Mobile phones switch off brain cells

The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (Dera) has found that mobile phones can switch off nerve cells in the brain's memory centre.

The study, conducted on rats, found that the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones deadened nerve cells that control memory. The evidence suggests that the damage is not long-term and that the symptoms of memory loss and confusion disappear once the phone is switched off. Dera has recommended further study.

Many research studies of the effects of mobile phones on health have been conducted in the past few months, but none have provided conclusive proof of ill effects. The Australian government recently set aside £83,000 for its own series of research projects, one of which will focus on memory and concentration.