It’s looking possible to increase lifespan even in old age — at least, that’s the case with the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Scientists already know that degrading insulin receptors prolongs their lives, but it was unclear whether it could affect worms that have already reached old age. But a recent experiment by Venz et al. shows that it does affect worms already in old age, doubling their lifespan from three weeks to almost two months. Read full article here
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
Merv
June 1, 2023
