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Paris (dpa) – Artificial intelligence (AI) can help children to solve tasks and get better results in school, but ultimately may hinder learning and lead to laziness and disinterest, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Sophisticated AI chatbots such as Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT can improve pupils’ task performance but don't necessarily lead to learning progress, researchers with the collective of data-sharing countries said, citing new findings. When it comes to AI's ability to help children, there is also a discrepancy between task performance and genuine learning. "Offloading cognitive tasks to general-purpose chatbots creates risks of metacognitive laziness and disengagement that may deter skill acquisition in the long run," the researchers said. Pupils’ mental effort to turn answers into understanding could therefore decline. Research shows that pupils with access to AI chatbots achieve better results on tasks, the Paris-based organization said. However, that advantage disappeared and sometimes even reversed when access to the AI tool was withdrawn during exams. When students depend too much on AI, the mental processes and effort that turn answers into understanding declines, the researchers said.   By contrast, AI tools developed for educational purposes tended to deliver lasting learning improvements, the OECD said. It added that these specialized AI tools could help inexperienced teachers improve teaching quality and thus raise pupils’ learning outcomes. The organization advised deploying AI applications in schools selectively and purposefully to enrich learning, not to replace cognitive effort or weaken the human relationships at the heart of education. This suggests that one of the most effective uses is not to replace humans, but to scale expert pedagogy across a variable workforce, the OECD said. It said learning and teaching should primarily aim to develop valuable human knowledge and skills such as independent thinking and fundamental abilities across all subjects. A team of US-based researchers last year found that using AI instead of finding information using web search tools leads to no more than skin-deep knowledge, with any learnings soon turning "passive." "When individuals learn about a topic from (AI), they risk developing shallower knowledge than when they learn through standard web search, even when the core facts in the results are the same," the team said in November. The following information is not intended for publication dpa evs xxde rpm mew coh

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Dr Ian K Smith explains how to keep yourself looking and feeling youthful from your 30s to your 60s and beyond. London (PA Media/dpa) – We all know ageing is inevitable – but that doesn’t stop most of us wanting to look and feeling younger. But while there’s no mythical fountain of youth to bathe in, there are ways to slow down how ageing makes us look and feel, promises Dr Ian K Smith. In the Harvard-educated doctor’s new book, "Eat Your Age," he says: “There’s so much you can do to keep yourself looking and feeling youthful, and it doesn’t depend on how much money you have or how many times you visit the plastic surgeon. “It’s about how well you plan, how aware you are of your body and health, and the simple steps you can take to forge a path of vigour and vitality that has nothing to do with the number of candles on your birthday cake.” Smith says his book is built on the idea that the body’s nutritional, metabolic and medical needs evolve with age, and our eating habits need to evolve with them. But rather than offering a one-size-fits-all diet, he explains how to align food choices, physical activity, and preventive care with the specific demands of each decade of life. “The goal is to help slow metabolic decline, preserve muscle, reduce chronic disease risk, and extend health span – not just lifespan,” he says. “Ultimately, it empowers people to take control of ageing through practical, science-based strategies that make longevity an intentional, achievable process.” Here, Smith outlines what dietary, movement and health measures people need to take in specific decades of life to help them look and feel younger… Your 30s: Choices that shape future health The choices you make in your 30s quietly begin to shape how you age, says Smith. “While the body is still resilient, early metabolic shifts are already underway, making prevention far more powerful than correction,” he explains. “This is the time to build strong nutritional habits, consistent movement patterns, and medical awareness that will pay dividends for decades to come.” Eating for prevention Smith advises people in their 30s to shift from "calories only" thinking to nutrient density, prioritising lean protein at every meal, fibre-rich vegetables, and healthy fats, while minimising ultra-processed foods. “This decade is about preventing insulin resistance before it starts,” he says. Your metabolism is still relatively resilient, but subtle changes are occurring. Blood sugar regulation, cholesterol patterns and inflammatory markers can begin drifting in the wrong direction without obvious symptoms. “This is why there should be an emphasis on eating for prevention, not correction,” he says. “Balanced meals that combine protein, fibre and healthy fats slow digestion, reduce blood sugar spikes, and support sustained energy throughout the day.” And he warns that while skipping meals