Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Non-thermal heat-shock response to microwaves (RETRACTED) retracted

Published in: Nature 2000; 405 (6785): 417-418

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

To study the effects of prolonged exposure to low-intensity microwave fields on heat shock (HSP) responses in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 750 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 18 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 750 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration continuous for 18 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Incubator temperatures of 24.0, 24.5, 25.0 and 25.5 °C were tested using 12 replicates for each condition. Controls (6 replicates) were also run at 22, 26, 27 and 28 °C.
Additional info Temperature control worm cultures were shielded with aluminium foil and placed in the same incubator. Baseline controls were maintained at 15°C.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 0.5 W - - - -
electric field strength 45 V/m - - - at the center of the TEM cell
SAR 0.001 W/kg - calculated - -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

It is shown that prolonged exposure to low-intensity microwave fields can induce heat shock protein responses. In exposed cultures, expression is comparable to that of controls at 24°C, but then it rises steeply.
It is suggested that the induction of heat shock proteins described here could involve non-thermal mechanisms. These could include microwave disruption of the weak bonds that maintain the active folded forms of proteins, enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), or interference with cell-signalling pathways that affect HSP induction.

Study character:

Study funded by

Replication studies

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