Browse 8,700 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from 4 research libraries.
Showing 114 studies (Microorganisms)
Unknown authors · 2025
Scientists exposed bacteria to rotating magnetic fields at 5 Hz and 50 Hz frequencies for 12-72 hours and found the EMF exposure significantly increased bacterial cellulose production by up to 28%. The magnetic fields altered gene expression in the bacteria, with stronger effects at the lower 5 Hz frequency.
Unknown authors · 2025
Researchers exposed Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to pulsed 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency as WiFi and microwave ovens) for 24 hours using a specialized high-throughput testing device. The microwave-exposed bacteria showed significantly faster growth rates and altered cellular chemistry compared to control groups, demonstrating that non-thermal microwave effects can stimulate bacterial reproduction.
Unknown authors · 2024
Researchers tested a combination treatment using light-activated nano curcumin particles, silver nanoparticles, and the antibiotic colistin against drug-resistant bacterial infections. The combination therapy successfully disrupted bacterial biofilms and reduced gene expression that promotes antibiotic resistance. This approach shows promise for treating dangerous infections that don't respond to conventional antibiotics.
Unknown authors · 2024
Researchers combined nano curcumin-based light therapy with silver nanoparticles and colistin antibiotic to combat drug-resistant bacterial biofilms. The triple combination showed synergistic effects, reducing biofilm formation by 91% while suppressing key genes that control bacterial resistance. This breakthrough offers hope for treating deadly infections that resist conventional antibiotics.
Unknown authors · 2020
Spanish researchers exposed yeast cells to power line frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz) for 21 days while the cells repaired severe DNA breaks. The magnetic field exposure increased DNA repair activity by up to 55 times compared to unexposed cells, suggesting these fields may enhance cellular repair mechanisms.
Unknown authors · 2020
Researchers tested two natural plant compounds, citronellol and citronelal, against antibiotic-resistant E. coli bacteria. They found citronellol could stop bacterial growth at concentrations of 256-512 µg/ml, while citronelal showed no antibacterial activity. This suggests certain plant-based compounds might help combat drug-resistant infections.
Unknown authors · 2019
Researchers exposed three types of disease-causing bacteria to Wi-Fi radiation at 2.4 GHz for 24-48 hours and found significant changes in bacterial behavior. The Wi-Fi exposure increased antibiotic resistance in E. coli, enhanced the ability of all three bacterial strains to form protective biofilms, and boosted their metabolic activity. These changes could make bacterial infections harder to treat with standard antibiotics.
Unknown authors · 2019
Researchers tested three methods for calibrating optical density measurements across 244 laboratories using E. coli bacteria cultures. They found that using silica microspheres for calibration provided the most accurate and consistent results, with 95.5% of measurements falling within acceptable precision ranges.
Unknown authors · 2019
Researchers exposed yeast cells to two types of magnetic fields - continuous 50 Hz fields and pulsed 25 Hz fields - for 40 days to study aging effects. The pulsed magnetic field exposure accelerated cellular aging and altered genetic stability, while the continuous field showed no such effects. This suggests that the timing pattern of EMF exposure, not just frequency, may determine biological impact.
Unknown authors · 2019
Researchers compared three methods for calibrating optical density measurements across 244 laboratories using E. coli bacteria. They found that using silica microspheres provides the most accurate and consistent way to measure cell density in laboratory cultures. This standardization allows scientists to compare results between different instruments and studies more reliably.
Unknown authors · 2019
Researchers exposed E. coli bacteria to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation for 5 hours and found it changed the activity of 101 genes. The radiation affected bacterial functions including movement, stress response, and cell adhesion. This demonstrates that Wi-Fi frequencies can alter biological processes even in simple organisms at the cellular level.
Kthiri A, Hidouri S, Wiem T, Jeridi R, Sheehan D, Landouls A · 2019
Researchers exposed baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to a strong static magnetic field of 250 millitesla for 6 to 9 hours to study biological effects. They found the magnetic field initially reduced yeast growth and survival, then triggered oxidative stress - a harmful cellular condition where damaging molecules overwhelm the cell's natural defenses. The study demonstrated that even simple organisms like yeast respond to magnetic field exposure with measurable biological changes.
Unknown authors · 2018
Researchers exposed three types of bacteria to cell phone frequencies (900 and 1800 MHz) for 2 hours to test effects on bacterial DNA, growth, and antibiotic resistance. The study found minimal effects, with only one bacteria strain showing reduced growth at 900 MHz and no significant changes to DNA or antibiotic sensitivity.
