Cell Phones May Affect Brain Metabolism 2.22.11
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/70134/title/Cell_phones_may_affect_brain_metabolism
This article is about how cell phones affect the metabolism of the brain. Researchers did an experiment involving 47 people, who had strapped to their heads two cell phones, one on each side. The phone on the left was turned off and the one in the right turned on, the one on the right received a 50 minute phone call, but was muted for the purpose of the person not knowing which one was on or off, and to prevent the stimulation of the brain’s hearing center. An exam ran right after the call was over showed that the area of the working phone had higher glucose levels, the other side was practically unaffected. The particular brain region could have changed depending on how the person holds the phone or the phone’s design. Glucose metabolism rose in these areas by about 7 percent normally seen when brain regions are active. Research says that the percentage is underestimated, because there is more brain activity when you are speaking on the phone. The heightened activity may not have any ill effects, or it may be dangerous, particularly with years of heavy cell phone use or in the developing brains of children and teens.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/70134/title/Cell_phones_may_affect_brain_metabolism
This article is about how cell phones affect the metabolism of the brain. Researchers did an experiment involving 47 people, who had strapped to their heads two cell phones, one on each side. The phone on the left was turned off and the one in the right turned on, the one on the right received a 50 minute phone call, but was muted for the purpose of the person not knowing which one was on or off, and to prevent the stimulation of the brain’s hearing center. An exam ran right after the call was over showed that the area of the working phone had higher glucose levels, the other side was practically unaffected. The particular brain region could have changed depending on how the person holds the phone or the phone’s design. Glucose metabolism rose in these areas by about 7 percent normally seen when brain regions are active. Research says that the percentage is underestimated, because there is more brain activity when you are speaking on the phone. The heightened activity may not have any ill effects, or it may be dangerous, particularly with years of heavy cell phone use or in the developing brains of children and teens.
I chose this article because I thought that it was interesting that the brain is affected by cell phone activity. I think that I chose this because I can actually relate it to my life right now; I believe that today’s teens and adults live off their cell phones, and are constantly using them daily for hours. Now knowing that the brain is stimulated by cell phone activity, makes me realize that the cell phone has to be used with precaution, because it’s pretty scary to know that your brain is being over stimulated by cell phone waves. I chose this article because I can directly relate it to my life, I can spend two hours on the phone easily with a friend talking about anything, and now I know that by spending 50 minutes with the phone in one ear can increase the stimulation 10 percent because I’m actually talking, not only listening. I think that people should keep this in mind, and instead of being on the phone for hours you can text people or have shorter conversations. The most important thing is that people are aware of this because this came as a shock to me, and I’m going to try to reduce my calling time and spend that much time texting.
