“When a healthy cell is attacked by a virus, a toxic by-product is produced. This smell could be the earliest possible detection of a disease.” Boasting a sensitivity “200 times stronger than a dog’s nose”, MIT’s robotic nose detects disease by identifying minute traces of molecules given off by the body and determining if there are any complex patterns found in sick individuals. MIT speculates this technology — the Nano-Nose — could be in millions of smartphones in as little as five years. 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
