Articles tagged with Honey
A study by Washington University in St. Louis found that low levels of manganese increased dopamine levels in honey bee brains, speeding up their behavior, while high doses caused toxicity. The findings suggest that honey bees may serve as early warning indicators for environmental toxins.
A new field-based study from the University of Maryland reveals that realistic levels of imidacloprid exposure do not significantly harm honey bee colonies. However, higher doses and synergistic combinations with other stressors, such as climate change and malnutrition, can cause more severe consequences.
New research analyzed the gut bacteria of queen bees, finding a starkly different microbiome compared to worker bees. The study suggests that modern beekeeping practices may not harm colonies by disrupting the gut microfauna.
A study by North Carolina State University, Indiana University and Wellesley College found that the gut microbiome of honey bee queens remains consistent regardless of environment. The researchers characterized the microbiome throughout the queen's development, from larval stage to emergence as adults.
A research team developed a new method using DNA metabarcoding to analyze pollen and uncovered the secret life of bees. This technique identified twice as many plant families than microscopic analysis and provided deeper insights into bee foraging behavior.
A new study links climate change to the spread of an exotic honey bee parasite, which could lead to increased colony losses in Britain. The research suggests that warmer temperatures will allow the parasite to become more prevalent, negatively impacting native species.
Researchers found that pesticide exposure causes changes in gene expression that are sensitive to diet and nutrition. Feeding bees a complex diet of pollen improves their resistance to lethal doses of pesticides.
A randomized phase II trial found that Manuka honey was not effective in reducing esophagitis pain during radiation therapy for lung cancer patients. The study enrolled 163 patients who received either standard supportive care or Manuka honey supplements, but showed no significant differences in pain levels.
Researchers identified lactic acid bacteria in honey that effectively counteracted severe human wound pathogens and persistent horse wounds. The bacteria produce a broad spectrum of antimicrobial compounds as needed, depending on the threat.
Researchers tracked changes in gene activity when Western honey bees eat different diets, finding significant differences between those eating honey and those consuming sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup. Gene expression changes support the potential role of diet in maintaining bee health.
Research by Aarhus University scientists reveals that locally adapted honey bees are better equipped to handle environmental challenges and produce more honey. The study found that colonies with local queen strains lived 83 days longer than those with foreign queens, suggesting a critical role for genetic adaptation in bee survival.
A new study found that low doses of two widely used neonicotinoid insecticides significantly harm honey bee colonies during colder winters. The research suggests that the pesticides impair bees' neurological functions, leading to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Researchers will investigate a gut parasite that negatively impacts honey bees, analyze pesticide effects, and model ecosystem stability in response to extinctions and invasions.
Researchers at Salve Regina University discovered that honey has multiple mechanisms to combat bacterial infections, including the osmotic effect, acidity, and polyphenols. The study found that honey inhibits biofilm formation and disrupts quorum sensing, making bacteria more susceptible to conventional antibiotics.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have found GMO soybean pollen in six honey samples from Mexico, sparking concerns over its impact on honey exports. The presence of GMO pollen could lead to significant price cuts or rejection of honey products under European regulations.
A study reveals that long-term declines in honey bee colonies are attributed to economic and political pressures, as well as pests, pathogens, and poor management practices. The research also highlights the importance of standardized data collection and further research into the impact of agricultural intensification on this species.
Researchers have recorded GPS measurements showing West Antarctic bedrock being pushed sideways by East Antarctica's harder mantle. The movement is significant for understanding current and future ice loss on the continent. The discovery highlights extreme differences in mantle properties between East and West Antarctica.
The largest and oldest ancient wine cellar in the Near East has been discovered in northern Israel, containing 40 jars of strong, sweet wine dating back to around 1,700 B.C. The team found molecular traces of key wine-making ingredients, including honey, mint, and resins, indicating a consistent recipe was followed in each jar.
A recent trial found that honey did not offer better protection against infection than standard antibiotics in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The study involved 371 participants and showed no significant difference in the time to first infection between the two groups.
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Riverside found that selenium, a naturally occurring metal, has toxic effects on honey bees. The study reveals that organic forms of selenium alter protein conformation and cause developmental problems, while inorganic forms cause oxidative stress.
A study found that honey bees fear predators and avoid associated food sources, making colonies more cautious but individual bees more risk-tolerant. This strategy may help bees exploit all available food sources by having some foragers visit danger to allocate the colony's foraging efficiently.
