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Microwaves must be coupled into the biological body and energy must be transferred, deposited, and absorbed by tissues in the body for the system to respond in some manner. The exposure may produce highly complicated distributions of RF and microwave energy within the subject, regardless of the uniformity of external exposure. Dosimetry is defined as the quantification of RF and microwave energy distribution and absorption in biological bodies. This chapter discusses the dosimetry of RF and microwaves in planar, spheroidal, and anatomical models of biological bodies. These topics are complex functions of not only the exposure sources and scenario but also the shape, size, composition, and structures of the exposed subjects, as well as orientation and position of the subject with respect to the source.

This chapter explores where and how the microwave auditory effect or microwave induced thermoelastic wave phenomenon may be applied for practical purposes in life science, medicine, and other realms of human endeavors. An interesting and potentially significant diagnostic imaging applications of the microwave thermoelastic pressure wave interaction and some applied aspects of the microwave auditory effects are described. They include a discussion on early and current investigations of microwave thermoacoustic tomography (MTT) imaging and some applied aspects of the microwave auditory effects such as the recently reported covert personnel attacks at some diplomatic missions and the startle reaction from a sudden unexpected microwave auditory stimulus potentially causing the aircraft pilot to experience spatial disorientation during flight.

During 26-28 March 2018, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) National Toxicology Program (NTP), a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, convened a three-day technical reports peer-review panel meeting in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, to review the NTP's draft reports on its carcinogenesis studies of cell-phone RF radiation in mice and rats [1].

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) issued a request for proposal (RFP) in spring 2017 by announcing its new research initiative: "RadioBio: What Role Does Electromagnetic Signaling Have in Biological Systems?" [1], [2].

Presents highlights of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society 2016 International Microwave Symposium (IMS20, with emphasis on new developments in the area of microwave sensing and monitoring in biology and medicine. The exhilarating breadth of microwave technology and applications was amply displayed during this week-long gathering of enthusiastic scientists, engineers, and technologists from around the world.

The health effects of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave radiation have been a subject of scientific inquiry and public interest of late because of widespread global usage of mobile communication devices by billions of people everywhere. A minute increase in health risks such as cancer from RF radiation might lead to significant consequences for the health of the general public. A recent U.S. government announcement about the discovery of rare cancers in rats exposed to RF radiation is an important occurrence. Note that any new or single report should not be viewed in isolation. The U.S. government project was organized to confront the weaknesses of prior laboratory rodent studies on the potential of RF exposure to impact human health such as cancer in controlled environments. Indeed, several published reports on animal cancer investigations involving prolonged exposure to RF radiation are contentious and perplexing. The discrepancies have presented ambiguity in assessing public health threats from RF exposure. It is the objective of this review to provide a critical and analytical synopsis and assessment on current progress in cancers in rats exposed to lifelong RF and microwave radiation. Its focus is on laboratory studies involving cancer production and promotion, as well as the survival of experimental rats. Of special interest is carcinogenesis in the head—cancer development in the head. The question of whether RF exposure from wireless and mobile devices and systems poses a health risk will likely remain equivocal and controversial for some time to come.

Background: Beta-catenin has been implicated in cell-cell communication in a wide variety of developmental and physiological processes. Defective Wnt signaling could result in various cardiac and vascular abnormalities. Little is known regarding Wnt/frizzled pathway in cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Methods: In this study, the role of b-catenin in apoptosis was investigated in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and primary cardiomyocytes isolated in diabetic Wistar rats. The cardiomyocytes were transfected with porcine cytomegalovirus (pCMV)-b-catenin plasmid in order to overexpress b-catenin. Results: The transcription factor displayed a significant nuclear localization in Wistar rats with cardiac hypertension. Transfection of b-catenin plasmid induced apoptosis and reduced expression of survival pathway markers in cardiomyocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, expression of fibrosis protein markers was upregulated by the overexpression. Conclusions: Taken together, these results revealed that altered Wnt/b-catenin signaling might provoke heart failure. (Cardiol J 2017; 24, 2: 195–205)

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) issued a request for proposals (RFP) in the spring of 2017 by announcing its new research initiative: Radiobio — What role does electromagnetic signaling have in biological systems? [1, 2] The stated goal of this project was to “determine if purposeful signaling via electromagnetic waves between biological systems exists, and, if it does, determine what information is being transferred.”

Lately, there has been a great deal of scientific, public, and media attention about the health and safety effects of prolonged human exposure to RF radiation, especially with regard to cancer. The situation has been acerbated, in part, by dissemination of a report from a U.S. governmentsponsored experimental study [1], [2]. Indeed, the release of the laboratory rat cancer result was deemed as something of a public health obligation by the reporting government entity-the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Toxicology Program [3].

