Diatom motility and low frequency electromagnetic fields--a new technique in the search for independent replication of results.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1999 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5374

Diatom motility in three strains of Amphora coffeaeformis was positively correlated with extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Exposure to a combination of static and alternating EMFs calculated at calcium resonance values produced no significant increase in diat…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1999

Study typeother

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The hypothesis that exposure to a certain combination of static and alternating electromagnetic fields (EMFs) results in an increase in motility of the marine diatom Amphora coffeaeformis was tested. Diatom motility in three strains of A. coffeaeformis was positively correlated with extracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. The test apparatus consisted of two pairs of Helmholtz coils supported around the stage of a microscope linked to a video recorder and monitor. This system allowed real-time in vivo recordings of diatom speed under EMF and control exposures. The EMFs were calculated at calcium resonance values, previously found to cause enhanced motility. Computerised image analysis was used to calculate the distance moved by individual diatoms in 2-min periods before, during and after EMF or sham-EMF (control) exposure. The addition of EMF caused no significant increase in diatom motility. The results are discussed in relation to the use of diatom motility to measure EMF exposure effects.

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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 typeother

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationMarine diatom Amphora coffeaeformis (three strains)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2-min periods before, during and after EMF or sham-EMF exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Diatom motility/speed (distance moved)
Association of motility with extracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Specific EMF parameters (field strengths, frequencies) not reported in abstract
Outcome assessed over short 2-minute intervals

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2-min periods before, during and after EMF or sham-EMF exposure"
  },
  "population": "Marine diatom Amphora coffeaeformis (three strains)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Diatom motility/speed (distance moved)",
    "Association of motility with extracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Diatom motility in three strains of Amphora coffeaeformis was positively correlated with extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Exposure to a combination of static and alternating EMFs calculated at calcium resonance values produced no significant increase in diatom motility compared with sham exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Specific EMF parameters (field strengths, frequencies) not reported in abstract",
    "Outcome assessed over short 2-minute intervals"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "diatom motility",
    "Amphora coffeaeformis",
    "static electromagnetic field",
    "alternating electromagnetic field",
    "Helmholtz coils",
    "calcium resonance",
    "sham exposure",
    "image analysis"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/(sici)1521-186x(1999)20:2<94::aid-bem3>3.0.co;2-q
PubMed: 10029135

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