For more than 4,000 hippopotami, the Mara River in East Africa has become not only their home, but also their communal gut, leaving significant impacts on the hippos’ immediate ecosystems. Researchers’ findings through field observations, experiments, and sequencing methods reveal that after the hippos defecate and release their bacteria and other microbes into a shared pool environment, it makes the water “almost like a probiotic shake.” This could negatively affect other species living in the water, such as fish, due to high accumulations of hippo faeces. 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
