Arthur T Knackerbracket has processed the following story:
A team of marine biologists and ecotoxicologists affiliated with several institutions in Brazil has found cocaine in muscle and liver samples collected from Brazilian Sharpnose sharks harvested off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Their study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, highlights the potential impact of the presence of illicit drugs in marine environments.
Prior research has suggested that much cocaine winds up in the ocean via wastewater from sewage systems, drainage from labs and packages abandoned by traffickers attempting to prevent discovery. What is not known is how long the drug persists in the sea and what impact it has on ocean life. For this new study, the research team tested Brazilian Sharpnose sharks, a small variety that makes its home in the shallow waters along many of Brazil's coastal areas.
The researchers purchased 13 of the sharks from local fishermen. Each was dissected in the lab, where the team also collected muscle and liver samples and assessed them with tandem mass spectrometry. They found cocaine in all the samples at concentrations approximately 100 times higher than observed in any other marine animal.
The researchers suggest their findings are just a starting point regarding research into the presence of cocaine in the sea. They note that it is not known what sort of impact the cocaine might have on the sharks. They do not know, for example, if it impacts their behavior, as it does humans, or if it impacts other functions such as their reproductive abilities.
More information:Gapriel de Farias Araujo et al, "Cocaine Shark": First report on cocaine and benzoylecgonine detection in sharks, Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174798
(Score: 3, Interesting) by looorg on Saturday July 27 2024, @09:42AM (16 children)
Sharks get all the good shit. Lasers. All the fish you can eat and Cocaine!
Considering it appears to be accumulating and sticking around what would happen if you ate a cocaine laced shark? How does the cocaine effect the behavior of the sharks? What happens to a human if they would swim in the same cocaine waters (without getting eaten by sharks)?
Waiting for the horrible sequel of coke-Jaws! Jaws gets withdrawal symptoms. Desperate for his next high.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Saturday July 27 2024, @12:49PM (13 children)
I'm waiting for cops to be deployed in submarines, so they can violate the rights of sharks. No-knock raids and such are coming to the oceans soon!
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 2, Troll) by janrinok on Saturday July 27 2024, @01:06PM (11 children)
Please leave your politics out of this discussion.
[nostyle RIP 06 May 2025]
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 27 2024, @05:21PM (10 children)
As usual, downmods abound.
As a USAian, I don't perceive any politics in Runaway's post. I see it as a commentary on police power and brutality, which, despite the many stories of cops killing unarmed innocent citizens, doesn't seem to be subsiding. I'm not aware of any political party talking about fixing the uniformed subsidized murderers problem.
Curious: how is Runaway's post political?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by janrinok on Saturday July 27 2024, @06:18PM (9 children)
He is continuing his outburst here where it is off-topic from another discussion. This is not the first time that he has done so. I have no objection at all to him, or anyone else, expressing their views where it is appropriate
He has already argued within the last 24 hours for having police 'shot in the face' as a punishment, and that every police death should be celebrated. It is merely continuing what he has already stated in other places including his journals - which is perhaps the only place that such things should be discussed.
The behaviour of the police - whilst abysmal and unacceptable - is all a part of the governance of society. I would say that it is most certainly a political issue and nothing to do with a discussion about a scientific subject. If somebody wishes to discuss police brutality they can make a submission or can start one in their own journal. Politics is not just about Trump and Harris. Much of our everyday life is a part of politics with a small 'p'. The only way to bring the police under control is through political action at whatever level is appropriate.
Moderation is available to every community member who has an account, as you well know. They can use their moderation points as they see fit. He has received 3 downmods so far and 1 upmod for his outburst.
[nostyle RIP 06 May 2025]
(Score: 1) by Runaway1956 on Saturday July 27 2024, @08:01PM (5 children)
No, go back and read what the fuck I WROTE jan, and not some almost-translation from British into English. Cops, or anyone else, who break into a private home in the middle of the night deserve to be shot in the face.
Again, go back and read what the fuck I WROTE. Your mistranslations are getting out of hand.
And, you are entirely out of line here, with your complaining. Off topic even.
Actually - no. That was a separate conversation. At least one person thought this post was insightful. Meaning, you just disagree. But, you have to make a big deal of things, and try to lecture me about where and how I should be posting. Whine away, though. I do believe in freedom of speech, even when you're making an ass of yourself. You've misrepresented the post you refer to, you've misrepresented this post, and you've accused me of celebrating every death of every policeman everywhere, for every reason. But, feel free to make yourself look even more obtuse.
Have a downmod of your own for your silly outburst.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Saturday July 27 2024, @08:52PM (4 children)
Go back and read what I wrote - your mis-translations are getting out of hand. I said that there were 3 downmods. I only moderated you "Off-Topic". Which you were. I politely asked you to stop doing it. So please don't lecture me. And use your language for those who might be impressed by it. As you might have deduced, I am not. Keep your extreme views in your journals or in discussions where they are on-topic.
