Memory boost by mobiles

Using a mobile phone can improve the short-term memory of men but not women, a study showed yesterday. Male students were better at memorising a series of words after holding an active mobile to their ear.

The surprise result has raised scientists' fears that the electro-magnetic fields of phones could cause long-term damage to the brain.

Prof Brenda Costall, of Bradford University, said: 'There has not been a suggestion before that mobile phone effects could be sex-dependent.'

Prof Costall and her colleague Dr Jim Smythe tested more than 60 male and female students on how well they could recall 12 words in the shape of a pyramid.

Some were given switched-on mobiles to hold to their ear, some had inactive
phones and others had none at all.

After 12 minutes, they wrote down what they remembered. Females were largely unaffected either way and all performed equally well when tested a week later - showing there was no long-term effect. Dr Smythe said: 'The fact mobile exposure influences brain function in any way could possibly mean cumulative exposure could well result in damage.'

This was bad news for mobile phone companies, he added 'They don't want people thinking their mobiles could have any effect on their brains - be it good or bad.'

He added the difference between the sexes could not be explained. 'It is something we were not expecting.'