Our noses may have contributed to the success of early humans. A study has found that humans conserve water more efficiently compared to our primate cousins, which may have allowed our ancestors to hunt further away from watering holes. How? One hypothesis suggests that our more prominent noses, which started developing in Homo erectus, may have helped conserve water by condensing exhaled air into water vapor that’s then reabsorbed by our bodies. 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
