No observable non-thermal effect of microwave radiation on the growth of microtubules

Sci Rep (Scientific Reports) · 2024 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 82

Study snapshot

PublicationSci Rep (Scientific Reports) · 2024

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

No observable non-thermal effect of microwave radiation on the growth of microtubules Hammarin G, Norder P, Harimoorthy R, Chen G, Berntsen P, Widlund PO, Stoij C, Rodilla H, Swenson J, Brändén G, Neutze R. No observable non-thermal effect of microwave radiation on the growth of microtubules. Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 7;14(1):18286. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-68852-3. Abstract Despite widespread public interest in the health impact of exposure to microwave radiation, studies of the influence of microwave radiation on biological samples are often inconclusive or contradictory. Here we examine the influence of microwave radiation of frequencies 3.5 GHz, 20 GHz and 29 GHz on the growth of microtubules, which are biological nanotubes that perform diverse functions in eukaryotic cells. Since microtubules are highly polar and can extend several micrometres in length, they are predicted to be sensitive to non-ionizing radiation. Moreover, it has been speculated that tubulin dimers within microtubules might rapidly toggle between different conformations, potentially participating in computational or other cooperative processes. Our data show that exposure to microwave radiation yields a microtubule growth curve that is distorted relative to control studies utilizing a homogeneous temperature jump. However, this apparent effect of non-ionizing radiation is reproduced by control experiments using an infrared laser or hot air to heat the sample and thereby mimic the thermal history of samples exposed to microwaves. As such, no non-thermal effects of microwave radiation on microtubule growth can be assigned. Our results highlight the need for appropriate control experiments in biophysical studies that may impact on the sphere of public interest. Open access paper: nature.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The study examined microwave exposures at 3.5, 20, and 29 GHz and observed a distorted microtubule growth curve relative to a homogeneous temperature-jump control. However, the same distortion was reproduced by thermal-mimic controls (infrared laser or hot air heating), leading the authors to conclude that no non-thermal effects of microwave radiation on microtubule growth can be assigned.

Outcomes measured

Microtubule growth (growth curve)
Non-thermal effects of microwave radiation on microtubule growth

Limitations

Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) not reported in the abstract
Exposure duration not reported in the abstract
In vitro biophysical system; findings may not generalize to whole organisms or health outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Microtubule growth (growth curve)",
    "Non-thermal effects of microwave radiation on microtubule growth"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The study examined microwave exposures at 3.5, 20, and 29 GHz and observed a distorted microtubule growth curve relative to a homogeneous temperature-jump control. However, the same distortion was reproduced by thermal-mimic controls (infrared laser or hot air heating), leading the authors to conclude that no non-thermal effects of microwave radiation on microtubule growth can be assigned.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure duration not reported in the abstract",
    "In vitro biophysical system; findings may not generalize to whole organisms or health outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "microtubules",
    "tubulin",
    "non-thermal effects",
    "temperature control",
    "3.5 GHz",
    "20 GHz",
    "29 GHz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Includes 3.5 GHz and 29 GHz exposures, frequencies relevant to 5G discussions, though the study is in vitro and not policy-focused."
    }
  ]
}

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

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68852-3
PubMed: Not supplied

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