Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Air Pollution Linked to Increased Dementia Risk: A Meta-Analysis

2025-08-09

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health reveals a significant link between long-term exposure to air pollution (PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and soot) and an increased risk of dementia. A meta-analysis of data from over 29 million participants found that for every 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5, the relative risk of dementia increased by 17%; for every 10 μg/m³ increase in nitrogen dioxide, the risk increased by 3%; and for each 1 μg/m³ increase in soot, the risk increased by 13%. The research highlights the importance of air pollution control for public health and calls for an interdisciplinary approach involving urban planning, transport policy, and environmental regulation to prevent dementia.

(www.cam.ac.uk)

Tech

Menstrual Cycle Tracking Apps: A Privacy Goldmine?

2025-06-11

A new report from Cambridge University reveals the significant privacy risks associated with menstrual cycle tracking apps (CTAs). These apps collect vast amounts of sensitive user data, from diet and exercise to sexual preferences, and sell it to third parties for profit, vastly underestimating the data's value. The report highlights potential risks such as job discrimination, health insurance discrimination, and cyberstalking, even limiting access to abortion. It calls for stronger regulation of the femtech industry and suggests the NHS develop a transparent and trustworthy alternative to protect user privacy.

(www.cam.ac.uk)

Tech women's health menstrual cycle tracking apps

Cambridge University Uses Tech to Unfold a Fragile 16th-Century Manuscript

2025-03-31

A team at Cambridge University Library faced a challenge: a fragile, folded 16th-century manuscript fragment. Instead of risking damage through traditional methods, they used cutting-edge technology. Multispectral imaging, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and 3D modeling allowed for virtual unfolding and digitization. This preserved the historical artifact and revealed 16th-century archival binding techniques, showcasing a groundbreaking approach in digital humanities.

(www.cam.ac.uk)

Tech artifact preservation technological archaeology

UK Study Reveals Accent Bias in Criminal Justice System

2025-01-17

A University of Cambridge study reveals a persistent bias in the UK criminal justice system, linking working-class accents with criminal behavior. Participants rated recordings of various regional accents, with Liverpool and Bradford accents perceived as more likely to be associated with crime. This bias, the researchers argue, can impact all stages of the justice system, from arrest to sentencing, and even affect witness credibility. The study highlights the need for improved voice identification procedures to mitigate accent-based prejudice and ensure fairer outcomes.

(www.cam.ac.uk)

Misc criminal justice accent bias social prejudice