“Fruit importing involves a surprising amount of diplomacy and technology.” Despite the great demand for the heavenly Pakistani mango varieties, the golden fruits are scarcely seen in American grocery stores. Why? The mangoes must fly in by plane, and then be transported to an irradiation centre, where they’re treated for pests. The whole process takes time, and time is the enemy of the Pakistani mango as they spoil quickly after harvest.
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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
