Articles tagged with Honey
A new study found that 98.2% of organically managed US honey samples met USDA contamination limits, comparable to imported certified organic honeys. Researchers tested 72 colonies on six large organic farms and screened their honey for 96 pesticide residues.
Researchers found that bees' habits don't match current organic certification guidelines, which require a 6.4 kilometer buffer zone for foraging. The study suggests that revised standards could allow US producers to meet USDA organic certification requirements with pesticide contamination levels comparable to imported honeys.
Researchers found that providing honeybees with prebiotics and probiotics helped them survive thermal stress. The study suggests these nutritional supplements can buffer the survival of bees and improve antioxidant enzyme activity.
Honeybee queens are created through an elaborate process involving young worker bees constructing customized wax chambers with unique physical and chemical properties. Researchers identified a previously unrecognized class of young worker bees dubbed 'queen cell builders' that appear uniquely adapted for the task.
A new study from UC Riverside shows that a locally adapted population of SoCal honeybees can naturally suppress deadly mites. The hybrid bees are less susceptible to Varroa mite infestations and cross-thresholds, making them more resistant than commercial breeds.
A University of Sydney-led study found that honey made from mixed floral sources has superior performance against bacteria, with high levels of bioactive compounds. The findings could help develop new treatments for drug-resistant infections while supporting bushfire recovery and sustainable beekeeping practices.
A team of researchers from UNICAMP in Brazil developed a method to extract bioactive compounds, including caffeine and phenolic compounds, from cocoa bean shells using native bee honey as an edible solvent. The resulting product has a strong chocolate flavor and potential nutritional benefits.
Honeybees use various strategies to build hives that accommodate different space constraints, including merging cells, tilting borders and layering combs. Researchers observed these adaptations using X-ray microscopy and found that the bees' behavior is intuitive and physics-based.
Researchers reanalyzed ancient honey residue from Greek shrine jars using modern techniques and determined its likely origin. The findings suggest the presence of ancient honey, but other bee products may also be present.
Researchers have discovered that Australian native bee honey exhibits remarkable antimicrobial properties, effective even after heat treatment and long-term storage. This unique feature makes it a promising alternative to synthetic antibiotics, with the potential to complement or replace them in therapeutic frameworks.
A new study from Tulane University analyzed 260 honey samples from 48 states for toxic metals, finding regional differences in contamination levels. The highest arsenic and cobalt levels were found in Pacific Northwest and Southeastern honeys, respectively, while lead was detected in Carolinas honeys.
Researchers found that honey bees create symmetrical patterns in their nests, with contents mirrored on both sides. This symmetry benefits the colony and is found across all species of honey bees studied.
A new study explores clauses in pollination contracts that could make them more appealing to beekeepers, including pesticide protection and cover crop options. Beekeepers valued these features, particularly those protecting against pesticide exposure, with discounts ranging from $6 to $8 per colony.
A new study by UCLA investigators found that Manuka honey contains compounds that can help reduce tumor growth in preclinical models. The research suggests that Manuka honey could potentially be developed into a natural supplement or standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, which accounts for most breast cancer cases.
Researchers at Cranfield University have developed two new methods to authenticate UK honey: one using Spatial Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) and the other employing DNA barcoding. The SORS method detects sugar syrups with high accuracy, while DNA barcoding identifies syrups even at low adulteration levels.
New studies from the University of Illinois found that adding honey to yogurt supports the survival of probiotic bacteria in the gut. The research suggests that pairing honey with yogurt is a delicious and healthy way to support digestive health and gut microbiome, with potential benefits for mood and cognition.
A honey-containing nanoemulsion was developed and characterized for stability, maintaining normal pH values corresponding to skin pH throughout a 90-day testing period. The emulsion showed non-Newtonian flow and pseudo-plastic behaviour required for ideal topical formulation.
Researchers analyzed 13 MNP honey samples, confirming uniformity in quality across different apiaries. The study found minimal impact of geographical variations on honey's physicochemical properties.
Research suggests that warmer fall seasons may lead to colony collapse in honey bees due to increased flying time. However, cold storage for colonies could help reduce the risk of colony collapse by allowing bees to cluster earlier and save workers.
