Do you feel terrible after a day filled with video calls? A study finds that people who have worse moods look at themselves more during video calls. Looking at yourself during a video call is both a cause and a symptom of being more self-focused and more self-aware, which has been linked to emotions associated with anxiety and depression. It likely contributed to the surge in depressed people after the pandemic, hit when online classes and remote work became a necessary part of life. 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
