Corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibises ( Geronticus eremita) equipped with radio transmitters

{
    "publication_year": null,
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "long-term exposure (as described)"
    },
    "population": "Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) equipped with solar radio transmitters",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Unilateral corneal opacity",
        "Corneal tissue temperature rise (proposed mechanism)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This note discusses reports of unilateral corneal opacity occurring after Northern Bald Ibises were equipped with solar radio transmitters. It summarizes that the original researchers considered several device-related explanations and concluded the most parsimonious explanation was repetitive slight corneal temperature rise due to electromagnetic radiation from the device’s GSM module. The note’s author proposes that effects may also be non-thermal and could occur at low levels with long-term exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "This is a short note/commentary rather than a primary controlled study (as described).",
        "No sample size, exposure metrics (e.g., frequency, SAR), or quantitative results are provided in the abstract.",
        "Causality is not established; mechanisms are proposed rather than demonstrated.",
        "Potential confounding from non-EMF aspects of the device (e.g., weight, fit, mechanical irritation, heat from other components) is not resolved in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.61999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "stance": "concern",
    "stance_confidence": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "summary": "This note comments on observations of unilateral corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibises after being fitted with solar radio transmitters. It reports that the original reintroduction-program researchers considered multiple device-related causes and favored repetitive slight corneal heating from the transmitter’s GSM module as the most parsimonious explanation. The note further suggests that non-thermal RF effects at low levels over long-term exposure could also contribute.",
    "key_points": [
        "The article is framed as a note intended to shed light on prior reported findings about corneal opacity in tagged ibises.",
        "Unilateral corneal opacity was observed after birds were equipped with upper-back solar radio transmitters.",
        "The original researchers reportedly concluded repetitive slight corneal temperature rise from GSM-module radiation was the most parsimonious explanation.",
        "The note’s author argues effects may not need to be thermal and could be non-thermal and subtle.",
        "The abstract does not provide exposure parameters (frequency, power, SAR) or the number of affected birds.",
        "The abstract does not describe controls or alternative explanations being ruled out."
    ],
    "categories": [
        "Animal Studies",
        "RF Exposure",
        "Wildlife & Ecology"
    ],
    "tags": [
        "Northern Bald Ibis",
        "Geronticus eremita",
        "Corneal Opacity",
        "Biologging",
        "Radio Transmitters",
        "GSM Module",
        "RF Exposure",
        "Non-Thermal Effects",
        "Thermal Effects",
        "Long-Term Exposure",
        "Reintroduction Program"
    ],
    "keywords": [
        "corneal opacity",
        "Northern Bald Ibis",
        "biologging",
        "radio transmitter",
        "GSM",
        "electromagnetic radiation",
        "non-thermal",
        "thermal",
        "long-term exposure"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [],
    "social": {
        "tweet": "Note/commentary discusses reports of unilateral corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibises after fitting solar radio transmitters, summarizing a proposed link to GSM-module RF exposure and suggesting possible non-thermal effects with long-term low-level exposure.",
        "facebook": "A short note reviews observations of unilateral corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibises fitted with solar radio transmitters. It summarizes a proposed mechanism involving GSM-module RF exposure (including slight heating) and raises the possibility of non-thermal effects during long-term low-level exposure.",
        "linkedin": "This note/commentary summarizes reported unilateral corneal opacity in Northern Bald Ibises equipped with solar radio transmitters. It highlights the original authors’ proposed explanation involving GSM-module RF exposure (including slight heating) and suggests non-thermal effects may also be relevant under long-term low-level exposure."
    }
}

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