ObjectiveThis meta-analysis evaluated the associations between noise exposure, air pollutants, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, aiming to inform future prevention strategies.MethodsStudies were systematically retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, covering publications from inception to November 2025. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and the I² statistic. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the findings.ResultsNoise exposure was associated with a small increase in ADHD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.05), with stronger associations for childhood exposure, whereas prenatal exposure showed no significant effect. Given the modest effect size, this finding should be interpreted cautiously. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) was significantly associated with ADHD in continuous-exposure models—PM2.5 (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.50) and PM10 (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.15–1.87). In dichotomous models, PM2.5 was not significant, while PM10 remained positively associated (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.26). Elevated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure was also associated with a modest increase in ADHD risk (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02–1.20), whereas nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) did not show significant associations.ConclusionsNoise and several air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, and NO2) were significantly associated with increased ADHD risk, particularly during childhood exposure. Other pollutants, including O3 and SO2, did not demonstrate significant effects. These findings suggest that environmental noise and several air pollutants may be associated with ADHD; however, some observed associations, particularly for noise and NO2, were modest in magnitude and should be interpreted cautiously. These results reflect observational associations rather than evidence of a strong or causal effect, while the evidence for some pollutants remains limited or inconclusive. Further research is needed to clarify pollutant-specific associations and the role of exposure timing.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024593274, identifier CRD42024593274; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025632899, identifier CRD42025632899.
Epigenetic Markers Link Early-Onset Colon and Rectal Cancer to Specific Pesticide
Epigenetic markers linking cancers in young adults to pesticide exposure have been uncovered. Scientists from Spain found that specifically, the pesticide picloram was associated with a higher risk of early-onset colon and rectal cancer, providing another lead to the cause of this disturbing new trend.
Their research paper appeared in Nature Medicine and the lead author is Silvana C. E. Maas, PhD, Cancer Computational Biology Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona.
“This pesticide seems to have a role in early onset colorectal cancer [patients diagnosed before 50 years of age]. Cases of these have been in the last decades and the biology of the tumors (early onset vs. regular onset) is very similar. So the cause of the rise should be something external, the exposome,” senior author José A. Seoane, PhD, told Inside Precision Medicine. Seoane is head of cancer computational biology group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Centro Saturnino, Spain.
“The exposome is any exposure [environmental, life-style, habits, food, pollution, etc.] that affects us during our lifetime, including development,” he added.
Cancer in young adults is a relatively recent phenomenon, brought to attention by many disturbing personal stories, including that of Princess Kate, and some eye-opening statistics. Until now, age has been a top risk factor for cancer.
The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), in particular, is rising rapidly in people younger than 50 years and this increase parallels shifts in lifestyle and environmental factors (the exposome). But whether these are indeed linked to the development of early-onset CRC (EOCRC) remains unknown.
Since there are limited exposome data in most cancer cohorts, this team constructed weighted methylation risk scores as proxies for exposome exposure to pinpoint specific risk factors associated with EOCRC compared to late-onset CRC (LOCRC)—patients diagnosed at age 70+ years.
“We included in the analysis exposures associated with lifestyle, pollution and pesticides, including picloram. The results (different exposure patterns between early onset and late onset) shows that the early onset cancers have more signal of poor diet, smoking, and picloram,” said Seoane.
He added that, “Several pesticides were included in the study. We included different pesticides both in the methylation study and in the population study.”
The team’s analysis confirmed previously identified risk factors, including educational attainment, diet and smoking habits. In addition, they identified exposure to the herbicide picloram as a new risk factor in the discovery cohort. Those findings were replicated in a meta-analysis comprising nine CRC cohorts.
The team then analyzed population-based data from 94 U.S. counties over 21 years and validated the association between picloram use and EOCRC incidence. The association was still statistically significant, after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and other pesticide use.
This research highlights the potential role of the exposome in EOCRC risk, the authors write.
“We are studying how other exposure signals that were not included in this study could be associated with CRC and also other tumors and we are trying to elucidate the mechanisms of action of picloram,” Seoane said.
Other potential causes of EOCRC identified have been linked to diet and pollutants.
The post Epigenetic Markers Link Early-Onset Colon and Rectal Cancer to Specific Pesticide appeared first on Inside Precision Medicine.
