Increase In Mobile Phone Use Research Articles

The effects of radiofrequency exposure on cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies

BackgroundWe aimed to assess evidence of long-term effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) on indicators of cognition, including domains of learning and memory, executive function, complex attention, language, perceptual motor ability and social cognition, and of an exposure–response relationship between RF-EMF and cognition. MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo and the EMF-Portal on September 30, 2022 without limiting by date or language of publication. We included cohort or case-control studies that evaluated the effects of RF exposure on cognitive function in one or more of the cognitive domains. Studies were rated for risk of bias using the OHAT tool and synthesised using fixed effects meta-analysis. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach and considered modification by OHAT for assessing evidence of exposures. ResultsWe included 5 studies that reported analyses of data from 4 cohorts with 4639 participants consisting of 2808 adults and 1831 children across three countries (Australia, Singapore and Switzerland) conducted between 2006 and 2017. The main source of RF-EMF exposure was mobile (cell) phone use measured as calls per week or minutes per day.For mobile phone use in children, two studies (615 participants) that compared an increase in mobile phone use to a decrease or no change were included in meta-analyses. Learning and memory. There was little effect on accuracy (mean difference, MD −0.03; 95% CI −0.07 to 0.02) or response time (MD −0.01; 95% CI −0.04 to 0.02) on the one-back memory task; and accuracy (MD −0.02; 95%CI −0.04 to 0.00) or response time (MD −0.01; 95%CI −0.04 to 0.03) on the one card learning task (low certainty evidence for all outcomes). Executive function. There was little to no effect on the Stroop test for the time ratio ((B-A)/A) response (MD 0.02; 95% CI −0.01 to 0.04, very low certainty) or the time ratio ((D-C)/C) response (MD 0.00; 95% CI −0.06 to 0.05, very low certainty), with both tests measuring susceptibility to interference effects. Complex attention. There was little to no effect on detection task accuracy (MD 0.02; 95% CI −0.04 to 0.08), or response time (MD 0.02;95% CI 0.01 to 0.03), and little to no effect on identification task accuracy (MD 0.00; 95% CI −0.04 to 0.05) or response time (MD 0.00;95% CI −0.01 to 0.02) (low certainty evidence for all outcomes). No other cognitive domains were investigated in children.A single study among elderly people provided very low certainty evidence that more frequent mobile phone use may have little to no effect on the odds of a decline in global cognitive function (odds ratio, OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.58, 649 participants) or a decline in executive function (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.37 to 3.05, 146 participants), and may lead to a small, probably unimportant, reduction in the odds of a decline in complex attention (OR 0.67;95%CI 0.27 to 1.68, 159 participants) and a decline in learning and memory (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.29 to 1.99, 159 participants). An exposure–response relationship was not identified for any of the cognitive outcomes. DiscussionThis systematic review and meta-analysis found only a few studies that provided very low to low certainty evidence of little to no association between RF-EMF exposure and learning and memory, executive function and complex attention. None of the studies among children reported on global cognitive function or other domains of cognition. Only one study reported a lack of an effect for all domains in elderly persons but this was of very low certainty evidence. Further studies are needed to address all types of populations, exposures and cognitive outcomes, particularly studies investigating environmental and occupational exposure in adults. Future studies also need to address uncertainties in the assessment of exposure and standardise testing of specific domains of cognitive function to enable synthesis across studies and increase the certainty of the evidence. OtherThis review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme and prospectively registered on PROSPERO CRD42021257548.

