Concern over the potential long-term adverse health effects associated with new 5G mobile phone technology will be the focus of a public lecture today (Thursday August 17) at Griffith University.
“The health effect issue of 5G is potentially very controversial as the communications industry is massive and 5G technology will be quite pervasive but its long-term health effects on humans are largely unknown,” says Professor Dariusz Leszczynski, the keynote speaker at the public lecture co-hosted by Griffith’s Centre for Environment and Population Health and the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists.
Professor Leszczynski was one of the thirty experts on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)/WHO 2011 evaluation group that classified all radio frequency (RF-EMF) emissions as a possible carcinogen.
Current safety limits could be insufficient
Professor Leszczynski suggests that the current safety limits imposed on wireless communication devices (WCD) are insufficient to protect all users of such devices. “Besides carcinogenicity, there are
Category: Griffith University Feed
Research sheds light on renewables & stock market
If you want strong stock market growth, invest in renewable energy.
Research from Griffith University and Jiangxi University, described as “the exact opposite of what we’ve been lead to believe”, shows there’s a positive correlation between renewables and the market – a potential boon for the economy as a whole.
The paper, called ‘The effects of stock market growth and renewable energy use on CO2 emissions’, was published in Energy Economics.
Dr Rakesh Gupta
Dr Rakesh Gupta from Griffith Business School said he was sceptical when the idea was first floated but “shocked” at the final results.
“We tested our findings and analysed different models to ensure it was, indeed, true.”
Dr Gupta said the implications for emerging economies were also significant, as it could potentially lead to more foreign direct investment.
“There’s a whole perception out there that investment in renewable energy hurts the economy and takes away jobs – but that’s simply not true.”
The paper
5G network brings new concerns around wave radiation
The potential dangers of 5G technology to human health will be outlined by a world authority on radiation emissions at Griffith University on Thursday (August 17, 6pm).
Professor Dariusz Leszczynski was among 30 invited experts to classify radiation emitted by wireless communication devices (WCD) as possible human carcinogen in 2011.
“The current scientific evidence suggests that the radiation emitted by current wireless communication devices could be re-classified as probable human carcinogen,” Professor Leszczynski said.
Griffith’s Centre for Environment and Population Health will host Thursday’s public lecture at its Nathan campus, starting at 6pm.
READ THE CONVERSATION: Mobile phones and brain cancer
“The evidence of health risk indicates that the current safety limits are insufficient to protect all users of wireless communication devices,” Professor Leszczynski, an adjunct professor at the University of Helsinki in Finland, said.
“The 5G network will be a giant leap for the technological development but, even more, it will be a giant leap
Pilot Dan takes aviation degree sky high
From his office 10,000m above the ground, Virgin Australia pilot Dan Lang surveys a career that is literally and figuratively flying.
Becoming a pilot was Dan’s dream from boyhood when he and his family made the long-haul flights from Australia to visit loved ones across the world.
The journey from enthusiastic youngster to an aviation degree from Griffith University and now to a commercial flying career has taken years of dedication and diverse experience. And there are still a few more air miles to log as Dan prepares to transfer from the co-pilot’s seat on the right of the Virgin cockpit to the captain’s seat on the left.
Dan’s family emigrated from Switzerland to Sydney in 1988 and international flights became a part of life.
“I loved flying from the start and that has never changed,” says Dan, 34, who is based in South East Queensland where he lives with dietitian wife Michelle and their
Griffith researchers make inroads into fighting malaria
Griffith University scientists have helped discover new compounds which could help block the transmission of the deadly disease malaria.
A team of Griffith researchers has found a novel class of compounds, the hexahydro quinoline (HHQ), with potent activity against the parasite stages responsible for the clinical symptoms of malaria and its transmission to mosquitoes.
Malaria is still a leading cause of death, with 212 million new cases and 429 000 malaria deaths recorded worldwide in 2015, 90% of which are in Africa. A major obstacle in eradicating the disease is wiping out the sexual forms of the malaria parasites, the gametocytes.
While not responsible for the clinical symptoms, gametocytes are essential for the continued transmission of malaria, as these are the parasite stages taken up by the mosquito.
