The origin of the humble microwave apparently lies in a military accident. Engineer Percy Spencer had been tinkering with radar magnetrons — electric whistles that create vibrating electromagnetic waves — when he discovered that the peanut cluster bar in his pocket had melted. Curious as to what happened, he ran more tests (one of which resulted in an egg exploding in his face) ultimately leading to the creation of the beloved kitchen appliance.
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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
