{
  "id": 3429017,
  "title": "Even low-level traffic noise can reduce birdsong's stress-relieving effects",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/even-low-level-traffic-noise-can-reduce-birdsongs-stress-relieving",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-26T05:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-traffic-noise-birdsong-stress-relieving.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists from the University of Surrey have discovered that even small amounts of traffic noise can diminish the stress-reducing benefits of birdsong. The study, published in the journal People and Nature, examined the impact of natural soundscapes containing birds and traffic noise on psychological well-being. Researchers found that traffic noise negatively affected the stress-relieving effects of nature's sounds, regardless of its acoustic complexity or level, as long as it exceeded WHO guidelines for daytime vehicle traffic noise. Dr. Melissa Marselle, the lead researcher, stated that urban planning should consider minimizing traffic noise near parks to enhance the benefits of spending time in nature.",
  "summary": "Traffic noise disrupts recognized benefits of birdsong and other sounds from nature, a new study from the University of Surrey reports.",
  "key_points": [
    "Low-level traffic noise reduces birdsong's stress-relieving effects.",
    "Study by University of Surrey shows traffic noise diminishes nature's benefits.",
    "WHO guidelines exceeded, traffic noise negatively impacted well-being."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This finding underscores the need for urban planning to prioritize minimizing traffic noise near parks to preserve the stress-relieving benefits of nature's sounds for city dwellers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}