Cell Phones Affect Brain Waves, Study Says

Cell Phones Affect Brain Waves, Study Says

Australian researcher finds phone use changes sleep patterns.

Sandra Rossi, Computerworld Today Australia
Thursday, October 13, 2005

Mobile phone use can affect a person's brain waves even when the
handset is switched off and the user is asleep, new Australian
research released Thursday reveals.

Neuroscientist Sarah Loughran studied the brain wave patterns of 50
people in the first half hour of sleep after they had been exposed to
30 minutes of mobile phone radiation.

Claiming it is the world's largest study into mobile phone use and
sleep quality, Loughran compared those results with the brain waves of
the same people without exposure to mobile phone radiation before
bedtime.

Brain Waves Busier

Loughan, a PhD student at Swinburne University's Brain Sciences
Institute in Melbourne, said the results show that there was an
increase in brain wave activity in the first part of non-rapid eye
movement (REM) sleep, following mobile phone exposure.

"It was an increase in what's known as alpha brain wave activity and
at this stage, we're not entirely sure what that means," she said.

"Any adverse health consequences or effects this might have, we're not
sure."

Nevertheless, Loughran said getting a good night's sleep did not
appear to be affected by the mobile phone radiation.

"We didn't find any changes in the amount of time it takes to get to
sleep or the total time they slept," she said.

"It didn't appear to be affecting the overall quality of the person's
sleep."

Study Methodology

The participants in the study were exposed to a standard mobile phone
mounted on the right side of their heads for 30 minutes before sleep.

The phone was set up to transmit without them having to talk.

On another night, the phone was mounted in the same way but it was not
actually turned on.

In what is called a double blind, crossover study, neither the study
participants nor the researchers were aware of which nights the mobile
phone was active and when it was not.

Loughran said the most interesting finding was that the effect of
mobile phone radiation on brain waves was noticeable even 30 to 40
minutes after the handset had been turned off.

Her study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research
Council as part of a larger investigation of mobile phone exposure in
collaboration with the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency
Bio-effects Research.

It is one of several studies through the years trying to determine
health effects, if any, of mobile phones.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/...101305X,00.asp


===
"Under the guise of anonymity, whether it is on the internet, or on the roadway, a person's true nature will come forward."
-- Me

---

› See More: Cell Phones Affect Brain Waves, Study Says

Another load of CRAP!

"Ablang" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Cell Phones Affect Brain Waves, Study Says
>
> Australian researcher finds phone use changes sleep patterns.
>
> Sandra Rossi, Computerworld Today Australia
> Thursday, October 13, 2005
>
> Mobile phone use can affect a person's brain waves even when the
> handset is switched off and the user is asleep, new Australian
> research released Thursday reveals.
>
> Neuroscientist Sarah Loughran studied the brain wave patterns of 50
> people in the first half hour of sleep after they had been exposed to
> 30 minutes of mobile phone radiation.
>
> Claiming it is the world's largest study into mobile phone use and
> sleep quality, Loughran compared those results with the brain waves of
> the same people without exposure to mobile phone radiation before
> bedtime.
>
> Brain Waves Busier
>
> Loughan, a PhD student at Swinburne University's Brain Sciences
> Institute in Melbourne, said the results show that there was an
> increase in brain wave activity in the first part of non-rapid eye
> movement (REM) sleep, following mobile phone exposure.
>
> "It was an increase in what's known as alpha brain wave activity and
> at this stage, we're not entirely sure what that means," she said.
>
> "Any adverse health consequences or effects this might have, we're not
> sure."
>
> Nevertheless, Loughran said getting a good night's sleep did not
> appear to be affected by the mobile phone radiation.
>
> "We didn't find any changes in the amount of time it takes to get to
> sleep or the total time they slept," she said.
>
> "It didn't appear to be affecting the overall quality of the person's
> sleep."
>
> Study Methodology
>
> The participants in the study were exposed to a standard mobile phone
> mounted on the right side of their heads for 30 minutes before sleep.
>
> The phone was set up to transmit without them having to talk.
>
> On another night, the phone was mounted in the same way but it was not
> actually turned on.
>
> In what is called a double blind, crossover study, neither the study
> participants nor the researchers were aware of which nights the mobile
> phone was active and when it was not.
>
> Loughran said the most interesting finding was that the effect of
> mobile phone radiation on brain waves was noticeable even 30 to 40
> minutes after the handset had been turned off.
>
> Her study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research
> Council as part of a larger investigation of mobile phone exposure in
> collaboration with the Australian Centre for Radiofrequency
> Bio-effects Research.
>
> It is one of several studies through the years trying to determine
> health effects, if any, of mobile phones.
>
> http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/...101305X,00.asp
>
>
> ===
> "Under the guise of anonymity, whether it is on the internet, or on
> the roadway, a person's true nature will come forward."
> -- Me

Mij Adyaw wrote:
>
> Another load of CRAP!
>
> <snip>

Some of my best friends are Aussies. After speaking to them,
for any length of time, one would have to consider that this
study might have some validity! <g>

Notan

Most studies are done to get more research funding. It is important to keep
that in mind. If a study is negative, it is all over. However, if a study is
inconclusive or there is evidence found, it may be possible to get
additional funding.

These ridiculous studies provide more ammunition for the NIMBYs.

"Notan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mij Adyaw wrote:
>>
>> Another load of CRAP!
>>
>> <snip>
>
> Some of my best friends are Aussies. After speaking to them,
> for any length of time, one would have to consider that this
> study might have some validity! <g>
>
> Notan