Meeting in Lyon, France, Member’s of the World Health Organization formed a panel in late May to discuss the potential carcinogenic hazards from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, like those emitted by cellular phones and other wireless communications devices. The panel, which represents the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), consisted of 31 scientists from 14 different countries. While the group did not conduct any new research, the panel reviewed numerous existing studies that focused on the health effects of the radiofrequency magnetic fields emitted from cellphones, and concluded that there is a possibility that exposure to these low levels of radiation might induce long-term health risks, including an increased risk of cancer.

The IARC panel classified cellphones under the category Group 2B, the same category as certain dry cleaning chemicals, pesticides such as DDT, engine exhaust, lead, and various other industrial chemicals. However, the cellphone industry was quick to point out that pickled vegetables and coffee also made the 2B designation, which is defined by the IARC below:

“This category is used for agents for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. It may also be used when there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. In some instances, an agent for which there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals together with supporting evidence from mechanistic and other relevant data may be placed in this group. An agent may be classified in this category solely on the basis of strong evidence from mechanistic and other relevant data.”

Major medical groups such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have reassured the public that there is little concern in regards to adverse health effects because cellphones emit nonionizing radiation – which are supposedly non-cancerous. In February, however, researchers from the National Institutes of Health published a study which found that less than an hour of cellphone usage can speed up brain activity at the area nearest to the phone antenna. This study was one of the most significant of its kind to document the measurable effects of the radio frequency signals to the brain.

The New York Times reported:

“In the past, any concerns about the health effects of cellphones have been largely dismissed because the radiofrequency waves emitted from the devices are believed to be benign. Cellphones emit nonionizing radiation, waves of energy that are too weak to break chemical bonds or to set off the DNA damage known to cause cancers. Scientists have said repeatedly that there is no known biological mechanism to explain how nonionizing radiation might lead to cancer or other health problems.

But the new study opens up an entirely new potential area of research. Although an increase in brain glucose metabolism happens during normal brain function, the question is whether repeated artificial stimulation as a result of exposure to electromagnetic radiation might have a detrimental effect.

Although speculative, one theory about how an artificial increase in brain glucose metabolism could be harmful is that it could potentially lead to the creation of molecules called free radicals, which in excess can damage healthy cells. Or it may be that repeated stimulation by electromagnetic radiation could set off an inflammatory response, which studies suggest is associated with a number of health problems, including cancer.”

While there are no official recommendations for the public following the study, the use of hands-free devices and text messaging may lower exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted by cellphones. Even though all of this may seem alarming, the Group 2B designation simply means that there may (or may not) be a possible link between cellphone usage and certain forms of cancer. In other words, this is fearmongering at its finest, and Stephen Colbert has already solved the problem.

Photo by Sam Biddle via Gizmodo

Android has come a long way since the inception of Google’s first Android-based smartphone, the HTC Dream. Better known as T-Mobile’s G1, the HTC Dream was the 3rd cell phone that I have ever owned, and I definitely saw promise in Google’s vision of an open-source platform. With over 1/3 of the smartphone market share, consumers are rapidly joining the bandwagon, and I’d like to share some Android apps that I believe will make the transition more worthwhile. Click on the application name to view more information as well as screenshot previews; to view a complete list of the Android applications I have installed, click here.

#1) Dropbox (Free)

“Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. After you install Dropbox on your computer, any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, your Android device, and even the Dropbox website! With the Dropbox app, you can take everything that matters to you on the go.”

Dropbox is a simple way for you to transfer or access files, without the need of a cable connecting your phone and your computer.

#2) Google Maps (Free)

*Navigation: Free, voice-guided GPS navigation system
*Places: Find, rate, and get recommendations for places
*Latitude: See friends on the map and check in at places

A free navigation system, what more could you ask for?

#3) Elixir (Free)

“Elixir is a system information application with highly configurable widgets. Displays information about battery, cpu usage, memory usage, internal and external storage (sd-card), display, wifi, mobile network, location services (gps), bluetooth, sync, airplane mode, sensors, etc.”

Elixir is a consolidated system information tool. I’ve tried many others like it, but Elixir takes the cake by far. Not only is the UI simple and intuitive, but Tamás Barta, the developer, listened to one of the suggestions I sent him via e-mail and immediately implemented it into his next update. He’s constantly working on this app and with each update, it has only gotten better!

#4) Smart Taskbar (Free)

“Launch any application instantly. Slide your finger or click icon anytime in any App to bring up a mini sidebar for super fast app launching also works as app organizer, task switcher, task killer, and shortcut manager.

If you want to use your phone one handed with complete touch experience, you find Android system takes too many steps to complete one simple job, or you need a faster way to get things organized, get Smart Taskbar to make your life easier.”

Smart Taskbar is a convenient app that runs in the background; simply press the sidebar icon and it pulls up the app drawer without having to leave your current application.

#5) Fancy Widget (Free & Pro Version)

“Fancy clock and weather widget with lots of customization options.”

Fancy Widget reduces clutter by allowing you to view the date, time, and weather all in one widget. You can even click each individual part of the widget to open either a calendar, alarm clock, or weather application. While the free version is worth a download by itself, the paid version offers hundreds of customizable widget themes that you can toy with.

#6) PowerAMP Music Player (Trial & Pro Version)

“PowerAMP is a powerful music player for Android.”

If you are like me and you like to mess around with your smartphone and customize the hell out of it to fit your own style, then PowerAMP Music Player is not only the best looking music player out there on Android, but offers some of the best features like the lock screen widget and equalizer. The trial version allows you full featured access for 15 days before asking you to purchase it, but it definitely is worth it considering you will be able to download it at no extra cost on any Android phone you own in the future as well.

#7) Dolphin Browser? Mini (Free)

“Something powerful, something elegant, something valuable! It is Dolphin Browser HD.
Something fast, something simple, something new! It is Dolphin Browser Mini.
Browsing made wonderful.

Dolphin Browser Mini aims at providing a friendly user experience for all of you.
Enjoy this new version now and let us know how it works for you.”

Both Dolphin Browser HD and Dolphin Browser Mini are much better than the stock Web browser that comes on most Android phones. Both offer intuitive UI design and are more efficient/faster than most of the other top browsers I have tried (Opera Mini, Firefox Mobile, MIREN Browser).

#8) Camera360 (Free & Pro Version)

“Turn your phone into a professional camera. Provides LOMO, HDR, axis shift, draft, ghost, etc. and multiple styles.”

Makes your stock mobile camera 100 times better; Camera360 provides many different camera modes, effects, and enhancements that will give you a reason to leave your actual camera at home.

(For Rooted Android Phones)

#9) Titanium Backup (Free & Pro Version)

“The ONLY tool that can backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links! Supports protected and system apps! 0-click Batch/scheduled backups! The PRO version has 0-click batch restores, Dropbox sync, Dalvik cleaner & MORE!”

A real lifesaver. Once you are rooted, Titanium Backup is one of the apps that you will be downloading first. It allows you to backup your existing apps and system data so that you can easily restore them.

#10) Root Explorer (Paid Version Only)

“Root Explorer is the ultimate file manager for root users. Access the whole of android’s file system (including the elusive data folder!).

Features include SQLite database viewer, Text Editor, create and extract zip or tar/gzip files, multi-select, execute scripts, search, remount, permissions, bookmarks, send files (via email, bluetooth etc), image thumbnails, APK binary XML viewer, change file owner and group.”

If you are rooted, Root Explorer is one of the bread-and-butter applications that you will need in order to take full advantage of the Superuser access that you are granted. Like the description says, it is the ultimate file manager on the Android market.

Photo by Tamás Barta via AppBrain