by Falcon
July 28, 2010
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Oddities
by Falcon
July 27, 2010
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by Falcon
July 20, 2010
By Laurie J Schmidt from Popular Science
The new bug is the first with complete resistance to the parasite -- and it passes that gene on to its children
Scientists at the University of Arizona have successfully bred genetically modified mosquitoes that are 100 percent resistant to the malaria parasite, rendering the mosquito incapable of infecting humans with malaria.
For years, researchers have tried to engineer mosquitoes so that they're immune to the parasite that carries malaria -- a single-celled organism called Plasmodium. But previous attempts only succeeded in destroying about 97 percent of malaria parasites in mosquitoes' bodies. The difference between 97 and 100 percent might seem negligible, but Michael Riehle, who led the new study, says that 3 percent means the difference between success and failure. "If you want to effectively stop the spreading of the malaria parasite, you need mosquitoes that are no less than 100 percent resistant to it," he said.
Read entire story here
by Falcon
July 09, 2010
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Oddities
by Falcon
July 02, 2010
DADE CITY — Health officials have confirmed a case of Eastern equine encephalitis in a local horse, prompting reminders to east Pasco residents to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases.
The disease was found in a Dade City horse that had been euthanized, said Deanna Krautner, spokeswoman for the Pasco County Health Department.
"Although cases of (Eastern equine encephalitis) are rare in humans, if a person gets sick with the disease it is often serious and can even be fatal," said county health officer Dr. David Johnson.
Read the whole story at St. Peteresburg Times
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In the News
by Falcon
June 11, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Homeowners and pest control technicians have a new option for identifying bugs lurking in houses and other buildings — and it’s as close as a cell phone.
A downloadable application developed by researchers with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences provides color photos and text describing almost 40 pest species.
Called iPest1, it’s one of the first mobile-phone apps dealing with pest insects. It’s compatible with Apple mobile devices including the popular iPhone and sells for $1.99.
Check it out here
by Falcon
June 11, 2010
If you would like to volunteer to help clean the beaches as the oil comes to our shores, go here.
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by Falcon
June 09, 2010
LONDON (June 5) -- Next time you raise your shoe to squish a cockroach, ponder this: You might be just about to kill the insect world's version of a Zagat restaurant reviewer. Because according to new research published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, roaches behave like mini-restaurant critics, sharing recommendations about the best places to eat and pursuing gourmet tips offered by their bug buddies.
The study's lead scientist, Dr. Mathieu Lihoreau of Queen Mary, University of London, told AOL News that while it was previously assumed that cockroaches foraged and ate alone, he had long suspected that this wasn't true. "If you walk into an infested apartment, you'll see them in a group," he said. Lihoreau believed that this apparently social behavior could be a sign that the bugs were communicating with one another.
Continue Reading entire story at Aol News
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