Investigation of Resonant AC-DC Magnetic Field Effects
Abstract
Recently reported observations by others indicate that a combination of a weak dc magnetic field and extra-low-frequency ac magnetic fields can produce resonant effects in biological systems. Our studies of resonant magnetic field effects consist of three parts: (1) calculations aimed at identifying the basic mechanism underlying the resonance, (2) measurements of the effects of combined dc and ac magnetic fields on the dc current through plain (containing no channels) planar phospholipid membranes, and (3) measurements of the effects of combined dc and ac magnetic fields on the binding of metallochromic dyes and calmodulin to calcium. The calculations have provided insight and a physical mechanism that explains both frequency and amplitude windows in an elementary model consisting of one charged particle in a viscous medium. The combined dc-ac magnetic fields did affect the dc current through planar phospholipid membranes, but not in every membrane, and not consistently at the same values of magnetic field strength and frequency. No effect of the magnetic fields were seen on the binding of metallochromic dyes and calmodulin to calcium. None of our measurements showed any resonant response like the cyclotron like resonance reported in the literature in diatoms and lymphocytes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211612
Entities
People
- Carl H. Durney
- Catherine Rappaport
- Cindy Bruckner-lea
- Jiri Janata
- Mark Kaminski
Organizations
- University of Utah