or relying heavily on refined carbohydrates may not cause immediate weight gain, it sets the stage for metabolic dysfunction later. Set consistent exercise goals Establish a consistent resistance-training routine (at least two to three days per week). “Muscle mass gained in your 30s becomes metabolic insurance later in life,” Smith explains. “Strength training improves insulin sensitivity, protects joints, and raises resting metabolic rate.” Strength training should be paired with moderate cardiovascular activity – brisk walking, cycling, or swimming – to support heart health without excessive stress, he says. Medical screening Get baseline lab tests: fasting glucose, lipid panel, blood pressure, plus waist circumference. “These markers create a personal health starting line and help identify silent risks early,” he explains. Your 40s: Strategic maintenance and metabolic protection The 40s mark a transition from building health to actively protecting it, says Smith. Hormonal changes and a gradual metabolic slowdown mean the body no longer responds the way it once did, even when habits remain unchanged. “This decade calls for smarter nutrition, more intentional exercise, and proactive screening to stay ahead of silent risks,” he says. Nutrition to support hormonal shifts As metabolic rate begins to slow, protein becomes essential for preserving lean mass and managing appetite. Hormonal shifts, particularly in estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, start to influence how the body stores fat and responds to stress. “It’s important to spread protein evenly across meals rather than concentrating it at dinner,” stresses Smith. “This supports muscle repair, stabilises blood sugar, and reduces late-night overeating.” In addition, paying attention to portion sizes and reducing liquid calories becomes increasingly important, as caloric needs decline even when hunger doesn’t. Maintain cardiovascular fitness Incorporate higher-intensity workouts alongside strength training, Smith advises. Short bursts of interval training help maintain cardiovascular fitness and counter age-related metabolic slowdown. “Recovery matters more now,” he says. “Adequate sleep, mobility work, and rest days are essential to avoid burnout and injury.” Medical screening Begin routine bowel cancer screening discussions, and regular blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes monitoring – especially if there’s family history. Your 50s: Preserving strength, reducing inflammation In your 50s, health becomes less about weight and more about resilience, Smith says. “Muscle loss, inflammation and chronic disease risk accelerate unless directly addressed through diet and movement. “The goal of this decade is to preserve strength, protect joints and bones, and maintain metabolic stability,” he explains. Focus on good fats, eat the rainbow Adopt a more anti-inflammatory eating pattern emphasising omega-3 fats, colourful vegetables, whole grains and reduced added sugars, advises Smith. Digestive efficiency and insulin sensitivity often decline in the 50s, making food quality more important than quantity. “Inflammation – not ageing itself – is a major driver of chronic disease,” he warns. Foods rich in antioxidants help protect blood vessels, joints and the brain. Adequate protein remains critical, but so does hydration, as thirst signals weaken with age. Mindful eating and slower meal pacing also improve digestion and nutrient absorption, he points out. Mobility work and strength training Make strength training non-negotiable, while adding balance, mobility work, and exercises that challenge stability, such as single-leg movements. “Muscle loss accelerates during this decade if not actively resisted,” he warns. Medical screening Schedule bone density testing, and have screenings for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. “Early detection dramatically improves outcomes,” he stresses. Your 60s and beyond: Sustaining independence and quality of life The focus in your 60s and beyond shifts from optimisation to preservation and targeted growth, says Smith. “Daily habits now determine mobility, cognitive health and independence more than numbers on a scale. “Eating well, moving consistently, and staying medically vigilant become the foundation for a longer, more vibrant life.” Specific nutrient needs Smith recommends focusing on adequate protein, calcium, vitamin D and hydration, while moderating total calories. “Appetite may decline, but nutrient needs remain high,” he says, pointing out that under-eating protein is a common and dangerous mistake in older adults. “Protein supports muscle strength, immune function, and recovery from illness. Meals should be simple, nutrient-dense, and easy to digest,” he explains. Stay mobile to reduce risk of falls Prioritise functional movement – strength, balance, flexibility, and walking. “The goal isn’t intensity, but consistency and safety,” says Smith. “Regular movement preserves m…

