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 1,319 studies (Rodent Studies)

The apoptotic effect and the plausible mechanism of microwave radiation on rat myocardial cells.

Zhu W, Cui Y, Feng X, Li Y, Zhang W, Xu J, Wang H, Lv S. · 2016

Rats were treated with 2450 MHz microwave radiation at 50, 100, 150, or 200 mW/cm(2) for 6 min. Microwave treatment increased malondialdehyde content while decreasing antioxidative stress enzymes, activities of enzyme complexes I-IV, and ATP in myocardial tissues. Irradiated myocardial cells exhibited structural damage and underwent apoptosis. The researchers suggested that microwave irradiation could induce myocardial cell apoptosis by interfering with oxidative stress and cardiac energy metabolism.

Effects of cell phone radiation on lipid peroxidation, glutathione and nitric oxide levels in mouse brain during epileptic seizure

Esmekaya MA et al. · 2016

Researchers studied whether cellular phone radiation affects oxidative stress and nitric oxide levels in mouse brain during epileptic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Eight-week-old mice were divided into groups: a PTZ-only control group, a group exposed to 15 minutes of radiation before and 30 minutes after PTZ treatment, and a group exposed to 30 minutes of radiation before and 30 minutes after PTZ treatment. Lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels increased significantly in the radiation-exposed groups compared to the control group, while glutathione levels were significantly lower in those same groups.

Neuroprotective effects of lotus seedpod procyanidins on extremely low frequency electromagnetic field-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured hippocampal neurons.

Yin C, Luo X, Duan Y, Duan W, Zhang H, He Y, Sun G, Sun X · 2016

Researchers investigated whether lotus seedpod procyanidins (LSPCs) could protect primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons from extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF)-induced neurotoxicity. ELF-EMF exposure significantly decreased cell viability and increased the number of apoptotic cells compared with control. LSPCs evidently protected the hippocampal neurons against ELF-EMF-induced cell damage, and the researchers concluded this occurred through inhibiting oxidative stress and a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Electromagnetic pulse activated brain microglia via the p38 MAPK pathway

Yang LL et al. · 2016

Researchers investigated whether electromagnetic pulse (EMP) exposure could activate brain microglia via the p38 MAPK pathway in rats. The expression of OX-42, a marker of microglia activation, increased significantly at 1, 6 and 12 hours after EMP exposure, then recovered to sham group levels at 24 hours. Levels of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 also changed significantly in vivo and in vitro after EMP exposure. Results suggested that EMP exposure at 200 kV/m, 200 pulses could activate microglia in rat brain and affect its secretory function, with the p38 pathway involved.

Influence of environmental static electric field on antioxidant enzymes activities in hepatocytes of mice.

Wu SX, Xu YQ, Di GQ, Jiang JH, Xin L, Wu TY · 2016

Researchers exposed male mice to environmental static electric fields for 35 days and measured antioxidant enzyme activity in liver homogenates. Superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly in both exposed groups on the 7th and 35th days, while glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and malonaldehyde showed only minimal changes. The researchers concluded that there was a weak relationship between exposure to environmental static electric fields and hepatic oxidative stress in living organisms.

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields regulate differentiation of regulatory T cells: Potential role for ROS-mediated inhibition on AKT

Tang R, Xu Y, Ma F, Ren J, Shen S, Du Y, Hou Y, Wang T · 2016

Researchers studied the effect of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on a lung metastatic melanoma mouse model and on the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg cells). Tumor-bearing mice were exposed to ELF-MFs at 0.4 T and 7.5 Hz for 2 hours per day for 27 days. Metastatic tumor burden in the lung was significantly decreased after ELF-MF treatment, and expressions of MMP2, MMP9, and Foxp3 in lung nodules significantly decreased in the ELF-MF group. In cell experiments, ELF-MF treatment reduced the Treg cell differentiation rate from 32.0% to 22.1%, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibited p-AKT in T cells.

Chemoprotective action of lotus seedpod procyanidins on oxidative stress in mice induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure.

