Archive
37 postsThe Effect of High-Voltage Power Lines on Magnetic Orientation of Domestic Dogs
This animal behavioral study observed 36 domestic dogs to assess whether magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines influence dogs' geomagnetic alignment behavior. Dogs showed bimodal alignment under control conditions and under north-south oriented power lines, but alignment became trimodal under east-west oriented lines with statistically significant differences versus control. The authors interpret these findings as indicating that power-line-related fields can alter orientation behavior and frame this as supporting concern about biological effects of EMF exposure.
Non-thermal biological effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation: Mechanistic insights into male reproductive vulnerability in the era of ubiquitous exposure
This narrative review discusses proposed non-thermal mechanisms by which chronic, low-intensity RF-EMR from ubiquitous wireless sources may affect male reproductive health. It highlights oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired testosterone synthesis/steroidogenesis, and declines in sperm quality as reported outcomes. The authors argue that current SAR/thermal-based guidelines may not capture these endpoints and call for updated standards and precautionary measures.
Effects of Simultaneous In-Vitro Exposure to 5G-Modulated 3.5 GHz and GSM-Modulated 1.8 GHz Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Neuronal Network Electrical Activity and Cellular Stress in Skin Fibroblast Cells
This in-vitro study exposed primary cortical neurons and human immortalized skin fibroblasts to simultaneous 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz and GSM-modulated 1.8 GHz RF-EMF at SARs of 1 or 4 W/kg. It reports no significant changes in neuronal network firing/bursting activity and no alteration of mitochondrial ROS in fibroblasts. Stress-related signaling readouts showed only minor, threshold-level variations without a consistent pattern, and no HSF1 activation was observed. Overall, the authors conclude there is no strong evidence of biological effects under these exposure conditions.
Electromagnetic Field Stimulation Effects on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins and Their Role in Aging and Neurodegeneration
This review discusses preclinical studies suggesting non-ionizing EMF exposures can produce beneficial biological effects, while noting ongoing controversy about mechanisms. It reports evidence of EMF-associated conformational changes in intrinsically disordered proteins relevant to neurodegeneration and describes RF exposure conditions that activate proteostasis and autophagy in cell and animal models. The authors propose a quantum-biophysical framework involving the water-protein interface and suggest potential human applications within regulatory safety thresholds.
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Electromagnetic Waves on Living Beings
This PRISMA-adherent systematic review searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for studies (2017–2024) on physiological or behavioral responses to EMF exposure, emphasizing studies reporting harmful or concerning effects. Across 24 included studies (human non-randomized, in vitro, and animal), the review reports negative biological effects including oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, cardiovascular and fertility-related outcomes, neuronal activity changes, and plant photosynthesis impacts. The authors report that most studies had moderate to high risk of bias and therefore the overall certainty of evidence was lower, and they highlight major gaps in long-term human evidence and exposure standardization.
Building the gulf of opinions on the health and biological effects of electromagnetic radiation
This narrative article examines how opposing views formed regarding health and biological effects of electromagnetic radiation, focusing on ELF and RF exposures. It highlights historical controversies (e.g., childhood leukemia and ELF fields) and disputes over thermal versus non-thermal effects and reliance on SAR. The author argues that social and institutional factors, including industry influence, shaped interpretation and public discourse around EMF safety.
Weak Radiofrequency Field Effects on Biological Systems Mediated through the Radical Pair Mechanism
This 2025 review examines claims of biological effects from weak, nonthermal RF magnetic fields and evaluates whether such effects could be mediated by the radical pair mechanism (RPM). It reports that aligning RPM theory with low-level experimental observations remains difficult and that many experimental findings are limited by reproducibility, statistical robustness, and dosimetry issues. The authors conclude a tangible but incompletely understood link may exist and emphasize the need for more rigorous, standardized, interdisciplinary work.
The use of different exposure metrics in the research about the health impacts of electromagnetic fields
This policy brief focuses on how RF-EMF exposure should be quantified in health research, emphasizing the role of near-field sources and proposing cumulative dose (J/kg/day) as a health-relevant metric. It reports mean cumulative dose estimates of 0.29 J/kg/day for the whole body and 0.81 J/kg/day for the brain. The brief notes established RF-EMF effects (heating, microwave hearing under highly pulsed radiation, and stimulation) and discusses indications of biological effects below thermal thresholds, while stating that improved metrics do not by themselves confirm harm.
Experimental Study of Stress Reactions Induced by Low-Intensity Microwave Radiation
This animal experiment examined hematopoietic and immune-related indicators in mice after repeated exposure to low-intensity microwave radiation. Exposure involved monochromatic pulsed fields in the 2.27–2.78 GHz range with average power flux density of 60 μW/cm² and doses of 0.086–0.86 J/g. The authors report cumulative biological effects consistent with a stress-like adaptive reaction, based on changes in bone marrow, spleen CFU-S measures, erythrocyte hemolytic resistance, and thymus metrics.
Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects
This narrative review argues that non-thermal biological effects of extremely low and microwave frequency EMFs may be mediated by activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). It cites 23 studies in which VGCC blockers reportedly block or reduce diverse EMF effects and proposes downstream Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide signaling. The review discusses both potential therapeutic effects (e.g., bone growth stimulation) and potential adverse effects via oxidative stress pathways, including a reviewed example of DNA single-strand breaks.
Biological effects from electromagnetic field exposure and public exposure standards
This review describes public concerns and scientific reports of non-thermal biological effects from low-intensity ELF and RF exposures. It lists multiple health endpoints reported to be associated with ELF and/or RF and highlights the BioInitiative Report’s conclusion that a reasonable suspicion of risk exists at environmentally relevant levels. The authors argue that existing public exposure standards should be lowered and that mobile phone SAR guidelines should be revised based on biology and long-term risk claims.
Biological effects of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields: a review
This review summarizes reported biological effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields, describing them as significant and often acting as stressors. Reported outcomes include metabolic, hormonal, and body weight changes in rodents, lethality at high exposure levels in mice and insects, and increased mitotic index in mouse tissues/cells under specified exposure conditions. The review suggests many effects may be mediated through neuroendocrine, nervous system, or behavioral responses to field exposure.