Unknown authors · 2017
Researchers exposed Salmonella bacteria to a 200 mT static magnetic field for up to 9 hours and measured changes in gene expression. They found that three specific genes involved in cell membrane production increased their activity, suggesting the bacteria were adapting to the magnetic field exposure. This demonstrates that even bacteria can detect and respond to magnetic fields at the cellular level.
Unknown authors · 2017
Researchers exposed Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacteria to extremely low frequency electromagnetic waves at 1.0 Hz and found it reduced bacterial growth by nearly 50% in 90 minutes. The EMF exposure also damaged the bacteria's DNA and made them less capable of causing disease in tomato plants. This suggests specific electromagnetic frequencies can control harmful bacteria without antibiotics.
Taheri M et al. · 2017
Researchers exposed two types of bacteria (Listeria and E. coli) to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones (900 MHz) and Wi-Fi routers (2.4 GHz) to see if it affected how well antibiotics worked against them. They found that RF exposure made these disease-causing bacteria more resistant to antibiotics, meaning the medications became less effective at killing them. This could have serious implications for treating infections, as it suggests our wireless devices might be contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Lian HY, Lin KW, Yang C, Cai P. · 2017
Researchers exposed yeast cells to radiofrequency radiation (2.0 GHz) and extremely low frequency fields (50 Hz) to study effects on protein misfolding. They found that both types of electromagnetic fields increased the formation and spread of prions (misfolded proteins linked to neurodegenerative diseases) in a dose-dependent manner. This suggests EMF exposure may contribute to protein misfolding disorders through oxidative stress mechanisms.
Hanini R, Chatti A, Ghorbel SB, Landoulsi A. · 2017
Researchers exposed bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) to a static magnetic field of 200 mT and found that strains lacking protective antioxidant enzymes suffered significantly more cellular damage than normal strains. The magnetic field exposure increased oxidative stress markers and triggered the bacteria's natural defense systems, with weaker strains showing higher levels of cellular damage. This demonstrates that even static magnetic fields can cause biological stress that cells must actively defend against.
Unknown authors · 2016
This study tracked antibiotic resistance patterns in bacterial infections across Chinese hospitals from 2005-2014. Researchers found mixed trends: some bacteria became less resistant to certain antibiotics, while others developed dangerous resistance to last-resort carbapenem drugs. The findings highlight the critical need for ongoing bacterial surveillance to guide treatment decisions.
Unknown authors · 2016
Belgian researchers tested whether 100 μT magnetic fields at 50 Hz (power line frequency) could make chemical mutagens more dangerous to DNA. Using bacteria exposed to both magnetic fields and known DNA-damaging chemicals, they found no increased genetic damage compared to chemicals alone. The magnetic fields neither caused DNA damage by themselves nor amplified the harmful effects of chemical mutagens.
Unknown authors · 2016
This study tracked antibiotic resistance patterns in bacteria across Chinese hospitals from 2005 to 2014, analyzing over 20,000 to 84,000 bacterial samples annually. The research found mixed trends, with some bacteria becoming less resistant to certain antibiotics while others developed increased resistance to critical drugs like carbapenems. This surveillance work helps hospitals understand changing bacterial threats and guides treatment decisions.
Unknown authors · 2015
Researchers exposed four bacterial species to various electromagnetic field patterns and found that different bacteria responded differently to the same EMF conditions. While extremely low-frequency fields generally slowed bacterial growth, one dynamic magnetic field device actually accelerated growth in three species while inhibiting one. This demonstrates that EMF effects depend heavily on the specific biological characteristics of each organism.
Nasri K, Daghfous D, Landoulsi A. · 2013
Researchers exposed Salmonella bacteria to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (the same frequency as WiFi and microwave ovens) for 40 seconds and found it significantly damaged the bacteria's cell membranes. The radiation altered the fatty acid composition of the cell walls and made the bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics. This demonstrates that microwave radiation can cause measurable biological changes at the cellular level, even in simple organisms like bacteria.
Esmekaya MA et al. · 2013
Scientists exposed E. coli bacteria to 50 Hz magnetic fields for 24 hours. While the bacteria survived normally, the magnetic field exposure damaged their cell surfaces, creating holes and destroying membranes. This shows EMF can harm cells even when they appear healthy overall.
Esmekaya MA et al. · 2013
Scientists exposed E. coli bacteria to power line frequency magnetic fields for 24 hours. While the bacteria survived and reproduced normally, the electromagnetic exposure damaged their cell surfaces, creating holes and destroying outer membranes. This shows EMF can cause cellular damage even when organisms appear healthy.