Luo X et al. · 2016

Researchers tested whether lotus seedpod procyanidins (LSPCs) could protect mice against oxidative stress caused by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure. Mice were exposed to ELF-EMF at 8 mT, 4 hours per day for 28 consecutive days, and blood and cerebral cortex were analyzed for antioxidant indices. LSPCs treatment augmented SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GR and GST activity and significantly lowered MDA levels.

Effects of short term and long term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on depressive disorder in mice: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway

Ansari AM et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed male adult NMRI mice to an extremely low frequency magnetic field at 0.5 mT and 50 Hz, either as a single 2-hour session or for 2 hours a day over 2 weeks. Depressive-like behavior was measured using the Forced Swimming Test, which records immobility time. Long-term exposure significantly reduced immobility time, while short-term exposure did not alter it.

Identification of a Novel Rat NR2B Subunit Gene Promoter Region Variant and Its Association with Microwave-Induced Neuron Impairment.

Wang LF et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed Wistar rats to microwave radiation at 30 mW/cm2 for 5 minutes per day, 5 days per week, over a period of 2 months. Screening of the GRIN2B promoter region revealed a stable C-to-T variant at nucleotide position −217 that was not induced by microwave exposure. Following microwave exposure, NR2B protein expression decreased, while the Glu contents in the hippocampus and CSF increased, and memory impairment was observed in the TT genotype but not the CC and CT genotypes. In PC12 cells, the effects of the T allele were more pronounced than those of the C allele on transcription factor binding ability, transcriptional activity, NR2B mRNA, and protein expression.

Effect of Low Level Subchronic Microwave Radiation on Rat Brain

Deshmukh PS et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed male Fischer rats to microwave radiation for 90 days at 900, 1800, and 2450 MHz to investigate effects on cognitive function, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels, and DNA damage in the brain. Cognitive function was tested using the elevated plus maze and Morris water maze, HSP70 levels were measured by ELISA, and DNA damage was assessed using alkaline comet assay. The results suggest that low-level microwave exposure at these frequencies may lead to hazardous effects on the brain.

Glial markers and emotional memory in rats following acute cerebral radiofrequency exposures

(E) Barthélémy A et al. · 2016

Researchers exposed male Sprague Dawley rats for 15 minutes at 0, 1.5, or 6 W/kg, or for 45 minutes at 6 W/kg, to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Memory, emotionality, and locomotion were tested using fear conditioning, the elevated plus maze, and the open field. Long-term memory was reduced and cytosolic GFAP was increased in the hippocampus and in the olfactory bulb at 6 W/kg. No MBP or Aβ1–40 expression modification was shown. The study suggests that RF EMF-induced astrogliosis had functional consequences on memory but did not demonstrate that it was secondary to neuronal damage.

Oxidative stress of brain and liver is increased by Wi-Fi (2.45GHz) exposure of rats during pregnancy and the development of newborns

Unknown authors · 2015

Researchers exposed pregnant rats and their newborns to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation for 1 h per day, 5 days a week, from pregnancy to 3 weeks of age. Lipid peroxidation increased in both brain and liver, while glutathione peroxidase activity and vitamins A, E, and β-carotene decreased in both organs. Glutathione and vitamin C concentrations fell in the brain but not in the liver, and the brain appeared more sensitive to oxidative injury than the liver.

Reproductive Health
Not an original health-effects study

The effects of electromagnetic field on the endocrine system in children and adolescents

Sangün Ö, Dündar B, Çömlekçi S, Büyükgebiz A · 2015

They noted children are exposed to non-ionizing radiation involuntarily from very early ages. The review highlighted concerns about thyroid function, adrenal hormones, glucose homeostasis, and melatonin levels. Studies are usually performed on virtual models or animals due to ethical issues. International guidelines did not report definite causality but studies indicate increased risks of cancer, hematologic effects, and cognitive impairment.

