You don’t need a microscope to see the biggest bacteria on Earth. T. magnifica is about 5,000 times as big as other bacteria. It’s like if a person found another human the size of Mt. Everest! The translucent, string-like T. magnifica was a centimetre long; so large that the scientist who discovered it thought that it was a eukaryote (a multicellular organism). So, imagine his surprise when he didn’t find a nucleus or mitochondria, which you’d typically find in a eukaryotic cell. 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
