low-frequency stimulation produced analgesia via a release of endorphins (31-34).
At present, two points have been clearly established: first, the classical acupuncture system, at
least in part, has unique electrical characteristics which establish its objective physiological reality; and
second, electroacupuncture induces analgesia by stimulating release of endorphins, the body's naturally
produced analgesics. Although many other points remain unresolved, acupuncture seems clearly to be a
fruitful field for further research; it offers the possibility of considerable rewards in both basic-science
and clinical areas.
Impacts on Natural Ecological Systems
EMFs have been reported to alter the behavior and orientation of birds, the growth
characteristics of Dugesia (flatworms) and Physarum polycephalum (slime mold), and the metabolism
of bees. Experiments have also shown that the fields can be perceived by fish and amoebas.
Several investigators have studied the effects on bird orientation of low-frequency EMFs
emanating from a large low-frequency antenna. In pilot studies, Graue observed that the headings of
homing pigeons were slightly altered in the vicinity of the antenna (36). In more detailed studies,
Southern constructed cages on the ground directly over the antenna and explored the effect of the EMF
on the instinctive directional preferences of ring-billed gull chicks, 3-9 days old. When the chicks were
released in the center of the cage with the antenna turned off, they showed a directional preference for
the southeast; when the antenna was energized the birds dispersed randomly and exhibited no mean
bearing (37). Larkin and Sutherland carried out radar tracking of individual migrating birds flying over
the antenna at altitudes of 80-300 meters. When the antenna was activated, or when its operating
condition was being changed (off to on, on to off), departures from straight and level flight occurred
significantly more often than when the antenna was not operating (38). In other radar-tracking studies,
Williams reported changes in the flight direction of migrating birds of 5-25° when the antenna was
activated (39).
Marsh traversely sectioned two species of Dugesia and subjected them to 310-420 v/m at 60 Hz,
applied along the antero-posterior regeneration axis (normally, the worms will regrow a head or tail,
whichever is appropriate to the site). In a significant number of animals the normal regeneration pattern
was disrupted, resulting in bipolarity-the production of two heads or two tails in the same animal (40).
In the Physarum experiments, Goodman et al. simultaneously applied 0.7 v/m and 2 gauss, 45-75 Hz
and delays in the rate of cell division and alterations in cell activity in the exposed cells were seen (41).
The effect of power-frequency fields on bees has received considerable attention. When bee
hives were placed on grounded metal plates slightly below a simulated power line, it was found that the
electric field (11 kv/m) caused grossly abnormal behavior (42). The bees exhibited great restlessness as
recorded by temperature change in the hive, and the degree of defense of social territory was
abnormally increased. Some bees, including the queen bee, were herded together and stung to death.
Honey and pollen were no longer stored, and the cells which were already filled with honey were
emptied. Hives which had been established a short time prior to initiation of field exposure were
abandoned a few days after exposure was begun. When the experimenter prevented the queen bee from
leaving the hive, the swarm departed without her. In hives which had been well established prior to the
initiation of field exposure, all apertures were closed off by the bees, resulting in death of the entire
swarm due to lack of oxygen. In laboratory studies it was found that 3-50 kv/m caused changes in the
metabolism and activity of bees (43). There are at least two other reports of EMF effects on bees (44,
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