The study, conducted by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), surveyed more than 13,000 mobile phone users in 13 countries over the past decade.

The study concluded that radio-frequency energy emitted by cell phones does not increase the risk of two main types of brain tumors, glioma and meningioma.

“The results really don’t allow us to conclude that there is any risk associated with mobile phone use, but… it is also premature to say that there is no risk associated with it,” the IARC’s director Christopher Wild was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The study did find a slightly greater risk of cancer among heavy users.

When researchers looked at the 10 percent of subjects who talked on a cell phone for at least a-half hour a day, seven days a week for ten years, they found a 40 percent increased risk of glioma.

The 21 scientists who conducted the study admitted that this finding suggested problems with the method, or inaccurate information from those who participated.

“We need to look in more depth at that finding in the context of all the other information that’s available to us before we are confident to conclude that there’s no associated risk,” said Christopher Wild. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-05/19/c_13303468.htm

A new smart phone called “Kin One” is introduced at a Microsoft news conference in San Francisco, California April 12, 2010. Microsoft Corp launched two new phones aimed at young people on Monday, marking a fresh assault on the low end of the growing smartphone market, where BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd and Apple Inc now dominate. ©Reuters

BEIJING, April 13 — Microsoft on Monday unveiled two new mobile phones dubbed “Kin One” and “Kin Two,” aiming at young consumers who emphasize social networking.

Both the new Kin phones have touch screens, slide-out QWERTY keyboards and cameras, and are powered by Windows Phone 7 Series software which Microsoft launched in February.

Kin One is smaller, designed to be used with only one hand, while Kin Two has a larger screen and keyboard and more memory.

Touting the Kin as a new kind of “social phone,” Microsoft said its new handset will have a fun and simple interface that can automatically bring together feeds from Facebook and other leading social networking services all in one place, making it easier for users to stay connected.

“Social’s part of the DNA of this phone,” said Derek Snyder, a product manager at Windows Mobile, at an unveiling event for the new phones in San Francisco, “social networks are the cornerstone of this experience.”

“Kin is an interesting attempt to target the 15 to 25 market,” said Ross Rubin, consumer electronics and wireless industry analyst at market research firm NPD Group.

“Even if the device does not turn out to be successful, Microsoft is introducing some concepts that might be useful,” Rubin added.

The two new phones are being manufactured by Japan’s Sharp, and will be sold in the United States by U.S. telecom carrier Verizon Wireless online in early May and in stores shortly thereafter.

The phones will also be available in Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain in the fall by Vodafone Group PLC, which owns Verizon Wireless in partnership with Verizon Communications Inc. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2010-04/13/c_13248722.htm

In mice prone to an animal form of Alzheimer’s disease, long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation typical of cell phones slowed and reversed the course of the illness, according to the study conducted by researchers from the University of South Florida in the United States.

The findings provide “striking evidence for both protective and disease-reversing effects” of long-term exposure to radiation at cell phone levels, researchers said.

The study also suggested that even the “normal” mice showed improved memory cognition.

But some experts cautioned that the science in the study is still very early.

Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 in 10 adults over the age of 55. Previous data has shown that every 5 years after the age of 60, the odds for developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/10/content_12784399.htm

The chargers to be recalled have a plastic loose cover and could potentially expose its internal components. This may cause electric shocks to users if accidentally touched during use, according to the press statement issued by Nokia.

The chargers, bearing Nokia’s name and manufactured by a third-party supplier, are models AC-3E and AC-3U, made between June 15 and Aug. 9 this year; and AC-4U, made between April 13 and Oct. 25, 2009.

These chargers were mostly sold in Europe and North America, according to Nokia.

So far, there is no incident or injury caused by these chargers.

Users can visit the website chargerexchange.nokia.com to see if their chargers are eligible for exchange and how to get a replacement, the company added.

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/10/content_12422586.htm