Effects of electromagnetic fields on microsomal ATPase and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

The effect of microwaves on dimensions and nucleic-acid concentration in snail neurons

Effects of microwaves (continuous wave, frequency 2450 MHz, rate of energy absorption 15.5 mW/g, irradiation time 60 min) on isolated subesophageal ganglia of Helix lucorum snail were studied. During exposure a constant temperature of the solution in which the ganglia were bathed was maintained. It was found that such an exposure led to a decrease in the concentration of nucleic acids in snail neurons as well as to an increase of nuclear area and to dimunition of cytoplasmic area.

The effect of microwave radiation on passive membrane properties of snail neurons

The effect of CW microwaves (2450-MHz, rate of energy absorption, 15.5 mW/g) on passive properties of neurons of the Helix snail was studied. After one hour of exposure, the electrical resistance and the time constant of the membrane diminished, respectively, by 22 and 26%. Irradiation against the background of injection of EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acidic acid) into the cell blocked the change in membrane resistance. In contrast, injection of DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) into the cell qualitatively mimiced the microwave effect.

Comparison of effects of sublethal microwave radiation and conventional heating on the metabolic activity of Staphylococcus aureus

This study was conducted in an attempt to characterize some of the effects of sublethal microwave radiation on cells of Staphylococcus aureus. Cultures were exposed to microwave radiation for 10, 20, 30, and 40 s. The effects of a conventional heat treatment were also compared by placing flasks containing cultures in a boiling water bath for the amount of time required to reach temperatures equivalent to those found in cultures exposed to microwave radiation. Control, microwave-treated, and conventionally heat-treated cultures were centrifuged, pellets were resuspended in distilled water, and the resulting suspensions were passed through a French pressure cell. Cell lysates and walls were then isolated and assayed for enzymatic activity. Thermonuclease production was also determined at various levels of exposure of cells to microwave radiation. Activities of malate and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenases, cytochrome oxidase, and cytoplasmic adenosine triphosphatase were higher in microwave-treated cells than in control cells. Membrane adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were unaffected when cells were exposed to microwave radiation. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was decreased by exposure of cells to microwave radiation. In conventionally heated cells, activities of glucose-6-phosphate and malate dehydrogenases and cytoplasmic adenosine triphosphatase increased activities of alpha-ketoglutarate and lactate dehydrogenases decreased, and alkaline phosphatase activity remained unaffected. Increased levels of thermonuclease activity were observed when cells were exposed to microwave radiation for 10 or 20 s. Data indicate that microwave radiation affects S. aureus in a manner which cannot be explained solely by thermal effects.

Holographic assessment of a hypothesized microwave hearing mechanism

Exposure of the head to pulse-modulated microwaves induces the perception of a sound. It has been hypothesized that the electromagnetic energy is converted to acoustic energy in the skull and then conducted through the bone. Dynamic time-averaged interferometric holography showed that the predicted motion of head tissue did not occur. An alternative locus for this hearing effect is suggested.