Three Dutch government ministries assessing the next generation of mobile phone technology have found the signals generated by base stations can cause headaches and nausea, Reuters reports.

The study also found that some cognitive functions such as memory and reaction times could be boosted when the brains of subjects were exposed to both 3G signals and current-generation phone signals. Some people became more alert when were exposed to both signals at once, the study says.

The tests, conducted by the Dutch technological research institute TNO involved exposing victims to the sort of radiation levels researchers suggest 3G base stations will pump out when the technology is launched commercially.

A spokeswoman for the Dutch Economics Ministry said there was a "significant impact" on subjects exposed to third generation base station signals. "They felt tingling sensations, got headaches and felt nauseous," she said.

Previous studies on cellphones in use today have often concentrated on the radiation emitted by handsets. An on-going study by International Agency on Research on Cancer is due to show some results next year.

But these latest findings will have the telecoms industry in a panic.

The GSM Association has as yet made no comment, as it studies the report. µ