It’s not you who smells terrible; it’s your armpit bacteria. The Corynebacterium species of bacteria eat sweat molecules and metabolise them into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and thioalcohols, the two kinds of compounds that give armpit odour its distinct smell. Because of this, scientists are trying to attack BO from a different angle: reducing the harmful bacteria. One of these treatments is armpit microbiome transplants, where a person’s armpit bacteria are killed and replaced with bacteria from a person with less smelly armpits. 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