<![CDATA[Explore how neuromelanin-sensitive MRI noninvasively tracks long-term dopamine and noradrenaline system changes.]]>
The Download: seafloor science and military chatbots
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
Inexpensive seafloor-hopping submersibles could stoke deep-sea science—and mining
Last week, two oblong neon submersibles started to descend nearly 6,000 meters into the Pacific Ocean. Throughout the rest of May, they will map the seafloor in search of critical mineral deposits.
If all goes well, the vehicles, built by Orpheus Ocean, could help scientists probe the vastly understudied deep sea—and the resources it holds—at a fraction of the cost of existing systems.
But the same submersibles are also attracting deep-sea mining companies, raising concerns about environmental impacts. Find out why they’re drawing so much attention.
—Hannah Richter
The new war room: 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
A new kind of system has entered the war room: conversational AI tools that commanders turn to not just for analysis, but for advice.
One US defense official told MIT Technology Review that personnel might give these advice engines a list of potential targets to help decide which to strike first. China is commissioning similar tools too.
But as the systems gain traction, they’re also sparking concerns about AI-generated errors, a lack of transparency, and Big Tech gaining undue influence over what information gets seen.
Here’s how these AI advice engines could impact the battlefield.
—James O’Donnell
The new war room is one of the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, our list of the big ideas, trends, and advances in the field that are driving progress today—and will shape what’s possible tomorrow.
MIT Technology Review Narrated: is fake grass a bad idea? The AstroTurf wars are far from over.
In 2001, Americans installed just over 7 million square meters of synthetic turf. By 2024, that number was 79 million square meters—enough to carpet all of Manhattan and then some. The increase worries folks who study microplastics and environmental pollution.
While the plastic-making industry insists that synthetic fields are safe if properly installed, lots of researchers think that isn’t so.
—Douglas Main
This is our latest story to be turned into an MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which we publish each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as it’s released.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Elon Musk pushed OpenAI to go commercial, its president has testified
Greg Brockman said Musk tried to turn it into a for-profit company years ago. (NYT $)
+ Musk allegedly wanted full control so he could raise $80 billion to colonize Mars. (Reuters $)
+ The Tesla CEO claims he intended for OpenAI to remain a non-profit. (BBC)
+ Here’s what happened in week one of Musk v. Altman. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Google and Meta are building AI agents to rival OpenClaw
Google’s Gemini agent will take actions on the users’ behalf. (Business Insider)
+ Meta’s will be powered by its Muse Spark AI model. (FT $)
+ Hustlers are cashing in on China’s OpenClaw AI craze. (MIT Technology Review)
3 Anthropic will spend $200 billion on Google’s cloud and chips
The investment will be spread across five years. (The Information $)
+ It’s part of a broader AI compute war. (Axios)
4 DeepSeek is nearing a $45 billion valuation
A state-backed “Big Fund” will lead a new investment round in the company. (FT $)
+ Beijing is pushing to build alternatives to Nvidia and OpenAI. (Bloomberg $)
+ Here’s why DeepSeek’s new model matters. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Anthropic is launching AI agents for banks and financial firms
The 10 tools cover a broad mix of financial services tasks. (WSJ $)
+ They’re part of a push to win over Wall Street. (Bloomberg $)
6 Apple will pay $250 million to settle an AI lawsuit
It was accused of misleading iPhone buyers about Apple Intelligence. (BBC)
+ Some iPhone owners are eligible to receive up to $95. (NYT $)
7 Cheap laptops and phones may be disappearing because of AI demand
Competition for memory chips is driving up gadget prices worldwide. (The Guardian)
8 Google DeepMind workers in the UK have voted to unionize
As a result of Google’s work with the Pentagon. (Wired $)
9 Pennsylvania is suing Character.AI over chatbots posing as doctors
Investigators say the bots claimed to hold medical licenses. (NPR)
+ How well do AI health tools work? (MIT Technology Review)
10 Scientists created a “living” plastic that destroys itself on command
It could help to eliminate microplastics. (Gizmodo)
Quote of the day
“I want AI to benefit humanity, not to facilitate a genocide.”
—An anonymous Google DeepMind worker tells the Guardian that Google’s work with the Israel Defense Forces had motivated their vote to unionize.
One More Thing
COURTESY OF BENEATH THE WAVES
How tracking animal movement may save the planet
For decades, wildlife researchers have dreamed of building an “Internet of Animals”—a big-data system that monitors and analyzes animal behavior to help us understand the planet. Advances in sensors, AI, and satellite technology are now bringing that vision to reality.