Researchers analyzed five decades of US data, finding climate conditions and soil productivity key factors affecting honey production. Herbicide application and land use also contributed to declines in honey yields.
In parts of Africa, humans communicate with greater honeyguides to locate bee colonies, sharing knowledge about the location of nests. The bird benefits by eating leftover honeycomb, while people gain access to honey and beeswax. Researchers found that honeyguides learn distinct vocal signals used by different honey-hunting communities.
Researchers found that honeyguides in Tanzania and Mozambique discriminate among human calls, responding more readily to local than foreign calls. This complex communication system benefits both species by increasing their chances of accessing calorie-dense honey and beeswax.
A study by Cornell University found pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides in managed honeybee hives in New York, posing a risk to bee health and the environment. The chemicals, including acaricides and neonics, were detected in nearly all samples, highlighting the need for better protection of pollinators.
A team of scientists developed a microwave microstrip line planar resonator sensor to detect added water in honey. The sensor's resonance frequency shifts with increased water content, allowing for adulteration detection.
Researchers found that pollination by both honey bees and mason bees increases sweet cherry production, with a synergy effect observed in orchards using both species. Growers can attract mason bees to their orchards by providing nest material, such as bamboo sticks, to enhance cross-pollination.
Researchers have confirmed that honeypot ant honey possesses unique antimicrobial characteristics, effective against Staphylococcus aureus and two species of fungi. The study marks the first time ant honey has been investigated for its medicinal properties.
Researchers discovered that combining honey and vinegar can effectively kill bacteria in biofilms, making it a potential treatment for persistent infections. The study found that using both honey and acetic acid was more effective than using either substance alone.
Researchers found no conclusive evidence of bird-honey badger cooperation in accessing honey from African bees' nests. Despite anecdotal reports, most communities surveyed denied seeing the two species interact, with only three communities in Tanzania reporting sightings.
A new Concordia University study found that the rapid growth of urban honeybee-keeping is adversely affecting nearby wild bee populations. The researchers compared bee population data collected from sites around Montreal in 2013 and 2020, finding a decline in wild bee species richness associated with increasing honeybee abundance.
A recent study found that organophosphate pesticides used to control desert locusts in Eastern Africa had devastating impacts on honey production, pollinators, and ecosystems. The campaign led to a 78% decline in honey production and an estimated loss of US$500 million in revenue.
Scientists at the University of Missouri have developed a novel method to detect food adulteration using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The technique can identify vegetable oil adulterants in hard cheese products with high accuracy, leading to improved consumer safety and product authenticity.
Researchers investigated manuka honey's potential to resist bacterial infections and promote bone growth in collagen scaffolds. Higher concentrations of honey led to decreased bone health, while soaked scaffolds showed improved results.
Researchers found that raw honey from single floral sources lowers fasting blood glucose, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation. Honey's health benefits depend on processing, floral source, and quantity.
A new study found that honey bee lifespans in lab-kept conditions are 50% shorter than they were in the 1970s, corresponding with increased colony losses and reduced honey production. The researchers suggest a genetic component may be influencing this trend, which could lead to breeding programs for longer-lived bees.
A recent study by University of the West of Scotland found that citrus honey has significantly higher antioxidant activity than other types of floral honey. The research discovered compounds such as hesperetin, linalool, and caffeic acid in citrus honey, which are linked to its enhanced antioxidant properties.
Researchers discovered that two approved insecticides can damage honey bees' intestinal flora, making them more susceptible to disease. The study highlights the need for rigorous research on pesticide effects on beneficial insects before approval.
Scientists at Aston University developed a new treatment combining manuka honey with the widely used antibiotic amikacin to treat drug-resistant lung infections. The study found that this combination improved bacterial clearance and reduced side effects, benefiting patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers discovered a new species of beetle in the family Buprestidae that contributes to the production of red propolis. The beetle's larvae develop inside stems of a specific plant, and its resinous exudate is used by honey bees to make red propolis.
Researchers optimised a method to characterise DNA in honey, revealing the species interacting with honeybees. The study found that honey contains DNA from foraged plants, gut bacteria, and potential hive pathogens, offering insights into bee ecological niches.
