Working memory is the brain’s ability to remember information temporarily. Research by Schapiro et al. suggests that working memory has its limits, perhaps even a capacity that a person can hit. In their experiments, they noted that people used different techniques to remember the positions of numerous coloured disks. However, they found that people performed terribly after being asked to memorise the position of five disks, which suggests that working memory’s capacity affects all people equally regardless of memorisation technique. 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
