Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields alters the behaviour, physiology and stress protein levels of desert locusts

Single-domain magnetic particles with motion behavior under electromagnetic AC and DC fields are a fatal cargo in Metropolitan Mexico City pediatric and young adult early Alzheimer, Parkinson, frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in ALS patients

Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) children and young adults exhibit overlapping Alzheimer and Parkinsons' diseases (AD, PD) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 pathology with magnetic ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) and industrial nanoparticles (NPs). We studied magnetophoresis, electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry in 203 brain samples from 14 children, 27 adults, and 27 ALS cases/controls. Saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), capturing magnetically unstable FeNPs ~ 20nm, was higher in caudate, thalamus, hippocampus, putamen, and motor regions with subcortical vs. cortical higher SIRM in MMC ≤ 40y. Motion behavior was associated with magnetic exposures 25-100 mT and children exhibited IRM saturated curves at 50-300 mT associated to change in NPs position and/or orientation in situ. Targeted magnetic profiles moving under AC/AD magnetic fields could distinguish ALS vs. controls. Motor neuron magnetic NPs accumulation potentially interferes with action potentials, ion channels, nuclear pores and enhances the membrane insertion process when coated with lipopolysaccharides. TEM and EDX showed 7-20 nm NP Fe, Ti, Co, Ni, V, Hg, W, Al, Zn, Ag, Si, S, Br, Ce, La, and Pr in abnormal neural and vascular organelles. Brain accumulation of magnetic unstable particles start in childhood and cytotoxic, hyperthermia, free radical formation, and NPs motion associated to 30-50 μT (DC magnetic fields) are critical given ubiquitous electric and magnetic fields exposures could induce motion behavior and neural damage. Magnetic UFPM/NPs are a fatal brain cargo in children's brains, and a preventable AD, PD, FTLD, ALS environmental threat. Billions of people are at risk. We are clearly poisoning ourselves.

Anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation alters the transcription levels of the genes encoding the SIFamide and myoinhibitory peptide and their receptors in Ixodes ricinus synganglion

The research of the influences of man-made electromagnetic fields on tick physiology has been very sparse and long neglected since the pioneer studies published in 1996 and 2000. Once multiple behavioral tests confirmed an attraction and possible perception of electromagnetic fields in ticks, a new interest in this topic erupted in recent years. In this study, qRT-PCR is utilized to determine the changes in the mRNA transcript levels of neuropeptides SIFamide and myoinhibitory peptide (mip and sifa) and their representative receptors (mip-r1 and sifa-r1) in the synganglia of the tick Ixodes ricinus irradiated by 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field. It was determined that 40 V/m intensity has a significant suppressory effect on the transcript levels of all genes after at least 60 minutes of constant exposure in both sexes. Commonly occurring intensity of radiation in urban areas (2 V/m) produced an elevation in mRNA levels after various timespans in every gene. A significant decrease of transcript abundances was detected in females after one hour of exposure to 2 V/m. Results of this study widen the knowledge of EMF-induced alterations in the neurophysiology of I. ricinus, the most commonly distributed hard tick in Europe.

Environmental Effect of High-voltage Towers on the Cerebellum and Cognitive Impairments in the Monkey

Introduction

Today, high-voltage (HV) lines create a pernicious environment for humans living or working in the vicinity and even under these lines. The male rhesus monkey is used to investigate the effects of fields produced by HV towers. This study examines the function and level of impact in rhesus monkeys' brains from the cerebellum's cognitive, biological, and structural perspective.

Methods

Two monkeys have been used, one as a control and the second as a test. The monkey under test was subjected to a simulated HV electrical field of 3 kV/m, 4 hours a day, for 1 month. Behavioral tests were performed using a device designed and built for this purpose. Concentration analysis of adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) and inspection of glucocorticoid receptor gene's (GR) expression were performed by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method. Changes in cerebellar anatomy were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All tests were performed before and after the study period and compared with the control monkey.

Results

Cognitive tests showed a significant reduction for the monkey exposed to the HV electrical field in the first week after imposition compared with the same time before. Also, the expression of the GR gene decreased, and the concentration of ACTH hormone in plasma increased. Surveying the level of cerebral MRI images did not show any difference, but hemorrhage was evident in a part of the cerebellum.

Conclusion

The tested monkey's cognitive, biological, and MRI results showed a decrease in visual learning and memory indices.

Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Neuropeptide Transcript Levels in the Synganglion of Ixodes ricinus

Anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation is an important environmental factor affecting the functionality of biological systems. Sensitivity to various frequencies of electromagnetic radiation has been detected in ixodid ticks in the past. However, the physiological aspects of radiation effects have not yet been studied in ticks. In the presented experiment, 360 Ixodes ricinus ticks, 180 males and 180 females, were divided into 16 irradiated and 8 control groups. The irradiated groups were exposed to two different intensities of electromagnetic radiation with a frequency of 900 MHz at different lengths of exposure time. RT-PCR was utilized to determine the changes in mRNA levels in tick synganglia after irradiation. Four randomly selected neuropeptide genes were tested-allatotropin (at), FGLa-related allatostatins (fgla/ast), kinin, and arginine-vasopressin-like peptide (avpl). A significant decrease in transcript levels in all female groups exposed to higher intensity radiofrequency radiation for 1 to 3 h was found. After one hour of radiofrequency exposure, a significant downregulation in allatotropin expression in males was detected. A consistent downregulation of the at gene was detected in males irradiated with at a higher intensity. Unfortunately, the specific functions of the studied neuropeptides in ticks are not known yet, so a more comprehensive study is necessary to describe the effects of EMF on observed neuropeptides. This study represents the first report on the effects of the abiotic environment on tick neurophysiology.

Electromagnetic field exposure affects the calling song, phonotaxis, and level of biogenic amines in crickets

The electromagnetic field (EMF) is ubiquitous in the environment, constituting a well-known but poorly understood stressor. Few studies have been conducted on insect responses to EMF, although they are an excellent experimental model and are of great ecological importance. In our work, we tested the effects of EMF (50 Hz, 7 mT) on the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus: the male calling song pattern, female mate choice, and levels of biogenic amines in the brain. Exposure of males to EMF increased the number and shortened the period of chips in their calling song (by 2.7% and 5% relative to the control song, respectively), but not the sound frequency. Aged (3-week-old) females were attracted to both natural and EMF-modified male signals, whereas young (1-week-old, virgin) females responded only to the modified signal, suggesting its higher attractance. Stress response of males to EMF may be responsible for the change in the calling song, as suggested by the changes in the amine levels in their brains: an increase in dopamine (by 50% relative to the control value), tyramine (65%), and serotonin (25%) concentration and a decrease in octopamine level (by 25%). These findings indicate that G. bimaculatus responds to EMF, like stressful conditions, which may change the condition and fitness of exposed individuals, disrupt mate selection, and, in consequence, affect the species' existence.

Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 2 impacts: how species interact with natural and man-made EMF

Ambient levels of nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) have risen sharply in the last five decades to become a ubiquitous, continuous, biologically active environmental pollutant, even in rural and remote areas. Many species of flora and fauna, because of unique physiologies and habitats, are sensitive to exogenous EMF in ways that surpass human reactivity. This can lead to complex endogenous reactions that are highly variable, largely unseen, and a possible contributing factor in species extinctions, sometimes localized. Non-human magnetoreception mechanisms are explored. Numerous studies across all frequencies and taxa indicate that current low-level anthropogenic EMF can have myriad adverse and synergistic effects, including on orientation and migration, food finding, reproduction, mating, nest and den building, territorial maintenance and defense, and on vitality, longevity and survivorship itself. Effects have been observed in mammals such as bats, cervids, cetaceans, and pinnipeds among others, and on birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, microbes and many species of flora. Cyto- and geno-toxic effects have long been observed in laboratory research on animal models that can be extrapolated to wildlife. Unusual multi-system mechanisms can come into play with non-human species - including in aquatic environments - that rely on the Earth's natural geomagnetic fields for critical life-sustaining information. Part 2 of this 3-part series includes four online supplement tables of effects seen in animals from both ELF and RFR at vanishingly low intensities. Taken as a whole, this indicates enough information to raise concerns about ambient exposures to nonionizing radiation at ecosystem levels. Wildlife loss is often unseen and undocumented until tipping points are reached. It is time to recognize ambient EMF as a novel form of pollution and develop rules at regulatory agencies that designate air as 'habitat' so EMF can be regulated like other pollutants. Long-term chronic low-level EMF exposure standards, which do not now exist, should be set accordingly for wildlife, and environmental laws should be strictly enforced - a subject explored in Part 3.

