U.S. Senate to Investigate Whether Cell Phones Cause Cancer

The U.S. Senate Health Committee plans to probe deeply into any potential links between cell phone use and cancer, concerned that the case may be similar to the cigarette-lung cancer connection that was denied by tobacco companies for decades.
Iowa senator Tom Harkin, who became the committee head after the death of Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, said that he was concerned that no one has been able to prove cell phone do not cause cancer.
"I'm reminded of this nation's experience with cigarettes," said Harkin. "Decades passed between the first warnings about smoking tobacco and the final definitive conclusion that cigarettes cause lung cancer."
Some researchers believe that low levels of radiation from cell phone use may cause cancers of the brain and central nervous system -- similar to the malignant brain tumor that Kennedy had been battling with.

Years of research have failed to establish any clear link between their use and several kinds of cancer, including brain tumors.

Four years ago, Danish researchers studied the cell phone usage of brain tumor patients and reported that the two were unlikely connected but said that "we won't be able to make any firm conclusions until we can confirm these results with studies with more long-term and heavy cell phone users."

Studies in France and Norway last year reported similar results.

However, recent worries have been raised by U.S. and British researchers who suggest that many of the previous studies were telecom-funded and had a "systemic-skew" that greatly underestimated the chance of tumors, such as excluding people who "had died or were too ill to be interviewed as a consequence of their brain tumor and children and young adults who are more vulnerable."

While no solid link between cell phones and cancer has been established, studies indicate the likelihood of such a connection calls for a precautionary approach.

An estimated 275 million people in the U.S. and 4 billion worldwide use cell phones.

T-Mobile Launches the Nokia 5130 for $30

T-Mobile, the nation's fourth-largest carrier, today launched the Nokia 5130, a low-cost music phone with dedicated music keys, stereo Bluetooth and an FM radio.

      The Bellevue, Wash.-based carrier said the 5130 also has an integrated 2.0-megapixel camera for snapping quick photos and an extra-long battery with six hours of talktime and 12 days of standby.

Running on Nokia's Series 40 operating system, the handset supports email and instant messaging to stay in touch with friends and photo sharing through Share on Ovi and Mail on Ovi email services.

"Consumers want to be able to play their own soundtrack regardless of where they might be in the world or in their lives," said Frank Vium, Nokia's vice president. "The Nokia 5130 XpressMusic is just one device that helps bring this to reality."

T-Mobile said the Nokia 5130 costs $30 with a two-year contract and comes in Black Red and Pearl White Aqua colors.

Comcast Plans to Bring TV Shows to Cell Phones

Leading cable operator Comcast said it plans to bring TV shows to smartphones through its new wireless Internet service as part of a push to offer more mobile services.

"I can envision sometimes in the future On Demand Online having a wireless component," said Michael Angelakis, Comcast's Chief Financial Officer.

The Philadelphia, Penn.-based company began rolling out its mobile service, delivered over WiMax technology, as part of a joint venture with Sprint and Clearwire.

As consumers increasingly expect to be able to watch videos on their mobile devices, cable companies are seeking ways to collaborate with content providers to let paying customers watch TV shows on the Web with no extra charge.