Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.
Showing all 3,138 studies
Akbarnejad Z et al. · 2018
Researchers injected rats with Alzheimer's-causing proteins and then exposed them to magnetic fields (50 Hz at 10 milliTesla) for 14 days. The magnetic field exposure significantly improved memory and learning abilities in the Alzheimer's rats, as measured by maze tests. This suggests that certain electromagnetic fields might help protect brain function in neurodegenerative diseases.
Yakymenko I et al. · 2018
Ukrainian researchers exposed developing quail embryos to low-level cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) at power levels typical of smartphone use. The radiation caused significant DNA damage, doubled the production of harmful molecules that damage cells, and nearly doubled embryo death rates. This demonstrates that even very low levels of wireless radiation can cause genetic damage in developing organisms.
Li R et al. · 2018
Researchers exposed mouse sperm cells to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (4 W/kg SAR) for 24 hours and found it caused DNA damage. However, the cells activated a protective mechanism called autophagy (cellular self-cleaning) that helped reduce this damage. When researchers blocked this protective response, DNA damage increased significantly.
Houston BJ, Nixon B, King BV, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. · 2018
Researchers exposed mouse sperm to cell phone radiation (1.8 GHz) for 3-4 hours at low power. The radiation damaged sperm DNA, reduced sperm movement, and created harmful molecules in cell energy centers. This provides biological evidence for how wireless signals might affect male fertility.
Zhang J, Ding C, Meng X, Shang P · 2018
Researchers exposed bone cells to three different strengths of static magnetic fields to study how they affect osteoclast formation (cells that break down bone tissue). They found that very strong magnetic fields (16 Tesla) reduced osteoclast formation through increased nitric oxide production, while weaker fields (500 nT and 0.2 T) had the opposite effect. This suggests magnetic fields can influence bone health by altering cellular signaling pathways.
Sun Y, Shi Z, Wang Y, Tang C, Liao Y, Yang C, Cai P · 2018
Researchers exposed tiny worms (C. elegans) to 50-Hz magnetic fields at 3 milliTesla from egg to larval stage and found significant disruptions in cellular energy production and inflammation pathways. The magnetic field exposure caused oxidative stress (cellular damage from free radicals), impaired the worms' energy-producing machinery, and increased inflammatory compounds. This matters because it demonstrates that power-frequency magnetic fields can disrupt fundamental biological processes at the cellular level.
Sun L, Chen L, Bai L, Xia Y, Yang X, Jiang W, Sun W. · 2018
Researchers exposed human cells to power line frequency magnetic fields for 15 minutes and found they triggered harmful cellular changes linked to uncontrolled cell growth. The magnetic fields increased damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species, proving these everyday exposures can disrupt normal cell function.
Shokrollahi S, Ghanati F, Sajedi RH, Sharifi M · 2018
Researchers exposed soybean plants to magnetic fields for five hours daily over five days. The magnetic fields altered iron-containing proteins that help plants manage cellular stress, with different field strengths producing opposite effects. This demonstrates how magnetic fields can influence biological processes in living organisms.
Seif F, Bayatiani MR, Ansarihadipour H, Habibi G, Sadelaji S · 2018
Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields from power lines for 2 hours daily over a month, finding significant blood damage and reduced antioxidant defenses. Myrtle plant extract prevented these harmful effects, suggesting magnetic field exposure causes oxidative stress but natural compounds may offer protection.
Mohammadi F, Ghanati F, Sharifi M, Chashmi NA · 2018
Researchers exposed tobacco plant cells to weak static magnetic fields (0.2 millitesla) for 24 hours and found the magnetic field disrupted the cells' normal cycle of growth and division. The exposure triggered a cascade of cellular stress responses, including increased production of reactive molecules and changes in key proteins that control when cells divide. This demonstrates that even relatively weak magnetic fields can interfere with fundamental cellular processes.
Medina-Fernandez FJ et al. · 2018
Researchers tested whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using 60 Hz magnetic fields at 0.7 mT could help treat an animal model of multiple sclerosis. They found that TMS reduced brain inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) more effectively than standard pharmaceutical treatments. This suggests magnetic field therapy might have protective effects on the nervous system.
Maliszewska J et al. · 2018
Cockroaches exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields (household power frequency) showed slower reactions to dangerous heat and developed cellular damage markers. The study suggests power-line frequency EMFs can impair nervous system responses to threats while causing biological stress.
Mahmoudinasab H, Saadat M. · 2018
Researchers exposed human brain cells (neuroblastoma cells) to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 0.5 mT for different time patterns and measured changes in antioxidant gene expression. They found that EMF exposure altered the activity of genes responsible for protecting cells from damage, with different exposure patterns producing different effects. This suggests that even brief EMF exposures can disrupt the cellular machinery that defends against oxidative stress.
