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In my previous article on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in honeybees, I summarized recent advances in our understanding of this malady which has arisen in recent years, leading to major declines in honeybee colonies throughout North America. The current consensus is that CCD is caused by a synergistic combination of internal (diseases, parasites) and extrinsic [...]
The first solid genetic proof of an extended phenotype, a concept postulated by Richard Dawkins in 1982, has just been reported by Kelli Hoover and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in University Park, as well as from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in Delaware, Ohio. These researchers have identified a viral gene that induces [...]
Throughout history, insects have frequently played a direct role in human events, especially during times of war. The Egyptian general Horembeb of the XII Egyptian Dynasty was almost bested in his battles with the Hittites because of a plague that was so severe that the battle ceased and his troops fled into the mountains and [...]
Collembola, also known as springtails, are tiny terrestrial hexapods once considered primitive, wingless insects (based on the fact that they too have six legs, just like insects), but are now known to be distinct from true insects. Most species live in loose surface soil and leaf litter where they feed on decaying organic material. Despite [...]
In the past 5 years, much attention has been devoted to the topic of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a mysterious ailment that first appeared in 2006, affecting European honeybee colonies in the United States and Europe. This disorder manifests as a sudden sharp decline (30-90%) in the number of worker bees in the colony as [...]
Rediscovering Richard III of England: In September 2012, archaeologists unearthed remains from a Leicester car park, covering what was once the city’s medieval Franciscan friary. After five months of waiting and exhaustive scientific tests, those bones were revealed to be those of Richard III, the infamous last Plantagenet king of England and the last English King to die in battle.
Use Social Science to Improve Your Health: Social science research has uncovered many helpful tips on improving our health. Find proven methods to lose weight, become fit, quit smoking, manage drinking, improve mental health, reach goals and promote positive relationships with the help of modern social science and social media. Written by Gina Barrett Putt, M.A. in Sociology, this ebook features current research and take away points.
Flying is Fun! is based on the aviation articles which Helen Krasner wrote for the magazine Flight Training News during the years 2011 to 2012. It begins with an article from Helen’s early days of learning to fly, My Learning-to-Fly Nightmare, which should provide encouragement for anyone who is struggling with the PPL course. The next three articles are about topics of general interest to private pilots. Then come a group of helicopter related articles, but these should still provide food for…
Have you ever considered converting your WordPress Blog into a Multi-Author Website? It’s not as hard as you think. In fact, with this tutorial, you’ll be done in just one weekend! (Or much less, if you are comfortable with the WordPress interface.) This edition includes a simple checklist and easy-to-follow walkthroughs for all plugins. You’ll be managing multiple writers in no time flat!
The Hunter and the Scorpion: In an endless cosmic chase the scorpion pursues the hunter, his intended victim, as they run across the sky. The Hunter and the Scorpion begins with the mythological lore behind two prominent easy to locate constellations: Orion, the Hunter, and Scorpius, the Scorpion. The Hunter and the Scorpion however encompasses much more than a constellation guidebook. Integrating ancient mythology, constellation lore, and modern astrophysics it tells the life story of stars an…
Unsung Heroes of Modern Physics Of course you’ve heard of Albert Einstein, creator of special and general relativity, and other famous scientists – but there are many other physics pioneers who have received very little mainstream recognition for their contributions to history. Join Ira Mark Egdall, as he explores the fascinating history of five Unsung Heroes of Modern Physics. Despite extraordinary achievements in relativity, quantum mechanics, astronomy, cosmology, or space exploratio…
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