Human Psychomotor Performance Under the Exposure to Mobile Phones-Like Electromagnetic Fields

2018 ◽  
pp. 6124-6135
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Curcio
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Psychomotor Performance ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
The Public ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Biologic Effects ◽  
Sham Exposure ◽  
Ionizing Radiations

The first studies on humans addressing cognitive functioning changes as a consequence of radiofrequency (RF) EMFs exposure, date back to almost 20 years ago. The effects on human behaviour showed in those pioneering works indicated a somewhat improvement of performance under the exposure to the signal, compared with sham exposure. These first and striking results were not fully replicated by subsequent studies that were characterized by a more methodological robustness and attention to exposure aspects. In accordance with this view, latest reviews and metanalyses have confirmed the paucity of evidence and the lack of reliability of psychomotor and cognitive effects of acute RF EMF exposure on human volunteers, particularly when assessed in well controlled laboratory settings. Thus, despite the public opinion about potential biologic effects of acute RF EMFs irradiation, it can be concluded that to date there is substantial lack of evidence about a negative influence of non-ionizing radiations on cognitive functioning in humans.

Human Psychomotor Performance Under the Exposure to Mobile Phones-Like Electromagnetic Fields

2019 ◽  
pp. 923-936
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Curcio
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
The Public ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Biologic Effects ◽  
Sham Exposure ◽  
Ionizing Radiations

The first studies on humans addressing cognitive functioning changes as a consequence of radiofrequency (RF) EMFs exposure date back to almost 20 years ago. The effects on human behavior showed in those pioneering works indicated an improvement of performance under the exposure to the signal, compared with sham exposure. These first and striking results were not fully replicated by subsequent studies that were characterized by a more methodological robustness and attention to exposure aspects. In accordance with this view, latest reviews and metanalyses have confirmed the paucity of evidence and the lack of reliability of psychomotor and cognitive effects of acute RF EMF exposure on human volunteers, particularly when assessed in well controlled laboratory settings. Thus, despite the public opinion about potential biologic effects of acute RF EMFs irradiation, it can be concluded that to date there is substantial lack of evidence about a negative influence of non-ionizing radiations on cognitive functioning in humans.

Mobile Phones-Like Electromagnetic Fields Effects on Human Psychomotor Performance

2015 ◽  
pp. 694-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elia Valentini ◽  
Giuseppe Curcio
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Base Stations ◽  
Cellular Phones ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human Volunteers ◽  
Biologic Effects ◽  
Ionizing Radiations

Nowadays nearly more than half of human beings on the planet are directly or indirectly exposed to an “evolutionary” novel physical agent: the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by cellular phones, base stations, as well as other types of wireless communication technologies. More than 10 years ago several studies reported that cognitive functions of human beings may have been altered while exposed to radiofrequency (RF) EMFs. Yet, the genuine effect of these non-ionizing radiations on human behaviour was not replicated by several other recent and more methodologically robust studies. Latest reviews and metanalyses confirmed the paucity of evidence in favour of psychomotor and cognitive effects of acute RF EMF exposure on human volunteers in well controlled laboratory settings. Thus, despite persisting concerns on potential biologic effects of acute RF EMFs irradiation, there is substantial lack of evidence that RF radiation can affect cognitive functions in humans.

Public space of the trustworthiness of sociological knowledge: The case of electoral research

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
OLEKSANDR STEGNII
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Election Campaign ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Sociological Knowledge ◽  
The Public ◽  
Approval Ratings ◽  
The Impact

The paper analyses specific features of sociological data circulation in a public space during an election campaign. The basic components of this kind of space with regard to sociological research are political actors (who put themselves up for the election), voters and agents. The latter refer to professional groups whose corporate interests are directly related to the impact on the election process. Sociologists can also be seen as agents of the electoral process when experts in the field of electoral sociology are becoming intermingled with manipulators without a proper professional background and publications in this field. In a public space where an electoral race is unfolding, empirical sociological research becomes the main form of obtaining sociological knowledge, and it is primarily conducted to measure approval ratings. Electoral research serves as an example of combining the theoretical and empirical components of sociological knowledge, as well as its professional and public dimensions. Provided that sociologists meet all the professional requirements, electoral research can be used as a good tool for evaluating the trustworthiness of results reflecting the people’s expression of will. Being producers of sociological knowledge, sociologists act in two different capacities during an election campaign: as analysts and as pollsters. Therefore, it is essential that the duties and areas of responsibility for professional sociologists should be separated from those of pollsters. Another thing that needs to be noted is the negative influence that political strategists exert on the trustworthiness of survey findings which are going to be released to the public. Using the case of approval ratings as an illustration, the author analyses the most common techniques aimed at misrepresenting and distorting sociological data in the public space. Particular attention is given to the markers that can detect bogus polling companies, systemic violations during the research process and data falsification.

