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Extremely low frequency magnetic field distracts zebrafish from a visual cognitive task

Scientific Reports · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2698

Adult zebrafish were trained to perform a conditioned avoidance response to a green LED visual signal. When the visual signal was presented simultaneously with a sinusoidally changing magnetic field (0.3 Hz), exposure at 0.06 mT negatively impacted learning p…

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific Reports · 2025
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Neurobiology Tags: electromagnetic fields, zebrafish, cognitive distraction, low frequency magnetic field, animal behavior, sensory pollution, learning impairment DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90194-x URL: nature.com Overview Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from overhead power lines and subsea cables are widely regarded as a disruptive factor for animals using the Earth's natural magnetic field as an orientation cue for guiding their movements. However, little is known about whether anthropogenic EMFs also have the potential to disturb animals' attention to information from other sensory modalities. Methodology - Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) were individually trained to perform avoidance behavior in response to a visual signal (a green LED light spot). - For the exposure group, the visual signal was presented simultaneously with a sinusoidally changing magnetic field (0.3 Hz, group A: 0.015 mT, group B: 0.06 mT). Findings - The visual signal was both sufficient and necessary to elicit conditioned avoidance responses. - Exposure to a 0.06 mT magnetic field condition negatively impacted learning performance and response behavior in the zebrafish. Conclusion These results suggest that extremely low frequency technical magnetic fields of Earth-strength amplitude can serve as cross-modal distractors. They divert the attention of animals away from environmentally relevant cues based on nonmagnetic sensory modalities. This research emphasizes the need to study anthropogenic magnetic fields as sensory pollutants beyond their established effects on magnetic orientation behavior.

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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 directionharm
PopulationAdult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Adult zebrafish were trained to perform a conditioned avoidance response to a green LED visual signal. When the visual signal was presented simultaneously with a sinusoidally changing magnetic field (0.3 Hz), exposure at 0.06 mT negatively impacted learning performance and response behavior.

Outcomes measured

  • learning performance
  • conditioned avoidance response behavior
  • cross-modal distraction/attention to visual cue

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Exposure duration/timing details not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Results for the 0.015 mT group are not explicitly reported in provided abstract/metadata
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "learning performance",
    "conditioned avoidance response behavior",
    "cross-modal distraction/attention to visual cue"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Adult zebrafish were trained to perform a conditioned avoidance response to a green LED visual signal. When the visual signal was presented simultaneously with a sinusoidally changing magnetic field (0.3 Hz), exposure at 0.06 mT negatively impacted learning performance and response behavior.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure duration/timing details not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Results for the 0.015 mT group are not explicitly reported in provided abstract/metadata"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "magnetic field",
    "0.3 Hz",
    "0.015 mT",
    "0.06 mT",
    "zebrafish",
    "Danio rerio",
    "learning impairment",
    "cognitive distraction",
    "avoidance behavior",
    "visual signal",
    "sensory pollution"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental study in adult zebrafish assessing behavioral/cognitive outcomes under ELF magnetic-field exposure."
    }
  ]
}
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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/s41598-025-90194-x
PubMed: Not supplied

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