1 % Abnormal Eremosphaera Algae CellsStrength of EMF Last week, I spent several hours on my cellphone doing interviews. That’s not unusual, except this week, the subject of my Well column is whether regular cellphone use is risky to the brain. I’m rethinking how I use my cellphone after hearing three brain surgeons make the point that they use ear pieces, speaker phones or headsets when talking on the phone, and they don’t put cellphones next to their ears. The data on cellphone use and health is mixed. The Food and Drug Administration says there is no evidence of health problems associated with cellphone use, but the F.D.A. adds that there also is no proof “that wireless phones are absolutely safe.” More recent studies suggest an increased risk for head tumors after 10 or more years of heavy cellphone use. To read more about the data on cellphones and health, read the full Well column Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have found that less than an hour of cellphone use can speed up brain activity in the area closest to the phone antenna, raising new questions about the health effects of low levels of radiation emitted from cellphones. The researchers, led by Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, urged caution in interpreting the findings because it is not known whether the changes, which were seen in brain scans, have any meaningful effect on a person’s overall health. But the study, published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association, is among the first and largest to document that the weak radio-frequency signals from cellphones have the potential to alter brain activity. The head of a prominent cancer research institute has warned his faculty and staff to limit cellphone use because of a possible cancer risk, The Associated Press reports. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, the director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, notes that while the evidence about a cellphone-cancer link remains unclear, people should take precautions, particularly for children. “Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later,” Dr. Herberman told The Associated Press. Earlier this year, three prominent brain surgeons raised similar concerns while speaking on “The Larry King Show.” Their concerns were largely based on observational studies that showed only an association between cellphone use and cancer, not a causal relationship. The most important of these studies is called Interphone, a vast research effort in 13 countries, including Canada, Israel and several in Europe. Some of the research suggests a link between cellphone use and three types of tumors: glioma; cancer of the parotid, a salivary gland near the ear; and acoustic neuroma, a tumor that essentially occurs where the ear meets the brain. All these tumors are rare, so even if cellphone use does increase risk, the risk is still very low. Vs. The technology news site CNET has compiled two interesting lists showing which cellphones give off the most and the least radiation. In publishing the information, CNET editors note the data aren’t meant to imply that cellphone radiation poses a risk, nor is it meant to say that the phones are safe. As I recently reported in my Well column last week, the data on cellphone safety are mixed, although a few recent international studies have suggested a link with three types of brain tumors. The Food and Drug Administration also says there’s not enough information to determine conclusively whether cell phones are safe or unsafe. % Abnormal Eremosphaera Algae Cells
2 Topic Problem IF the strength of the electromagnetic field increases as follows: mG, 500 mG, 1000 mG, 3,100 mG, 6,200 mG, 14,100 mG and 17,200 mG THEN will that cause the percentage of abnormalities of the Eremosphaera Algae cells to increase, stay the same or decrease?
3 Hypothesis I predict that if the electromagnetic field increases from 0 milligauss to 17,200 milligauss, then the percent of abnormal Eremosphaera Algae cells will increase significantly when exposed to more than 1,000 milligauss because electric currents produce an electromagnetic field and an electromagnetic field (EMF) can induce an electrical current. When cells are exposed to an EMF an electrical current will flow through them. This induced electrical current may increase the temperature of the cell which may then cause damage to the cell. The World Health Organization’s guidelines state that exposure to electromagnetic fields below 1,000 milligauss is safe for the general public and below 5,000 milligauss is safe for workers. Therefore, I hypothesize that the percentage of abnormal cells would start to increase significantly at 1000 milligauss and would then increase at an accelerated rate as the EMF exposure level increases.
4 Independent Variable The independent variable is the strength of the EMF exposure levels. The exposure levels of EMF that will be tested are: 0 mG 500 mG 1000 mG 3100 mG 6200 mG 14100 mG 17200 mG The range of values from 0 mG to 17,200 mG tests exposure levels below and above the World Health Organization’s exposure guideline limit of 1,000 mG for the general public and the exposure guideline limit of 5,000 mG for workers.
5 Circular Shape, No Protrusions, No DiscolorationDependent Variable The dependent variable is the percentage of abnormal Eremosphaera algae cells. Normal Cells Circular Shape, No Protrusions, No Discoloration Abnormal Cells Abnormal Shapes Abnormal Protrusions Abnormal Colors
6 Control The control group contained Eremosphaera algae cells that were exposed to 0 EMF. 0 mG
7 Constants The constants are:1 hour exposure time, 23 °C test tube water bath, 18 mm × 150 mm test tubes, 15 cm space between test tubes, 22 gauge insulated copper wire to make coils, volt current to generate EMF, 5 second light shake of stock cell solution before drawing each sample, 5 ml of living Eremosphaera algae cells from same stock solution in each test tube, 5 second light shake of each exposed cell solution before drawing each sample, drops of exposed Eremosphaere algae cell solution to make each wet mount slide, 40× microscope magnification.