Values in Science and the Erosion of Trust

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inmaculada de Melo-Martín ◽  
Kristen Intemann
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Values In Science ◽  
Scientific Communities ◽  
Alternative Strategies ◽  
Political Values ◽  
The Public

This chapter considers another factor that plays a role in eroding the public’s trust in science: concerns about the negative influence of nonepistemic values in science, particularly in controversial areas of inquiry with important effects on public policy. It shows that the credibility of scientists can be undermined when the public perceives that scientists have a political agenda or will be biased by their own personal or political values. However, to assume that the best way to address this problem is try to eliminate such values from science altogether would be a mistake. Ethical and social values are necessary and important to knowledge production. Consequently, the chapter explores alternative strategies to increase transparency and stakeholder involvement so as to address legitimate concerns about bias and sustain warranted trust in scientific communities.

scholarly journals Call them COVIDiots: Exploring the effects of aggressive communication style and psychological distance in the communication of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252198919
Author(s):  
Haoran Chu ◽  
Shupei Yuan ◽  
Sixiao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Social Norm ◽  
Distance Perception ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Aggressive Communication ◽  
Close Distance

This study examined the influences of perceived distance to communicator on the effects of aggressive style (i.e. personal attacks and intense languages) in communicating scientific issues such as COVID-19 to the public. With a multi-site experiment ( N = 464), we found that aggression led to a heightened violation of expected social norm regarding communication styles. However, the interpretation of violation varied depending on the individual’s perceived distance to the communicator. Close distance articulated the urgency and severity of COVID-19 risks conveyed with aggression, which further increased compliance with the message. Far distance perception amplified aggression’s negative influence on writer likeability. The findings showed that aggressive communication may generate positive outcomes when dealing with public understanding of scientific issues such as COVID-19, but communicators need to build a closer connection with their audience.

scholarly journals Mechanism of short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequencies

2007 ◽  
Vol 405 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Friedman ◽  
Sarah Kraus ◽  
Yirmi Hauptman ◽  
Yoni Schiff ◽  
Rony Seger
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Egf Receptor ◽  
Nadh Oxidase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Heparin Binding ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Mapk Cascades ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

The exposure to non-thermal microwave electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones affects the expression of many proteins. This effect on transcription and protein stability can be mediated by the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades, which serve as central signalling pathways and govern essentially all stimulated cellular processes. Indeed, long-term exposure of cells to mobile phone irradiation results in the activation of p38 as well as the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) MAPKs. In the present study, we have studied the immediate effect of irradiation on the MAPK cascades, and found that ERKs, but not stress-related MAPKs, are rapidly activated in response to various frequencies and intensities. Using signalling inhibitors, we delineated the mechanism that is involved in this activation. We found that the first step is mediated in the plasma membrane by NADH oxidase, which rapidly generates ROS (reactive oxygen species). These ROS then directly stimulate MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and allow them to cleave and release Hb-EGF [heparin-binding EGF (epidermal growth factor)]. This secreted factor activates the EGF receptor, which in turn further activates the ERK cascade. Thus this study demonstrates for the first time a detailed molecular mechanism by which electromagnetic irradiation from mobile phones induces the activation of the ERK cascade and thereby induces transcription and other cellular processes.

M-Powering

2015 ◽  
pp. 97-107
Author(s):  
Benard Magara Maake ◽  
Naftal Nyarangi Oino ◽  
Fredrick Mzee Awuor
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Telecommunication Networks ◽  
Digital Government ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
The Public ◽  
Money Transfers

A mobile government affords, for instance, a powerful and transformational capacity to extend access to existing services, to expand the delivery of new services, to increase active citizen participation in government operations, and to change the way of working within the public sector. With the advancement of wireless and mobile technology, more people have been enabled to connect to local and regional resources that might have been unreachable in the absence of these telecommunication networks. The ability to perform both private and government transactions using mobile phones has enhanced and promoted the awareness of a digital government, reducing the level of digital divide in marginalized, poor, and developing nations. M-PESA is a mobile money service in Kenya transforming the citizens' lives and the government's operations. This chapter shows how Mobile Money transfers (M-Pesa) transactions have been a driver to realize an e-Government in Kenya through the monetary controls.

Political Context Elements in Public Policy of Radio Frequency Information Technology and Electromagnetic Fields

2019 ◽  
pp. 346-364
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Steinfeld
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Base Stations ◽  
The Public ◽  
Frequency Information ◽  
Base Site ◽  
Political Narratives

There are widespread uses of radio frequency information technology (RADFIT) including applications related to communications, security, big data, military, transportation, space exploration, oceanography, agriculture, medical sciences, and more. Regulation of RADFIT is challenging and controversial as agencies and stakeholders struggle to balance benefits and costs. This powerful and invisible technology has the capacity to achieve breakthrough solutions by utilizing electromagnetic fields to collect, analyze, and transmit data, or to enact stimuli to create interventions for machines or living matter. However, the prevalence of RF base stations and electromagnetic fields has altered the environment and results in unintended absorption by human subjects. The public policy and politics of RADFIT, including the processes for base site installation and acceptable levels of absorption, have come to the forefront of discourse. This chapter discusses the political narratives that dictate public policy stances on the issue, bureaucratic considerations, and the response by communities.

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