile phone radiation (at levels similar to typical phone use) for one hour and found it triggered cell death through oxidative stress and damaged cellular energy centers called mitochondria. However, when cells were pre-treated with selenium (an antioxidant mineral), these harmful effects were significantly reduced. This suggests that certain nutrients might help protect cells from EMF-induced damage.

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