While relevant for public health policy-making, little information is currently available about children's usage of mobile devices and on the activities performed with these devices. This paper presents results of two surveys conducted in the Netherlands and one in Spain about the activities children perform on mobile devices (Netherlands: 0-11 years, Spain: 3-11 years). Parents reported in questionnaires the type and duration of activities performed by children with different device types (smartphone, tablet, laptop). Descriptive analyses stratified by different socio-demographic variables are reported. Cluster analyses were conducted to explore patterns of usage. Results show that even young children (0-2 years old) perform some activity, usually calling or video streaming. The number and the duration of activities were highest among the older children (9-11 years). The kind of activities children perform changes with age, with some activities emerging early, such as video streaming, and others later, like videogaming. Cluster analysis shows that gender differences may already exist in the 0-2 years old range, with girls performing more calling activities than boys. These results can inform future studies and policy making on long-term effects of mobile devices exposure and on psychological and mental health. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

As radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) become increasingly embedded in everyday life, understanding public responses to RF-EMFs and developing effective risk communication strategies are essential. In this study, we examined the psychological factors associated with anxiety concerning the use of technologies that rely on RF-EMFs and the effects of information provision as a form of risk communication. In the baseline analysis, multilevel modeling of anxiety across six common RF-EMF sources revealed that both subjective exposure perceptions and confidence in those perceptions were independently associated with anxiety. While heightened awareness of RF-EMFs was associated with higher anxiety, more objective knowledge of RF-EMFs was associated with lower anxiety. In the intervention analysis, although information provision increased anxiety overall, it reduced anxiety among those with initially high levels of concern. It also affected a range of related cognitive factors, including subjective exposure perceptions, confidence in those perceptions, awareness, and knowledge. These findings demonstrate the complex psychological impact of information provision on anxiety about RF-EMFs and related cognitive factors and provide practical insights for designing more effective risk communication strategies.

Smartphones track indicators of a reference signal to maintain network connectivity. These can serve as proxies for a subset of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure from mobile networks. In this multi-country study, we developed conversion functions linking signal indicators collected with the ETAIN 5G-Scientist app to measured RF-EMF exposure. Parallel measurements were conducted across six European countries and Australia using frequency-selective exposimeters and the app. Associations of signal strength and quality indicators with exposure were analysed using log-linear regression models: (1) serving-cell level, relating exposure in the serving frequency band to indicators of the connected cell (Europe n = 2960; Australia n = 747); and (2) location level, relating indicators aggregated across network providers to environmental exposure from 4G-LTE and 5G-NR networks (Europe n = 61; Australia n = 48). At the serving-cell level, 4G-LTE signal strength was positively associated with exposure, while signal quality was inversely associated. For 5G-NR, only signal strength was associated with exposure, with weaker and less consistent relationships than for 4G-LTE. At location level, aggregation across providers reduced model error, suggesting residual variability operates at short temporal and spatial scales. These findings support using smartphone signal indicators to estimate components of environmental RF-EMF exposure, although further validation is needed, particularly for 5G-NR. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that originates from the heel, and its inflammation is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. The Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) is a non-invasive modality in the field of physiotherapy. This study aimed to determine the effects of PEMF on pain scores and the Foot Function Index (FFI) in patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). In this clinical trial study, 40 patients with PF, aged between 20 and 68 years, were randomly assigned in a block design into two groups: the Conventional Physiotherapy (CP) group and the CP plus PEMF (CPP) group. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the FFI questionnaire were used to assess the pain score (morning and evening pain) and foot function, respectively. Assessments were conducted before the study, at the tenth session of the CP and CPP groups, and 4 weeks later. The study variables in both the CP and CPP groups changed significantly (p < 0.05). In comparing the results between the two groups, the reduction in evening pain scores in the CPP group was significant compared to the CP group (p < 0.05). In comparison, there was no significant difference in morning pain scores between the two groups. The FFI score in the CPP group significantly decreased compared to the CP group. Both CP and CPP are effective in reducing pain and the FFI in patients with PF. The addition of PEMF to CP demonstrates a more significant effect on reducing evening pain and somewhat on reducing the FFI in patients compared to CP alone. However, it did not have an additional effect on reducing morning pain. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

