RF Safe

Interspecific differences in the behavioral response of ticks exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation

2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 379

In a choice module (exposed vs shielded area) with 900 MHz exposure for 24 h, both sexes of Ixodes ricinus showed a significant preference for the exposed area. Males of Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus also preferred the exposed area, while…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Interspecific differences in the behavioral response of ticks exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation Baňas M, Šofranková L, Kurimský J, Pavlík M, Pikalík M, Majláthová V, Cimbala R, Pipová N, Wurfl L, Majláth I. Interspecific differences in the behavioral response of ticks exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Exp Appl Acarol. 2023 Oct 11. doi: 10.1007/s10493-023-00847-7. Abstract Artificial electromagnetic radiation is a new environmental factor that affects animals. Experiments with the effect of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation were focused on both vertebrates and invertebrates. Ticks showed a significant affinity to radiation. Our study is a continuation of this research and its aim was to monitor the effect of radiation on the behavior of four tick species: Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor marginatus and Haemaphysalis inermis. In total 1,200 ticks, 300 of each species, were tested in modules allowing the choice of an exposed or shielded area. During the test, the ticks were exposed to electro-magnetic radiation of 900 MHz for 24 h. The position of the individuals was recorded and we evaluated the obtained data statistically. We observed a significant preference to the exposed area in both sexes of I. ricinus. Males of D. reticulatus and D. marginatus also showed an affinity to radiation, but not females of both species, nor females and males of H. inermis. The results of the study support the assumption that ticks perceive the electromagnetic field and the observed differences in their response have the potential to help understand the mechanism of perception. Open access paper: link.springer.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 typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationTicks (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Haemaphysalis inermis)
Sample size1200
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 24 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a choice module (exposed vs shielded area) with 900 MHz exposure for 24 h, both sexes of Ixodes ricinus showed a significant preference for the exposed area. Males of Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus also preferred the exposed area, while females of these species and both sexes of Haemaphysalis inermis did not show this affinity.

Outcomes measured

  • Behavioral preference/affinity for exposed vs shielded area (position choice)

Limitations

  • Exposure source and intensity (e.g., power density/SAR) not reported in abstract
  • Behavioral endpoint limited to position preference in a laboratory module; broader ecological/health implications not assessed in abstract
  • Details of randomization/blinding and environmental controls not described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 h"
  },
  "population": "Ticks (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Haemaphysalis inermis)",
  "sample_size": 1200,
  "outcomes": [
    "Behavioral preference/affinity for exposed vs shielded area (position choice)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a choice module (exposed vs shielded area) with 900 MHz exposure for 24 h, both sexes of Ixodes ricinus showed a significant preference for the exposed area. Males of Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus also preferred the exposed area, while females of these species and both sexes of Haemaphysalis inermis did not show this affinity.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure source and intensity (e.g., power density/SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "Behavioral endpoint limited to position preference in a laboratory module; broader ecological/health implications not assessed in abstract",
    "Details of randomization/blinding and environmental controls not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "900 MHz",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "ticks",
    "behavior",
    "Ixodes ricinus",
    "Dermacentor reticulatus",
    "Dermacentor marginatus",
    "Haemaphysalis inermis",
    "animal study"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: 10.1007/s10493-023-00847-7
PubMed: Not supplied

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