Evolutionary forces don’t always lead to progress: sometimes, a species may revert to an older or simpler method due to a different set of tradeoffs. Recent discoveries in bird evolution highlight this fact. For example, it has been found that the ancestors of modern birds had an unfused palate, whereas the branch that includes ostriches and emus has a fused palate. This suggests that the fused palate evolved later, through back mutations, and that the classic straight-line assumption of evolution was wrong. 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
