The world’s oldest pants feature no less than four weaving techniques to ensure they were both flexible yet sturdy. Found on the remains of a man whose items suggested he fought on horseback, the pants were snug at the waist, stretchy at the crotch, sturdy at the knees, and woven from one piece of fabric. At the knees, one of the techniques used was tapestry weaving, which created a fabric that was thick and sturdy, but less flexible than the twill used for the crotch area. 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