Pre and postnatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields induce inflammation and oxidative stress, and alter renin-angiotensin system components differently in male and female offsprings

AimsThis study was designed to investigate inflammation, oxidative stress and renin-angiotensin system components in brain and kidney tissues of female and male rats prenatally and/or postnatally exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF). It is aimed to evaluate the biological effects of 900 MHz EMF exposure due to the increase in mobile phone use and especially the more widespread use of the GSM 900 system. Main methodsMale and female Wistar albino offsprings were divided into four groups of control, prenatal, postnatal, and prenatal+postnatal exposed to 900 MHz EMF for 1 h/day (23 days during pregnancy for prenatal period, 40 days for postnatal period). The brain and kidney tissues were collected when they reached puberty. Key findingsIt was found that the total oxidant status, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α levels increased (p < 0.001) and the total antioxidant status levels decreased (p < 0.001) in all three EMF groups comparing to controls in both male and female brain and kidney tissues. The renin- angiotensin system components such as angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors, and MAS1-like G protein-coupled receptor expression were higher (p < 0.001) in all three EMF exposure groups comparing to controls in both male and female brain and kidney tissues. Although there are some differences of the levels of proinflammatory markers, ROS components and RAS components in brain and kidney tissues between males and females, the common result of all groups was increase in oxidative stress, inflammation markers and angiotensin system components with exposure to 900 MHz EMF. SignificanceIn conclusion, our study suggested that the 900 MHz EMF can activate brain and kidney renin-angiotensin system, and this activation is maybe related to inflammation and oxidative stress in both male and female offsprings.

Mobile phone use among e-cyclists at red traffic lights: An observation study in a city of China

Objective The observation study sought to explore the influencing factors associated with mobile phone use when e-cyclists were waiting for red lights at intersections, which provided a theoretical foundation for solving the potential traffic threat and developing management plans for e-cyclists. Methods Data regarding e-cyclists were collected through camera conducted at the entrance of multiple intersections in Zhenjiang, China in July 2020. The data was reviewed by playing frame by frame. A statistical analysis was performed with the statistical package SPSS software. After conducting univariate logistic analysis on study variables, the multivariate analysis was adopted based on the binary logit regression model. Results Among the 1166 e-cyclists observed, 15.01% (n = 175) e-cyclists had operated their mobile phones while waiting for red lights. Young e-cyclists, delivery cyclists were more likely to be involved with mobile phone use. Furthermore, mobile phone use was more observed at intersections in suburban areas and with long waiting time. E-cyclists, who was carrying a child, rarely used mobile phone. All intersections during off-peak times showed an increase in mobile phone use. The results also show that neither e-cyclists themselves nor traffic managers are aware of the risks of mobile phone use and the impact on traffic safety while waiting for a red light. Conclusions The findings of this research revealed the factors influencing mobile phone use of e-cyclists while waiting for a red light, and indicated that education and behavioral intervention need to be strengthened to improve riding safety at intersections. These results will be helpful in developing programs of electric bicycle management.

Mobile phone use and incidence of brain tumour histological types, grading or anatomical location: a population-based ecological study

ObjectiveSome studies have reported increasing trends in certain brain tumours and a possible link with mobile phone use has been suggested. We examined the incidence time trends of brain tumour...

Investigating Associations Between Changes in Mobile Phone Use and Emotions Using the Experience Sampling Method: Pilot Study.

BackgroundThe use of mobile phones has become, especially for young people, an integrated part of everyday life. Using the experience sampling method (ESM) may provide further insight on the association between mobile phone use and mental health.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine associations between mobile phone use and subtle changes in mental state.MethodsThe ESM-based PsyMate app was installed on the mobile phones of 2 healthy 20-year-old participants. Over a period of 3 months, participants rated their mental states at 10 semirandom moments in the flow of daily life. Each assessment included present state emotions, environmental circumstances, and phone use.ResultsMultilevel regression analyses indicated that an increase in mobile phone use was associated with a small increase in negative affect (particularly feeling bored and feeling lonely; P<.001) and small decreases in positive affect (P=.002) and concentration (P=.001). Treating the data as 2 separate N=1 studies revealed that the association with negative affect was present in both participants, whereas the associations with positive affect and concentration were evident in only 1 of the 2 participants.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that mobile phone use may be associated with person-specific and group-level changes in emotional state. A larger study is required to study these associations, possible causality, and factors driving underlying heterogeneity in the pattern of associations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03221985; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03221985 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zJnp61Wj)

