October 2005

Another negative study on the heat-shock response

We have reported frequently on the growing number of studies that have examined whether RFR exposure affects the heat-shock response. Part of the regulation of the production of heat-shock proteins uses the heat-shock factor (HSF). Laszlo et al. (2005) found that exposure to microwaves at 835.62 MHz or 847.74 MHz at either low SAR (0.6 w/kg) or high (5.0 W/kg) for 5-60 minutes or for up to 7 days did not activate the HSF. They took great pains to control the temperature of their experiments and point out that other studies that have reported induction of heat-shock proteins after RFR exposure may not have been so rigorous in their temperature control.

For more, see "Toxicological studies - others - heat-shock response".

Reference: Laszlo A, Moros EG, Davidson T, Bradbury M, et al. The heat-shock factor is not activated in mammalian cells exposed to cellular phone frequency microwaves. Radiat Res 2005;164:163-172.

Microwave radiation reported to affect function of the lens

The authors of a recent study reported that lenses from the excised eyes of calves showed functional and microscopic changes when exposed to microwaves at 1.1 GHz and 2mW for 8 days. The functional changes appeared after 48 hours of exposure, and tended to recover after the exposure ceased.

For more, see "Research - Toxicological studies - Ocular studies".

Reference: Dovrat A, Berenson R, Bormusov E, Lahav A, et al. Localised effects of microwave radiation on the intact eye lens in culture conditions. Bioelectromagnetics 2005;26:398-405.