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Bleeding Edge

by Mike Masnick

Mon, Dec 12th 2005 1:01am





Mobile Phones That Spot The Cancer They Might Have Caused?

from the not-quite... dept

We've pretty much stopped all mentions of any study concerning whether or not mobile phones cause cancer. A new one tends to come out every other month or so, saying pretty much the opposite of what the last one said. However, if a mobile phone is going to cause cancer, why not have it help detect it as well? A researcher in Israel is apparently working on a new technology that would use a mobile phone to help detect certain kinds of health problems, including breast cancer and heart disease. The details aren't entirely clear, but it seems to use an infrared imaging system and some software to interpret the results. Since it's on a mobile phone, it can also send the data off to a doctor. While it may still be a bit away, it also shows how the mobile phone is increasingly becoming a platform for all kinds of applications. In the past, anyone building a heart monitor or cancer detector would probably look to build a completely specialized device. However, it's good to see some looking for ways to leverage what many people already have to build what is likely to be both a cheaper and more effective solution.

5 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    dorpus, Dec 12th, 2005 @ 1:34am

    Sensitivity? Specificity?

    Why stop there? Why not have profiteers design AIDS tests that go with your mobile phone, so they give low-quality tests that fail to detect HIV in people who have it, while falsely giving positive results for people who don't have it?

    From a medical researcher's point of view, the social irresponsibility of this technology is staggering. But I guess some scientist got lucky on their grant scam.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Anonymous, Dec 12th, 2005 @ 4:50am

    Re: Sensitivity? Specificity?

    Why stop there? Why not design cellphones that detect if the operator is a totally retarded idiot (i.e., Dorpus) and have it blow up and kill the operator.

    I'd be willing to pay an extra $1 per month to my mobile phone provider for such a service...

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    dorpus, Dec 12th, 2005 @ 5:19am

    Re: Sensitivity? Specificity?

    Looks like Mike has low self esteem today.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Sissy Pants, Dec 12th, 2005 @ 6:14am

    Re: Sensitivity? Specificity?

    I love the idea of a cell phone / tricorder! Does that mean when I'm using it I'm part of an away team?

    I'm Capt James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise. To boldly go where no cell phone user has gone before!

    I'm sure some guy walking around scanning boobs and balls will go over great!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    identicon
    kevin cagle, Dec 12th, 2005 @ 9:14am

    Ya right...

    Ok, lets incorporate a heart monitor into a cell phone. Sure thats a reliable device. Maybe, bluetooth to communicate to a cell phone but you will NEVER see these 2 technologies as one. Cell phones just do not provide the reliability needed to become all-in-one devices for the mdeical industry.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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