A seemingly unremarkable conch shell that laid unnoticed in Toulouse’s Museum of Natural History ended up harboring a secret for many years — evidence of Paleolithic humans using conch shells for music. The shell played low notes, and was altered in such a way that was undeniably human; the tip and outer lip of the shell had been removed, and two holes for bird bones were made in the second whorl. 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
