NEWS BRIEFING

Week 2
AIR POLLUTION DAMAGES INTELLIGENCE, SAYS STUDY
Scientists have revealed that air pollution may be responsible for a
significant reduction in intelligence. Research conducted for the
World Health Organization (WHO) in China showed that air
pollution was responsible for notable falls in student test scores for
languages and arithmetic. The study took place over a period of
four years. Researchers analyzed verbal and arithmetic tests taken
by 20,000 people of all ages. They said: "Polluted air may impede
cognitive ability as people become older."
The WHO says over 91 per cent of the world population live in areas
with toxic air. The researchers discovered that the longer people
were exposed to polluted air, the greater was the damage to their
intelligence. They equated the impact of air pollution to losing a
year's worth of education. For those aged over 60, this could be the
equivalent of several years of lost education. Researcher Dr Xi
Chen warned: "There is no shortcut to solve this issue.
Governments really need to take concrete measures to reduce air
pollution."
Week 3
STEREOTYPES IN STEM FIELDS START BY AGE SIX
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences reveals that the perception that boys are more interested
in computer science and engineering begins as early as age six.
This perception contributes to the underrepresentation of girls and
women in STEM fields. The study found that a majority of
students believed girls had less interest than boys in STEM fields.
This belief is reflected in the job market, where women are
underrepresented in computer science and engineering. Educators,
parents, and policymakers can help close gender gaps in STEM by
introducing girls to STEM activities early and promoting inclusive
programs.
Week 4

Millions Of Americans Are Still Missing Out On Broadband Access

Across the US, rural households and low-wage workers are stuck with slow
or no internet while the rest of the world moves forward with high-speed
broadband.

For households that either couldn’t afford broadband or didn’t have access
to it because of where they lived, managing life during stay-home orders
was even more challenging. And those problems persist today.

Currently, some 42 million Americans have no access to broadband,

according to Broadband Now, a data technology company.

The Biden administration has launched programs that seek to close the
broadband access gap by reducing monthly bills—but they’ve had low
adoption rates, while some rural and tribal communities are still waiting for
broadband to arrive in their areas.