This preregistered study investigated whether induced electric fields alone could predict human perception thresholds in magnetic stimulation. Using a figure-of-eight magnetic coil placed on the forearm, perception thresholds were collected from 24 healthy participants using the method of adjustment in 12 stimulation conditions. Subject-fitted, anatomically realistic forearm models were constructed from a set of 10 MRI-based models. Induced electric fields were computed using the finite element method with probabilistic tissue conductivities and post-processed using spatial averaging and percentiles. Linear mixed-effects modelling showed that the perception threshold was 32.2 V/m (SD between subjects 5.2 V/m) for a damped sinusoidal magnetic pulse with 83 μ s phase duration. This threshold value was determined by spatial averaging over a cube with a side length of 2 mm and taking the 99th percentile of the electric field within the modelled forearms. However, the induced electric field did not fully explain the perception threshold (adjusted R 2 = 0.48; permutation testing, p < 0.001). We also conducted a supplementary modelling study, retrospectively analysing previous literature results to allow for direct comparison with our findings. These results showed that simplified calculations of the threshold electric field, obtained by modelling the forearm as a uniform cylinder, need to be scaled by a factor of 1.4 to align with the 99th percentile electric field calculated with anatomically realistic models. Both our experimental results and the modelling provide data to inform the refinement of safety guidelines.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) exposure on glucose metabolism-related hormonal and oxidative stress markers. Twenty-three male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-control (n = 7), PEMF (n = 8), and PEMF + vitamin C (n = 8). The PEMF and PEMF + vitamin C groups were exposed to a pulsed magnetic field at 50 Hz and 1.5 mT for 4 h daily over 4 weeks. Vitamin C (250 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to the PEMF + vitamin C group. Serum and tissue levels of insulin, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant capacity (TOC) were measured. Histopathological evaluations of brain, liver, and pancreatic tissues were also performed. Serum glucose, insulin, glucagon, GLP-1, SIRT1, TAC, and TOC levels did not differ significantly among the experimental groups. Gastric TAC levels were significantly higher in the PEMF + vitamin C group. In renal tissue, insulin levels were significantly elevated only in the PEMF + vitamin C group. PEMF exposure did not induce systemic biochemical changes in healthy rats but elicited tissue-specific biochemical responses, particularly in gastric tissue. These findings suggest that PEMF may modulate glucose-related endocrine and redox pathways at the gastrointestinal level without causing structural tissue damage. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Tumor treating fields (TTFields) is a non-invasive therapeutic technology that disrupts mitotic division via intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields. For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at 150 kHz, complex thoracic anatomy and heterogeneous tissue properties often hinder the attainment of the therapeutic threshold (≥ 1 V/cm). To overcome this, high-fidelity Duke (male) and Ella (female) anatomical models were employed for full-wave simulations. The coordinated deployment of orthogonal transducer arrays (AP-20, LR-20, LR-13) with sex-specific tuning substantially enhanced electric-field coverage in the lower and lateral lung regions. Furthermore, modifying lung dielectric parameters by 20% demonstrated that these configurations maintain stable therapeutic coverage, exhibiting robustness against potential physiological or pathological variations. To provide an experimental foundation, in vivo murine measurements were conducted. Rather than attempting to replicate deep spatial complexities of the human body, these experiments served as a translational bridge to validate macroscopic voltage transfer efficiency and system-level losses. By introducing a physically derived correction factor (Roi) to account for voltage delivery drops, statistical analyses confirmed a high agreement between simulated and in vivo datasets, verifying the reliability of the computational framework. Regarding safety, the computed electrode-skin current density remained strictly below 31 mA/cm[2], which, alongside built-in clinical hardware temperature limits, effectively mitigates the risk of thermal and stimulation-induced injuries. Ultimately, this optimized strategy provides a complementary, independent physical modality that integrates bioelectromagnetic modeling with preclinical validation, offering a reliable theoretical reference to facilitate individualized NSCLC treatment planning.