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Impairs the Development of Honeybee (Apis cerana)

Simple Summary

The ELF-EMF pollution generated by the increase in electrically powered devices and power lines, accompanied by economic development, has a widespread effect on surrounding organisms. Honeybees are one of the most important pollinators. The decline in the honeybee population caused by a variety factors, including EMFs, has attracted attention worldwide. It was already known that ELF-EMFs could impair the ability of learning and cognition, causing foraging bees to lose their ability to find their way home. The pollination ability of foraging bees is derived from the rearing quantity of larvae and continuous eclosion of new adult bees in the colony. However, the effect of ELF-EMFs on honeybee larvae is not clear. The aims and objectives of this study were therefore to investigate it. The results showed that ELF-EMF exposure decreases honeybee survival rate and body weight and extends the duration of development time. Transcriptome sequencing showed that ELF-EMF exposure decreases the biological process of nutrient and energy metabolism, impedes the degradation of larvae tissues and the rebuilding of pupae tissues in the metamorphosis process, and seriously interferes with the growth and development of honeybee larvae. This provides an experimental basis and new perspective for protecting honeybee populations from ELF-EMF pollution.

Abstract

Increasing ELF-EMF pollution in the surrounding environment could impair the cognition and learning ability of honeybees, posing a threat to the honeybee population and its pollination ability. In a social honeybee colony, the numbers of adult bees rely on the successful large-scale rearing of larvae and continuous eclosion of new adult bees. However, no studies exist on the influence of ELF-EMFs on honeybee larvae. Therefore, we investigated the survival rate, body weight, and developmental duration of first instar larvae continuously subjected to ELF-EMF exposure. Moreover, the transcriptome of fifth instar larvae were sequenced for analyzing the difference in expressed genes. The results showed that ELF-EMF exposure decreases the survival rate and body weight of both white-eye pupae and newly emerged adults, extends the duration of development time and seriously interferes with the process of metamorphosis and pupation. The transcriptome sequencing showed that ELF-EMF exposure decreases the nutrient and energy metabolism and impedes the degradation of larvae tissues and rebuilding of pupae tissues in the metamorphosis process. The results provide an experimental basis and a new perspective for the protection of honeybee populations from ELF-EMF pollution.

Locomotor Activity of Ixodes ricinus Females in 900 MHz Electromagnetic Field

Mobile telecommunications technologies have become an indispensable part of people's lives of all ages around the world. They affect personal life and social interactions and are a work tool in the work routine. Network availability requirements and the quality of the Internet connection are constantly increasing, to which telecommunications providers are responding. Humans and wildlife live in the permanent presence of electromagnetic radiation with just a minor knowledge of the impact this radiation has. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of a 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on the locomotor behavior of female Ixodes ricinus ticks under laboratory conditions. Experiments were performed in the radiation-shielded tube (RST) test and radiation-shielded circular open-field arena placed in an anechoic chamber. Altogether, 480 female I. ricinus ticks were tested. In the RST arena, no differences in preference for irradiated and shielded parts of experimental modules were observed; in the open-field arena, the time spent and the trajectory passed was significantly longer in the part exposed to the EMF.

Development of computational models for microtesla-level magnetic brain scanning: a novel avenue for device development

BACKGROUND

Detection of locally increased blood concentration and perfusion is critical for assessment of functional cortical activity as well as diagnosis of conditions such as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Current paradigms for assessment of regional blood concentration in the brain rely on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and perfusion blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI).

RESULTS

In this study, we developed computational models to test the feasibility of novel magnetic sensors capable of detecting hemodynamic changes within the brain on a microtesla-level. We show that low-field magnetic sensors can accurately detect changes in magnetic flux density and eddy current damping signals resulting from increases in local blood concentration. These models predicted that blood volume changes as small as 1.26 mL may be resolved by the sensors, implying potential use for diagnosis of ICH and assessment of regional blood flow as a proxy for cerebral metabolism and neuronal activity. We then translated findings from our computational model to demonstrate feasibility of accurate detection of modeled ICH in a simulated human cadaver setting.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, microtesla-level magnetic scanning is feasible, safe, and has distinct advantages compared to current standards of care. Computational modeling may facilitate rapid prototype development and testing of novel medical devices with minimal risk to human participants prior to device construction and clinical trials.

