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Potential Impacts of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on the Central Nervous System, Brain Neurotransmitter Dynamics and Reproductive System
This review discusses potential impacts of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from technologies such as Wi‑Fi and mobile phones on the central nervous system, neurotransmitter dynamics, and reproductive health. It describes proposed mechanisms including oxidative stress, thermal effects, altered neurotransmitter activity, ion channel changes, and neuronal apoptosis, while acknowledging conflicting evidence. The authors note that Wi‑Fi RF exposure has not been confirmed to exceed safety guidelines but argue that updated standards and long-term studies are needed, particularly for children/adolescents and in the context of expanding technologies such as 5G.
Electromagnetic fields regulate iron metabolism: From mechanisms to applications
This review synthesizes evidence that electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure is associated in the literature with changes in systemic and cellular iron metabolism, with reported effects varying by EMF parameters, exposure duration, and biological context. It proposes mechanistic pathways involving iron-containing proteins/tissues, membrane and ion channel modulation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The authors frame iron-metabolism modulation as relevant to both therapeutic applications and safety evaluation, while emphasizing inconsistencies and the need for standardized exposure protocols.
Active matter as the underpinning agency for extraordinary sensitivity of biological membranes to electric fields
This biophysics paper presents a nonequilibrium (active matter) statistical mechanics model for electromechanical biological membranes. It argues that energy-driven activity in membranes could enable detection of electric fields far below equilibrium thermal-noise limits, and reports that the model can reproduce experimental observations by tuning activity. The abstract frames this as a potential mechanistic link between weak electromagnetic fields and biological responses, while also noting future modeling directions and possible implications for exposure safety discussions.
Melatonin ameliorates RF-EMR-induced reproductive damage by inhibiting ferroptosis through Nrf2 pathway activation
This animal study reports that prolonged RF-EMR exposure (2.45 GHz for 8 weeks) increased oxidative stress and ferroptosis in mouse testicular tissue and was associated with reduced sperm quality. Melatonin administration reportedly mitigated oxidative injury and inhibited ferroptosis. The abstract attributes the protective effect to Nrf2 pathway activation via MT1/MT2 receptors.
Terahertz Radiation Affects the Dynamics of Neurons by Decreasing Membrane Area Ratio
This study reports that terahertz radiation decreased a neuronal membrane area ratio (cytosol relative to protruding membrane area) beginning on the first day of exposure and persisting during the exposure period. It further reports altered neuronal firing/discharge patterns and increased peak postsynaptic currents associated with the morphology change, supported by a kinetic model. The authors frame the findings as indicating significant effects of terahertz-frequency EMF on neural health and function and suggest potential neuromodulation applications.
Electromagnetic wireless remote control of mammalian transgene expression
This animal proof-of-concept study describes an engineered nanoparticle–cell interface (EMPOWER) enabling wireless regulation of transgene expression using a 1-kHz magnetic field. Chitosan-coated multiferroic nanoparticles reportedly generate intracellular ROS that activates KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors connected to ROS-responsive promoters. In a mouse model of type 1 diabetes, implanted engineered cells expressing an EMPOWER-controlled insulin system reportedly normalized blood glucose in response to a weak magnetic field.
Sleep and Arousal Hubs and Ferromagnetic Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Nanoparticle Motion Under Electromagnetic Fields: Neurodegeneration, Sleep Disorders, Orexinergic Neurons, and Air Pollution in Young Urbanites
This review/overview argues that ultrafine particulate matter and industrial nanoparticles can reach the brain and accumulate in sleep and arousal regulatory regions, including orexinergic neuron hubs. It reports that ferromagnetic particles in these regions show motion responsive to low-intensity electromagnetic fields (30–50 μT) and describes links to sleep disturbances and neurodegenerative disease markers in young urban residents. The authors frame combined air pollution nanoparticle exposure and low-level EMF as a significant threat and call for monitoring and protective strategies.
Impact of a Terahertz electromagnetic field on the ion permeation of potassium and sodium channels
This biophysics study used molecular dynamics simulations to examine how terahertz electromagnetic fields affect ion permeation in voltage-gated potassium (Kv1.2) and sodium (Nav1.5) channels. The simulations report increased ion permeability at several specific terahertz frequencies, with effects depending on field frequency and direction and increasing with field amplitude. The authors frame these results as evidence of specific EMF–ion channel interactions with potential health relevance and possible biomedical applications.
The effects of radiofrequency radiation on male reproductive health and potential mechanisms (Review)
This narrative review summarizes human and animal research on radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure (e.g., mobile phones, Wi‑Fi, occupational sources) and male reproductive outcomes. It reports that the literature links RF exposure with reduced sperm quality and increased DNA damage, often alongside oxidative stress and other proposed biological changes. Although inconsistencies are acknowledged, the authors conclude the overall evidence suggests harmful associations and call for standardized, long-term studies and reconsideration of guidelines.
