Somewhere, right about now, researchers from MIT are searching through a treasure trove of clues that will enable them to better understand a city and its residents. “These researchers — who include architects, computational biologists, designers, electrical and mechanical engineers, geneticists, and microbiologists — will be testing an idea that’s attracting interest around the world: namely, that sewage can tell us important things about the people who excrete it.”

+ Perhaps the promise of advancing science isn’t quite enough to make you want to head for the sewers. Well maybe this is: There’s gold in them thar sewers — tons and tons of it.