EFFECT OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETICS (LFE) ON MUSCLE SATELLITE CELLS DIFFERENTIATION AND IMMUNE SYSTEM IN RAT

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disease. Although surgery within 8[Formula: see text]h after SCI can substantially reduce paraplegia, most patients still suffer from hypomusculariasis after neuron recovery, which results in insufficient lower limb muscles to support bodyweight. Currently, there is no effective method to prevent muscle atrophy. Previous studies have shown that low-frequency electromagnetics (LFE) can stimulate the differentiation, proliferation and fusion of muscle satellite cells, however, the optimal electromagnetic strength and effects on the immune system have not been established. Here, we investigated the influence of LFE at different electromagnetic strengths on muscle cell recovery and assessed the impact of chronic LFE on the immune system of SCI rats. The rat immune system was rapidly activated after SCI. High-energy LFE provoked intensive immune responses, while low-energy LFE did not affect immune responses. Simultaneously, LFE effectively prevented myotube reduction and atrophy in SCI rats. The mRNA and protein levels of Pax7 and MyoD were increased after LFE at both high and low electromagnetic strengths, with the latter leading to more robust increases. Indeed, LFE remarkably induced muscle cell fusion. Together, our results demonstrated that LFE activates muscle satellite cells via stimulating myogenic factors. Chronic low-energy LFE is a safe therapy with no adverse impact on the immune system of SCI rats. LFE with 1.5 mT energy should be considered as an optimal therapeutic strategy.

Anti-Oxidative and Immune Regulatory Responses of THP-1 and PBMC to Pulsed EMF Are Field-Strength Dependent

Innate immune cells react to electromagnetic fields (EMF) by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), crucial intracellular messengers. Discrepancies in applied parameters of EMF studies, e.g., flux densities, complicate direct comparison of downstream anti-oxidative responses and immune regulatory signaling. We therefore compared the impact of different EMF flux densities in human leukemic THP1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors to additionally consider a potential disparate receptivity based on medical origin. ROS levels increased in THP1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) after one hour of EMF exposure. Moreover, weak EMF mitigated the depletion of the reducing agent NAD(P)H in THP1. Neither of these effects occurred in PBMC. Landscaping transcriptional responses to varied EMF revealed elevation of the anti-oxidative enzymes PRDX6 (2-fold) and DHCR24 (6-fold) in THP1, implying involvement in lipid metabolism. Furthermore, our study confirmed anti-inflammatory effects of EMF by 6-fold increased expression of IL10. Strikingly, THP1 responded to weak EMF, while PBMC were primarily affected by strong EMF, yet with severe cellular stress and enhanced rates of apoptosis, indicated by HSP70 and caspase 3 (CASP3). Taken together, our results emphasize an altered susceptibility of immune cells of different origin and associate EMF-related effects with anti-inflammatory signaling and lipid metabolism.

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Entrain Locust Wingbeats

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) have been shown to impact the behavior and physiology of insects. Recent studies have highlighted the need for more research to determine more specifically how they affect flying insects. Here, we ask how locust flight is affected by acute exposure to 50 Hz EMFs. We analyzed the flights of individual locusts tethered between a pair of copper wire coils generating EMFs of various frequency using high-speed video recording. The mean wingbeat frequency of tethered locusts was 18.92 ± 0.27 Hz. We found that acute exposure to 50 Hz EMFs significantly increased absolute change in wingbeat frequency in a field strength-dependent manner, with greater field strengths causing greater changes in wingbeat frequency. The effect of EMFs on wingbeat frequency depended on the initial wingbeat frequency of a locust, with locusts flying at a frequency lower than 20 Hz increasing their wingbeat frequency, while locusts flying with a wingbeat frequency higher than 20 Hz decreasing their wingbeat frequency. During the application of 50 Hz EMF, the wingbeat frequency was entrained to a 2:5 ratio (two wingbeat cycles to five EMF cycles) of the applied EMF. We then applied a range of ELF EMFs that were close to normal wingbeat frequency and found that locusts entrained to the exact frequency of the applied EMF. These results show that exposure to ELF EMFs lead to small but significant changes in wingbeat frequency in locusts. We discuss the biological implications of the coordination of insect flight in response to electromagnetic stimuli. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on the skeletal muscle functions in rats

