WEB-034Original text reviewed
18 GHz: tracking particles that enter neuron-like cells
The reported finding
Gold/silica nanospheres were found inside exposed cells, including cytoplasm and vesicles; controls showed no internalisation. Proliferation, morphology and differentiation were not significantly impaired.
Reading it carefully
High absorbed power and specialised particle-delivery conditions. This is a membrane-interaction finding, not demonstrated neuronal injury or a satellite-system experiment.
Inside the study
Technology connection
18 GHz overlaps frequencies used for some satellite links. This is a laboratory membrane experiment, with different intensity, geometry and waveform from satellite exposure.
Publication type
Original journal research
Exposure conditions
18 GHz; three 30 s exposures separated by 2 min cooling; reported SAR 1.17 kW/kg; sample temperature below 37°C.
Design & controls
PC12 neuron-like cells; fluorescence/electron microscopy and elemental analysis; non-exposed controls.
Statistics
See the original results; effect sizes were not independently recalculated.
Related research & shared cohorts
The protection question raised
Which exposure conditions reproduce this finding, and what would establish its relevance beyond the experimental model?
Source verification
Original methods/results and interpretation reviewed; raw data and supplements were not independently audited.
Where to find the result
Original methods and results
Editorial notices
Linked Europe PMC/PubMed notice fields checked 21 October 2026; no correction/retraction surfaced for this record. Publisher/citation screening is not exhaustive.
Funding
Reported funder(s): NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research. Grant identifiers: CRE1042464, CRE1135076.
Conflicts of interest
Authors report no competing interests/conflicts; declaration checked, not independently audited.
Original publication
Palalle G Tharushi Perera; Denver P Linklater; Erim Kosyer; Rodney Croft; Elena P Ivanova. Localization of nanospheres in pheochromocytoma-like cells following exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields at 18 GHz. Royal Society open science. 2022. doi:10.1098/rsos.220520.