Biological Effects of Magnetic Fields

ISBN-13: 9781475702163 / Angielski / Miękka / 2012 / 326 str.

Opis

Study of the biological effect of magnetic fields is both a very old and a very recent area of investigation. A connection between health and the mysterious force of the lodestone has been suspected since the dawn of human culture. Nevertheless, only during the last decades has reliable evidence of biological effects of the magnetic field been dis- covered. The purpose of this book is to bring together in one volume the present-day knowledge in all the active fields of biomagnetic research and at the same time to provide a theoretical and practical background to all scientists who wish to engage in investigations in this new disci- pline. The need for such a comprehensive survey of current informa- tion became evident to the editor from the interest manifested in the biomagnetic symposia and from the extended correspondence maintained by the Biomagnetic Research Foundation. It is hoped that the book will aid in attracting the interest of specialists and may thus serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary exchange of ideas.

Spis treści

I. Theoretical Considerations.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Simple Theoretical Models for Magnetic Interactions with Biological Units.- 3. Basic Concepts Related to Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Susceptibility.- 4. The Vector Character of Field and Gradient and Its Possible Implications for Biomagnetic Experiments and Space Travel.- 5. Rotational Diffusion in a Magnetic Field and Its Possible Magnetobiological Implications.- 6. Distortion of the Bond Angle in a Magnetic Field and Its Possible Magnetobiological Implications.- 7. A Possible Effect of the Magnetic Field Upon the Genetic Code.- II. Effects of Strong Magnetic Fields on Specimens in vivo.- 1. Development of Young Mice.- 2. Rejection of Transplanted Tumors in Mice.- 3. Hematological Changes in Mice.- 4. Reduction of Irradiation Mortality Through Pretreatment.- 5. Lifespan Increase of Tumor-Bearing Mice Through Pretreatment.- 6. Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration.- 7. Effect on Drosophila melanogaster and S-37 Tumor Cells; Postulates for Magnetic Field Interactions.- 8. Magnetotropism.- 9. Plant Growth Responses.- 10. Effects on the Central Nervous System.- 11. Survival of Animals in Magnetic Fields of 140,000 Oe.- III. Effects of Strong Magnetic Fields on Specimens in vitro.- 1. Tissue Respiration.- 2. Agglutination of Human Erythrocytes.- 3. Inhibition of Bacterial Growth in Fields of High Paramagnetic Strength.- 4. Inhibition of Bacterial Growth in Homogeneous Fields.- 5. Increase of Trypsin Activity.- 6. Magnetic Reactivation of Partially Inhibited Trypsin.- IV. Effects of Very Weak Magnetic Fields.- 1. Responses of Planarians and Snails.- 2. Actions of a Very Weak Magnetic Gradient. The Reflex of the Dowser.- 3. Proposed Mechanisms for the Navigation of Migrating Birds.- V. Bibliography and Indexes.- Bibliography of the Biological Effects of Static Magnetic Fields.- About the Authors.