Scientists Discover First Ever Record of Insect Pollination From 100 Million Years Ago

May 15, 2012  ABJ Extra - Amber from Cretaceous deposits (110-105 my) in Northern Spain has revealed the first ever record of insect pollination. Scientists have discovered in two pieces of amber several specimens of tiny insects covered with pollen grains, revealing the first record of pollen transport and social behavior in this group of animals. The results are published in …

Beehive Extract Shows Potential as Prostate Cancer Treatment

Proteomics reveals how ancient remedy slows prostate tumor cell proliferation An over-the-counter natural remedy derived from honeybee hives arrests the growth of prostate cancer cells and tumors in mice, according to a new paper from researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, or CAPE, is a compound isolated from honeybee hive propolis, the resin used by bees to …

Bringing Two Worlds Together — Monsanto and Honey Bees

by JERRY HAYES Beeologics Commercial Lead The Apiculture/ Beekeeping Industry is recognized as a small industry – vital, important, but small.  Not very many companies want to get involved in it as many times research and investment are expensive, with little immediate return that can be projected. Generally beekeepers go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), universities or private industry looking …

Global Prices of Pollination-Dependent Products Such as Coffee Could Rise in the Long Term

Leipzig/Dresden/Freiburg. In recent years the economic value of pollination-dependent crops has substantially increased around the world. As a team of researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), the Technical University of Dresden and the University of Freiburg headed by the UFZ wrote in an article entitled "Spatial and temporal trends of global pollination benefit" in the open-access journal …

Texas ADT 5 Brings Knowledge of Buzzing Business Opportunity to Afghans

by Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla   GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jon Martinez, Texas Agribusiness Development Team 5 Animal Husbandry non-commissioned officer and project manager assistant supply NCO, farms honey bees native to Ghazni province to assist the Department of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock specialists in teaching local Afghans how to start their own apiary business. The …

Selenium Impacts Honey Bee Behavior and Survival

UC Riverside entomologists develop 'proof of concept' that selenium may negatively impact honey bee populations at selenium-polluted sites RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Entomologists at the University of California, Riverside have a "proof of concept" that selenium, a nonmetal chemical element, can disrupt the foraging behavior and survival of honey bees. Selenium in very low concentrations is necessary for the normal development of insects …