Microwave-specific heating affects gene expression.

PAPER pubmed Bioelectromagnetics 1992 In vitro study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1002/bem.2250130109 PMID: 1550603 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The effects of low-level microwave radiation on gene expression in Escherichia coli have been examined in a sensitive model. We confirm the previously reported existence of an increase in beta-galactosidase expression by microwave radiation--an increase not duplicated by bulk heating. However, the effect was not frequency dependent and appeared to be due to heating effects peculiar to microwaves. These results indicate that small thermal gradients may be a source of biological effects of non-ionizing radiation.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

In vitro study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Escherichia coli

Sample size

—

Exposure

microwave

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In Escherichia coli, low-level microwave radiation increased beta-galactosidase expression; this increase was not reproduced by bulk heating. The effect was not frequency dependent and was interpreted as due to microwave-specific heating effects (small thermal gradients).

Outcomes measured

beta-galactosidase expression
gene expression

Limitations

Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration were not reported in the abstract.
Sample size and experimental details are not provided in the abstract.
Findings are from an in vitro bacterial model; generalizability to other systems is not addressed in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Escherichia coli",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "beta-galactosidase expression",
        "gene expression"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In Escherichia coli, low-level microwave radiation increased beta-galactosidase expression; this increase was not reproduced by bulk heating. The effect was not frequency dependent and was interpreted as due to microwave-specific heating effects (small thermal gradients).",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration were not reported in the abstract.",
        "Sample size and experimental details are not provided in the abstract.",
        "Findings are from an in vitro bacterial model; generalizability to other systems is not addressed in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "non-ionizing radiation",
        "thermal gradients",
        "microwave-specific heating",
        "Escherichia coli",
        "beta-galactosidase",
        "gene expression"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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