You do know where England is, don't you? It is part of Britain. No translation necessary. It is you that doesn't speak 'English', rather you speak American (ax, sox, diapers, etc). But we forgive you. I suppose that it would have been hard to learn the speak the language of the native Americans.
Does US law support a no-notice entry into a premises? Yes, apparently it does. Otherwise somebody would have already had them in court and the matter would have been resolved by now. The police are not doing anything wrong according to the law. The police have been told to do the task. It is the law that needs changing - not the police being shot in the face for doing their job. Now I agree with you that law is not a just law, and that they are crap police and apparently beyond control, but that is your problem to sort out. Try asking a politician what they are going to do about it instead of ranting on the many non-issues that seem be top of the list.
I would have said nothing else about the matter except somebody I respect asked me to clarify something. So I did. It wasn't directed at you. I was explaining the situation to him.
I stand by what I wrote which is what you said. You actually wrote "I celebrate any time a cop is shot during a no-knock raid. [soylentnews.org]" No death by somebody who is doing his job, or anyone really, should be celebrated. Get your laws sorted out.
I would have left it with a moderation and my reply to the AC except for your response.
[nostyle RIP 06 May 2025]
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 27 2024, @09:09PM
Sorry this continues so far off topic, but:
I deeply wish I could understand how people have such skewed beliefs. Let me make is simple:
Summarising (I'm learning proper English spelling!): police and any and all law enforcement organizations are made up of humans. They are fallible. I posit that in fact many (most?) people who are inclined to be cops have some desire to carry guns and maybe shoot people. I have known, personally, a few cops and a few others who work in some kind of governmental authority position. They enjoy their power too much. The very wrong kinds of people are pursuing those jobs, and there's little to no oversight or corrective action. It's all clearly in the news.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/07/27/001209/courts-close-the-loophole-letting-the-feds-search-your-phone-at-the-border [slashdot.org]
Sorry for the greensite link, but it's much easier than typing up a summary, and you can read the link itself and get an idea of what's going on in the US. Police and all US authoritarian branches of government have become heavy-handed at best, sadistic in some cases. They have continued to abuse their power because nobody has stopped them. Above linked article refers to a judge finally starting a hopeful process of reining in the overreach, based on US Constitutions's 4th amendment. I'm skeptical that we'll ever have a truly civil society.
(Score: 0, Redundant) by Runaway1956 on Sunday July 28 2024, @01:01AM
rolleyes emoji The obvious is lost on you.
Laws be damned. Cops go to the wrong address often enough, they don't care enough to triple and quadruple check that they are about to execute the right people. Laws be damned again, when cops toss grenades into baby cribs, they need to be shot, or worse. And, laws be damned yet again - there is almost never a good reason for a no-knock raid. They are not only morally and ethically wrong, they are unconstitutional. Innocent lives, as young as months old, and as old as 90 years, are lost every year to no-knock raids.
When did you become the bloodthirsty SOB defending the senseless deaths caused in no-knock raids?
You quoted it. Now actually READ IT. Your understanding is clearly lacking.
If you are going to passionately defend cops murdering civilians, maybe you should have posted that defense in the thread which you are citing? YOU are the one who linked the two conversations together.
I suppose you are going to continue harassing me, because you don't like my views? Or, do you intend to secretively ban me again, like the last time?
Finally, see how you've have steered this entire conversation way off topic? Yes, you, not me. You had to step into an otherwise good conversation, and start berating me, like you're the police or something. Get over yourself, jan. People are going to post things you don't like. It seems that people even post things that you don't understand. I repeat - go back and read exactly what you quoted.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 1) by Runaway1956 on Sunday July 28 2024, @02:46PM (1 child)
Odd. You posted a response which has disappeared. You said words to the effect that if the police were doing something illegal, it would have been challenged by now. It has been challenged, repeatedly around the country. Here is one successful challenge.
http://fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/man-who-shot-at-cops-during-no-knock-raid-acquitted-on-all-charges/96033 [fromthetrenchesworldreport.com]
https://www.theblaze.com/news/2014/07/11/he-shot-a-police-officer-during-late-night-raid-at-his-home-why-a-jury-just-found-him-not-guilty-on-all-counts [theblaze.com]
In another case, you can see police stealthily enter an apartment with a key, barge in and start screaming, and shoot a man who LEGALLY OWNS a firearm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFHbs3GxJHE [youtube.com]
You likely remember Breonna Taylor? Breonna's boyfriend had all charges against him dismissed after shooting at cops busting down the door. There is a lot of bodycam video available in that case, but I can't find video of the cops actually making entry. One eyewitness says police identified themselves TO HIM, but he did NOT HEAR police identify themselves at the door of the apartment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvhFCAn7Ozw [youtube.com]
People around the country are winning settlements, lawsuits, and beating charges of assault on police. Why are they winning? Because the COPS ARE WRONG.