8 Materials The materials required are as follows:Equipment: (1) 10 ml graduated cylinder, (1) dropper, (1) 50 ml beaker, (4) thermometers that read from °C, (7) ring stands, (7) test tube clamps, (14) 18x150mm test tubes, (2) test tube racks, ft. of 22 gauge insulated wire, (1) volt converter, (1) aquarium, (1) aquarium pump, (1) EMF meter, (22) microscope slides, (1) microscope, (1) microscope video attachment, (1) digital video camera recorder, (1) T.V. and (1) computer. Consumable supplies: Eremosphaera algae cells and water Measurement devices: EMF meter that measures in milligauss Safety Equipment: (1) Ground fault circuit interrupter, (1) pair goggles, anti-bacterial soap
9 Procedures and Photos Label the test tubes 0 - 6.Use ring stands and test tube clamps to place the 7 test tubes cm apart in an aquarium.
10 Procedures and Photos Wrap 22 gauge insulated wire continuously from one test tube to another as follows: 0 mG Test tube #0: 0 mG 0 coils of wire 500 mG Test tube #1: 500 mG 1 layer of 5 coils 1000 mG Test tube #2: 1000 mG 3 layers of 5 coils 3100 mG 6200 mG Test tube #3: 3100 mG 6 layers of 5 coils 14100 mG Test tube #4: 6200 mG 9 layers of 5 coils 17200 mG Test tube #5: mG 12 layers of 5 coils Test tube #6: mG 15 layers of 5 coils
11 Procedures and Photos Connect the two ends of the wire coiled around the test tubes to the volt converter. Plug the voltage converter into a GFCI outlet. Use caution and do not operate while standing in water. Set the volt converter to 1.5 volts. Turn on the 1.5 volt current. Measure the EMF level inside each test tube using an EMF meter. Record the measurement in milligauss. Turn off the 1.5 volt current.
12 Procedures and Photos Fill the aquarium with tap water.Set up an aquarium pump to circulate the test tube water bath in the aquarium to help regulate the temperature of the cells environment to 23 °C. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the test tube water bath. Gently shake the stock Eremosphaera algae cell solution for 5 seconds and then transfer 5 mL of cell suspension to each of the 7 test tubes.
13 Procedures and Phots Check to make sure the voltage converter is plugged into a GFCI outlet. Use caution and do not operate while standing in water. Turn on the 1.5 volt current. Leave the test tubes containing Eremosphaera algae cells exposed for 1 hour and then turn off the electromagnetic fields. Gently shake the test tube of each experimental group for 5 seconds. Then use a clean pipette to draw out a 1 ml sample of the exposed Eremosphaera algae cell solution from the center of the test tube.
14 Procedures and Photos Make a wet mount slide using 3 drops of the exposed cell solution from the pipette. Label the slide. Return any unused cell solution to the test tube. Record the appearance of the cells in the sample using a digital camera and video microscope. Repeat this 31 times to collect 31 samples from each test tube. Label and print out all the digital pictures. Cut the pictures out and cover the label on each photograph with painters masking tape to reduce bias.
15 Circular Shape, No Protrusions, No DiscolorationNormal Cells Circular Shape, No Protrusions, No Discoloration Abnormal Cells Abnormal Protrusions Abnormal Shapes Abnormal Colors
16 Procedures and Photos Use the abnormal and normal cell chart to identify abnormal cells. Mark an X in red pen on all the abnormal cells. Repeat for each photograph. Remove the painters masking tape to reveal the label of each photograph, count the total number of abnormal and normal cells and then record the data.
17 Procedures and Photos For disposal the Eremosphaera algae cells will be boiled for 10 minutes and then rinsed and washed down the drain using hot soapy water .
18 Procedures and Photos The ratio data for each experimental group was added together to obtain its total ratio. The total ratio was then used to calculate the average percentage of abnormal cells using the following formula: % Abnormal Cells = (Abnormal Cells / Total Number of Cells) × 100 The EMF and % abnormal cells data was then entered into Excel. The data entered from the experiment was then used to generate a scatter plot graph by the Excel program. A smooth line was then calculated and drawn with a white line through the data points by the Excel program. A best fit line was then calculated and drawn with red dots by the Excel program. Excel found the best fit line to be a 4th order polynomial equation with an R2 value of Standard error bars were then calculated and drawn in red by the Excel program.
