“There’s just no other way to do it.” Arik Kershenbaum speculates that extra-terrestrial life will likely be remarkably similar to Earth organisms because there’s not much wiggle room for life to innovate. So, extra-terrestrial birds likely fly similarly to how Earth birds do due to physics; they will likely also form (perhaps unconventional) social groups, because cooperation is a good evolutionary strategy.
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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