Honeybee decline poses significant threat to US fruit and vegetable production, with estimated annual losses of $15 billion. The cause of colony collapse disorder (CCD) remains unknown, but factors such as pesticides, parasites, and diseases are being investigated.
The University of Strathclyde's research reveals a significant increase in honey bee colony losses in Scotland, with 31.3% of managed colonies failing to survive last winter. The loss rate is almost double the previous year and has major implications for crop pollination and food supply.
A new technique enables scientists to target multiple genes in honey bees via RNA interference, allowing for the examination of insulin metabolism's role in food-related behavior. This breakthrough could provide insight into human dietary behavior and potentially lead to gene control over undesirable food choices.
Researchers found that common fungicides and insecticides can weaken the immune systems of honey bees, making them more susceptible to infection with a deadly parasite. The study's findings highlight the need for stricter regulations on pesticide use during crop pollination.
A study by the European Society of Cardiology found that excessive cola consumption can cause unusual syncope and symptoms of arrhythmia due to high fructose corn syrup content and caffeine effects. Consuming honey made from Rhododendron pollen may also lead to similar issues.
Researchers tracked 80 commercial honey bee colonies over 10 months and found that those with queens who had mated at least seven times were 2.86 times more likely to survive. This suggests that genetic diversity is crucial for the survival of honey bee colonies.
A team of scientists is investigating the potential of wild bumble bees as a supplementary workforce to honey bees in improving crop pollination. They aim to increase wild bumble bee populations, which could complement the work of honey bees and address declining wild honey bee populations.
Researchers have identified a key gene in honey bees that enables them to learn and remember how to find food and navigate back to the hive. The Egr gene plays a crucial role in learning and novelty detection in both humans and insects.
A new study found that certain compounds in honey, including p-coumaric acid and propolis, can stimulate the expression of detoxification genes and immunity genes in honey bees. This suggests that a diet rich in these substances may help protect against pesticide exposure and other threats.
A new study finds that idiopathic brood disease syndrome is the largest risk factor for predicting honey bee colony death, with a risk factor of 3.2. Queen events are also a significant contributor, with a risk factor of 3.1. The study highlights the need for further research into these health issues.
A large-scale study found that wild insects consistently enhance fruit set for a broad range of crops and agricultural practices on all continents. The researchers concluded that losses of wild insects from agricultural landscapes will likely impact both natural heritage and harvests.
Researchers train honey bees to associate textured surfaces with sugar water, allowing them to analyze how antennal movement corresponds to tactile pattern recognition. The study provides insight into the complex behavior of honey bees and their use of active motion for sensory information.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield and Sussex aim to build flying robots that can sense and act autonomously like bees. They will use computer models of the systems governing a honey bee's vision and sense of smell to achieve this goal.
Researchers discovered specific proteins in honey bees that help them resist Varroa mite infestations. These proteins enable the removal of infected larvae and reduce mite populations, promoting the survival of the species. This natural approach could provide a solution to Colony Collapse Disorder.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Norwegian University of Life Sciences found that resveratrol extends honey bee lifespan by 33-38%, reducing food intake. The compound triggers a moderation effect, making bees less sensitive to sugar concentrations.
A study by Arizona State University researchers identified a possible molecular link between sweet taste perception and the state of internal energy in honey bees. By suppressing two genes, they discovered that bees can become more sensitive to sweet taste, similar to people with Type 1 diabetes.
A study by researchers in Hawaii and the UK reveals that Varroa mites facilitate the spread of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) among honey bees. The mite's presence increases DWV frequency from 10% to 100%, leading to massive colony losses and a single 'virulent' strain emerging.
A study by UC San Diego biologists found that a small dose of imidacloprid, a commonly used crop pesticide, makes honey bees more selective and less willing to feed on low-sugar nectar. This can lead to reduced food stores and communication among the colony.
Researchers found that high selenium concentrations in nectar and pollen had no effect on honey bees' foraging behavior, but affected their sucrose response and led to early mortality. The study suggests that selenium may not be the primary cause of Colony Collapse Disorder.
