What makes a frisbee stay in the air for so long? By creating a specialised throwing device, researchers determined that torque — the force that produces rotation — is responsible for causing spinning disks to fall out from the sky. However, at certain angles, torque causes flat disks (like beer mats) to flip around. So what makes the frisbee different? Their rounded edges reduce the amount of torque they experience, making their flight more stable.
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Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here