19 EMF Strength vs. % Abnormal CellsPercentage of Abnormal Eremosphaera Algae Cells (Abnormal Cells / Total Number of Cells) × 100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 % mG 10 / 17 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 47.8% 500 9 / 7 / 46.5% 1,000 12 / 11 / 50.7% 3,100 19 / 14 / 32 10 / 13 / 59.3% 6,200 20 / 36 66.5% 14,100 15 / 57.2% 17,200 15/18 88.3%
20 EMF Strength vs. % Abnormal CellsOf EMF Percentage of Abnormal Eremosphaera Algae Cells (Abnormal Cells / Total Number of Cells) × 100 Average Ratio Average Percent 0 mG 33/69 47.8% 500 mG 35/77 46.5% 1,000 mG 42/84 50.7% 3,100 mG 63/107 59.3% 6,200 mG 72/112 66.5% 14,100 mG 61/108 57.2% 17,200 mG 53/61 88.3%
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22 Results After 1 hour of exposure: 0 mG was 47.8% abnormalAfter exposure, as the EMF increased the percentage of abnormal cells also increased. A significant increase of abnormal cells started at 1000 milligauss and increased at a faster rate as the exposure rose to 17,200 milligauss. These results demonstrate if the strength of the EMF increases then the % abnormal Eremosphaera algae cells will increase in a direct relationship.
23 Conclusion I had predicted that if the strength of the EMF increases to more than 1,000 milliguass then the percentage of abnormal Eremosphaera algae cells will increase significantly. The following data from my results supports my hypothesis: the percentage of abnormal Eremosphaera algae cells of the experimental group exposed to 17,200 milligauss was on average 39.1% more than the control group that was exposed to 0 milligauss. The strength of the EMF has a direct relationship with the percentage of abnormal Eremosphaera algae cells. Increasing the strength of the EMF caused the percentage of abnormal Eremosphaera algae cells to increase because the EMF induced an electrical current in the cell which caused the temperature of the cell to increase and become damaged.
24 Research Summary Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are produced by electrical currents. The opposite is also true. If a substance that conducts electricity moves in a magnetic field then electrical currents are produced in that substance. So when the Eremosphaera Algae cells are exposed to an EMF an induced electrical current may flow through the cells. If an electrical current is induced inside the cell then the temperature of the cell may increase which may cause cell damage.
25 Research Summary The World Health Organization’s guidelines state that exposure to EMF levels below 1,000 milligauss is safe for the general public. It is worth noting that this experiment supports this standard because the experimental groups with an exposure level at or below 1,000 mG do not show any significant difference from the control group with an exposure level of 0 mG. As such, exposure to EMF poses only a minimal risk to the general public because they are not normally exposed to sufficiently high enough EMF levels to cause cell damage.
26 Bibliography Barker, Keith. E-mail interview. 30 Jan. 2006“Eremosphaera.” Protist Images. 19 Nov
27 Image Credits All data tables and graphs created by _______________________. All photographs taken by _______________________________. Biohazard clipart image from Perfection Cleaning and Restoration
28 Experiment Plan The “IF / THEN” question that I will try to answer is: “IF the electromagnetic field increases THEN will that cause the percentage of abnormalities of the Eremosphaera Algae cells to increase, stay the same or decrease? To determine the answer to my topic question I will numerically measure the percentage of abnormal Eremosphaera Algae cells. To take the numerical measurements, I will use the following device or piece of equipment: a digital camera and video microscope to take photographs of the Eremosphaera Algae cells. I will record the numerical measurements in the following units: %. To make my project unique I can invent, create, construct, make or design a device that will expose each experimental group of Eremosphaera Algae cells to electromagnetic fields with specific strengths that range from ,200 milligauss.
29 Research InstructionsWhat is the scientific reasoning that explains the cause and effect relationship between the independent-variable and the dependent-variable? What specific part(s) of the independent-variable cause the dependent-variable to change? How does each specific part of the independent-variable cause the dependent-variable to change? What is the scientific reasoning that explains what you are going to change and what you are going to change about it to try to cause the dependent-variable to do the desired effect more or less? What is the scientific reasoning that explains why you predict one experimental group will have the greatest desired effect?
30 Research InstructionsNarrow the focus of the IF/THEN question or problem that your science project will investigate by identifying specific materials and/or quantities that will be tested and used in the experiment Devise the step-by-step procedures Devise measuring techniques that are accurate and reliable Identify and explain proper safety techniques and proper disposal procedures for your experiment Additional Extension Research Topics Find ideas to help you invent, create, construct, make or design something unique or original Identify possible applications or uses for the results of your project Explain the benefits of solving your project or why solving your project is important
31 Science Fair Power Point WorksheetsEach slide is formatted on a 8.5” × 11” slide with a 0.5” margin which enables these power point slides to be used in a multitude of ways. Teachers may use them as a slide show presentation for class discussion and instruction. (NOTE: Helpful hyperlinks only work while in “Slide Show” view.) Students may use them as worksheets that can be completed by editing/rewriting the instructional guidelines written in gray font. (NOTE: The text may only be edited while in “Normal” view.) Teachers may have students submit worksheets electronically using an Angel drop box. Slides completed by students can be used as an electronic display board slide show for presenting their project. Slides completed by students can be printed and then attached to a traditional cardboard display board for presenting their project. Slides completed by students can be printed and used as a formal report.