Mahmoudinasab H, Saadat M. · 2018
Scientists tested whether 50 Hz magnetic fields affect how cancer drugs work on different cell types. The magnetic field protected nerve cells from chemotherapy toxicity by boosting antioxidants, but didn't protect breast cancer cells. This shows EMF can alter medical treatment effectiveness differently across cell types.
Hajipour Verdom B, Abdolmaleki P, Behmanesh M. · 2018
Researchers studied how static magnetic fields affect cancer treatment with doxorubicin (a common chemotherapy drug). They found that magnetic fields at 10 millitesla enhanced the drug's cancer-killing effects by increasing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. This could potentially allow doctors to use lower doses of chemotherapy while maintaining effectiveness, reducing side effects for patients.
Glinka M et al. · 2018
Polish researchers exposed mouse skin cells (fibroblasts) to static magnetic fields ranging from 100 to 700 milliTesla to see how it affected their antioxidant defense systems. They found that the magnetic fields actually decreased the activity of two key antioxidant enzymes but didn't cause oxidative stress or damage the cells' energy production. This suggests static magnetic fields may have mild antioxidant-like effects rather than harmful oxidative effects.
Errico Provenzano A et al. · 2018
Researchers exposed leukemia cells to 50Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) to see how it affected cell development. They found that the magnetic field exposure helped cancer cells mature into normal, healthy blood cells when combined with a standard treatment. This suggests that extremely low frequency magnetic fields might influence how cells develop and could potentially affect blood cell formation in the body.
Dinčić M et al. · 2018
Researchers exposed rats to static magnetic fields for 50 days and found significant changes in brain enzyme activity, including increased levels of enzymes that control nerve signaling and cellular energy. The magnetic field exposure also increased oxidative stress markers and decreased protective antioxidant activity in brain tissue. These findings suggest that chronic magnetic field exposure can alter fundamental brain chemistry in ways that might affect neurological health.
Consales C et al. · 2018
Researchers exposed brain cells to 50 Hz magnetic fields from power lines and found the fields altered protective gene activity and increased production of a protein linked to Parkinson's disease, suggesting power line frequencies may interfere with the brain's natural cellular defenses.
Coballase-Urrutia E et al. · 2018
Researchers exposed stressed laboratory animals to weak static magnetic fields (0.8 mT) for varying durations over 5 days and measured markers of cellular damage called oxidative stress. They found that magnetic field exposure significantly reduced harmful oxidative stress markers while boosting the body's natural antioxidant defenses. The protective effects were time-dependent, suggesting that controlled magnetic field exposure might help the body cope with stress-related cellular damage.
Budziosz J et al. · 2018
Researchers exposed rats to power-line frequency electromagnetic fields (50 Hz) for 28 days to study effects on brain oxidative stress, which occurs when harmful molecules damage cells. While overall oxidative stress markers remained unchanged, the study found decreased activity of protective antioxidant enzymes in most brain regions. This suggests that even when obvious damage isn't apparent, the brain's defense systems may be working harder under EMF exposure.
Momoli F et al. · 2017
Canadian researchers re-analyzed data from the large Interphone study to see if mobile phone use increases brain tumor risk, using advanced statistical methods to correct for study biases. They found that people with the heaviest phone use (more than 558 lifetime hours) had roughly double the risk of developing glioma, the most common malignant brain tumor. Even after accounting for potential errors in how people remembered their phone use and who participated in the study, this increased risk remained significant.
Zhang JP et al. · 2017
Chinese researchers exposed adolescent mice to cell phone frequency radiation (1.8 GHz) for four weeks and tested their behavior and brain function. While the mice showed no changes in depression, memory, or brain structure, they did display increased anxiety-like behavior and had lower levels of key brain chemicals that regulate mood and brain activity. This suggests that radiofrequency exposure during adolescence may specifically affect anxiety responses in the developing brain.
Talebnejad MR et al. · 2017
Researchers exposed 40 rabbits to cell phone-simulated microwave radiation at two distances (10 cm and 30 cm) for up to 3 days, then examined their retinas one week later. While they found no significant damage to the retina itself, they observed increased blood vessel congestion in the ciliary body (part of the eye that produces fluid) in rabbits exposed to higher radiation doses. The study suggests cell phone radiation may cause subtle eye changes even when major damage isn't apparent.
Suzuki S et al. · 2017
Japanese researchers exposed mouse eggs and sperm to 3G cell phone radiation at 2 watts per kilogram for one hour, then studied fertilization rates and early embryo development. They found no significant effects on fertilization success, embryo development, or chromosome damage across different exposure combinations. The researchers noted their exposure level was at least 100 times higher than typical daily human exposure to cell phone radiation.