Maps help us to chart the right path. Biological conservation is a ‘path’ that many of us care about, and thus a biodiversity map is needed to create a concrete plan to avoid the extinction of much-loved species. Jorge Velásquez-Tibatá and his team shared a new effective way of mapping species, an alternative to the industry-standard of hand-drawn mapping. This automated workflow provides both a more accurate representation of animals’ geographical distribution and requires less time and knowledge – only a simple understanding of “Geographic Information Systems” is needed. 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