When studying high dilutions, we concluded that the main role in their activity is played by the vibrational effect accompanying the dilution of the initial substance during their preparation. This concept served as the basis for developing a novel "crossing" technology, in which the initial substance and a neutral carrier (water or lactose), placed in separate, closely spaced vials, are subjected to joint vibrational processing. Consequently, the neutral carrier acquires the capacity of exerting a modifying effect on the initial substance or its target, thereby altering its physicochemical and biological properties, with the resulting product termed a vibrational iteration. In this work, the influence of vibrational iterations obtained from a neutrophil suspension as the initial substance on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophils was studied using a cellular chemiluminescence assay. The role of the magnetic characteristics of the fields under which the vibrational iterations were prepared was also investigated. It was shown that vibrational iterations prepared under geomagnetic field conditions exerted only a minor effect on ROS production by neutrophils. At the same time, vibrational iterations prepared under a combined magnetic field comparable to the geomagnetic background and supplemented with a low-amplitude variable component (50 nT with a frequency of 12.6 Hz) increased the ability of neutrophils to produce ROS by 44% ± 12%. These findings demonstrate the possibility of preparing vibrational iterations from various initial substances, including biological material. The modulating effect of combined magnetic fields on their activity was also demonstrated.

In this study, we investigated radio‑frequency electromagnetic field (RF‑EMF) levels at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, a large‑scale international event that attracted approximately 26 million visitors during the event period. Spot and portable measurements were conducted for broadcast, 4G, 5G, and ISM bands in both indoor and outdoor environments. The observed E‑field strengths remained below the reference levels specified in the Japanese Radio Radiation Protection Guidelines, with the maximum E-field strength corresponding to 0.4% of the guideline limits. The RF‑EMF levels measured at the venue were comparable to those measured in typical urban areas and consistent with findings from similar studies conducted overseas. These results confirm that the level of RF‑EMF exposure during high‑density public events in Japan remains below regulatory limits and exhibits behavior trends similar to those observed in ordinary urban environments.

Lipids undergo oxidative degradation during storage, leading to quality deterioration and potential health risks; therefore, rapid and reliable monitoring methods are needed. This study evaluated dielectric measurements as an alternative approach to determine the oxidative status of different lipid systems (bulk oil, emulsion, and fatty acid methyl esters, FAMEs) during auto-oxidation. Samples were analyzed simultaneously by conventional chemical methods (peroxide value, p-anisidine value, and induction time) and microwave dielectric measurements in the 2-20 GHz frequency range using a coaxial probe. Strong correlations were observed between dielectric parameters and peroxide values as well as induction time in all lipid systems. Good correlations were also found between dielectric data and p-anisidine values in bulk oil and FAMEs, whereas correlations were moderate in emulsions. The results demonstrate that dielectric measurements show strong potential as a rapid, non-destructive, and environmentally friendly approach for assessing lipid oxidation.

