What is the price of experiencing the magical experience of weightlessness in space? People with deep enough pockets will be able to snag a seat on Virgin Galactic’s 90-minute, four-passenger flights for a cool 450,000 USD per seat through their website. Additionally, you have to pay to go through the necessary training to be an astronaut. But if you want to connect with the Earth on a “solid, spiritual, fundamental level”, this is one of the few options you have to get a taste of the stars. 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
