The Briefing Room
General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Topic started by: rangerrebew on December 19, 2018, 05:25:51 pm
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Air pollution may be making us less intelligent
December 19, 2018 by Barbara Maher, The Conversation
Not only is air pollution bad for our lungs and heart, it turns out it could actually be making us less intelligent, too. A recent study found that in elderly people living in China, long-term exposure to air pollution may hinder cognitive performance (things like our ability to pay attention, to recall past knowledge and generate new information) in verbal and maths tests. As people age, the link between air pollution and their mental decline becomes stronger. The study also found men and less educated people were especially at risk, though the reason why is currently unknown.
We already have compelling evidence that air pollution – especially the tiniest, invisible particulates in pollution – damages the brain in both humans and animals. Traffic pollution is associated with dementia, delinquent behaviour in adolescents, and stunted brain development in children who attend highly polluted schools.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-12-air-pollution-intelligent.html#jCp
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Perhaps it has to do more with technology than air pollution. I can think of many things I did as a kid that are now done by some sort of technology. Case in point; we now have GPS systems to take the place of maps and other planning, cruise control instead of staying alert to control speed, backup systems, etc.. We are being dumbed down by technology. tri22