Scientists want the system to track 100,000 sensor-tagged animals. They believe it could reveal how species respond to climate change and ecosystem loss—and even predict environmental disasters. Read the full story on how their idea could save our planet.
—Matthew Ponsford
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)
+ Master the art of fried chicken with this definitive chef’s guide.
+ Find out why some birds hop and others walk in this breakdown of avian lifestyles.
+ This vintage Hollywood map shows how California’s landscape stood in for everything from the Nile to the Alps.
+ Here’s a fascinating look at the “Flatbed” airplane that was surprisingly efficient on paper but never left the hangar.
Human hippocampal ripples coordinate planning sequences and compositional representations in neocortex
Nature Neuroscience, Published online: 06 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41593-026-02291-3
Human hippocampal ripples and replay interact with the prefrontal cortex to update mental representations online, letting the brain compositionally combine familiar elements in new ways for flexible planning and inference.
Biomarkers of ASD/ADHD and Factors Affecting Anxiety and Depression in Children and Young Adults
Conditions: ADHD – Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
Sponsors: University of Exeter; University of Southampton; University of Dublin, Trinity College; Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Jimma University; FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION HOSPITAL CLINICO SAN CARLOS; The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh; University of Bari Aldo Moro
Not yet recruiting
Sponsors: University of Exeter; University of Southampton; University of Dublin, Trinity College; Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Jimma University; FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION HOSPITAL CLINICO SAN CARLOS; The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh; University of Bari Aldo Moro
Not yet recruiting
Pilot of Unstuck and On Target in Ecuador
Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity (ADHD)
Interventions: Behavioral: Spanish-Language Unstuck and On Target (SL-Unstuck)
Sponsors: University of Colorado, Denver; Neurodesarrollo Quito
Completed
Interventions: Behavioral: Spanish-Language Unstuck and On Target (SL-Unstuck)
Sponsors: University of Colorado, Denver; Neurodesarrollo Quito
Completed
Exploring Acceptance of a Clinical Workflow Tool in the Swedish Prosthetics and Orthotics Sector: Qualitative Study
Background: The global demand for assistive devices, such as prosthetics and orthotics, is increasing. A shortage of trained professionals contributes to suboptimal care. To improve clinical workflows, the Life Lounge Clinical Workflow (LLCW) has been developed. Understanding user acceptance is essential for ensuring its successful implementation. Objective: This study explored prosthetists and orthotists professionals’ perceptions and acceptance of LLCW, as well as the perceived benefits and challenges associated with its use. Methods: A postdemonstration mixed methods study was conducted using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework, combining Likert-scale summaries with thematic analysis of open-text responses. The study included 18 prosthetists and orthotists professionals working at orthotic and prosthetic clinics across Sweden. After an interactive session about LLCW, feedback was collected via questionnaires. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Participants rated several acceptance-related constructs positively. Performance expectancy and facilitating conditions emerged as the most favorably discussed areas in the qualitative responses. Descriptive ratings showed high mean scores for motivation to use (4.61), management encouragement (4.56), ease of use (4.11), and willingness to use voluntarily (4.11). However, colleagues’ perceptions had a lower mean rating (2.72). Participants highlighted centralized data access, reduced administrative tasks, and improved clinical preparation as key benefits. At the same time, concerns were raised regarding data accuracy, questionnaire length, and the need for structured training before implementation. Conclusions: Participants reported generally positive experiences with LLCW, particularly regarding usability and performance. However, successful implementation requires integration into existing clinical workflows and attention to training and patient engagement. Addressing these elements can support broader adoption and contribute to digital transformation in prosthetics and orthotics care.
<img src="https://jmir-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/thumbs/079126861c174ce14627e020008ad7dc" />
The Download: inside the Musk v. Altman trial, and AI for democracy
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
Week one of the Musk v. Altman trial: what it was like in the room
Two of the most powerful figures in AI—Sam Altman and Elon Musk—are in the middle of a landmark legal showdown, with Musk alleging he was misled about OpenAI becoming a for-profit company.
Our reporter Michelle Kim, who also happens to be a lawyer, has been in court each day, and has broken down the first week’s key moments in her latest report. In a new Q&A, she also reveals what it was like in the room, the new details that have emerged about how Musk and OpenAI operate—and what we can expect from this week’s proceedings.
Find out what she’s discovered so far, and if you want to keep up with MIT Technology Review’s ongoing coverage of the Musk v. Altman trial, follow @techreview or @michelletomkim on X.