A new study optimizes fluid mixing in bioreactors by controlling undercurrents to improve cell exposure. Researchers found that rotating inner cylinders and adjusting fluid velocities can create homogeneous feeding of cells from a liquid nutrient supply.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the stomachs of wild honey bees contain a diverse range of healthy lactic acid bacteria that can combat bacterial infections and diseases in both bees and humans. The researchers also discovered that these beneficial bacteria are lost when commercially farmed bees are treated with antibiotics.
A new study found that genetically diverse honey bee populations produce healthier colonies with a greater variety of active bacterial species, including beneficial probiotics and helpful microbes. This diversity is linked to improved nutrition and reduced loads of pathogenic bacteria.
Researchers at Cardiff Metropolitan University found that manuka honey can destroy fully-formed S. pyogenes biofilms in vitro and prevent initial bacterial binding to wound tissue. The study suggests that manuka honey may be effective in controlling chronic wounds by inhibiting biofilm formation.
Researchers at San Francisco State University have discovered a fly parasite in honey bee hives, which may help explain the mysterious phenomenon of colony collapse disorder. The parasite, found only in California and South Dakota, causes bees to abandon their hives and behave 'zombie-like'.
A new study by NHM entomologist Dr. Brian Brown and others reveals the tiny but deadly phorid fly poses a significant threat to North American beekeeping. The research sheds light on hive abandonment behaviors seen in Colony Collapse Disorder, potentially providing a partial explanation for these catastrophic losses.
Honey bee swarms face a decision when finding multiple potential nest sites, using stop signals similar to those in primate brains to shorten dances and end the recruitment process. This cross inhibition helps ensure a single optimal site is chosen, avoiding deadlocks between equal-quality alternatives.
A study by Norwegian University of Life Sciences reveals that more vitellogenin in bees leads to better health and longer life. The protein guides social tasks, supports immune function, and is an antioxidant that promotes stress resistance.
Scientists investigate whether diesel nanoparticles are affecting bees' brains, causing them to lose their way back to the hive. The study aims to understand how tiny particles in diesel fumes could be contributing to bee colony collapse, which has economic and ecological implications for global pollination.
Researchers have identified three cytochrome P450s in honey bee midguts that detoxify tau-fluvalinate and coumaphos, potentially allowing bees to coexist with these pesticides. This discovery may lead to the development of less toxic mite control methods.
Researchers tracked 27 unique viruses affecting honey bees, including four unknown strains and six species of bacteria and fungi. The study provides a baseline measurement of pathogens in healthy hives, shedding light on the causes of colony collapse.
The 2010/2011 winter survey found total losses of 30% from managed honey bee colonies nationwide. Beekeepers reported an average loss of 38.4%, with 61% experiencing losses greater than economically acceptable levels.
Researchers found that manuka honey can inhibit bacterial attachment to tissues and make MRSA more sensitive to antibiotics, reversing antibiotic resistance. This discovery could lead to the development of cheaper and more effective treatments for wound infections.
Ecologists have developed a new method for rearing honey bee larvae in the laboratory, allowing researchers to study the causes of their decline more effectively. The technique, which uses an artificial plastic honeycomb, has shown high survival rates and improved data analysis capabilities.
Scientists design artificial protocells with bait proteins that mimic henipavirus receptors, successfully entraping and deactivating experimental analogs of Nipah and Hendra viruses. This innovative technique could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs by exploiting the virus's basic infection mechanism.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that aging bees impair their ability to extinguish memories of unsuitable nest sites. Despite poor learning in the lab, a few old bees still perform well in recalling suitable homes.
Researchers found that altering a honey bee's perception of distance alters its brain gene expression, particularly in the optic lobes and mushroom bodies. This study provides new insights into how bees process spatial information and communicate through dance language.
Researchers identified defensin-1 protein in honey as a potent antibacterial agent, showing promise in treating burns, skin infections, and combating antibiotic-resistant infections. The discovery sheds light on the inner workings of honey bee immune systems, potentially leading to healthier bees.
A recent survey found that managed honey bee colonies nationwide experienced a 33.8% loss rate from October 2009 to April 2010, with starvation, poor weather, and weak colonies being the top reasons for mortality. The continued high losses pose an economic challenge for commercial beekeepers.
Researchers found that paper wasps and honey bees rely on the same network of genes to guide their social behavior, including division of labor and brain activity. The study identified over 4,900 genes active in the wasp brain, confirming a genetic toolkit shared by both species.