Daily roundup 3 February: Robot teachers, alcoholics, and plastic surgery

Scientists are investigating whether a cartoon-like robot can improve learning and emotional understanding in children with autism. A team from Imperial College London has developed technology that enables an off-the-shelf robot called Zeno to interact in real-time with children who have autism. The researchers, who are currently trialling the technology in Serbia and the UK, believe that robots may provide an alternative approach for teaching children how to understand and convey their emotions.


A Conservative minister has promised to produce a new strategy to help the children of alcoholics after she was moved to tears hearing Labour frontbencher Jon Ashworth talk about his father's drinking. The Guardian reports that Nicola Blackwood, the public health minister, praised Ashworth for speaking out, along with Labour former minister Liam Byrne, about their experiences of growing up with an alcoholic parent.


Thousands of parents have signed a petition urging tech giants to remove plastic surgery games aimed at children from their app stores. GoodtoKnow reports that charity Endangered Bodies has gathered 6,000 signatures. 


Children will be particularly vulnerable to more toxic air generated by Heathrow expansion if mitigation measures are not put in place, a government study has found. The Evening Standard reports that the research examined "differential effects" of the proposed extra runway at the airport. It found that on air quality there was a "major" risk that children and young people will be affected more than other groups.


Safeguarding agencies in West Berkshire have been crticised for missing opportunities to prevent the abuse of children, including one who was raped in a cupboard by a teacher and some who were lured into sexual activity by a school counsellor. Get Reading reports that a serious case review was after the pair were jailed separately for a string of sex offences.