Animals with faces resembling their parents helps improve social bonds, but that’s not the whole story. Studies show that mandrill mothers will associate with infant mandrills that resemble their own, even if they aren’t directly related. The mothers take it a step further, even, and socially engineer connections between these infants and their own. This article provides a fascinating look into how non-kin relationships form in animals. 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