Gametocytes are naturally insensitive to the antimalarial drugs routinely used for malaria therapy and therefore escape the killing action of the drugs, enabling the new infections
Three minute thesis competition heats up
Arts, Education and Law (AEL) contestants in the Three Minute Thesis Competition have gone head-to-head in the Group round, with three out of ten contestants now progressing through to the Griffith final to be held in early September.
AEL students have performed strongly at the University level round, having won the university competition for the past 3 years in a row.
Queensland Conservatorium doctoral candidate, Julia Nilon took out first place in the AEL heat and the $350 prize, with her presentation on the role musical theatre repertoire plays in child vocal and singing development.
Second place was a draw between Queensland College of Art doctoral candidate Rae Cooper, who presented on whether Protest Design is an effective mechanism of democratic influence, and Queensland Conservatorium doctoral candidate Nathaniel Smorti, who shared his research into clarinet interpretation.
Both second place winners received a $250 prize.
Queensland Conservatorium Honours candidate Elliott Plumpton also competed, taking out the
Griffith’s star contribution to project to stop violence
A sparkling effort has seen staff and students across Griffith University’s five campuses make a significant contribution to a Embracing 2018 Legacy program aimed at stopping violence.
The ‘1 Million Stars to End Violence Project’ is an international star weaving collaboration which has brought people together across the countries and territories of the Commonwealth during the past year.
Their shared goal has been the creation of one million stars to be presented for display as part of the arts and cultural program at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Griffith University comfortably exceeded its initial 10,000 target and submitted more than 12,000 of the colourful stars.
This included a shining last-minute consignment from Kuraby State School, created in the school colours by 4 A/B students, which arrived at Griffith’s Logan campus with the message ‘You can’t use darkness to stop darkness but you can use light to stop violence. Bring light not darkness’.
Key connection
Pace of renewable energy shift leaves city planners struggling to keep up
By Dr Tony Matthews and Associate Professor Jason Byrne
Renewable energy is driving profound changes in cities. It’s happening much more quickly than was expected even five years ago. Responding to climate change, networks of decision-makers, such as the C40 collective of major cities, have begun adopting strategies to promote the uptake of renewable energy. Yet land use planning has seemingly begun to lag behind.
As an example, few, if any, planning codes in Australia prevent overshadowing of rooftop solar systems (photovoltaic and hot water). Instead, disputes are being decided in the courts.
Associate Professor Jason Byrne
Effective guidance on the retrofitting and redesign of built environment energy systems must occur across scales, from rooftops to wider electricity grids. We need reliable institutional and policy guidelines to improve investment certainty and limit negative outcomes.
So what is the role of planning? What challenges and actions must planners consider for the renewable energy transition to be effective?
Renewable are
Mackay’s Mechanical Engineering Marvel
Final year Griffith University Mechanical Engineering student, Analeigh Angus will embark on stage one of her professional mining career, after securing a coveted role with mining company, Rio Tinto.
A highly successful three-month tenure with Rio Tinto to fulfil course requirements of her Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) was more than enough time for the 21-year-old to mark herself as a genuine asset.
The 2013 Sarina State High School graduate is viewed by the company in the highest regard, with her ability to analyse, interpret and advise on complex, operational procedures seen as a defining characteristic.
“Analeigh epitomises the attributes desired by our company. She has a good technical background, a lot of drive, a lot of initiative, boasts very good personal skills, good communication skills and fits in really well within the work environment,” said Ivan Heron from Rio Tinto’s IAP program.
“Analeigh tries really hard with every task she’s been presented with and
‘Don’t Be a Bad Apple’ – Griffith Film School animations highlight community issues
Young people in Logan City leading discussions and action towards ending gender-based violence in their region, have teamed up with Griffith Film School (GFS) to produce a series of animated clips that challenge harmful behaviours in relationships.
Non-profit organization YFS, which houses youth ambassadors in the #R4Respect program, approached Griffith Film School to create short animations that would effectively deliver their message of education and violence-prevention across social media channels.
Animation Program Director at GFS, Dr Peter Moyes accepted the Producer role and brought in talented Honours student William Pietsch to work on the project. “William came up with some fantastic concepts. Through discussions with YFS Ambassadors, we developed the project, with Will breathing life into the ideas with his incomparable stylings,” said Peter.
The series of short animations deal with coercion, control, sexting, cat calling and ‘locker-room talk’. The clips were officially launched in May at the Griffith Film School, with Director of