News

Eating habits revealed by wearable cameras and AI

Published

1 month ago

February 8, 2026

NO single tool can accurately measure people’s diets, but new research shows that combining different methods — from wearable cameras to analysing dietary biomarkers — could be the most reliable picture of what people eat.

In a review published in ‘Nature Food’, an international team of scientists highlights long‑standing problems with traditional self‑reported dietary tools, which often rely on memory and guesswork and place a heavy time burden on participants.

These limitations make it difficult for researchers and policymakers to reliably link diet with health outcomes, and to understand how diets are changing in response to global sustainability challenges.

The review brings together emerging evidence from nutrition science, metabolomics, microbiome research, computer vision and sensor technologies.

Dr Thomas Wilson, from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Life Sciences and a co‑author on the review, said: “Accurately capturing what people eat and drink is one of the biggest challenges in nutrition research. Traditional methods rely heavily on self‑reporting, which we know is imprecise. By integrating modern tools – such as biological biomarkers and digitally assisted reporting – we can dramatically improve accuracy while reducing the burden on participants. This opens the door to much more reliable research and helps us better understand the role of diet in long‑term health.”

The paper highlights new technological advances, from wearable cameras that capture meals in real time, identifying foods and estimating portion sizes with the help of artificial intelligence, and smartphone apps that prompt users to reduce memory‑related errors.

The authors also highlight biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) as a promising advancement in dietary assessment. BFIs detect chemicals in urine, blood or poo that correspond to specific foods or dietary patterns, offering objective insights into what people have eaten.

The authors emphasise that no single technology can solve all the challenges of dietary assessment. Instead, they propose an integrated, flexible framework that can be tailored to different research settings – from controlled dietary interventions to large‑scale population studies.

The authors argue that emerging dietary assessment tools will be essential for advancing precision nutrition, improving dietary recommendations, and supporting evidence‑based policies for human and planetary health.

Dr Wilson added: “As we confront global challenges – from rising diet‑related diseases to the need for more sustainable diets – getting a clearer picture of what people truly eat is crucial. The technologies now emerging give us a real opportunity to build the next generation of dietary assessment and, ultimately, to support healthier lives and food systems.”

The international research was led by scientists from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with Aberystwyth University, Medical University of Graz, the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, and Wageningen University & Research.

Crime

Police stop car in Pennar as three arrested in drugs investigation

Published

9 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Suspected drug driver report leads to major police response and multiple arrests

DRAMATIC scenes were reported in Pennar on Monday afternoon (Mar 23) after multiple police vehicles were deployed to stop a car.

The incident happened at around 5:00pm near Pennar Court, Pembroke Dock, where officers located a stationary vehicle following reports of a suspected drug driver in the area.

Police attended and pre-emptively stopped the vehicle, also blocking a second car nearby.

Officers carried out searches of both vehicles and discovered suspected controlled substances.

A 32-year-old woman and a 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of class A and class B drugs with intent to supply.

The 32-year-old woman has been released under investigation, while the 31-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been released on unconditional bail.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the incident followed reports of a man believed to be driving under the influence in the area earlier that afternoon.

Crime

Sex offender jailed for sending explicit messages to ’14-year-old’ girls

Published

9 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MAN has been jailed after sending sexual messages on Snapchat to three girls he believed were aged 14.

Ciaran Carmody, aged 21, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court via video link from HM Wrexham prison, where he admitted three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16.

The court heard the messages were sent on three separate occasions to accounts posing as 14-year-old girls, which were in fact part of an undercover police operation.

Prosecutor Nia James said each of the girls made their age clear, but the messages sent by Carmody were sexual in nature.

The offences took place between April 25 and May 5, 2025.

Finance

Haverfordwest savers encouraged to seek clarity ahead of ISA tax year end

Published

9 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO in three savers say a fixed interest rate would give them greater peace of mind when planning their finances, according to new research from Principality Building Society*, as people in Haverfordwest are encouraged to review their savings ahead of the ISA tax year deadline.

The research, conducted with more than 1,500 people, also found that while many savers feel comfortable managing their money independently, a significant number still value the reassurance of speaking to someone when making important financial decisions.

Meanwhile, around one in six people mistakenly believe they must open a new ISA every tax year, highlighting ongoing confusion around how ISAs work. In many cases, particularly for variable savings products, savers may be able to continue paying into an existing ISA.

With the tax year end approaching, Principality Building Society is inviting Members and local savers to speak with colleagues at its High Street branch in Haverfordwest to better understand their options and make informed choices about how to use their ISA allowance.

The research also highlights the appeal of certainty when it comes to savings. Two in three savers say a fixed rate would give them peace of mind, reflecting the reassurance that comes from knowing exactly what return they will receive over a set period. Fixed rate Cash ISAs can provide that certainty, making it easier for some savers to plan ahead.

Vicky Wales, Chief Savings and Lending Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “ISA season can often feel busy and confusing, particularly against the backdrop of changes in the wider financial environment. Many people value the opportunity to talk through their options and feel confident they’re making the right decision.

Every saver’s situation is unique, so having a conversation can help people better understand their choices and how these align with their longer-term plans. Understanding the differences between savings products – including fixed and variable rates – can help savers make the most of their ISA allowance, and ensure their money is working in a way that suits their individual goals.”

Principality Building Society is encouraging anyone in Haverfordwest who would like to review their savings ahead of the tax year end to visit their local branch for a supportive conversation about their options, and how they can make the most of their savings.

Source: Principality Building Society’s own online community, Member Pulse, survey on Cash ISAs, March 2026 (total respondents: 1,544)