The Third Thumb is a robotic thumb strapped to one’s palm — opposite their fleshy thumb — and controlled by sensors underneath their big toe. A study shows that participants were able to use their Third Thumbs even while distracted after only five days of training, with brain scans revealing that the brain changed the way it perceived their hands. For an unknown reason, this ‘learning’ was only temporary, reverting back a week after they stopped using it. 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
