Communication Breakdown

News just in from those sensitive folks over at the Science and Public Policy Institute in Pennsylvania. Yep, as we were warned earlier this year, Tamara Mariea (a "certified clinical nutritionist"), and the redoubtable Dr George Carlo (see here for more on this "expert on the dangers of electromagnetic radiation") have finally published their "groundbreaking scientific study" showing that Wi-Fi causes autism.

From their press release:

"The autistic children followed specific detoxification protocols in an environment that was mitigated with regard to sources of EMR including mobile phones and WiFi 3. Heavy metal excretions were monitored from hair, urine and feces over periods ranging from several weeks to several months. The researchers found that with protocols administered in the mitigated environment, heavy metals were cleared from the children's bodies in a pattern dependent on time and molecular weight. The heaviest metals, such as mercury and uranium, cleared last. In many of the children, the decrease in metals was concomitant with symptom amelioration.

Tamara Mariea, said: "These findings give us very important clues to solving some of the enigmas we see in the autism literature regarding the efficacy of detoxification. And, we are extremely pleased with the results we are now seeing in these children. Our protocols are working."

Dr. Carlo said, "These findings tie in with other studies showing adverse cell-membrane responses and disruptions of normal cell physiology. The EMR apparently causes the metals to be trapped in cells, slowing clearance and accelerating the onset of symptoms... Our data offer a reasonable mechanistic explanation for a connection between autism and wireless technology."

Apparently this groundbreaking paper was "published this week in the peer-reviewed Australasian Journal of Clinical Environmental Medicine". Now, I'm no Ben Goldacre, but I do know how to use Google, and I can see no evidence of any "Australasian Journal of Clinical Environmental Medicine". Correct me if I'm wrong. Someone? Anyone?

Why do I get the feeling that we have so been here before?

Just got word from Vodafone that it and its US buddy Verizon are to launch "a new global services cooperation".

"The new program allows both companies to meet the needs of global business customers, while providing a consistent approach to products and pricing," says the release.

Might this have something to do with Qualcomm's Gobi chipset, which should obviate the current ridiculous situation whereby - despite a roaming partnership - Vodafone users need to switch datacards to use Verizon's CDMA network in the US? Methinks so.

Yeah, we all know you can surf the web on Windows Mobile phones - well, most phones these days. But surfing the ground?

Bear with me. According to Modaco, a French company called Ratleads is producing a three-wheeled electric skateboard - sorry, surfboard ("It's been tested and developed with professional surfers") - the speed of which can be controlled by Bluetooth-enabled touchscreen phones. From the story: "If you want to go faster, slide a finger up the screen. To slow down, slide your finger down."

The first such phones to get the software to do this will be those from our old friends HTC. Beat that, iPhone.



Awesome, but at around £1000 a pop, pricey fun. The GroundSurf should be available in the first half of next year via a "famous Californian surf brand", so keep your eye on this site for more details as they arise.

One of the most interesting aspects of this week's massive shakeup of EU telecoms rules was to do with net neutrality. To rather lazily lift a paragraph from the story we did on this on Wednesday:

"The reform will guarantee that your internet service provider must clearly inform you in advance if they impose limitations on accessing certain sites," reads the Commission's statement. "This information will make it easier for you [end users] to decide whether you want to switch to another provider or not. National regulators will also have powers to intervene when the quality of service for transmission could be at risk."

We sought comment on this from the ISP Association at the time, but to no avail. However, I've just got word from them that they are meeting with BERR (formerly the DTI) on Monday to discuss the issue, and will likely have plenty to say after that. Keep 'em peeled.

Those of you who have iPhones - I hope you're enjoying them! Just out of interest, there's a couple of slightly negative stories going around about dead zones on the screen (something to do with moisture?), and the gadget's virtual keyboard apparently causing typos.

Not having one myself, I couldn't possibly comment, but we'd be keen to hear your experiences...