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Mortazavi SA, Haghani M, Vafapour H, Ghadimi-Moghadam A, Yarbakhsh H, Eslami J, Yarbakhsh R, Zarei S, Rastegarian N, Shams SF, Darvish L, Mohammadi S. Should Parents Allow Their Children Use Smartphones and Tablets? The Issue of Screen Time for Recreational Activities. J Biomed Phys Eng 2023; 13:563-572. [PMID: 38148959 PMCID: PMC10749417 DOI: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that children are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) and blue light emitted from digital screens compared to healthy adults. This paper presents the findings of a cross-sectional study conducted in Yasuj, Iran, to investigate the screen time habits of children and adolescents and its potential impact on their health. A total of 63 participants, including 44 boys and 19 girls, were randomly selected for the study. The results showed that the average daily screen time for the children was 87.38 minutes, with a standard deviation of 49.58. When examining the specific purposes of screen time, it was found that the children spent an average of 17.54 minutes per day on screens for school assignments, 70 minutes per day for recreational purposes, and 23.41 minutes per day for contacting family, friends, and relatives. Our study highlights that a significant portion of the children's screen time was allocated to recreational activities. We observed some differences in screen time between girls and boys. Boys had a slightly higher overall daily screen time, primarily driven by more recreational screen time. However, girls spent slightly more time on screens for school assignments. The screen time for social interactions was similar for both genders. Our findings on the cognitive performance of children with different levels of screen time will be published in a separate paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masoud Haghani
- Department of Radiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hassan Vafapour
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Helia Yarbakhsh
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| | - Jamshid Eslami
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Yarbakhsh
- Department of Computer Engineering, Sharif University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Zarei
- Student Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Niloofar Rastegarian
- Department of Speech Pathology, School of Rehabilitation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Fateme Shams
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Valiasr Hospital, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Leili Darvish
- MVLS College, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Sahar Mohammadi
- Department of Radiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Augustianath T, Evans DA, Anisha GS. Teratogenic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on the embryonic development of chick: A study on morphology and hatchability. Res Vet Sci 2023; 159:93-100. [PMID: 37104994 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The present study was aimed at studying the effects of RF-EMR in causing teratogenic changes in the embryonic development of organisms using chick embryo as a model. The fertilized eggs of the hen were incubated in a digital humidified incubator and exposed to RF-EMR from 2G and 4G mobile phones by ringing at regular time intervals. The dose of RF-EMR was varied by increasing the call duration and number of calls per day, with the lower dose being a call duration of 50 min/day and the higher dose being 90 min/day. The phone kept had a range of radiofrequency between 900 and 1800 MHz and SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) 1.355 (2G) and 1.12 (4G) watts/ kg respectively. The batch of eggs incubated without any exposure to RF-EMR was taken as control. The hatchability of 2G and 4G experimental groups were respectively, 65% and 75% at lower radiation exposure and 40% and 55% at higher radiation exposure. The teratogenic effects of RF-EMR on the morphology of chick embryos manifested as the cross beak, non-retracted yolk sac, macrocephaly, malformed legs and toes, disability in standing and balancing the body and variations in body weight, body length and beak length. The results indicate that the RF-EMR poses potential threats to the developing stages of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessy Augustianath
- Post-graduate and Research Department of Zoology (Research Centre Affiliated to University of Kerala), Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, India
| | - D A Evans
- Department of Zoology, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695034, India
| | - G S Anisha
- Post-graduate and Research Department of Zoology (Research Centre Affiliated to University of Kerala), Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014, India.
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Sistani S, Fatemi I, Shafeie SA, Kaeidi A, Azin M, Shamsizadeh A. The effect of Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves on neuronal response properties in rat barrel cortex. Somatosens Mot Res 2019; 36:292-297. [PMID: 31718372 DOI: 10.1080/08990220.2019.1689116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing number of studies on the possible biological effects of Wi-Fi radiations on nervous system. In this study we investigated the effect of Wi-Fi exposure on single neuron responses to natural stimuli by using whisker to barrel pathway. This study was done on 29 male Wistar rats. Neuronal spontaneous activity and ON and OFF responses to displacement of principal whisker (PW), adjacent whisker (AW) and combination of PW-AW stimulation (as natural stimuli) were recorded in barrel cortex of anaesthetised rats. A D-link Wi-Fi device was used for 1 h exposure to 2.4 GHz microwaves in data mode (18.2 dBm and 44% for power and duty cycle). A condition test ratio (CTR) was calculated for assessing neuronal integrative properties. Wi-Fi radiations decreased CTR for ON responses. However, neuronal spontaneous activity and ON and OFF responses were not significantly changed following exposure to Wi-Fi signals. The results of this study demonstrated that exposure to Wi-Fi radiation could modulate integrative responses to natural stimuli in barrel cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Sistani
- Physiology-pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Iman Fatemi
- Research Center for Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Shafeie
- Neuroscience Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom Iran
| | - Ayat Kaeidi
- Physiology-pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Azin
- Physiology-pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Shamsizadeh
- Physiology-pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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Sharaf NE, Galal AF, El-Sawy MS, Shalby AB, Sayed AH, Ahmed HH. Role of designed Bio-Geometrical forms in antagonizing neurobehavioral burden of Wi-Fi radiation: Evidence-based experimental study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.13005/bpj/1751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of Wi-Fi signals exposure on cognitive function and its relevant brain biomarkers and the possible role of designed Bio-Geometrical forms in restoring the neurobehavioral alterations resulting from the exposure to the emerging radiation.Rats were assigned into 3 groups; Gp I control group (away from exposure to radiation); Gp II, III were exposed to wireless router signals for 24 h for 6 months and Gp III was protected by a set of designed BioGeometrical shapes. Animals were tested for spatial memory, anxiety and emotionality in addition to the related neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine) in different brain areas. Melatonin, Heat Shock Protein (HSP-70) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE) were also measured in various brain regions and histopathological examination was carried out as well. Wi-Fi radiation exposed group showed elevated anxiety level and impaired spatial memory. Moreover, significant decline in dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine levels in the investigated brain areas has been recorded. Melatonin levels were decreased in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus while HSP-70 was depleted in the cortex only. Using Bio-Geometrical forms along with Wi-Fi exposure could combat the burden of Wi-Fi radiation. This was evidenced by the recovery of the anxiety level and the improvement of memory task. In addition, the presence of Bio-Geometrical shapes could retrieve dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine as well as melatonin and HSP-70 levels This study provides solid foundation for the potential use of Bio-Geometrical shapes to modify the insult of Wi-Fi radiation on brain function and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevin E. Sharaf
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Asmaa F. Galal
- Narcotics, Ergogenics and Poisons Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S. El-Sawy
- Department of Architecture, Faculty of engineering, Misr University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Aziza B. Shalby
- Department of Hormones, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Alaa H. Sayed
- Department of Hormones, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. 5Applied Medical Sciences Department, Community College in AlQurayyat Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanaa H. Ahmed
- Department of Hormones, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
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