Mood-boosting benefits of birdsong drowned out by traffic noise, study finds

The Guardian UK Wednesday 26 August 2026, 04:00 UTC By Natalie Wint 1 min read

Key Points

Even low levels of traffic noise can negate the benefits of listening to natural sounds, researchers sayHearing the trill or whistle of a bird while going about daily life is well known to boost people’s mood. But a new study suggests the psychological benefits of hearing birdsong are being threatened by traffic noise. Researchers found that even low levels of traffic noise negatively affected the benefits to wellbeing that could otherwise be derived from listening to natural sounds.

Even low levels of traffic noise can negate the benefits of listening to natural sounds, researchers say

Hearing the trill or whistle of a bird while going about daily life is well known to boost people’s mood. But a new study suggests the psychological benefits of hearing birdsong are being threatened by traffic noise.

Researchers found that even low levels of traffic noise negatively affected the benefits to wellbeing that could otherwise be derived from listening to natural sounds.

birdsong (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

At maximum eclipse on 27–28 August, Earth’s dark umbral shadow will cover 96% of the Moon’s face - an almost total eclipse. Europeans will be treated to a “very deep” partial lunar eclipse in the early hours of Friday (28 August) morning, just before dawn. A partial eclipse always happens about two weeks before or after a solar eclipse, so this one follows the total solar eclipse that captivated Europeans earlier this month.

Euronews 30m ago

RSPB reports record-breaking chough numbers

RSPB England says 161 Choughs have been counted - 32 more than the 129 recorded last year.

BBC Science 30m ago

Nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than other alternatives for quitting smoking, study finds

A major analysis found that vaping outperforms patches, gum and other conventional aids in helping people give up cigarettes. Nicotine electronic cigarettes can help people stop smoking, working better than other replacement therapies such as patches or gum, a new review has found. The Cochrane review analysed 80 studies, involving a total of 29,861 adults who smoked, comparing nicotine vapes with other options offered to help people quit.

Euronews 32m ago

Commentary: NDR 2026 – if Singapore can plan 50 years ahead for infrastructure, can it do the same for nature?

Commentary: NDR 2026 – if Singapore can plan 50 years ahead for infrastructure, can it do the same for nature? Long-term plans for Singapore’s western islands offer something precious: time to get it right, says NUS’ Melissa Low. SINGAPORE: Plans to study the creation of a “western island”, potentially joining Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom, Pulau Sudong and several smaller islands, come at an interesting moment for Singapore.

Channel News Asia 33m ago

Mood-boosting benefits of birdsong drowned out by traffic noise, study finds

Related Stories

Partial lunar eclipse on Friday: Where to see it in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Germany

RSPB reports record-breaking chough numbers

Nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective than other alternatives for quitting smoking, study finds

Commentary: NDR 2026 – if Singapore can plan 50 years ahead for infrastructure, can it do the same for nature?