Sometimes, Mother Nature has designs more efficient than human-made ones; a researcher has taken inspiration from bat ears to develop an incredibly accurate sound locator. Due to the shape of their ears, bats can determine the location of a sound with only one ear and only one frequency. Previous tech can detect location within 7.5 degrees, while the new sound locator can determine location within half a degree.
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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
