The gut microbiome has been known to influence many aspects of health, including the immune system. Working with this knowledge, researchers have championed faecal microbiota therapy (FMT) as a treatment for peanut allergies because allergies stem from an overreactive immune system. FMT introduces gut bacteria extracted from healthy people’s poo to those with illnesses; in this case, non-allergic people’s poo contains bacteria that may be key to training the immune system not to react in the presence of peanuts. 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
