A modern day scare

A recent health scare relates to everyday technology—mobile phones’ potential to cause damage by radiation. Studies on the issue continue to contradict one another. The issue being debated in the scientific and political arenas is just how much radiation is unsafe, and if there are any potential long-term effects of cell-phone radiation exposure.

Rise of the mutants

WHEN the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant malfunctioned after the devastating tsunami in March last year, it left the scientific community jittery over the noxious effects the radiations might have on the biodiversity in Japan, and beyond. It seems the fears were not unfounded.

The right call?

Science and Technology - Briefs

HEALTH SCIENCES Diesel fuelling obesity

Futuristic microwave shield

IT’S COMMON to see a laptop flicker if a cell phone starts buzzing nearby. The occurrence is known as electromagnetic interference (EMI) and happens due to the effect of microwave radiations from cellphones. In today’s technology dependent world there is no escaping these radiations.

Life post Fukushima

My first impression of Japan, after landing at the Haneda international airport in the wee hours of the morning, was the sight of hundreds of people wearing white masks that stretched from ear to ear, walking briskly past me. It triggered a question: “radiation?”. My Japanese friend laughed and explained that the health ministry encouraged people suffering a flu to wear these masks to avoid infecting others. As far as radiation is concerned, he said matter of factly, no mask can ever reduce one’s exposure to it.

A schoolgirl’s nuclear nightmare

In the gathering dusk, the open ground in Kudankulam village is filling up slowly. There is an inter-faith meeting to protest against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) that has come up just 2 km away and is all set to start operations.

We still have to reach the interiors

What steps have been taken to ensure civilian safety vis-à-vis CBRN disasters? Interviewee:  W Selvamurthy

Mobile tower risks: Rajasthan High Court issues notice to telecom operators

Following a writ petition by two senior citizens citing increased incidence of cancer because of mobile towers, the Rajasthan High court, has issued notices to 13 mobile service providers, including Vodafone and Airtel, and seven government agencies.

Radioactive mirage

India's desperate pursuit of nuclear energy will be expensive and risky. Small wonder industry wants to dilute its liability