Policymakers and mHealth: roles and expectations, with observations from Ethiopia, Ghana and Sweden

ABSTRACTThe rapid increase in mobile phone use and other telecommunication technologies in health care during the past decade has paved the way for optimism. mHealth (mobile health) initiatives need to be integrated into national health systems and priorities and fit into the system that the country has already invested in. Partnership between government, regional governments, health care systems, Community Health Workers, the private sector and universities is considered as a precondition for success. In turn, this requires strategic and integrative policy decisions on the national/regional level to be defined in the action plans as concrete steps. Decision makers are calling for scale-up plans to be in place even in the pilot phases. Hope is expressed that the initial joy and curiosity that new technology generates in the implementation phase will be transferred to routine work. Standards and a common technical architecture that enables interoperability and upscaling are key issues. Based on publications on policy and national strategies, this paper highlights some key areas for decision makers’ role and expectations with regard to mHealth. The paper will also report some mHealth experiences from Ethiopia, Ghana and Sweden.

Assessing Mobile Phone Access and Perceptions for Texting-Based mHealth Interventions Among Expectant Mothers and Child Caregivers in Remote Regions of Northern Kenya: A Survey-Based Descriptive Study.

BackgroundWith a dramatic increase in mobile phone use in low- and middle-income countries, mobile health (mHealth) has great potential to connect health care services directly to participants enrolled and improve engagement of care. Rural and remote global settings may pose both significant challenges and opportunities.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to understand the demographics, phone usage and ownership characteristics, and feasibility among patients in rural and remote areas of Kenya of having text messaging (short messaging service, SMS)-based mHealth intervention for improvements in antenatal care attendance and routine immunization among children in Northern Kenya.MethodsA survey-based descriptive study was conducted between October 2014 and February 2015 at 8 health facilities in Northern Kenya as part of a program to scale up an mHealth service in rural and remote regions. The study was conducted at 6 government health facilities in Isiolo, Marsabit, and Samburu counties in remote and northern arid lands (NAL). Two less remote health facilities in Laikipia and Meru counties in more populated central highlands were included as comparison sites.ResultsA total of 284 participants were surveyed; 63.4% (180/284) were from NAL clinics, whereas 36.6% (104/284) were from adjacent central highland clinics. In the NAL, almost half (48.8%, 88/180) reported no formal education and 24.4% (44/180) self-identified as nomads. The majority of participants from both regions had access to mobile phone: 99.0% (103/104) of participants from central highlands and 82.1% (147/180) of participants from NAL. Among those who had access to a phone, there were significant differences in network challenges and technology literacy between the 2 regions. However, there was no significant difference in the proportion of participants from NAL and central highlands who indicated that they would like to receive a weekly SMS text message from their health care provider (90.0% vs 95.0%; P=.52). Overall, 92.0% (230/250) of participants who had access to a telephone said that they would like to receive a weekly SMS text message from their health care provider. Most phone users already spent the equivalent of 626 SMS text messages on mobile credit for personal use.ConclusionsDespite the remoteness of northern Kenya’s NAL, the results indicate that the majority of pregnant women or care givers attending the maternal, newborn, and child health clinics have access to mobile phone and would like to receive text messages from their health care provider. mHealth programs, if designed appropriately for these settings, may be an innovative way for engaging women in care for improved maternal and newborn child health outcomes in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

The Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation due to Mobile Phone Use on Thyroid Function in Medical Students Studying in a Medical College in South India.