Researchers at Washington State University have demonstrated a way to make memristors using honey, which can mimic the work of human synapses and process data in memory. The honey memristor chips could lead to the development of neuromorphic computing systems that function like the human brain.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that pesticide levels are low in nectar and pollen collected by honey bees in urban and suburban areas across the US. Chemical analyses detected 17 pesticides in nectar and 60 in pollen samples, with 73% of all samples containing no detectable pesticide residues.
Researchers at Ural Federal University developed an ultra-sensitive sensor to analyze honey for nitrobenzene, a toxic compound. The sensor's exceptional accuracy and low sample requirements make it suitable for on-site analysis.
Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that stingless bees produce a rare, healthy sugar called trehalulose, which is not found in other honey or as a major component in other food. Stingless bees convert sucrose to trehalulose and produce honey rich in trehalulose in their gut.
A new study by the University of Sussex reveals that natural selection leads to fluctuations in nectar supply and demand due to changes in pollinator populations. When pollinators are scarce, flowers produce more nectar to outcompete others, but when they're abundant, less nectar is needed.
A new fungus strain, developed by Washington State University researchers, has shown promise in controlling varroa mites that harm honey bees. The fungus, Metarhizium, can survive in warm environments common in honey bee hives and kill mites without harming the bees.
A new study published in Cognitive Science found that parents' use of iconic words improves children's ability to learn new words, especially when introducing novel names. This is because iconicity aids attention to word meaning by exploiting similarities between sound and meaning.
In Denmark, researchers found that farmed honey bees and endangered wild bees compete for limited forage resources. The study provides insights to guide conservation efforts by identifying key forage plant species.
Researchers at Goethe University and University of Bristol discovered beeswax residues in 3500 year-old Nok culture pottery, revealing the oldest direct evidence of honey collecting in Africa. The analysis of chemical compounds in potsherds sheds new light on the diet and daily life of prehistoric people.
Scientists have discovered ancient honey hunting in prehistoric West Africa using chemical analysis of pottery fragments. The study found that around one-third of the pottery vessels used by the ancient Nok people were used to process or store beeswax, indicating a significant role of honey in their diet.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals rare honey bee behaviors, including mouth-to-mouth larval feedings, using video recordings from within the hive. The research provides new insights into individual honey bee behavior, revealing complex social interactions and processes previously undocumented.
Research reveals that worker bees can detect varroa-related compounds in brood cells, triggering a strong behavioral response to defend against the parasite. This finding has implications for breeding programs aimed at developing stronger resistance to Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies.
A study by researchers at the University of Sussex found that bumble bees dominate on certain flower species due to their energy efficiency, while honey bees thrive on others. The study analyzed the behavior of over 1000 bees and found that a bee's bodyweight and rate of visiting flowers determine its energy efficiency.
Penn State researchers found that summer temperatures and precipitation influence honey bee winter survival. The study developed a tool for forecasting winter survival probability using growing degree days and other environmental variables. This prediction model can help beekeepers make informed management decisions.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have made groundbreaking discoveries about the region's history, revealing new insights into its fertile past. The study sheds light on the region's unique ecosystem and its potential for dairy production.
Researchers studied feral and managed honey bee colonies to understand how environmental and genetic factors impact pathogen tolerance. Feral colonies showed higher levels of certain pathogens but increased immune gene expression, which correlated with survival rates.
Researchers found that despite diverse signals in the waggle dance among honey bee species, responder bees perceive messages similarly, using comparable vantage points. The team studied three Indian species, finding similar behavior and preference for optimal viewing spots, with some species having more followers.
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that failing queens have low sperm viability and high levels of viruses, leading researchers to discover a trade-off between immunity and reproduction. The findings offer new insights into the mysterious decline of queen bee health.
Researchers found that bumble bees collect a wide range of pollen from different plant species to satisfy their protein needs, whereas honey bees focus on a limited number of target plants. This study highlights the importance of considering diverse foraging behavior in nature conservation efforts.
Researchers discovered honey bees collecting and applying animal dung around nest entrances to prevent giant hornet attacks, leading to reduced landing times and chewing behavior. This unique defense mechanism is the first documented case of honey bee tool use.
Research from Wellesley College professor Heather Mattila shows that honey bees use animal dung to prevent giant hornet attacks on colonies. The bees apply spots of dung around nest entrances, repelling the hornets and limiting their ability to mount deadly group attacks.