Buried beneath headlines about congressional treason and wars and rumors of war is a disturbing new report from the World Entomology Body (WEB) showing that the world's insect populations are plummeting. This is really bad news for the food supply, which relies on precious pollinators like bees to keep the life cycle going. Without these vital critters, … Continue reading Insect biodiversity plummeting as global food supply teeters toward collapse
America’s food supply loaded with petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer residues linked to children’s health problems
The advocacy group Beyond Pesticides issued a special report in its journal “Pesticides and You” this week called “Transformative Change: Informed by Science, Policy, and Action” that highlights the “shocking scientific findings that compel us to act in our communities, states, and as a nation and world community.” The 168-page issue contains a review of last year’s scientific, peer-reviewed … Continue reading America’s food supply loaded with petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer residues linked to children’s health problems
HUGE FINDING: Higher CO2 makes food crops and herbs more nutritious and medicinal
The war on carbon is a war on life itself. It is a war on plant health, animal health and human life. Not only is carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis, but it also makes plants more nutritious, multiplying their medicinal value. Numerous studies show that higher carbon dioxide levels increase the vitamin and mineral output of plants. Studies … Continue reading HUGE FINDING: Higher CO2 makes food crops and herbs more nutritious and medicinal
Ancient and green: Study suggests billion-year-old green algae is the ancestor of all plants on the planet
Scientists discovered fossils of what may now be considered to be the oldest green algae known to science. The seaweed, named Proterocladus antiquus, was said to have lived about a billion years ago. Despite its size (about 2 millimeters in length), the algae had a big role: it was able to produce oxygen through photosynthesis, possibly making it … Continue reading Ancient and green: Study suggests billion-year-old green algae is the ancestor of all plants on the planet
Marine life heading away from the equator could signal global mass extinction, scientists warn
When it comes to biodiversity, the waters around the equator have long been miles ahead of most of the rest of the planet. The tropical waters are known for their rich and varied marine life, with creatures ranging from vibrant coral reefs, whale sharks and sea turtles to tropical tuna and manta rays. Unfortunately, its … Continue reading Marine life heading away from the equator could signal global mass extinction, scientists warn
Higher plant biodiversity may help discourage the use of pesticides, reveals study
Plant biodiversity serves as a natural method for controlling pests and can potentially reduce the need for environmentally harmful pesticides, according to a recent study. Researchers from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) revealed in their report that plant communities with diverse species support insect predator populations while depriving the pests themselves of their preferred food sources. Their findings … Continue reading Higher plant biodiversity may help discourage the use of pesticides, reveals study
Federal court nixes FDA’s approval of genetically engineered “Frankenfish”
In a major win for wild salmon, the Court for the Northern District of California ruled on Nov. 5 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ignored potential environmental consequences in its approval of genetically engineered salmon produced by the Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies. District Judge Vince Chhabria also said that the FDA violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and … Continue reading Federal court nixes FDA’s approval of genetically engineered “Frankenfish”
Experts call for the protection of mangrove patches, no matter how big or small, to preserve “incredibly important ecosystems”
Scientists fear that the continued decline in mangrove forests could significantly impact the world’s biodiversity. In a statement, which they made during the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and published in the journal Science, they called the attention of governments from all over the globe to provide stronger protection for small but crucial swathes of mangroves. The case for protecting mangroves … Continue reading Experts call for the protection of mangrove patches, no matter how big or small, to preserve “incredibly important ecosystems”
It’s a simple chain of cause-and-effect: Toxic green algae in Florida is the result of man-made pollution
An organism that has plagued Florida waters since 2017, bringing an assault of toxic green algae and red tide blooms, is finally disappearing, according to a report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The announcement was made a few weeks after marine scientists observed that Karenia brevis, the microscopic algae responsible for the harmful blooms, … Continue reading It’s a simple chain of cause-and-effect: Toxic green algae in Florida is the result of man-made pollution
Cool science: Researchers have successfully observed how fish and amphibians regenerate tissue into their perfect original shape
Wouldn’t it be neat to regrow a lost limb without any trace of scar or trauma? Researchers have successfully observed how the skin cells of some fish and amphibians are capable of advanced tissue regeneration without scarring, retaining its perfect original form. The findings, published in the journal The Company of Biologists, hint at this mechanism’s potential application in human … Continue reading Cool science: Researchers have successfully observed how fish and amphibians regenerate tissue into their perfect original shape
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 