—James O’Donnell
This story is from The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter giving you the inside track on all things AI. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Monday.
A blueprint for using AI to strengthen democracy
—Andrew Sorota & Josh Hendler lead work on AI and democracy at the Office of Eric Schmidt.
Faster than many realize, AI is becoming the primary interface through which we form beliefs and participate in democratic self-governance. This shift could further strain already fragile institutions, but it could also help address problems like polarization and declining civic engagement.
What happens next depends on design choices that are already being made, whether we know it or not. Here’s how we can harness AI to strengthen democracy.
Artificial scientists: 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
Large language models can already assist scientists in all sorts of ways, from writing code to searching through literature and drafting articles. But companies and labs have a much more ambitious vision. They want to build AI systems that can act as a full member of a scientific team—and even conduct entire research projects.
These artificial scientists seem like a win for frontier labs and for society at large. But they could also narrow the scope of scientific inquiry.
—Grace Huckins
Artificial scientists is an item on our list of the 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, MIT Technology Review’s guide to what’s really worth your attention in the busy, buzzy world of AI. We’re unpacking one item from the list each day here in The Download, so stay tuned.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 The Pentagon has struck sweeping AI deals for classified work
It’s signed contracts with Microsoft, Nvidia, AWS, and Reflection AI. (NYT $)
+ It wants the US military to be an “AI-first” force. (BBC)
+ The announcement leaves Anthropic increasingly isolated. (WP $)
+ Here’s how the firms could train on classified data. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Elon Musk has finally settled the SEC lawsuit over the Twitter purchase
He’s agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine for waiting too long to disclose his initial stock purchases. (Guardian)
+ But won’t lose any of the $150 million he allegedly saved. (The Verge)
+ Musk allegedly illegally hid his growing Twitter stake. (CBS News)
3 A Chinese court has ruled that firms can’t lay off workers on AI grounds
They can’t terminate employees just to replace them with AI. (Bloomberg $)
+ The court said a firm had illegally fired one of its workers. (NPR)
+ Chinese tech workers are starting to train their AI doubles—and pushing back. (MIT Technology Review)
4 A gene therapy is helping deaf children hear again
In a trial, 80% of patients gained measurable hearing. (Vox)
5 The White House is vetting AI models before they’re released
It may create a new working group to oversee AI development. (NYT $)
+ A war over AI regulation is coming to the US. (MIT Technology Review)
6 Nature has retracted a paper on ChatGPT’s educational benefits
Over “discrepancies” and a lack of confidence in the findings. (404 Media)
+ The paper had already racked up hundreds of citations. (Ars Technica)
+ AI giants want to take over the classroom. (MIT Technology Review)
7 GameStop made a $56 billion bid for eBay
eBay said it was reviewing the offer. (Ars Technica)
+ The bid has drawn skepticism from investors and analysts. (Reuters $)
8 AI systems are increasingly used to monitor workers’ emotions
New tools claim to measure “agreeability” as well as productivity. (The Atlantic $)
9 Peter Thiel is backing wave-powered data centers
He’s leading a $140 million investment into a startup developing the tech. (FT $)
10 Ask Jeeves is shutting down after nearly 30 years online
The closure marks the end of one of the internet’s earliest search engines. (NYT $)
Quote of the day
“By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America.”
—Elon Musk texted a warning to OpenAI president Greg Brockman two days before their courtroom battle started, NBC News reports.
One More Thing
SIMON MITCHELL
Meet the divers trying to figure out how deep humans can go
Two hundred and thirty meters into one of the deepest underwater caves on Earth, a team of extreme divers tested a route to new depth records: breathing hydrogen.
They believe the gas could help the human body withstand underwater pressure significantly past its natural threshold. But the approach is highly experimental—and dangerous.
Find out how far they’re willing to go.
—Samantha Schuyler
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)
+ Wild horses are roaming in Spain for the first time in 10,000 years.
+ Star Wars meets the Renaissance in this bardcore cover of the “Imperial March.”
+ Improve your writing by avoiding these six common linguistic pitfalls shared by many Americans.
+ From Stephen King’s IT changing the clown industry to Black Widow boosting hair dye sales, here are 12 times movies changed the real world.
Role of Theta Frequency Oscillations in Proactive and Reactive Control Processes in Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Conditions: ADHD; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Healthy Volunteer
Sponsors: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Not yet recruiting
Sponsors: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Not yet recruiting