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Replication finds no working memory effect from 920 MHz exposure, authors say earlier result was chance

September 23, 2026 (EMFS)
Sep 22, 2026 (original)
Source: International Journal of Radiation Biology
Source category: Research
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Verrender and colleagues (International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2026) set out to replicate their own earlier report that radiofrequency exposure shortened reaction times on the Sternberg working memory task. Forty-eight healthy adults completed a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind provocation study using a 920 MHz GSM-like signal at 2 W/kg peak spatial SAR, with a sham condition and an infrared control chosen to match the skin heating produced by the RF exposure. Neither the radiofrequency nor the infrared exposure changed reaction time, response bias or response discrimination. The authors conclude that their original positive finding was not an RF effect and was likely due to chance.

"To replicate a previously reported finding that radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure improves performance on the Sternberg working memory task, as indicated by decreased reaction time, and to test whether this effect, if verified, can also be induced by exposure to an infrared electromagnetic field (IR-EMF)."

— Verrender et al., International Journal of Radiation Biology

"RF-EMF exposure did not reduce reaction time in the Sternberg working memory task. Exploratory tests also revealed there was no effect of IR-EMF on reaction time, and no other performance measures (response bias and response discrimination) were affected by either RF-EMF or IR-EMF exposure."

— Verrender et al., International Journal of Radiation Biology

"The current study found no evidence that acute exposure to RF-EMF decreases reaction time on a Sternberg working memory task. The failure to replicate our previously reported effect of RF-EMF exposure on reaction time indicates that our initial finding was not an effect of RF-EMF exposure and was likely due to chance."

— Verrender et al., International Journal of Radiation Biology

Exposure

"Forty-eight healthy adults participated in a randomized, counterbalanced provocation study."

— Verrender et al., International Journal of Radiation Biology (2026), Abstract

"An sXh920 planar exposure system was used to generate a 920 MHz GSM-like signal, providing two double-blind conditions (peak-spatial SAR average over 10 g) of 0 W/kg (Sham) and 2 W/kg (RF-EMF). A standard, 'off the shelf' 250 W infrared globe provided an IR-EMF exposure with an equivalent heating profile over the skin as that due to the RF-EMF exposure (circa 0.3 °C)."

— Verrender et al., International Journal of Radiation Biology (2026), Abstract

Source

Exposure to pulse modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields does not affect Sternberg working memory performance. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

📄 Underlying Research

Exposure to pulse modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields does not affect Sternberg working memory performance.

Verrender A, Dalecki A, Loughran SP, Duff A, Shore JL, Croft RJ (2026) International Journal of Radiation Biology Journal Level 1ⓘ

🔗 DOI 📚 PubMed

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