Mary Ann Bevan was a mother-of-four who, after suffering from the disfiguring disorder acromegaly, took up the title of “the ugliest woman in the world” in order to provide for her family. Despite her unfortunate title and the disgusted looks of spectators, she earned an impressive $50,000 in her lifetime, which is roughly equivalent to $800,000 today. Unfortunately, in the early 2000s, Mary Ann’s image was used on a birthday card made by Hallmark Cards, an act which was met with outrage by a Dutch physician due to Mary Ann’s condition. 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
