Electromagnetic Biology & Medicine: New Papers

Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine

Papers posted online June 19, 2013 

I added a sentence (or two)  to summarize the key conclusions of each study based upon the abstracts as I don't have access to the papers.  Many of these papers explore potential therapeutic applications of electromagnetic radiation.

The abstracts are available at:  http://informahealthcare.com/toc/ebm/0/0

 

Evidence that dirty electricity is causing the worldwide epidemics of obesity and diabetes  Diesel generator sets are a major source of dirty electricity. They are used to electrify small islands and places unreachable by the conventional electric grid. This accounts for the fact that diabetes prevalence, fasting plasma glucose and obesity are highest on small islands and other places and lowest in places with low levels of electrification.

 
Health effects of living near mobile phone base transceiver station (BTS) antennae: a report from Isfahan, Iran  Most of the symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, irritability, discomfort, nervousness, depression, sleep disturbance, memory loss and lowering of libido were statistically significant in inhabitants living near the BTS antenna (<300 m distances) compared to those living far from it. Cellular phone BTS antenna should not be sited closer than 300 m to populations to minimize exposure of neighbors.

Long-term exposure to a pulsed magnetic field (1.5 mT, 25 Hz) increases genomic DNA spontaneous degradation  Long-term exposure to a pulsed MF induces an increment in the DNA spontaneous degradation of yeast genomic DNA.

Reactive oxygen species elevation and recovery in Drosophila bodies and ovaries following short-term and long-term exposure to DECT base EMF The pulsed idle state of the DECT radiation induced free radical formation despite very low SAR, leading to accumulation of reactive oxygen species under continuous exposure, and in a recovery manner after interruption of radiation, possibly due to activation of the antioxidant machinery of the organism.

 
Assessing of plasma protein denaturation induced by exposure to cadmium, electromagnetic fields and their combined actions on rat  Combined exposure to cadmium and EMFs might increase the risk of plasma damage via enhancing free radical generation and protein oxidation.

 

Assessment of oxidant/antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users  No relationship between exposure to radio frequency radiation and changes in the salivary oxidant/antioxidant profile were found.

  

Effect of long-term 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes of mice   Administration of antioxidant substances with radioprotective capacities known to act through the elimination of free radicals did not diminish the genotoxic effect induced by ELM-MF.

  

Influence of pulsed electromagnetic and pulsed vector magnetic potential field on the growth of tumor cells  A pulsed EMF of 125 and 625 Hz for 24-48 hours increased proliferation activity in 2 types of cancer cell lines. In contrast, no method created a significant inhibitory effect of hypothetic pulsed vector magnetic potential field on tumor cells.

 

Comparison of the outcomes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (RTMS) to the ipsilateral and contralateral auditory cortex in unilateral tinnitus  Daily treatment with 1 Hz rTMS ipsilaterally and contralaterally to the side of tinnitus both had significant beneficial effects. The laterality of stimulation does not matter.

 
Variable spatial magnetic field influences peripheral nerve regeneration in rats   Strong spatial alternating magnetic field exerts positive effect on peripheral nerve regeneration.  This application could be developed for therapy of injured peripheral nerves.

The influence of spatial pulsed magnetic field application on neuropathic pain after tibial nerve transection in rat  Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields may be useful in neuropathic pain therapy.

A static magnetic field attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuro-inflammatory response via IL-6-mediated pathway  A static magnetic field had positive effects on survival rate and histological outcomes of LPS-treated mice and decreased IL-6 expression in BV-2 cells by a phenomenon similar to endotoxin tolerance. SMF has potential for controlling LPS-induced excess neuro-inflammatory response.

Natural static magnetic field-induced apoptosis in liver cancer cell   Different cell types require different factors like rotary frequency and treatment time to induce apoptosis.

EMOST: elimination of chronic constipation and diarrhea by low-frequency and intensity electromagnetic fields  Reports on effectiveness of the EMOST (Electro-Magnetic-Own-Signal-Treatment) for chronic constipation and diarrhea in two cases. 

The effects of pulsed magnetic field exposure on the permeability of leukemia cancer cells  Pulsed magnetic field can increase permeability. The system gives optimal permeabilization when cells are exposed to 28 pulses with 1 Hz frequency. 

Long-term effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted from mobile phone on testicular tissue and epididymal semen quality   Long-term exposure of 900 MHz GSM RF radiation altered some reproductive parameters; however, the results were inconsistent and more research is needed. 

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields can impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat   Extremely low-frequency magnetic field may be harmful to fertility recovery in males affected by reversible testicular damage. 

Investigating short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields on reproductive capacity of invertebrates in the field situation   No impact on reproductive capacity was observed.

 
Reduction of laser-induced retinal injury applying the combination of the 3D variable electric and magnetic fields in “vivo”  Eye retina damaged by YAG laser radiation can be rehabilitated via Oscillating Low Frequency Electro-Magnetic Fields.

 

Effect of insulating layer material on RF-induced heating for external fixation system in 1.5 T MRI system 

The abstracts are available at:  http://informahealthcare.com/toc/ebm/0/0

San Francisco: Cell Phone Safety Warnings

San Francisco updated its cell phone safety recommendations on the city’s web site following the settlement of a lawsuit filed by the CTIA—The Wireless Association that blocked implementation of the cell phone “right to know” law adopted by the city in 2010.

After a three-year battle, the city decided to disband with its cell phone law rather than continue to fight the CTIA and risk having to pay the industry’s legal fees. The case was settled “in exchange for a waiver of attorneys' fees” even though the city believes the “Ninth Circuit’s opinion is deeply flawed.” (1)

Meanwhile, the CTIA has been citing the Ninth Circuit’s opinion around the country in an effort to deter state and local policy makers from adopting cell phone “right to know” laws.

However, the city’s web site points out that because the court’s decision is unpublished, it only applies to San Francisco. Furthermore, the decision cannot serve as a precedent in any future litigation (1). Thus it is inappropriate for the industry to cite this case as a precedent for other jurisdictions.

The city reminds visitors to its web site that “the World Health Organization classified cell phone radiation as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)’ based on increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.” (1) 

In addition to increased risk for glioma, the World Health Organization included increased risk for acoustic neuroma, a tumor on the nerve from the ear to the brain, in its newly published monograph about cell phone radiation and cancer. (2)

San Francisco recommends on its web site the following strategies to reduce exposure to RF energy from cell phones. The goal is to increase the distance between your body and your cell phone whenever using and carrying the device.  (3)

• “Limit cell phone use by children: Developing brains and thinner skulls lead to higher absorption in children.
• Use a headset, speakerphone, or text instead: Exposure decreases rapidly with increasing distance from phone.
• Use a belt clip or keep your phone in a knapsack, briefcase, or handbag to keep some distance between your phone and body: Do not carry your phone directly on your body or at least maintain the recommended safe distance specified in your phones’ user manual.
• Avoid using your cell phone in areas with a weak signal (in elevators, on transit, or when indicated by your phone): Using a cell phone in areas of good reception decreases exposure by allowing the phone to transmit at reduced power.
• Reduce the number and length of calls.
• Turn off your cell phone when not in use.”  (3)

References

(1) SF Environment. Using Cell Phones Safely. URL: http://www.sfenvironment.org/article/safer-practices/using-cell-phones-safely.

(2) Non-ionizing radiation, Part II: Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields / IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (2011: Lyon, France).  Vol. 102 (2013). URL: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol102/index.php.

(3) SF Environment. How can I reduce my exposure to radiofrequency-energy from cell phones? URL: http://www.sfenvironment.org/solution/how-can-i-reduce-my-exposure-to-radiofrequency-energy-from-cell-phones.