Background:Enormous increase in mobile phone use throughout the world raises widespread concerns about its possible detrimental effect on human health. Radiofrequency waves are emitted by cell phones. They are non-ionising and the effect on the thyroid gland is part of their non thermal effects. The thyroid gland may be particularly vulnerable to this effect because of its normal anatomical position.Materials and Methods:The study was done to explore the association between radiation exposure and thyroid dysfunction among mobile phone users. It had an exploratory design and unit survey method to collect information from all medical students in a medical college in South India. Inclusion criteria included active use of mobile phone prior to and during the study period. Criteria for exclusion was presence of pre-existsting thyroid disease,thyroid nodule,thyroid goitre/nodule and altered thyroid function.Results:The sample size was 83 undergraduate students. 71% of respondents had no family history of thyroid illness. Among the remainder,20.5% had a first degree relative with thyroid dysfunction,8.4% had a second degree relative affected. Clinical examination revealed that 79.5% of the respondents were normal,13.6% had thyroid swelling,3.6% had symptoms of thyroid dysfunction and 3.6% had both thyroid swelling and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. 53% of the respondents spent 0.5 hrs on an average talking on the phone daily,28.9% spent 1.5 hrs daily and 10.8% of respondents spent over 3.5 hours. We found there was a significant correlation between total radiation exposure and an increase in TSH among both groups –in those with and without family history of thyroid illness.Conclusion:In our study there was a significant correlation between total radiation exposure and increasing TSH values among both all respondents.

Time trend in incidence of malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system in relation to mobile phone use among young people in Japan.

The aim of this study was to examine whether incidence of malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system from 1993 to 2010 has increased among young people in Japan, and whether the increase could be explained by increase in mobile phone use. Joinpoint regression analysis of incidence data was performed. Subsequently, the expected incidence rate was calculated assuming that the relative risk was 1.4 for those who used mobile phones more than 1640 h cumulatively. Annual percent change was 3.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-6.3) for men in their 20s from 1993 to 2010, 12.3% (95% CI, 3.3-22.1) for women in their 20s from 2002 to 2010, 2.7% (95% CI, 1.3-4.1) for men in their 30s from 1993 to 2010, and 3.0% (95% CI, 1.4-4.7) for women in their 30s from 1993 to 2010. Change in incidence rates from 1993 to 2010 was 0.92 per 100,000 people for men in their 20s, 0.83 for women in their 20s, 0.89 for men in their 30s, and 0.74 for women in their 30s. Change in expected incidence rates from 1993 to 2010 was 0.08 per 100,000 people for men in their 20s, 0.03 for women in their 20s, 0.15 for men in their 30s, and 0.05 for women in their 30s. Patterns in sex-, age-, and period-specific incidence increases are inconsistent with sex-, age-, and period-specific prevalence trends, suggesting the overall incidence increase cannot be explained by heavy mobile phone use. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:282-289, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Possibilities and Expectations for mHealth in the Pacific Islands: Insights From Key Informants

BackgroundThe increase in mobile phone use across the globe is creating mounting interest for its application in addressing health system constraints. Although still limited, there is growing evidence of success in using mobile phones for health (mHealth) in low- and middle- income countries. The promise of mHealth to address key health system issues presents a huge potential for the Pacific Island countries where mobile use has radically increased. Current projections indicate an improved information and communications technology (ICT) environment to support greater access to mobile and digital devices in the Pacific region.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to explore key stakeholder perspectives on the potential for mHealth in the Pacific region.MethodsA series of in-depth interviews were conducted either face-to-face, via Skype or by email, with a series of key informants from the Pacific Rim region. Interviews were audio-recorded and later transcribed for detailed thematic analysis.ResultsWe found widespread support for the potential to use mobile phones as a mechanism to facilitate improved health service delivery in the region. Essential elements for the successful development and implementation of mHealth were identified by these stakeholders. These included: developing an understanding of the local context and the problems that may be usefully addressed by the addition of mHealth to existing strategies and services; consideration of local infrastructure, capability, policy, mobile literacy and engagement; learning from others, particularly other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); the importance of building supportive environments and of evaluation to provide evidence of impact and total cost.ConclusionsThe rapid growth of mobile phone use in the region presents a unique juxtaposition of opportunity and promise. Though the region lags behind other LMICs in the adoption of mHealth technologies, this offers the convenience of learning from past mHealth interventions and applying these learnings to achieve scale, sustainability and success. This study deepens the understanding of the potential of mHealth for the region, and offers a baseline from which discussions can be made to examine the limitations, barriers and complexities inherent in mHealth applications.