The fast dose calculator (FDC), a track repeating Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm was initially developed for proton therapy. The validation for proton therapy has been demonstrated in a previous work. In this work we presented the extension of FDC to the calculation of dose distributions for ions, particularly for carbon. Moreover the code algorithm is validated by comparing 3D dose distributions and dose volume histograms (DVH) calculated by FDC with Geant4. A total of 19 patients were employed, including three patients of prostate, five of brain, three of head and neck, four of lung and four of spine. We used a gamma-index technique to analyze dose distributions and we performed a dosimetric analysis for DVHs, a more direct and informative quantity for planning system assessment. The gamma-index passing rates of all patients discussed in this paper are above 90% with the criterion 1%/1 mm, above 98% with the criterion 2%/2 mm and over 99.9% with the criterion 3%/3 mm. The root mean square (RMS) of percent difference of dosimetric indices D 02, D 05, D 50, D 95 and D 98 are 0.75%, 0.70%, 0.79%, 0.83% and 0.76%. All the differences are within clinically accepted norms.

Microwave thermoacoustic tomography (MTT) uses microwave pulse-induced thermoelastic pressure waves to form planar or tomographic images. Since the generation and detection of thermoelastic pressure waves depends on dielectric permittivity, specific heat, thermal expansion, and acoustic properties of tissue, microwave thermoacoustic imaging possesses the characteristic features of a dual-modality imaging system. The unique attributes of the high contrast offered by microwave absorption and the fine spatial resolution furnished by ultrasound are being explored to provide a nonionizing and noninvasive imaging modality for characterization of tissues, especially for early detection of breast cancer. This paper reviews the research being conducted in developing MTT imaging for medical diagnosis. It discusses the science of thermoelastic wave generation and propagation in biological tissues, the design of prototype MTT systems, the reconstruction of tomographic images, and the application and accomplishment of prototype MTT systems in phantom models and experimental subjects.

The brain may be seen as an electronic network made up of neurons and their connections. The structure of a neuron consists of both higher - conducting "passive" membranes and an "active" component of transmembrane voltage; the two are mediated by intra- and extra-cellular ion concentrations in a water milieu.

In this article, we examine the correlation between temperature increments induced in the human body by RF exposure from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and the corresponding power absorption. In particular, we consider the influences of absorption metrics-namely, the specific absorption rate (SAR) or volumetric absorption rate (VAR), averaging scheme, and exposure time-on the correlation.

Mobile phones and other wireless devices and systems rely on RF or microwave radiation to function. They use RF or microwave radiation to send and receive text and voice messages, along with many other kinds of data. In addition to RF and microwaves, millimeter and terahertz waves are increasingly enlisted to support the rally toward ubiquitous, round-theclock wireless connectivity. For the first time in its history, a ubiquitous source of RF radiation is being placed directly next to the heads (and bodies) of a large portion of the human race; in fact, the percentage of all people being exposed to RF electromagnetic radiation is rapidly approaching the percentage exposed to polluted air. the author discusses research and warnings about the health risks of human exposure to RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave electromagnetic radiation.

On one of the coldest days of the season, seating in front of my laptop, I raised my head to look outside through a set of Frank Lloyd Wright prairie-style windows. A large flock of Canadian geese were resting, calmly and orderly, on ice over a frozen pound. Why didn't they fly away to some place with a more temperate climate, especially for this time of year? My thoughts drifted to San Francisco, California, in late spring or maybe early summer.

On 26 May 2016, a U.S.-government-led project reported occurrences of two types of rare cancers in laboratory rats exposed to RF radiation used for wireless cell phone operations. This five-year project has been ongoing for more than ten years, with a currently estimated price tag of US$25 million or more of taxpayers' money (two to three times its original budget). That's huge! It is the largest health effects study ever undertaken by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Forensic medical evidence plays a critical role in the investigation and documentation of torture and ill treatment, as well as in civil reparation cases and in state monitoring mechanisms, especially if conducted on a timely basis by qualified, impartial experts. Detainees in many countries, such as Thailand, face significant barriers to access medical personnel while in custody or independent, non-governmental or impartial forensic experts. This study summarizes an effective method of collecting forensic medical evidence of torture and ill treatment by non-medical evaluators under conditions of limited access to detainees. The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility to render an expert opinion based on such documentation. We reviewed 49 non-medical forensic evaluations of alleged torture and ill treatment conducted by 11 attorneys or legal representatives in Southern Thailand between March and October 2011. Forty-four non-medical evaluations (90%) had sufficient information for the authors to formulate an opinion between the alleged abuse and the documented findings and to make a statement as to the level of consistency between them. Of these 44 evaluations, the authors determined that in 28 (70%) cases, the documented findings were highly consistent with the alleged abuse and in 13 (30%) cases, the documented findings were consistent with the alleged abuse. The study shows that non-medical evaluations conducted by attorneys and legal advocates can be a resource when individuals are denied access to forensic medical expertise. The results of a non-medical evaluation interpreted by an expert can have great evidentiary value when courts are reluctant to entertain writs of protection, such as a habeas corpus, or when states are reluctant to meet their obligations to pursue formal forensic evaluations.

