So I'm heading overseas tomorrow morning for two weeks. The real purpose of the trip is actually business, I've got a conference on magnetic field effects upon human health (Are Mobile Phones Dangerous? Do Power Lines Cause Cancer?), so it's all expenses paid. This coming Monday, first day of the conference, I've got to present some of my work, it's a 10 min talk, 5 min of questions and then I'm done for the week. Yes, I'm literally getting a free trip for 15 min of work. That Monday night, the social event is a trip to the Guinness factory; the rest of the week is wide open in Dublin. After the conference, I'm heading to England for the week, staying in Cambridge with a friend of mine from my university days in Sudbury.

Anybody around here been to Dublin and if so, do you have any recommends in terms of pubs, restaurants, sights to see, places to avoid, tips, suggestions, etc. I've never been overseas before, so this is going to be pretty interesting, I'm sure, but would welcome any input.

yeah, so have fun and all but....

Are cell phones dangerous? Do power lines cause cancer?

Do we have to wait for you to get back to find out THE TRUTH?

Children living near power lines tend to display an elevated risk of childhood leukemia. It's weak, but fairly consistent over time. British Medical Journal recently suggested that this is about five extra cases of childhood leukemia in a total of around 400 that occur in a year - a total of 1%. Not a HUGE health risk, but the fact is, fields this weak are not supposed to do anything. There is no interaction mechanism.

As for mobile phones? The jury is still out. In my opinion, there is a biological effect from these devices. There are a number of different types of magnetic fields associated with them (radiofrequency and ELF). Over the last 10 years, you see strong and consistent effects upon reaction time, memory, perception, brain electrical activity and most recently, effects upon blood flow. Most of the companies are now willing to admit that there IS an effect, but still strongly deny that there is a health risk. The studies on animals are equivocal in terms of whether mobile phones do pose a risk of brain cancer or genetic changes. Like I said, jury is still out. We may have to wait another 10 years or more to get the epidemiological evidence.

So yeah, this conference is a laugh a minute romp. It is fun to watch the guys from Motorola and Nokia run to the mikes after a speaker suggests there are negative effects.

you're gonna have a blast.

pack me in your bag.

TAKE ME WITH YOU, CHARLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're gonna have a wonderful time, m'dear. Enjoy all that you can!

For cell phones, does it matter whether or not you're talking on it? In other words, does it still pose a risk if it's on, but you aren't talking on it and it's sitting in your pocket?

P.S. have a great time in Dublin. Check out Kilmainham Gaol, it's a spooky old jail that is great to tour around. Lots of bad stuff went on there.

Hey thanks! If you can make it to Dublin in the next week, let's have a drink on me! I'll be taking in as much as I can, that I can assure you. This is my one official holiday after all that phd stuff, so it's going to be EPIC!

No risk if it's off and in your pocket. Emitted energy is highest when the device is in use in TALK mode and slapped up against your brain. And even then, 'risk' is still debatable. Most experts in the field tend to suggest 'prudent use', that is, don't have it on 20 hours a day.

Thanks for the suggestion on Kilmainham Gaol. Sounds like something I'd definitely like to see.

I'm packing an overnight bag when I get home. All I need is airfare now. Can't you do a "plus one" on your airline ticket?

So I heard that it might be bad to have certain frequencies of electro-magnetic radiation next to your brain so I got the hands free set up and now when I drive I keep the phone in my lap.

Will this hurt or help my balls?

I think its a little late for that Steve---your kids are in college.

I guess it depends on the desired effect. If I may extrapolate a bit, it has been known to increase blood flow when exposed to the brain, so may be there's a heretofore unknown and fortuitous side effect? A non-pharmacological stimulant?

Patent pending.

Heya,

I was in Dublin last September and loved it.

Here are a few things we liked.

1. We stayed in the Temple Bar Area on Fleet street. Tons of great pubs, music, stores and the like. this area is a must.

2. Our favorite lunch time stop is a pub off Grafton Street, called The Duke. Nice easy to get to location.

3. Nassau Street along Trinity College has some nice pubs, the Dublin museum of modern art? Don't quote me on that. Can't remember if it was Modern or what.

4. We took the Blue/Yellow/Green Bus tour around the City. It made it a breeze to get from Guinness, to Kilmainham, back to O'Connell Street.

5. On the North side of the River Liffey is the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery. You might like that. This is almost directly across the river from Temple Bar.

6. There is a very cool old pub called "the Stag's Head" that you might like. Ask around for directions.

7. St. Patrick's Cathedral was awe inspiring.. Very worth a stop. Also Christ Church Cathedral is very goth and dramatic.

Hope that gets you going.

We ate at a number of places, most of them in or around Temple Bar. Find that and you are in.

Have Fun ! Dont forget to try Smithwick's Ale. You may like it more than Guinness.

Temple Bar is a great starting point for Dublin. Trinity College is good for pics.

If you're feeling adventurous, check a trip up north and check out Newgrange.

...and if you and your friend are planning a weekend day or weeknight in London, give me a shout. I know I'll be in town for a party on July 1.

Have fun.