The results of the world's biggest study on whether cell phones are linked to brain cancer turned up inconclusive, researchers reported yesterday. But the bigger story might just be the controversy behind the report.

This Reuters article explains major flaws in how the study was conducted. Instead of finally putting to rest the question of a possible link between cancer and cell phones, the long-awaited Interphone study has only left everyone -- scientists included -- frustrated, the story explains. 

While studies structured this way can help explain whether a disease is associated with a lifestyle, they're voluntary and, well, that can make the results unreliable, the story explains. Some people may have participated because they believe that cell phones caused their brain cancer, skewing results, the story states.

In the 10-year study of 13,000 people, cell phone use didn't increase the risk of developing two types of brain cancer.

The researchers themselves acknowledged the report's limitations.

So now what, you ask? Back to the drawing board. Researchers said more study is needed, particularly when it comes to how cell phones affect teens, who are the fastest growing group of cell users.

"This was a very complex study, and results were very difficult to interpret because of a number of methodological issues," said Elisabeth Cardis at the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona, who led the group of 21 international scientists conducting the study, told the Washington Post.

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