Low intensity microwave radiation induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and DNA damage in rat brain

Megha et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed 24 male Fischer 344 rats to microwave radiation at 900, 1800, and 2450 MHz with specific absorption rates of 0.59, 0.58, and 0.66 mW/kg for 60 days (2 hours per day, 5 days per week). Exposure increased oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and catalase, while decreasing reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were significantly elevated in exposed rats. Significant DNA damage was observed in the microwave exposed groups compared to sham.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

The effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on mutation induction in mice

Wilson JW et al · 2015

Researchers exposed seven-week-old male mice to 10, 100, or 300 μT, 50 Hz magnetic fields for 2 or 15 hours. They measured mutation frequency at the ESTR Ms6-hm locus in sperm and blood using single-molecule PCR. Blood mutation frequency did not differ from sham controls, and sperm showed a marginally significant, non-dose-dependent increase. Acute X-ray exposure produced significant mutation increases in both sperm and blood.

Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) exposure on B6C3F1 mice

Unknown authors · 2015

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to a 50 Hz, 500 mG field for one week (12 hours per day) and continued exposure of their offspring for up to 15.5 months, while control mice were not exposed. Mean body weights of exposed male and female mice were significantly decreased compared with controls. Exposed mice showed no increased incidence of liver and lung tumors. In female mice, the incidence of chronic myeloid leukemia was significantly greater in the exposed group (3 of 42, 7%) than in controls. The size of seminiferous tubules in exposed males was significantly smaller than in controls.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

No Dynamic Changes in Blood-brain Barrier Permeability Occur in Developing Rats During Local Cortex Exposure to Microwaves

Unknown authors · 2015

Researchers exposed the cortex of juvenile and young adult rats to 1457 MHz RF at 2.0 W/kg for 50 minutes. They measured blood-brain barrier permeability in the pia mater using intravital fluorescence microscopy. No significant difference in dye extravasation was found between exposed and sham-exposed groups, and no albumin leakage was detected after exposure.

1950 MHz Electromagnetic Fields Ameliorate AB Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Mice

Unknown authors · 2015

Researchers exposed transgenic 5xFAD and wild-type mice to 1950 MHz RF-EMF for eight months at a SAR of 5 W/kg, two hours per day, five days per week. The exposure significantly reduced Aβ plaques, APP, and APP carboxyl-terminal fragments in the whole brain including hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, and reduced the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in the hippocampus of Tg-5xFAD mice. RF-EMF inhibited parenchymal BACE1 expression and neuroinflammation in the transgenic mice. The treatment rescued memory impairment in the transgenic mice. Gene profiling showed that five Aβ-related genes were significantly altered in transgenic mice, with opposite expression patterns compared with wild-type mice.

Brain & Nervous SystemNo Effects Found

Magnetoreception in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): influence of weak frequency-modulated radio frequency fields.

Malkemper EP et al. · 2015

The researchers tested the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus for magnetoreception using a simple behavioural assay in which mice were allowed to build nests overnight in a visually symmetrical, circular arena. When plotted with respect to magnetic north, the nests were bimodally clustered in the northern and southern sectors, indicating the animals used magnetic cues. Wood mice exposed to a 0.9 to 5 MHz frequency sweep changed their preference from north-south to east-west. A constant frequency field tuned to the Larmor frequency (1.33 MHz) had no effect on mouse orientation. The study demonstrated magnetoreception in wood mice and provided first evidence for a radical-pair mechanism in a mammal.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Does radio frequency radiation induce micronuclei frequency in exfoliated bladder cells of diabetic rats?

Gurbuz N, Sirav B, Kuzay D, Ozer C, Seyhan N. · 2015

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between micronuclei frequency and RF radiation in exfoliated bladder cells of diabetic and non-diabetic rats using three groups of six animals each. The RF exposure was 2100 MHz with a whole-body average SAR of 0.24 W/kg and an ERMS field of 17.5 V/m at non-thermal levels. No statistically significant differences in micronuclei frequency were found between any of the groups, including between RF-exposed diabetic rats and non-exposed diabetic rats, and between RF-exposed diabetic rats and non-diabetic controls. The authors concluded that the study suggested no possible genotoxic effects of RF radiation in humans, especially those with chronic disorders such as diabetes.

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