Hydrocephalus is a disease that can cause people to have an abnormal brain structure where large parts of their brain tissue are replaced with a fluid that causes their heads to swell. Remarkably, some of these patients act no differently from healthy people despite brain scans showing almost no white matter, or nerves that connect different parts of the brain, except an intact cerebral cortex. This raises the question of how much of the brain — specifically, white matter — is necessary for life. 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
