And they laughed at our hats!
Posted on 08/30/2007 9:49:39 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
Mobile phones can take as little as ten minutes to trigger changes in the brain associated with cancer, scientists claimed yesterday.
They found even low levels of radiation from handsets interfere with the way brain cells divide. Cell division encourages the growth of tumours.
Although the researchers did not come up with evidence that mobile phone signals are harmful, the findings suggest they could be.
Several major studies have also found no link between mobile use and brain tumours, nor a dramatic rise in cancer rates.
But campaigners insist the discovery undermines official advice that the devices are safe.
The guidance is based on the assumption that the phones emit too little radiation to heat the brain dangerously.
However, the new study by the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel suggests "nonthermal" radiation could pose a risk.
The Israeli scientists exposed human and rat cells in a laboratory to low-level radiation at 875 megahertz - a similar frequency to the one used in many mobile phones.
Although the radiation was far weaker than emissions from a typical handset, it began to switch on a chemical signal inside the cells within ten minutes, the researchers report in the Biochemical Journal.
The chemical signals they detected were involved in the division of cells.
The researchers say the reaction was not caused by heating and claim they have found a separate way in which mobile phones could damage health.
Dr Rony Seger, a co-author of the study, told the magazine New Scientist: "The significance lies in showing cells do react to cellphone radiation in a non-thermal way."
Although changes in the chemical pathway seen by the Israeli scientists have been linked to several cancers, the researchers say there was no sign of a cancer-causing effect.
Dr Simon Arthur, a health expert at Dundee University, said the effect was 'unlikely to cause cancer'.
Dr Dariusz Leszczynski, of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Helsinki, said: "If cell-phone radiation cannot induce biological effects then there will never be any health effects.
"On the other hand if we can show this radiation is able to induce biological effects then we have a different story."
A major review of mobile phone safety is due to be published by the Health Protection Agency next month.
The agency's last major report, in 2004, found no evidence mobiles were a serious health risk. It did, however, caution against excessive use, especially by the young.
Dr Michael Clark, a spokesman for the agency, said: "Because of findings like this that pop up from time to time, a precautionary approach is justified."
Graham Philips, of campaign group Powerwatch, said: "Safety guidelines assume health effects from mobiles can only occur when significant heating of body tissue occurs.
"This study shows biological changes in response to low-level mobile phone radiation - something that could potentially have implications for health.
"Further research is required, however guidance based purely on thermal effects is clearly out of date."
CELL division.
Couldnt help myself.
Well, it was nice knowing you all.
Although the researchers did not come up with evidence that mobile phone signals are harmful, the findings suggest they could be.Ah, the new scientific method invented by the AGW crowd is gaining currency throughout the scientific community. There's no evidence to back a theory, but there COULD be... !!!
In other news ... Global warming is man made
Trial Lawyers too.
I counteract this by only calling from underneath high tension lines.
Well, that’s it for me. I’m gonna get under my desk, curl up in a fetal position and begin whimpering “No hope. No hope. No hope.”
Oh yeah, almost forgot - I’m gonna shoot my cellphone.
(chuckle)
Next they’ll come after wifi and make your laptop the bad guy.
Kills the honeybees, too. </ sarcasm>
Did you buy carbon credits first?
They'd better hurry up and figure out howto stop cells from dividing then, plus there is that nasty thing that rises every morning beaming radiation down on us every day. That's it- nobody is allowed outside anymore. Especially the children.
That's why I drive with my cell phone in one hand and a beer in the other... just to be safe.
And they laughed at our hats!
This is the stupidest damn thing I've heard today! I got news. Cell division causes life you twit!
But - but - but - surely Algore and all his friends among the truly beautiful people can continue calling each other on their cell phones if only they buy some carbon credits from Algore’s carbon off-set business?
That’s very prudent of you. You can’t be too careful these days.
Well, when you start off with a scientific stunner like that, your credibility only goes up. So high nobody can see it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.