[Modulating effect of weak combined magnetic fields on duration of mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor metamorphosis stage].

Biofizika · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 3044

Study snapshot

PublicationBiofizika · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

It is shown that an exposure of pupae of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor to the combined static (42 μT) and very weak alternating (250 nT) magnetic fields exerts different influence, depending on the frequency of the alternating magnetic field, on duration of metamorphosis processes in these insects. For instance, an exposure of pupae to weak combined magnetic fields, adjusted to the frequency of ion cyclotron resonance for glutaminic acid (4,4 Hz), stimulates metamorphosis process--a transitional stage from pupae to imago lasts shorter. An inhibiting effect was observed when adjusted to the frequency of ion cyclotron resonance for Ca2 (32,2 Hz). At some frequencies this effect is not seen. For instance, an exposure at a frequency of ion cyclotron resonance for K+ (16,5 Hz) exerts no noticeable effect on the duration of the pupal metamorphosis stage.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationMealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor) pupae

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure of Tenebrio molitor pupae to combined static (42 μT) and very weak alternating (250 nT) magnetic fields affected metamorphosis duration depending on the alternating-field frequency. At 4.4 Hz (ion cyclotron resonance frequency for glutaminic acid) metamorphosis was stimulated (shorter pupal stage), while at 32.2 Hz (for Ca2+) an inhibiting effect was observed; at 16.5 Hz (for K+) no noticeable effect was reported.

Outcomes measured

Duration of metamorphosis (pupa to imago)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Outcome measurement methods/statistics not described in abstract
Findings are frequency-specific and include null effects at some frequencies

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor) pupae",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Duration of metamorphosis (pupa to imago)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure of Tenebrio molitor pupae to combined static (42 μT) and very weak alternating (250 nT) magnetic fields affected metamorphosis duration depending on the alternating-field frequency. At 4.4 Hz (ion cyclotron resonance frequency for glutaminic acid) metamorphosis was stimulated (shorter pupal stage), while at 32.2 Hz (for Ca2+) an inhibiting effect was observed; at 16.5 Hz (for K+) no noticeable effect was reported.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Outcome measurement methods/statistics not described in abstract",
    "Findings are frequency-specific and include null effects at some frequencies"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Tenebrio molitor",
    "mealworm beetle",
    "pupae",
    "metamorphosis",
    "static magnetic field",
    "alternating magnetic field",
    "42 μT",
    "250 nT",
    "4.4 Hz",
    "32.2 Hz",
    "16.5 Hz",
    "ion cyclotron resonance"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-magnetic-fields",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study involves very low-frequency alternating magnetic fields combined with a static magnetic field and reports biological effects dependent on frequency."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 25715625

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