The potential for impact of man-made super low and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on sleep

Reduced subjective sleep quality in people rating themselves as electro-hypersensitive: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Disturbed sleep is among the most frequent health complaints of people exposed to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) used in mobile telecommunication, particularly in individuals who consider themselves as EMF hypersensitive (EHS). We aimed at investigating whether the EHS status per se is associated with sleep complaints. Because allelic variants of the gene encoding the L-type, voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.2 (CACNA1C) were previously associated with sleep complaints reminiscent of those reported by EHS individuals, we also explored whether self-rated EHS status and sleep quality associate with these gene variants.

METHODS

A total of 2'040 participants (1'381 females) aged 18-30 years completed online, validated questionnaires on EMF sensitivity, subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, mentation during sleep, and diurnal preference. They also provided a saliva sample for genotyping three functional variants of CACNA1C (rs7304986, rs16929277 and rs2302729). Eligible participants endorsing the question "Are you electro-hypersensitive?" were considered as "EHS" (n = 105), those denying this question yet believing to develop detrimental health symptoms due to prevailing electromagnetic pollution as "attributers" (n = 254), and the remaining participants as "non-EHS" (n = 1'406). We combined the EHS and attributers into one group for binary analyses. In exploratory analyses, we then tested possible associations between EMF sensitivity, subjective sleep variables and CACNA1C variants using linear and logistic regression. We used age, sex, level of education, presence of sleep disorders and habitual mobile phone use as covariates and corrected with Benjamini-Hochberg False Discovery Rate for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

The EHS/attributers consistently reported prolonged sleep latency, reduced sleep quality, higher sleepiness and more nocturnal mentation when compared to non-EHS. Habitual mobile phone use was not associated with self-rated sleep latency and sleep quality scores. While the T-allele of variant rs2302729 of CACNA1C was associated with both, self-reported EMF sensitivity and reduced subjective sleep quality, we found no evidence for the hypothesis that EHS mediates impaired sleep quality via this allelic variant.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of reported RF-EMF exposure, self-rated EHS/attributers rated subjective sleep quality worse than non-EHS individuals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (SNCTP000002285) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03074617).

Clinical Spectrum and Trajectory of Innovative Therapeutic Interventions for Insomnia: A Perspective

Increasing incidences of insomnia in adults, as well as the aging population, have been reported for their negative impact on the quality of life. Insomnia episodes may be associated with neurocognitive, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, and metabolic disorders. Epidemiological evidence also revealed the association of insomnia with oncologic and asthmatic complications, which has been indicated as bidirectional. Two therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and drugs-based therapies are being practiced for a long time. However, the adverse events associated with drugs limit their wide and long-term application. Further, Traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure, and pulsed magnetic field therapy may also provide therapeutic relief. Notably, the recently introduced cryotherapy has been demonstrated as a potential candidate for insomnia which could reduce pain, by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation. It seems that the synergistic therapeutic approach of cryotherapy and the above-mentioned approaches might offer promising prospects to further improve efficacy and safety. Considering these facts, this perspective presents a comprehensive summary of recent advances in pathological aetiologies of insomnia including COVID-19, and its therapeutic management with a greater emphasis on cryotherapy.

Investigating Electromagnetic Shielding Properties of Building Materials Doped with Carbon Nanomaterials

Electromagnetic (EM) shielding has become an essential element in the modern world alongside the increased use of electronic products and telecommunication equipment. We are surrounded by electromagnetic fields that have inevitably become formidable in our lives. It is possible to absorb EM waves by adding materials. Researches have focused the addition of different additives into the cement based mixture to increase the Electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This study aims to investigate the performance of carbon nanomaterial on mechanical, electromagnetic shielding properties of composite. Hence, samples were produced using obtained cement composites. After 28 days of curing, ultrasonic pulse velocity, flexural and compressive strength, water absorption tests and electromagnetic shielding were implemented for samples. As a result of this research, it was concluded that electromagnetic shielding was formed as the percentage carbon nanotube contribution increased, and electromagnetic pollution was partially prevented.

