Aside from lifting up our spirits and giving us companionship, pets are great for mental health because they help us create a semblance of order. Pets make us stick to a routine because most of them thrive on routine as well; they know when it is time to wake up and when to eat. However, pets’ love of routine may harm them — after the pandemic started and old routines were disrupted, some developed behavioral changes consistent with stress. 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
