Peat fires are notoriously known as “zombie fires” for their sheer unwillingness to die. Deep in the soil, water cannot get every piece of burning peat, leaving behind pockets of dead plant matter that burn for months on end. However, a team of scientists have found a way to strike these fires down for good; their special blend of water and suppressant seeps into the peat more effectively to extinguish the fires 40 times faster than plain water.
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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
