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89 postsRadiofrequency regulates the BET-mediated pathways in radial glia differentiation in human cortical development
This in vitro study reports that radiofrequency (RF) exposure in the 800–2,400 MHz range modulates differentiation pathways in human cortical organoids derived from embryonic stem cells. RF exposure is described as maintaining radial glia stem cell identity and delaying differentiation, alongside induction of endogenous retrovirus expression and increased expression of ASD-associated genes and retroelements. The abstract attributes these effects to dysregulation of BET proteins and reports that BET inhibition rescues the RF-associated developmental defects.
3.5GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on metabolic disorders in Drosophila melanogaster
This animal study used metabolomics to assess metabolic changes in male Drosophila melanogaster exposed to 3.5 GHz RF-EMF at 0.1, 1, and 10 W/m². It reports disruptions in four metabolic pathways and 34 differential metabolites, with significant decreases in several metabolites including GABA, glucose-6-phosphate, and AMP. The authors interpret the findings as suggesting RF-EMF-related metabolic disturbance, while noting no clear dose-dependent pattern.
Bacterial Adaptation to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Based on Experiences from Ionizing Radiation
This 2025 review summarizes historical and modern literature on how bacteria may adapt to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from common sources such as mobile phones and Wi-Fi. It argues that RF-EMF exposure can influence bacterial survival mechanisms and could potentially compromise therapeutic interventions by promoting increased resistance. The authors frame these possibilities as a public health concern and call for continued research and precaution.
Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) and Radiofrequency: Risk of Childhood CNS Tumors in a City with Elevated ELF-MF Exposure
This case-control study in Mexico City (2017–2022) evaluated residential ELF-MF and device-use proxies for RF exposure in relation to childhood CNS tumor risk. Elevated residential ELF-MF (≥0.4 μT) was associated with approximately doubled odds of CNST, while cell phone use showed no association. Prolonged tablet use, with or without internet connectivity, was reported to be associated with higher CNST risk.
Effect of electromagnetic radiations from mobile towers on genetic damage and genetic polymorphism in humans: a review on India's perspective
This narrative review examines research on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from mobile towers and its potential association with genetic damage and genetic polymorphism in humans, with an emphasis on India. The abstract states that RF-EMR exposure may affect genetic material and suggests a link between EMR exposure and genetic damage, with possible implications for cancer risk and cell death. It also highlights that genetic polymorphisms may modify susceptibility and calls for further research to clarify health impacts.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses for the WHO assessment of health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, an introduction
This editorial introduces a special issue supporting the WHO assessment of health effects from RF-EMF exposure, based on nine protocols and twelve systematic reviews developed over four years by more than 80 experts. It summarizes that human evidence for major cancers was moderate-certainty for no or only small effects, with lower certainty for some cancer sites, while animal evidence reported higher-certainty effects for several cancer types and adverse effects on male fertility. For cognition, symptoms, and oxidative stress, certainty was generally lower and findings more variable, and the editors note ongoing methodological challenges and the possibility of unidentified mechanisms.
Altered development in rodent brain cells after 900 MHz radiofrequency exposure
This animal and in vitro study examined non-thermal 900 MHz RF-EMF exposure during prenatal and postnatal development at 0.08 and 0.4 W/kg SAR. The authors report changes consistent with altered neurodevelopment, including reduced BDNF, reduced in vivo cell proliferation, and disrupted synaptic balance in rat pup brain regions. In vitro, exposed neural stem cells showed increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks and shifts in cell populations toward glial lineages. The authors conclude that regulatory-level 900 MHz exposure can disrupt key neurodevelopmental processes in rodents.
Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Emissions and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study
This prospective cohort study followed 105 neonates/infants for one year and measured household RF-EMF using a selective radiation meter, categorizing exposure into tertiles. Higher household RF-EMF exposure was associated with lower ASQ-3 neurodevelopmental scores, particularly in motor and problem-solving domains, and higher odds of monitor/refer classifications for fine motor and problem-solving. The abstract notes these associations persisted after adjustment for low birth weight, though exposure was measured at a single time point and key confounders (e.g., prenatal phone use, parental interaction) were not assessed.
A scoping review and evidence map of radiofrequency field exposure and genotoxicity: assessing in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological data
This scoping review and evidence map (PRISMA-ScR) summarizes over 500 studies on RF-EMF exposure and genotoxicity across in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological research. The authors report a higher proportion of significant DNA damage findings in in vivo and epidemiological studies than in vitro studies, with DNA base damage commonly reported under real-world/pulsed/GSM talk-mode conditions and longer exposures. They conclude that DNA damage has been observed at exposure levels below ICNIRP limits and recommend precautionary measures and updates to guidelines to address potential non-thermal effects.
Impact of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cardiac Activity at Rest: A Systematic Review of Healthy Human Studies
This systematic review evaluated evidence on RF-EMF exposure and cardiac activity (heart rate and heart rate variability) in healthy humans at rest. Across 28 studies spanning 100 to 110,000 MHz and exposures from minutes to a week, most studies reported no significant effects on resting heart rate, and HRV findings were largely null under calm conditions. Some position-dependent HRV changes were reported, and the authors note possible effects during physiological challenges, but conclude evidence is insufficient for firm conclusions beyond resting healthy populations.
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.
Standards: Exposure Limits for Brief High Intensity Pulses of Radiofrequency Energy Between 6 and 300 GHz
This standards-focused paper evaluates ICNIRP and IEEE (C95.1-2019) exposure limits for brief, high-intensity pulsed RF-EMF between 6 and 300 GHz, particularly when exposures vary within the 6-minute averaging window. Using numerical and analytical modeling with a one-dimensional thermal tissue model, it reports differences in protection against transient skin heating, with IEEE described as more conservative than ICNIRP. The authors propose an adjustment to pulse fluence limits to improve consistency of protection and note that nonthermal and thermoacoustic effects were not analyzed.