The use of mobile phones in polio eradication

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, established in 1988, has led to the immunization of 2.5 billion children against the disease. In 2014, only 359 cases of poliomyelitis (polio) were reported worldwide, which is a fraction of the estimated 350000 children in 125 countries who were paralyzed annually by the poliovirus before 1988. There are only two remaining countries where polio is still endemic--Afghanistan and Pakistan, while circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus is still causing outbreaks in others, such as Guinea, Madagascar and Ukraine. Spread of the poliovirus from the two remaining endemic countries to Iraq, Israel, the Syrian Arab Republic and other vulnerable countries is a continuing threat. Until polio transmission in endemic countries is interrupted, the whole world remains at risk. Despite recent developments and improvements in polio immunization campaigns in high-risk countries, major challenges remain. The foremost factor responsible for low immunization coverage is poor security, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Other contributing factors include a lack of population-based immunization registries and electronic records, overestimating vaccination coverage, human error, drop-outs from immunization campaigns, low demand for vaccination in the population and a lack of awareness of, or education about, immunization among parents. Mobile health (mHealth) is defined as medical and public health practices supported by mobile electronic devices. Recently there has been a dramatic increase in mobile phone use and there are now around 7 billion mobile phone subscribers globally, 89% of whom live in developing countries. Thanks to the portability of mobile phones, more people can be reached by phone than through the Internet and they can be contacted quickly and inexpensively wherever they are located. Even a substantial proportion of those living on less than 1 United States dollar a day have access to mobile phones and short message service (SMS) text messages. Mobile phones are thus changing the mode of communication among people globally. Importantly, mobile phone use has also increased in countries with a high risk of polio: good examples are Nigeria and Pakistan, where there were around 170 and 140 million mobile phone subscribers, respectively, in 2014. (1,2) Given increased mobile phone use, mHealth interventions now have great potential to support the polio eradication programme. In fact, they have been used in the recent past. In Pakistan, for example, an SMS-based service was provided in 2010 that enabled parents to send a free text message to report areas missed by the national polio control programme, with the result that a polio immunization team was dispatched shortly after. (3) In addition, text messages about the polio campaign were sent to more than 8 million mobile phone subscribers to raise awareness, especially in high-risk areas. In another study in Pakistan, smart phones incorporating a geographical information system were used to conduct a survey of mobile phone access and use among caregivers of children younger than five years in randomly selected representative clusters in high-risk towns (i.e. administrative areas) within Karachi where polio cases had previously been detected. The data obtained were linked to an automated text message system used to monitor supplementary immunization activities in Karachi. (4) In Nigeria, two pilot studies in 2011 demonstrated that creating maps using a geographical information system and integrating them into the detailed planning of polio vaccination campaigns provided feedback in real time: they gave information about the performance of the vaccination teams and helped identify missed or partially covered settlements. (5) One component of another study in Nigeria included sending SMS text reminders to improve surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (Oluwasegun Adegoke, personal communication, 2015). …

Exposure to 3G mobile phone signals does not affect the biological features of brain tumor cells.

BackgroundThe increase in mobile phone use has generated concerns about possible risks to human health, especially the development of brain tumors. Whether tumor patients should continue to use mobile telephones has remained unclear because of a paucity of information. Herein, we investigated whether electromagnetic fields from mobile phones could alter the biological features of human tumor cells and act as a tumor-promoting agent.MethodsHuman glioblastoma cell lines, U251-MG and U87-MG, were exposed to 1950-MHz time division-synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) at a specific absorption rate (maximum SAR = 5.0 W/kg) for 12, 24, and 48 h. Cell morphologies and ultra-structures were observed by microscopy and the rates of apoptosis and cell cycle progression were monitored by flow cytometry. Additionally, cell growth was determined using the CKK-8 assay, and the expression levels of tumor and apoptosis-related genes and proteins were analyzed by real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Tumor formation and invasiveness were measured using a tumorigenicity assay in vivo and migration assays in vitro.ResultsNo significant differences in either biological features or tumor formation ability were observed between unexposed and exposed glioblastoma cells. Our data showed that exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA electromagnetic fields for up to 48 h did not act as a cytotoxic or tumor-promoting agent to affect the proliferation or gene expression profile of glioblastoma cells.ConclusionsOur findings implied that exposing brain tumor cells in vitro for up to 48 h to 1950-MHz continuous TD-SCDMA electromagnetic fields did not elicit a general cell stress response.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1996-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Personal technology use by U.S. military service members and veterans: an update.