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Washington (dpa) –  "Breathe, please just breathe! It's not your time yet, Marjorie! I can't lose you like this, not here, not now!"  Such hinge moments in films and soap operas can be overwrought, but more worryingly, when TV heroes administer life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), they are probably doing so all wrong and setting a bad example for real-life lifesavers. Or at least they're using "outdated" methods, according to University of Pittsburgh medics, who worry that TV depictions of CPR could lead people astray should they need to give CPR in a life-or-death situation. TV viewers are still given the impression they should do pulse checks and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, despite the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2008 endorsement of "hands-only" CPR, a two-step intervention: Call the emergency services Start chest compressions According to the researchers, less than 30% of 169 TV portrayals of CPR aired since 2008 showed the proper technique, with almost half depicting pulse checks and the drama-adding mouth-to-mouth trope. "Scripted television often shows outdated CPR techniques for lay people, potentially fuelling misconceptions that could delay bystanders’ lifesaving interventions in the crucial moments after a cardiac arrest," the university said. "In my volunteer work training Pittsburgh youth in CPR, there’s a lot of confusion. We ask students, 'What’s the first thing you do?' and they say, 'Check for a pulse.' But we don’t do that in bystander CPR anymore," said Beth Hoffman of the University of Pittsburgh. Bystanders who know how to carry out CPR “can double or triple the chance of survival” for heart attack victims, the team said in a paper published in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes, an AHA journal. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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London (PA Media/dpa) – Stroke patients have been given their voice back thanks to a new washable device worn around the neck. University of Cambridge experts have created Revoice, a technology which could cut out the need for invasive brain implants and enables patients to communicate naturally. Revoice combines sensors and artificial intelligence to decode speech signals and emotional cues in patients to deliver words and complete sentences. The team behind it hope it could also be used by people with other conditions, such as Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease (MND). Revoice is worn as a soft and flexible choker around the neck, picking up the patient’s heart rate and tiny vibrations from throat muscles. These signals are translated speedily by the device into words. The technology can then predict which sentence the patient is trying to say and can deliver that as well. Patients can silently mouth speech, while another part of the AI can interpret emotional state and contextual information, such as the time of day or weather conditions. In a small trial with five patients with dysarthria, which is difficulty speaking that can happen after stroke, the device got everything right except 4.2% of words and 2.9% of sentences. Current technology to aid speech can be more time-consuming, requiring the patient to input letters one by one or relying on eye tracking or brain implants. Patients in speech therapy also regain words by repeating them over time. Professor Luigi Occhipinti from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, who led the research, told the Press Association: “The device helps both the patient and the therapist to establish a more effective therapy for recovering speech, or fluency in speech.” While therapy helps people with stroke regain words through repeating them, Prof Occhipinti said “when they are asked to speak freely, they can struggle and sometimes they can feel frustrated”. He added: “We have created a device which, from the point of view of the patient, helps them communicate more effectively. “It does this in two ways – one is by capturing the signals that are associated with words, and then translating the words in a given language in a way that this can be elaborated and heard by another person through a synthesizer. “The device also captures the signals associated with a patient’s emotional status, alongside other signals associated with the environment such as time of day, temperature and so on. “This is a wearable device which is designed to be comfortable. It can be used outside a hospital setting too so that when patients are back home, they can gradually recover and restore their language function. “This is about giving people their independence back. Communication is fundamental to dignity and recovery.” People can also control the device by nodding twice to tell it if they want it to expand their words into sentences. The study, which will be built on in further research, was published in the journal Nature Communications. Participants in the study reported a 55% increase in satisfaction. "Many (stroke survivors) experience communication difficulties such as dysarthria, which affects the muscles used for speech. This can have a major impact on confidence, relationships and independence after stroke," said Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association. "We welcome early-stage research exploring new ways to support stroke survivors with communication difficulties. Technologies like Revoice are at a very early stage and have so far been tested with only a small number of people, so the findings should be seen as preliminary." Bouverie called for more research to understand how effective this approach is and whom it might benefit. "Specialist stroke rehabilitation will always be essential, but as the number of stroke survivors grows, carefully tested innovations may help to complement existing support and enable more people to regain their independence." The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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