The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the effects of chronic exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on electrophysiological, histological and biochemical properties of the diaphragm muscle in rats. Twenty-nine newly weaned (24 days old, 23-80 g) female (n = 15) and male (n = 14) Wistar Albino rats were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the electromagnetic field (EMF) group. The control group was also randomly divided into two groups: the control female group and the control male group. The EMF exposure group was also randomly divided into two groups: the ELF-EMF female group and the ELF-EMF male group. The rats in the ELF-EMF groups were exposed for 4 h daily for up to 7 months to 50 Hz frequency, 1.5 mT magnetic flux density. Under these experimental conditions, electrophysiological parameters (muscle bioelectrical activity parameters: intracellular action potential and resting membrane potential and muscle mechanical activity parameter: force-frequency relationship), biochemical parameters (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^- and Ca⁺² levels in the blood serum of rats; Na⁺-K⁺ ATP_ase enzyme-specific activities in muscle tissue; and free radical metabolism in both muscle tissue and serum) and transmission electron microscopic morphometric parameters of the diaphragm muscle were determined. We found that chronic exposure to ELF-EMF had no significant effect on the histological structure and mechanical activity of the muscle and on the majority of muscle bioelectrical activity parameters, with the exception of some parameters of muscle bioelectrical activity. However, the changes in some bioelectrical activity parameters were relatively small and unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field as a Stress Factor-Really Detrimental?-Insight into Literature from the Last Decade

Biological effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and its consequences on human health have become the subject of important and recurrent public debate. ELF-MF evokes cell/organism responses that are characteristic to a general stress reaction, thus it can be regarded as a stress factor. Exposure to ELF-MF "turns on" different intracellular mechanisms into both directions: compensatory or deleterious ones. ELF-MF can provoke morphological and physiological changes in stress-related systems, mainly nervous, hormonal, and immunological ones. This review summarizes the ELF-MF-mediated changes at various levels of the organism organization. Special attention is placed on the review of literature from the last decade. Most studies on ELF-MF effects concentrate on its negative influence, e.g., impairment of behavior towards depressive and anxiety disorders; however, in the last decade there was an increase in the number of research studies showing stimulating impact of ELF-MF on neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation. In the face of numerous studies on the ELF-MF action, it is necessary to systematize the knowledge for a better understanding of the phenomenon, in order to reduce the risk associated with the exposure to this factor and to recognize the possibility of using it as a therapeutic agent.

Changes in Honeybee Behavior Parameters under the Influence of the E-Field at 50 Hz and Variable Intensity

EM-fields come from both natural and anthropogenic sources. This study aimed to investigate changes in honeybee behavior parameters under the influence of an electric field at 50 Hz and variable intensity. Bees were exposed for 1 h, 3 h, or 6 h to the following artificial E-field intensities: 5.0 kV/m, 11.5 kV/m, 23.0 kV/m, or 34.5 kV/m. Bees in the control group were under the influence of an E-field <2.0 kV/m. Six basic behaviors were selected for bee observation (walking, grooming, flight, stillness, contact between individuals, and wing movement). Our research shows the impact of bee exposure time on behavioral change within groups. Exposure for 3 h caused a decrease in the time that bees spent on behaviors and in the number of occurrences. After 6 h, the parameters increased within the groups, as was the case with 1 h exposure. This may indicate that there is a behavioral barrier that allows the pattern to normalize for some time.

The impact of chronic exposure to a magnetic field on energy metabolism and locomotion of Blaptica dubia

Purpose: This study deals with a comparative analysis of the effects of chronic exposure to a static magnetic field (SMF) and an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF MF) in Blaptica dubia nymphs. The outcome of such treatment on insect and fat body mass, glycogen and total lipid content in the fat body and locomotion, as an energy demanding process, were examined.Materials and methods: One-month-old nymphs of B. dubia were exposed to an SMF (110 mT) or ELF MF (50 Hz, 10 mT) for 5 months. Their locomotion was monitored in the 'open-field' test for 10 min and expressed as travel distance, time in movement and average speed while in motion. After that, fat body mass and content of its main components (glycogen and total lipids) were determined. Nymph body mass was also estimated after 1 and 5 months of MF treatment.Results: Chronic exposure to the SMF and ELF MF decreased nymph body mass and glycogen content in the fat body but increased all examined parameters of locomotion. In addition, chronic SMF treatment elevated total lipid content in the fat body, while chronic ELF MF treatment reduced fat body mass and total lipid content.Conclusions: These findings indicate that B. dubia nymphs are sensitive to the applied MFs and possess different strategies for fuel usage in response to the SMF and ELF MF in order to satisfy increased energy demands and to overcome stressful conditions.