Although personal electronic devices, such as mobile phones, computers, and tablets, increasingly are being leveraged as vehicles for health in the civilian world, almost nothing is known about personal technology use in the U.S. military. In 2012 we conducted a unique survey of personal technologies used by U.S. military service members. However, with the rapidly growing sophistication of personal technology and changes in consumer habits, that knowledge must be continuously updated to be useful. Accordingly, we recently surveyed new samples of active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve, and veterans. We collected data by online surveys in 2013 from 239 active, inactive, and former service members. Online surveys were completed in-person via laptop computers at a large military installation and remotely via Web-based surveys posted on the Army Knowledge Online Web site and on a Defense Center Facebook social media channel. We measured high rates of personal technology use by service members at home across popular electronic media. The most dramatic change since our earlier survey was the tremendous increase in mobile phone use at home for a wide variety of purposes. Participants also reported moderate non-work uses of computers and tablets while on recent deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, but almost no mobile phone use, ostensibly because of military restrictions in the war zone. These latest results will enable researchers and technology developers target their efforts on the most promising and popular technologies for psychological health in the military.

The MOBI-Kids Study Protocol: Challenges in Assessing Childhood and Adolescent Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from Wireless Telecommunication Technologies and Possible Association with Brain Tumor Risk.

The rapid increase in mobile phone use in young people has generated concern about possible health effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF). MOBI-Kids, a multinational case–control study, investigates the potential effects of childhood and adolescent exposure to EMF from mobile communications technologies on brain tumor risk in 14 countries. The study, which aims to include approximately 1,000 brain tumor cases aged 10–24 years and two individually matched controls for each case, follows a common protocol and builds upon the methodological experience of the INTERPHONE study. The design and conduct of a study on EMF exposure and brain tumor risk in young people in a large number of countries is complex and poses methodological challenges. This manuscript discusses the design of MOBI-Kids and describes the challenges and approaches chosen to address them, including: (1) the choice of controls operated for suspected appendicitis, to reduce potential selection bias related to low response rates among population controls; (2) investigating a young study population spanning a relatively wide age range; (3) conducting a large, multinational epidemiological study, while adhering to increasingly stricter ethics requirements; (4) investigating a rare and potentially fatal disease; and (5) assessing exposure to EMF from communication technologies. Our experience in thus far developing and implementing the study protocol indicates that MOBI-Kids is feasible and will generate results that will contribute to the understanding of potential brain tumor risks associated with use of mobile phones and other wireless communications technologies among young people.

P14.06 * MOBI-KIDS STUDY: EXPOSURE TO COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND BRAIN TUMOUR RISK IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

