This new technology could soon revolutionise home healthcare, with a simple gadget at home able to tell you why you’re feeling off. It could even detect diabetes without needing to go to a doctor or a lab. This is all possible due to the development of a new whispering gallery mode microresonator made of germanium (a mouthful, we know). This microresonator can store light waves in the infrared spectrum much more effectively, providing better optical sensors for things like particle sensing and spectroscopic chemical identification. With this new technology, scientists can now develop broadband frequency combs in the longwave infrared spectrum, which opens the door to analysing multiple chemicals at once. 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