This study investigated the potential impact of fifth-generation (5 G) radiofrequency (RF) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Electrocardiograms (n = 43) and salivary samples (n = 33) were collected from healthy young volunteers before, during, and after exposure to a 3.5 GHz frequency (electrical field intensity ~1-2 V/m) emitted by an antenna while participants were seated at rest. Heart-rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices, including time and frequency domain measures, were analyzed from short-term epochs during both "real" and "sham" exposure sessions, under eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Initial variations in RR intervals and HR were observed during 5 G exposure; however, these effects were not confirmed by post-hoc analyses after correction for multiple comparisons, suggesting the absence of consistent exposure-related modulation. The only statistically significant result was a time-by-exposure interaction for the RMSSD parameter during the final exposure period. This effect was small in magnitude, limited to a single time point, and not supported by other parasympathetic indices, and should therefore be interpreted cautiously as it may reflect normal physiological variability or a statistical artifact. No consistent exposure-related effects were detected in salivary stress biomarkers, including cortisol, alpha-amylase, and chromogranin A. Although minor variations were observed in some measures, all values remained within normal physiological ranges, and their clinical relevance remains uncertain. These findings are restricted to the specific experimental conditions examined, namely short-term far-field exposure (25.5 min) at low specific absorption rate (SAR) levels (0.008 mW/kg in the brain). Overall, the results provide preliminary baseline human data at 3.5 GHz rather than confirmatory evidence of biological effects. Further studies involving larger cohorts and longer exposure durations are required to determine whether subtle or cumulative autonomic effects of 5 G exposure can be reliably detected. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Formal risk assessment considers characteristics such as proximity, dose, and vulnerability. However, public risk perception may also be influenced by other-possibly less relevant-factors such as visibility and novelty. The introduction of 5G and its associated infrastructure and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) may therefore change perceptions of RF-EMF from mobile communications in general. To explore this, we conducted an online survey in 10 European countries (n = 10,358) using a picture-based approach. Respondents perceived daily RF-EMF exposures as moderate but expected them to increase with 5G. A mobile phone at the ear was generally associated with higher perceived exposure than multiple base stations. Overall, distance to the RF-EMF source most strongly influenced perceived exposure, followed by the number of sources. 5G reception was linked to higher exposure perception than 4G or Wi-Fi reception. These patterns were consistent across most countries. We conclude that when assessing RF-EMF exposure, people rely on heuristics (e.g., more sources imply more exposure) that often guide them correctly. Understanding when and why people feel particularly exposed can help develop more effective communication about true levels of exposure and risk.

Magnetic field therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and simple method used to directly treat various diseases and pathologies. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence for the efficacy of bio-electro-magnetic-energy-regulation (BEMER), a magnetic field therapy, in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. A database search was conducted using the following resources: PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and WoS. The following search strategy was used and adapted for each database: ("pain") AND ("BEMER" OR "BEMER therapy" OR "PEMF" OR "bio-electromagnetic energy regulation" OR "pulsed electromagnetic field" OR "vascular therapy"), in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Randomized controlled trials involving pain assessment in musculoskeletal pathologies, written in English, published between 1 January 1990 and 30 July 2023 were included; cell, animal, and in vitro studies, reviews, and conference proceedings were excluded. The PEDro scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Seven randomized controlled trials were included. Across the included studies, some reductions in pain were reported after BEMER therapy; however, only one of four sham-controlled studies found BEMER to be superior to sham treatment. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in treatment protocols. Overall, the current evidence does not demonstrate that BEMER therapy is more effective than sham/placebo in reducing musculoskeletal pain. Standardized, high-quality trials are needed to clarify whether BEMER has any specific treatment effect beyond placebo. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

The rapid development of 5 G technology raises concerns about near-field electromagnetic exposure from mobile terminals, especially its potential risks to reproductive and vital organs. However, gender-based differences in tissue dielectric properties and their impact on exposure are often overlooked. This study has two main objectives: to analyze the influence of gender differences on near-field electromagnetic exposure, with a particular focus on key tissues, by calculating gender-specific dielectric properties of different organ tissues; and to propose antenna miniaturization as an active electromagnetic protective measure for reducing specific absorption rate (SAR). This study employs finite element modeling to construct male and female human models, incorporating reproductive systems and key organs, to evaluate SAR before and after the miniaturization of a MIMO mobile terminal antenna at 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz. The results show that SAR values in male tissues, particularly in reproductive organs, are significantly higher than in female counterparts. Antenna miniaturization effectively reduces peak SAR by over 30% in multiple tissues, demonstrating its role as an active electromagnetic protective measure. This work highlights gender differences in electromagnetic exposure and confirms the feasibility of antenna miniaturization for improving mobile terminal safety design.