The rapid worldwide increase in mobile phone use and the often controversial results of the studies on their possible health effects has generated considerable concern in the public, especially when considering the increasing exposure of children and adolescents. MOBI-Kids, a prospective case-control study conducted in 15 countries and spanning a target population of almost 40 million individuals, was initiated to assess the potential effects of exposure to radiofrequency fields (RF) and extremely low frequency fields (ELF) from mobile phones on the development of central nervous system tumours among people aged 10 to 24 years old. This study faces a high level of complexity and methodological challenges, including the need to reduce potential bias, heterogeneity of the malignancies affecting people in this age range, strict ethic legislations, and assessment of exposure to RF and ELF. The study builds upon the experience of INTERPHONE, the 13-country study investigating mobile phone use and risk of brain cancer in adults in 2000-2004. It aims to include approximately 1,000 brain tumour cases and 2,000 matched controls. Such numbers will ensure 80% power to detect an increased risk of 40% assuming 10% have used a mobile phone for 10 years or longer. An interview is administered to all participants and their parents to assess lifestyle, residential, occupational and school history, use of communication technologies, exposure to environmental risk factors, medical history and family history of cancer. Reported mobile phone use is validated with phone records provided by operators. Biological samples for DNA isolation are collected in several countries. Clinical data and images needed for diagnosis verification and tumour classification are collected from all available medical files. Tumour images will be mapped on 3D head models by neuroradiologists. MOBI-Kids started on the Feb 1st, 2009, and cases' recruitment is scheduled to finish at the end of 2014. To date, 790 cases and 1958 controls have been identified. Of these, 587 cases and 1059 controls answered the full questionnaire, 101 answered a short non response questionnaire on mobile phone use and socioeconomic status, which will be used to assess potential selection bias. MOBI-Kids results, by contributing to the understanding of potential brain tumour risks associated with the use of mobile phones and other communication technologies among young people, will have a strong impact in terms of public health and protection of the population.

청소년의 휴대폰 중독에 대한 성별 시간관 차이와 자기효능감과의 관계 분석

Due to the rapid increase in mobile-phone use, various kinds of malfunctions have occurred recently. Among them, the mobile-phone addiction causes serious social problems. In particular, since teenagers are immature, they are easily addicted to new technology. In order to prevent from the mobile-phone addiction, a lot of research has been performed in various ways. This paper focuses on the differences in gender and time perspectives of adolescent and analyze the relationships between time perspectives and self-efficacy for preventing mobile-phone addiction. In order to achieve our research goals, we firstly survey on 1,224 secondary school students to analyze the gender differences about time perspectives. And then, we secondly survey on 269 high school students to examine the mediation role of self-efficacy between time perspectives and mobile-phone addiction by a structural equation model. Based on the results of our analyses, we provide an educational guide that can prevent mobile-phone addiction from secondary school students.

Mobile phone use and glioma risk: comparison of epidemiological study results with incidence trends in the United States

Objective In view of mobile phone exposure being classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), we determined the compatibility of two recent...

Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time

The worldwide dramatic increase in mobile phone use has generated great concerns about the detrimental effects of microwave radiations emitted by these communication devices. Reaction time plays a critical role in performing tasks necessary to avoid hazards. As far as we know, this study is the first survey that reports decreased reaction time after exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by a high specific absorption rate mobile phone. It is also the first study in which previous history of mobile phone use is taken into account. The aim of this study was to assess both the acute and chronic effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on reaction time in university students. Visual reaction time (VRT) of young university students was recorded with a simple blind computer-assisted-VRT test, before and after a 10min real/sham exposure to electromagnetic fields of mobile phones. Participants were 160 right-handed university students aged 18-31. To assess the effect of chronic exposures, the reaction time in sham-exposed phases were compared among low level, moderate and frequent users of mobile phones. The mean±SD reaction time after real exposure and sham exposure were 286.78±31.35ms and 295.86±32.17ms (P<0.001), respectively. The age of students did not significantly alter the reaction time either in talk or in standby mode. The reaction time either in talk or in standby mode was shorter in male students. The students' VRT was significantly affected by exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone. It can be concluded that these exposures cause decreased reaction time, which may lead to a better response to different hazards. In this light, this phenomenon might decrease the chances of human errors and fatal accidents.

Authors' reply to Kundi's comments on de Vocht et al. “time trends (1998-2007) in brain cancer incidence rates in relation to mobile phone use in England”

Authors' reply to Kundi's comments on de Vocht et al. “time trends (1998-2007) in brain cancer incidence rates in relation to mobile phone use in England”

Can text messaging results reduce time to treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis?

We assessed the impact of text messaging as the preferred method of communicating positive Chlamydia trachomatis test results in an urban sexual health clinic. Following the introduction of a text...