Immune response of mollusk Onchidium struma to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF, 50 Hz) exposure based on immune-related enzyme activity and De novo transcriptome analysis

Along with rapid offshore and onshore wind power development in modern society, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) is produced extensively in the habits of aquatic organisms. However, the biological effects of ELF-EMF on aquatic organisms are almost sparse. In this study, Onchidium struma without shell was chosen to aim whether ELF-EMF can elicit immune response of mollusk based on immune-related enzyme activities and gene expression through high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Three experimental groups, i.e. ELF-EMF unexposed control group (C), ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 100 μT) exposed E1 group, and ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 500 μT) exposed E2 group, were set, and coelomocytes were collected to analyze. The results showed that total coelomocyte and spherulocyte density in E1 group increased significantly compared to groups C and E2 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences on amoebocyte and chromatocyte density among groups C, E1 and E2. ELF-EMF exposure could significantly increase immune-related enzyme activities in coelomic fluid of O. struma, including acidic phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, antioxidative capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenol oxidase (P < 0.05). A total of 54.32 Mb and 55.27 Mb raw reads with average length of 1520 bp were obtained from coelomocytes of O. struma in unexposed and exposed groups, respectively. There were 341 differentially expressed genes (DGEs) between unexposed and exposed groups, including 209 up-regulated and 132 down-regulated unigenes. All the DGEs were allocated to 14 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, and five pathways were associated with immune response, including TLR/TNF/NOD-like receptor/MAPK/Fc epsilon RI signaling pathways. Altogether, short-term (to one week) exposure of O. struma to lower luxy density ELF-EMF (<500 μT) could elicit the immune response, and antioxidant system is recommended as indicators of immunological effects. Hopefully, this study will further provide insights into exploring biomarker for evaluation of the effect of ELF-EMF exposure on aquatic organisms regarding to field density, frequency and exposure duration, and provide good guidance for exploitation and utilization of renewable energy.

Risk to pollinators from anthropogenic electro-magnetic radiation (EMR): Evidence and knowledge gaps

Worldwide urbanisation and use of mobile and wireless technologies (5G, Internet of Things) is leading to the proliferation of anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and campaigning voices continue to call for the risk to human health and wildlife to be recognised. Pollinators provide many benefits to nature and humankind, but face multiple anthropogenic threats. Here, we assess whether artificial light at night (ALAN) and anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (AREMR), such as used in wireless technologies (4G, 5G) or emitted from power lines, represent an additional and growing threat to pollinators. A lack of high quality scientific studies means that knowledge of the risk to pollinators from anthropogenic EMR is either inconclusive, unresolved, or only partly established. A handful of studies provide evidence that ALAN can alter pollinator communities, pollination and fruit set. Laboratory experiments provide some, albeit variable, evidence that the honey bee Apis mellifera and other invertebrates can detect EMR, potentially using it for orientation or navigation, but they do not provide evidence that AREMR affects insect behaviour in ecosystems. Scientifically robust evidence of AREMR impacts on abundance or diversity of pollinators (or other invertebrates) are limited to a single study reporting positive and negative effects depending on the pollinator group and geographical location. Therefore, whether anthropogenic EMR (ALAN or AREMR) poses a significant threat to insect pollinators and the benefits they provide to ecosystems and humanity remains to be established.

Increased aggression and reduced aversive learning in honey bees exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

Honey bees, Apis mellifera, are a globally significant pollinator species and are currently in decline, with losses attributed to an array of interacting environmental stressors. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) are a lesser-known abiotic environmental factor that are emitted from a variety of anthropogenic sources, including power lines, and have recently been shown to have a significant impact on the cognitive abilities and behaviour of honey bees. Here we have investigated the effects of field-realistic levels of ELF EMFs on aversive learning and aggression levels, which are critical factors for bees to maintain colony strength. Bees were exposed for 17 h to 100 μT or 1000 μT ELF EMFs, or a sham control. A sting extension response (SER) assay was conducted to determine the effects of ELF EMFs on aversive learning, while an intruder assay was conducted to determine the effects of ELF EMFs on aggression levels. Exposure to both 100 μT and 1000 μT ELF EMF reduced aversive learning performance by over 20%. Exposure to 100 μT ELF EMFs also increased aggression scores by 60%, in response to intruder bees from foreign hives. These results indicate that short-term exposure to ELF EMFs, at levels that could be encountered in bee hives placed under power lines, reduced aversive learning and increased aggression levels. These behavioural changes could have wider ecological implications in terms of the ability of bees to interact with, and respond appropriately to, threats and negative environmental stimuli.

