The state of California is gearing up to regulate its groundwater. By some estimates, water cutbacks could result in half a million acres of farmland taken out of production.

A few decades ago, babies born with conditions such as congenital heart disease or cystic fibrosis often didn't survive past childhood. Now many live longer, but adult medicine has not kept pace.

OK, so they're not using Fitbits. But zoos across America are using software to minutely track the activity, behavior and physiology of captive elephants, and using that data to improve zoo life.