Scientists observed the faster growth of mouse neurons after the pests were discovered with quick low-dose radiation from terahertz waves. They said their discoveries have significance for future communication devices. Keep in mind that radio waves in the terahertz frequency can enhance the bandwidth of a smartphone to 1 terabit/ second.
The discovery is considered a hot nominee for the next-generation communication technology or supposedly the 6G. The researchers said the mouse neurons expand around 150% faster compared to normal in a Petri dish. It was examined with a 3-minute exposure to 100-microwatt pulse radiation and frequency ranges from 0.3 to 3 terahertz.
Therapies Development to Treat Brain Diseases
However, the total length of connections between these neurons became doubled within only 3 days. The molecular analysis pointed out the exposed brain cells stayed healthy despite the extraordinary growth compared with a control. This exposure could support measuring the safety of new communication technology. The researchers said it can also develop therapies to treat brain diseases.
The lead scientist of the research, Li Xiaoli published the study in the journal Acta Physica Sinica last month. She said the safety of terahertz radiation protocol is a major concern. We can prevent the negative health effects of future communication technology. It just needs to reduce the strength and duration of radiation disclosure.
Novel Neuromodulation Technology
Their results also suggested that they can develop terahertz waves of specific frequencies and energies as a novel neuromodulation technology. They can use the new discovery to treat of intervening in diseases such as neurodevelopmental disorders. The abnormal neuron development and the resulting abnormal neural network structure can generate various neurological and psychiatric diseases.
However, radio waves with higher frequencies can dispatch remarkable information, but they also consume more energy. Keep in mind that the terahertz wave has a higher frequency compared to the millimeter wave used in 5G 20Gbps speed. The airport body scanners with energy waves are still using terahertz devices effectively.
The High Temperature Can Disturb Cell Development
These frequencies have the ability to penetrate cloth and generate a clear image of a body with hidden items. The researchers at the Russian Academy of Sciences published a study in 2009. It shows the disclosure of powerful terahertz radiation for several hours a day. The power can reach a few watts but it can improve the temperature in brain cells.
The temperature can disturb the cell’s development and generate damage such as dehydration that decreasing cell size. However, a lower dose of terahertz radiation can improve the activity and production of specific proteins. These proteins include GluA1, GluN1, and SY-38, known to encourage neuron growth. There are various hydrogen bonds that constantly vibrate in these proteins.
Terahertz Waves Can Directly join Proteins
Moreover, the frequency of these vibrations comes to drop in the terahertz band. Terahertz frequency waves are capable of directly joining proteins and efficiently causing them to echo in a non-linear manner. It could impact the shape of the proteins as well as the function and structure of neurons. But the internal shape of proteins can significantly fluctuate from one to another.
Meanwhile, the researchers said only specific proteins can respond to considerably weak terahertz radiation. More investigation is essential to understand the protein behaviors. The uncovered brain cells will not grow forever. The growth rate helped to slow significantly just after 2 days of the initial rate. The exposure to 90-milliwatt terahertz radiation for 20 minutes/ day in 3 weeks increased new brain cells.