Mayors seem to have the authority to authorize no-knock raids. That authority needs to be taken away, and bumped up to the governor. Seriously, a governor's political career needs to be on the line to authorize a no-knock raid on a residence.
I've not said that such raids are NEVER justified. But they are indeed ALMOST NEVER justified.
Regarding your input: if you feel so strongly that the authorities have the authority to kick doors in and kill people, perhaps you should engage in a conversation, rather than bitching and telling me when and where you permit me to comment. Your conduct in this discussion has been abysmal, making veiled threats, telling me when and where I have a right to post. Either engage in a conversation, or just butt out, and stop harassing me.
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Sunday July 28 2024, @03:04PM
[nostyle RIP 06 May 2025]
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 27 2024, @08:56PM (2 children)
Thank you so much for explaining. In the US, we have the "war on drugs" which has propelled police brutality regardless of the party power. TFA being about cocaine made me think more about illegal drug use and activity, police involvement, and the inevitable "collateral damage". If I was a bio scientist, I'd run like the wind from studying cocaine in sharks or any other thing.
I hope you're able to visit and see some of the Olympics!!
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 28 2024, @02:01AM (1 child)
I wonder the outcome of backing off the legality and let people do as they will as long as they don't bother others.
I have had a homeless camp cleaned out not far from me. The druggies had to resort to crime to get money to pay for drugs...drugs that are very inexpensive to synthesize, yet by restricting the supply chain, we cause the druggies to raise enormous funds to support the violent gangs who have the guts, weapons and desperation to get these drugs to the users.
I don't want to sound heartless and mean, but I really hate perpetuating this war. Go into any store and buy all you want. Generic. Should be about as cheap as flour to produce.
If people OD, fine, I would support human composting for this. If one wants to "throw themselves away", who am I to force them to follow my beliefs? Just don't impose oneself on others... Shoot yourself as high as you want - I really don't want to stop you. If you succeed in shutting yourself down, you will get the same public sanitization services we provide for any other life form that dies. Cat, dog, rat, druggie, beached whale, it's a community necessity to keep the place free of rotting carcass.
But I flat do not believe in forcing anything on anyone other than keeping someone from doing the same to others. The druggies live a hard and frustrating life to support criminals. Take the profit motive from these merchants of misery. If I want a power saw, I can have it. It's a dangerous tool. If I want some exotic chemicals, I can usually get some. All I ask is they are pure, accurately labeled, sold in appropriate containers.
When one has come to the conclusion that living is not what they want, I have no issue with them making their own choices, as long as what they do applies only to them. That, to me, is freedom.
To be, or not to be, that is the question, and I have no desire to demand my answer to their question.
The time may come for me as well some day. I understand Seconal is effective. But I can't get any. I don't understand fentanyl. When it's time, I would much prefer a quiet peaceful exit.
Thank you for letting me say such things in public as I don't want to live a lie.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 28 2024, @02:34AM
I mostly strongly agree. I used to be quite libertarian, but as I've grown and learned, I see that won't work.
One problem: if we let people dope up, they can and might go berserk and hurt others, or at least cause damage to others' belongings and property.
Also, I'm a big believer in a full-on healthcare system, like most of the developed and intellectual world, and I don't want others' stupidity draining the health system.
It seems that for all the money and effort spent on the drug wars, maybe more could be put into some kind of biological / pharmaceutical cure for drug cravings and dependence.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 28 2024, @12:59AM
I can see schools of sharks getting high on some boat-owning cooker who thinks he's found a marvelous way of getting rid of production byproducts, knowing the sewers are laced with detectors...so now we have hundreds, maybe thousands of sharks awaiting their next delivery.
A bunch of people on a big pleasure craft visit the area. They are doing cocaine. They piss into the water from their craft, cocaine-laced piss. The sharks smell it, but it's not nearly enough for them. They know there's more on that craft, and they aren't about to let it leave. These animals are sacrificing themselves to destroy the crafts propulsion, and the drug laden humans can't get their radio to work again, after they had deliberately disabled it earlier thinking it was being used as a homing beacon by a patrol boat in the distance. Day and night the sharks lay siege to this boat with the determination of a druggie in full withdrawal. Hundreds of em.
I don't know...might be entertaining drama...
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 27 2024, @04:19PM
How would eating this meat affect a drug test? Eating a poppy seed muffin can cause a positive drug test.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Reziac on Sunday July 28 2024, @02:39AM
I'm thinkin' someone found a new disposal route for unwanted cartel members.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 2) by quietus on Sunday July 28 2024, @03:41PM
It is pretty well-known that cocaine, and other drugs, are hard to breakdown in the environment. For example, here's a study about the presence of cocaine and other drugs [europa.eu] in the waste water of 75 European cities.
What is novel about the current study is that this stuff accumulates in the muscle tissue of fish. Or the muscle tissue is itself involved in cocaine breakdown -- something I didn't know muscle tissue could do -- or the study forces us to ask questions about downstream fishing in the rivers and coastal waters near dense cities.