Genotoxic and histopathological effects of 6 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on rat liver tissue
This animal experiment exposed adult male rats to 6 GHz RF-EMR (0.065 W/kg) for 4 hours/day over 42 days and compared them with sham controls. The exposed group showed higher comet assay genotoxicity metrics, though not statistically significant, and more prominent liver histopathological changes (e.g., portal inflammation and congestion). The authors conclude that 6 GHz exposure can cause histopathological and DNA-level changes in rat liver tissue under the studied conditions.
Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields reduce bumble bee visitation to flowers
This blinded, two-year study examined whether RF-EMF exposure at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz affects pollinator visitation to Salvia and Lavandula. The authors report no significant effect on honey bee visitation rates. They report a significant reduction in bumble bee visits per observation period under RF-EMF exposure, which they frame as a potential risk warranting further long-term research.
Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and IARC carcinogen assessment: Risk of Bias preliminary literature assessment for 10 key characteristics of human carcinogens
This review examined experimental literature on whether RF-EMF exposures within ICNIRP (2020) limits affect IARC key characteristics of human carcinogens. It identified 159 articles and found that 38% of in vitro/in vivo measurements reported statistically significant effects, but higher study quality was associated with fewer reported effects and there was no consistent exposure-response pattern. The authors state that study diversity and generally poor quality prevent high-confidence conclusions for most key characteristics, while recommending replication of the few higher-quality positive findings under stringent standards.
A novel approach for assessments of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure in buildings near telecommunication infrastructure
This paper proposes a new methodology to better assess indoor RF-EMF exposure in buildings near telecommunication base station antennas by refining measurement-point selection. Implemented in four multi-storey buildings in Natal, Brazil, indoor electric field peaks and averages were reported to be substantially higher than ground-level measurements. Although the highest indoor levels remained below ICNIRP recommended limits, the authors argue current regulatory evaluation methods may underestimate indoor exposure in certain building locations.
Effect of elevation on cumulative radiofrequency exposure from multiple communication towers
This exposure assessment measured RF power density across different floors of a high-rise university building using a spectrum analyser and log-periodic antenna. Power density decreased from the ground to the third floor but peaked on the fourth (top) floor. The 900 MHz band showed the highest reported power density (1.16E-03 W/m2), and the authors suggest higher-floor occupants may experience higher RF exposure from nearby communication towers.
Auto-Induced Downlink Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure at 3.5 GHz With Focusing Near the Head
This exposure-assessment study uses FDTD simulations to evaluate auto-induced downlink RF-EMF exposure at 3.5 GHz when downlink energy is focused toward user equipment near the head. Exposure varied substantially by device position (ear, eyes, nose) and by the precoding technique used. The authors report that the choice of normalization strategy can produce cases where ICNIRP basic restrictions are exceeded even when reference levels appear compliant, motivating a precautionary framing for compliance assessment.
In-Situ Measurements of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Measurements Around 5G Macro Base Stations in the UK
This exposure assessment performed RF spot measurements in line-of-sight to 56 active 5G macro base stations across 30 publicly accessible UK locations. Power density was measured across 420 MHz–6 GHz under multiple scenarios (background, streaming, downlink speed test, and extrapolated SS-RSRP decoding). Reported total RF and 5G-specific levels were within 1998 ICNIRP public reference levels, with 4G downlink contributing most of the measured exposure.
The effects of short-term and long-term 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation on adult rat auditory brainstem response
This animal study examined 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure effects on auditory brainstem responses and brain oxidative/ultrastructural markers in adult rats. The 1-week exposure group showed prolonged ABR latencies and biochemical/structural changes consistent with oxidative stress and cellular injury. The authors report no harmful effects in the 10-week exposure condition with rest days under the studied protocol.
The Influence of an Electromagnetic Field at a Radiofrequency of 900 MHz on the Behavior of a Honey Bee
This laboratory study examined whether a 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) influences the behavior of newly emerged honey bee workers. Compared with controls, the exposed groups showed behavioral changes, with some parameters showing statistically significant differences seven days after exposure. The authors frame RF-EMF as a potential environmental stressor and call for further research, including gene expression analyses.
What is the effect of alarmist media and radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on salivary cortisol and non-specific symptoms?
This randomized study tested whether viewing alarmist media and participating in an open-label RF-EMF provocation trial influenced non-specific symptoms and salivary cortisol. Participants who believed they were being exposed reported more symptoms than those who believed they were not exposed. The study did not find a replicated effect of alarmist media or open-label RF-EMF exposure on salivary cortisol, suggesting reported symptoms were more related to perception than cortisol-measured stress.
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.
A Mini-Review of the Potential Health Impacts of Indoor Radiation Exposure in Companion Animals
This mini-review discusses indoor radiation sources that may affect companion animals, including radon, radionuclides in feed, radiofrequency sources (phones, Wi-Fi, pet tracking devices), solar radiation, and extremely low frequency radiation. It reports that indoor radiation may negatively impact companion animal health and well-being. The authors conclude that preventive and precautionary measures are necessary to protect companion animals from indoor radiation exposure.
Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on cancer in laboratory animal studies, a systematic review
This systematic review evaluated RF EMF exposure and cancer outcomes in experimental animals, including chronic cancer bioassays and tumor-promotion designs. Across 52 included studies, the authors report high certainty of evidence for increased malignant heart schwannomas and gliomas in male rats, and moderate certainty for increased risks of several other tumor types. Many other organ systems showed no or minimal evidence of carcinogenic effects, and the authors note challenges in translating animal findings to human risk assessment due to exposure and mechanistic uncertainties.