Life seemed determined to stop João Carlos Martins from playing the piano. Even after his right hand stopped working properly, he performed pieces to be played with just his left. But after a chance encounter in Sumaré — or more accurately, the persistence of one Ubiratan Bizarro Costa, an industrial designer — Martins would yet again play with both his hands. Costa created bionic gloves for the pianist after watching him on TV in 2019, continuously working with Martins to refine them and restore the pianist to his prime. 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