Conversion therapy is a set of practices that aim to change or alter an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. It is practiced in every region of the world by health professionals, religious practitioners, and community or family members often by or with the support of the state. Conversion therapy is performed despite evidence that it is ineffective and likely to cause individuals significant or severe physical and mental pain and suffering with long-term harmful effects. The purpose of this medico-legal statement is to provide legal experts, adjudicators, health care professionals, and policy makers, among others, with an understanding of: 1) the lack of medical and scientific validity of conversion therapy; 2) the likely physical and psychological consequences of undergoing conversion therapy; and 3) whether, based on these effects, conversion therapy constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or torture when individuals are subjected to it forcibly or without their consent. This medico-legal statement also addresses the responsibility of states in regulating the practice, the ethical implications of offering or performing it, and the role that health professionals and medical and mental health organisations should play with regards to it.

This chapter presents an account of electromagnetic (EM) interactions in biological media, with special emphasis on the energy coupling and distribution characteristics in biological structures. It outlines a number of techniques that have been successfully employed to analyze the propagation and absorption characteristics of EM energy in tissue structures. There are two general approaches: one involves extensive use of analytical development and the other relies more heavily on numerical formulation. The chapter examines in some detail the correlation between specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature increase for a human body exposed to both near-field radiofrequency (RF) sources and far-field plane waves as functions of exposure duration, different tissue size, and schemes for averaging metrics, including description of volumetric absorption rate (VAR) in addition to SAR as a dosimetry metric. It also presents the computational algorithms based on numerical techniques applied to predict EM field strengthens and SAR distributions in anatomically realistic models of human and animal bodies.

Reports on the effects of radio frequency exposure on synchronous brain modeling techniques, focusing on electrical activity. Under both normal and abnormal conditions, weak electrical current and voltage signals from nerve cells or neurons in the brain may be recorded noninvasively using electrodes attached to different areas of a person’s scalp Electroencephalography (EEG) is the most commonly used method and protocol for acquiring the spatial-temporal information contained in recordings from multiple scalp electrodes. EEG recordings are used to display wave patterns of electrical activity that occur in the brain and to assess a variety of brain functions in neurological examinations, including sleep patterns (determining different stages of sleep) and assorted psychological disorders.

The health and safety of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (or radiation) have been under investigation for more than 60 years. In addition, guidelines for limiting human exposure to RF energy have been promulgated for more than 40 years.

Readers of IEEE Microwave Magazine may recall my column from several months ago in which I described an unclassified, U.S. government-led, five-year research study on the health effects of two-year (or, in most cases, lifelong) exposure of rats and mice to the RF radiation used for wireless cellular telephone operations. This project, which began in 2005, is the largest animal cancer study ever undertaken by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), with an initial budget of US$12 million.

The first study on health effects of power line fields, published in 1979, suggested that long-term exposure to residential 50/60 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may be associated with the risk of childhood leukemia [1]. A large number of epidemiological studies have been completed since then worldwide. Results were evaluated in two pooled analyses [2], [3], which showed that an excess risk may exist for average exposures exceeding 0.3?0.4 4 nT. The authors cautioned that it is unclear whether the results of their analyses can be interpreted as showing a causal relationship between magnetic fields and childhood leukemia.

In late August 2017, media out lets began reporting on the U.S. State Department's disclosure that Havana-based U. S. diplomats were experiencing health issues [1]-[5]. Their residences were described as having been targeted with bursts of sound waves. Diplomat ic staff and family members have repeatedly reported hearing loud buzzing or scraping sounds. Symptoms include severe hearing loss, headaches, ringing in the ears, nausea, and problems with balance or vertigo, which are suggestive of a connection to the inner ear apparatus within the human head.

Objectives To understand characteristics of older at-risk drinkers and reasons why they decide to change or maintain their alcohol consumption. Design Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial to reduce drinking in at-risk drinkers. Setting Three primary care sites in southern California. Participants Six hundred thirty-one adults aged 55 and older who were at-risk drinkers at baseline, 521 of whom who completed a 12-month assessment. Measurements Sociodemographic and alcohol-related characteristics of 12-month assessment completers and noncompleters and among those completing the 12-month assessment by telephone or mail were compared using descriptive statistics. Reasons why respondents maintained or changed average alcohol consumption were asked of those who completed a 12-month assessment by telephone. Factors that might motivate at-risk drinkers to reduce drinking were asked about, and frequencies were calculated for these responses. Results Participants were primarily male, white, highly educated, and in good health. Those who responded to the 12-month assessment by mail were more likely to be working, to be in the intervention arm, and to drink more. Most who reduced alcohol consumption and heavy drinking did so because they thought it would benefit them. Those who did not thought that drinking was not a problem for them. Both groups cited their environment and circumstances as influencing their drinking. Remaining at-risk drinkers reported that medical evidence that alcohol was harming them would motivate them to reduce drinking. Conclusion Older adults report that they reduce their drinking when they recognize that their drinking habits may be causing them harm; one's environment can hinder or help one to reduce drinking. © Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

The CTIA, an organization representing the wireless communications industry, stated in a news release [1], ?CTIA welcomes the Federal Communications Commission?s (FCC?s) continued careful oversight of this issue,? in its response to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on cell phone safety [2]. The GAO recommended the FCC to reassess and, if appropriate, change its current RF exposure safety rules. It also mentioned that the FCC is working on a draft document that has the potential to address the GAO?s recommendations.