5G Radiofrequency Exposure Reduces PRDM16 and C/EBP � mRNA Expression, Two Key Biomarkers for Brown Adipogenesis
This animal study exposed juvenile and young adult Wistar rats to 5G (3.5 GHz) or 2G (900 MHz) radiofrequency fields (1.5 V/m) for 1–2 weeks and measured brown adipose tissue-related gene expression by RT-qPCR. The abstract reports significant downregulation of PRDM16 and C/EBP mRNA after 5G exposure, while UCP1-dependent thermogenesis markers were not significantly changed at the transcriptional level. The authors interpret these findings as a potential partial disruption of brown adipocyte differentiation and raise EMF safety concerns, while calling for further confirmatory research.
The CB1R of mPFC is involved in anxiety-like behavior induced by 0.8/2.65 GHz dual-frequency electromagnetic radiation
This animal study reports that dual-frequency RF EMR exposure (0.8/2.65 GHz, 4 W/kg) induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. It also reports reduced CB1R and endocannabinoid levels in the mPFC and altered endocannabinoid system markers in the BLA. CB1R overexpression or knockdown in the mPFC reportedly decreased or increased anxiety-like behavior, respectively, suggesting a mechanistic link in this model.
Magneto-oncology: a radical pair primer
This mini-review discusses the radical pair mechanism as a plausible biophysical route by which external magnetic fields could influence biochemical processes in living systems. It is intended as a primer for magneto-oncology researchers to assess whether observed magnetic-field-related biomedical effects may be explained by radical pair biochemistry. The article also notes the value of this framework for refining therapeutic protocols and for identifying potential experimental artifacts in oncology-related magnetic field research.
Sensation of electric fields in the Drosophila melanogaster larva
This animal study reports that Drosophila melanogaster larvae can sense electric fields and exhibit robust electrotaxis toward the cathode in controlled environments. The authors identify head-tip sensory neurons required for this behavior and report calcium-imaging evidence that Gr66a-positive neurons encode field strength and orientation. The work supports electrosensation as a functional sensory modality in Drosophila larvae and demonstrates measurable neural and behavioral responses to electric fields under the studied conditions.
Electric and Magnetic Field Technologies in Agriculture: Plant Responses, Experimental Limitations, and Future Directions
This narrative review discusses how electric and magnetic field technologies are applied in agriculture and how plants may respond. It proposes a model to explain potential mechanistic convergence between electric and magnetic field effects. The review highlights several suggested mechanisms, including membrane permeability changes, reactive oxygen species/antioxidant responses, altered ion transport, and DNA/gene expression changes.
Electromagnetic Fields Act Similarly in Plants as in Animals: Probable Activation of Calcium Channels via Their Voltage Sensor
This narrative review proposes that low-intensity microwave/lower-frequency EMFs activate plasma membrane calcium channels in animals, increasing intracellular calcium and triggering downstream signaling including oxidative stress pathways. It further suggests that EMF actions in terrestrial multicellular plants are probably similar, with plant two-pore channels proposed as plausible mediators due to a comparable voltage sensor. The abstract describes briefly reviewed plant studies as consistent with this mechanism, but does not provide detailed exposure parameters or quantitative results.
Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression
This 2016 narrative review proposes that non-thermal microwave/lower-frequency EMFs act primarily through activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), with calcium channel blockers reported to block EMF effects. It summarizes animal, occupational, and epidemiological literature and reports that exposures from base stations, heavy mobile phone use, and wireless smart meters are associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, sometimes with doseresponse patterns. The author concludes that multiple lines of evidence collectively support that non-thermal microwave EMF exposures can produce diverse neuropsychiatric effects including depression.
Exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields activates the mkp-1/ERK pathway and causes blood-brain barrier damage and cognitive impairment in rats
This animal study exposed 108 male Sprague-Dawley rats to 900 MHz EMF (1 mW/cm2) or sham for 14 or 28 days (3 h/day). The authors report that 28-day exposure was associated with impaired spatial memory, BBB permeability damage, and ultrastructural changes in hippocampus and cortex. They also report increased mkp-1 expression and ERK dephosphorylation, proposing activation of the mkp-1/ERK pathway as a mechanism.
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.
Electromagnetic fields and DNA damage
This review discusses the comet assay and summarizes research on non-ionizing EMF exposure and DNA/chromosomal damage. It describes both positive and negative findings across studies, noting no consistent overall pattern for radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The authors nonetheless conclude that under certain exposure conditions RFR appears genotoxic and may affect DNA damage and repair, with evidence discussed as most applicable to exposures typical of cell phone use.
Headaches from cellular telephones: are they real and what are the implications?
This review discusses reports of headaches occurring with hand-held cellular telephone use and argues they are likely real and attributable to telephone emissions. It points to earlier reports of headaches from low-intensity microwave exposure and proposes biological plausibility via effects on the blood-brain barrier and dopamine-opiate systems. The author raises the possibility that such headaches could signal biologically significant effects.