It’s not every day you hear of ‘super pigs’ being set free, but this is exactly what happened in Canada around 20 years ago! A hybrid breed of domestic pig and wild boar were crossbred in order to help farmed pigs survive the cold temperatures of the freezing nation. Unfortunately, the demand for these animals dried up, and farmers proceeded to set them free – resulting in a potential disaster that may soon spread to the U.S.! 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