Hello gophers, how are your crops today? Considered pests, pocket gophers love to eat roots, make winding underground tunnels, and (apparently) cultivate their own food! Pocket gophers are the first non-human mammals known to farm their food. They take care of roots that grow into tunnels they have already dug, fertilising them with their poop and defending them from danger. Every day, they harvest these roots—which fulfil up to 60% of their daily energy needs—to power through and dig more tunnels in search of more food. 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