Specific electromagnetic radiation in the wireless signal range increases wakefulness in mice

The steady increase of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the environment, particularly the wireless signal, causes serious public concern over its potential negative impact on health. However, it is challenging to examine such impact on human subjects due to associated complex issues. In this study, we establish an experimental system for the investigation of EMR impact on mice. Using this system, we uncovered a causal relationship between 2.4-GHz EMR modulated by 100-Hz square pulses and increased wakefulness in mice. This result identifies sleep alteration as a potential consequence of exposure to excessive wireless signals.

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the environment has increased sharply in recent decades. The effect of environmental EMR on living organisms remains poorly characterized. Here, we report the impact of wireless-range EMR on the sleep architecture of mouse. Prolonged exposure to 2.4-GHz EMR modulated by 100-Hz square pulses at a nonthermal output level results in markedly increased time of wakefulness in mice. These mice display corresponding decreased time of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). In contrast, prolonged exposure to unmodulated 2.4-GHz EMR at the same time-averaged output level has little impact on mouse sleep. These observations identify alteration of sleep architecture in mice as a specific physiological response to prolonged wireless-range EMR exposure.

The Spin of Electrons and the Proof for the Action of Homeopathic Remedies

In the last 200 years, the action of the highly diluted homeopathic remedies has been proved by their curative effect on the human organism. In this work, a hypothesis concerning the mystifying question about this action is proposed. The hypothesis suggests that any pathology, either functional or structural, can be detected in the change of the overall energy of the human body. Such energy is constituted by fields of force according to quantum physics. More precisely, every disturbance of the human organism affects the spin on electrons of different elements within the human body, and their reset could take place with an agent similar to the electromagnetic force that created the problem. This statement has been proved by the correct homeopathic treatments, as it can be seen in many published cases. The hypothesis is based on two approaches, the idea of the spin of electrons and the vital force, and their scientific relevance.

Environmental open-source data sets and sleep-wake rhythms of populations: an overview

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the epidemiology of sleep disorders has mainly consisted of interviewing subjects through validated questionnaires; more recently, this has been done by assessing total sleep time (TST) per 24 h via sleep logs or connected devices. Thus, a vast amount of data has helped demonstrate the decline of TST in most countries. Nonetheless, we believe from a societal and environmental point of view that sleep researchers have largely overlooked a wide-open field of data that may help us to better understand and describe global sleep wake rhythms (SWR), eg, data regarding the sleep environment.

METHODS

Based on recent literature, we identified several environmental and societal fields that may have an effect on SWR. With the help of an expert panel, we selected the five most pertinent fields with multiple open-source data sets that may have an impact on human SWR. Then, we performed web-based research and proposed open-field data sets for each field, all of which are open to researchers and possibly scientifically associated with SWR.

RESULTS

The open fields relevant to the environment that we selected were noise, light pollution, and radio frequencies. The two societal fields were transportation and internet use. The evolution of most of these fields in recent decades may explain (even partially) the decline in TST. Importantly, the open data sets in each field are widely available to sleep researchers.

CONCLUSIONS

SWR must be assessed not only by patient accounts, but also in terms of the evolution of environmental cues.

Investigating the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on job burnout syndrome and the severity of depression; the role of oxidative stress

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to investigate the possible effect of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on occupational burnout syndrome and the severity of depression experienced among thermal power plant workers and the role of oxidative stress.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 115 power plant workers and 124 administrative personnel of a hospital were enrolled as exposed and unexposed groups, respectively, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (Cat), and total antioxidant capacity were measured in serum samples. Exposure to electric and magnetic fields was measured using the IEEE Std C95.3.1 standard at each workstation. The burnout syndrome and the severity of depression were assessed using the Maslach Burnout and Beck Depression Inventory.

RESULTS

The levels of MDA and SOD were significantly lower in the exposed group than the unexposed group. The exposed group reported a higher prevalence of burnout syndrome and higher depression severity. Multiple linear regression showed that work experience, MDA level, and levels of exposure to magnetic fields are the most important predictor variables for burnout syndrome and severity of depression. In addition, a decrease in the level of Cat was significantly associated with increased burnout syndrome.

CONCLUSION

The thermal power plant workers exposed to ELF-EMFs are at risk of burnout syndrome and depression. These effects may be caused directly by exposure to magnetic fields or indirectly due to increased oxidative stress indices.