Long-term exposure of cockroach Blaptica dubia (Insecta: Blaberidae) nymphs to magnetic fields of different characteristics: effects on antioxidant biomarkers and nymphal gut mass

Purpose: The main goal of this study was to analyze the long-term effects of static (SMF) and extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF MF) on nymphal gut mass and antioxidant biomarkers in this tissue of cockroach Blaptica dubia. Materials and methods: One-month-old nymphs were exposed to magnetic field (MF) for 5 months in three experimental groups: control, exposure to SMF (110 mT) and exposure to ELF MF (50 Hz, 10 mT). Results: The gut masses of the MF groups were significantly lower when compared to control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were markedly higher than for the control and the differences between the MF groups were statistically significant only for SOD. The applied MF had no effect on total glutathione (GSH) content. Glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities were significantly lower in both MF groups in comparison to the control. There was a significant difference between MF groups for GR activity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that CAT and GST were the main factors contributing to the differentiation of the control group from the treated experimental groups along PCA 1, and SOD and GR along PCA 2. PCA revealed clear separation between experimental groups depends on antioxidant biomarker response. Conclusion: The applied magnetic fields could be considered a potential stressor influencing gut mass, as well as examined antioxidative biomarkers.

Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields impair the Cognitive and Motor Abilities of Honey Bees

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) pollution from overhead powerlines is known to cause biological effects across many phyla, but these effects are poorly understood. Honey bees are important pollinators across the globe and due to their foraging flights are exposed to relatively high levels of ELF EMF in proximity to powerlines. Here we ask how acute exposure to 50 Hz ELF EMFs at levels ranging from 20–100 µT, found at ground level below powerline conductors, to 1000–7000 µT, found within 1 m of the conductors, affects honey bee olfactory learning, flight, foraging activity and feeding. ELF EMF exposure was found to reduce learning, alter flight dynamics, reduce the success of foraging flights towards food sources, and feeding. The results suggest that 50 Hz ELF EMFs emitted from powerlines may represent a prominent environmental stressor for honey bees, with the potential to impact on their cognitive and motor abilities, which could in turn reduce their ability to pollinate crops.

Electromagnetic field exposure (50 Hz) impairs response to noxious heat in American cockroach

Exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) induces physiological changes in organism that are observed at different levels—from biochemical processes to behavior. In this study, we evaluated the effect of EMF exposure (50 Hz, 7 mT) on cockroach’s response to noxious heat, measured as the latency to escape from high ambient temperature. We also measured the levels of lipid peroxidation and glutathione content as markers of oxidative balance in cockroaches exposed to EMF. Our results showed that exposure to EMF for 24, 72 h and 7 days significantly increases the latency to escape from noxious heat. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased significantly after 24-h EMF exposure and remained elevated up to 7 days of exposure. Glutathione levels significantly declined in cockroaches exposed to EMF for 7 days. These results demonstrate that EMF exposure is a considerable stress factor that affects oxidative state and heat perception in American cockroach.

Role of autophagy in environmental neurotoxicity

Human exposure to neurotoxic pollutants (e.g. metals, pesticides and other chemicals) is recognized as a key risk factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging evidence indicates that an alteration in autophagic pathways may be correlated with the onset of the neurotoxicity resulting from chronic exposure to these pollutants. In fact, autophagy is a natural process that permits to preserving cell homeostasis, through the seizure and degradation of the cytosolic damaged elements. However, when an excessive level of intracellular damage is reached, the autophagic process may also induce cell death. A correct modulation of specific stages of autophagy is important to maintain the correct balance in the organism. In this review, we highlight the critical role that autophagy plays in neurotoxicity induced by the most common classes of environmental contaminants. The understanding of this mechanism may be helpful to discover a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce side effects induced by these compounds.