Scientists Identify Pathogens That May Be Causing Global Honey-Bee Deaths

Edgewood Chemical Biological Center ^ | April 26, 2007 | Edgewood Chemical Biological Center

[Maelstorm]

Scientists Identify Pathogens That May Be Causing Global Honey-Bee Deaths

Scientists Identify Pathogens That May Be Causing Global Honey-Bee Deaths

Science Daily — Researchers have identified potential culprits behind the wide-spread catastrophic death of honey bees around North America and Europe. A team of scientists from Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and University of California San Francisco identified both a virus and a parasite that are likely behind the recent sudden die-off of honey-bee colonies.

ECBC researchers have identified potential culprits behind the wide-spread catastrophic death of honey bees around North America and Europe. (Credit: Scott Bauer, USDA/ARS)

Using a new technology called the Integrated Virus Detection System (IVDS), which was designed for military use to rapidly screen samples for pathogens, ECBC scientists last week isolated the presence of viral and parasitic pathogens that may be contributing to the honeybee loss. Confirmation testing was conducted over the weekend by scientists at the University of California San Francisco. ECBC scientists presented the results of their studies yesterday to a United States Department of Agriculture working group, hastily convened to determine next steps.

For the past year, experts have observed a marked decline in the honey bee population, with entire colonies collapsing without warning. Approximately 50 percent of hives have disappeared and researchers around the country are scrambling to find out why. Scientists have termed this phenomenon "Colony Collapse Disorder" and fear that without honey bees to pollinate crops like fruits, vegetables, and almonds the loss of honey bees could have an enormous horticultural and economic impact around the world.

ECBC is one of many academic, commercial and government concerns studying the honey bee population decline. ECBC’s role will be to identify the extent of the problem and conduct ongoing detection activities.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.

Honey Bee Pathagons
Hundred Million Year Old Honey Bee

[Maelstorm]

It isn't Global Warming? lol "Honey bees" have been around for over 100 million years and have tolerated more than a shift of a few degrees in temperature. lol But it is always global warming and man such are the actions of the desperate to believe in their twisted nature religion.

[keepitreal]

Darn, I’m sure Al Gore is disappointed that it can’t be tied to global warming!

[Dilbert San Diego]

I think somehow that 1 man is responsible - George W. Bush

The trail leads to the Oval Office.

[ClearCase_guy]

We have to ask — What did Bush know, and when did he know it?

[TommyDale]

I am so glad it turns out to not be caused by the cell phones.
How did they manage to make such tiny phones anyway?

[mutley]

I think somehow that 1 man is responsible - George W. Bush

Bush...destroyer of worlds.

[Maelstorm]

Yes a conspiracy to kill all the honey bees in the world. Who could be responsible?

[A message]

This sure makes the “scientists” who thought the die off was caused by cell phones look STUPID!

[Redcloak]

“Mad Bee Disease”?

[eyedigress]

I was kind of hoping it was these things.I can't stand the casual use cell phones, particularly on highways.

[DCPatriot]

WIthout looking it up...would a guess that it is genetically altered crops be feaseable?

Or is it the advent of a cannibal wasp..which I read about a few months ago?

[Muzzle_em]

Wonder if the study was funded by Verizon and CIngular?
:-)

[BuffaloJack]

In the past few weeks the nuts have blamed the bee die-off on first global warming, then cell phones. New that adult supervision has been imposed, we see that the problem is caused by parasites and viral pathogens. Now that the problem is described and causes identified they can now shift to finding a cure.

Geez, I hate alarmists and liberals.

[Maelstorm]

Yep cell phones. Such horrible things there are. Anything that makes human life more comfortable or easier must be evil.

[Muzzle_em]

AMEN!
I have one but I TRY not to use it while driving.
Wish others would extend me that courtesy.

[Beckwith]

Geez, I hate alarmists and liberals.

Is there a difference?

[Joe 6-pack]

When cell phones were very new, and still somewhat of a curiosity, people would speak loudly on them because the reception was poor.

When cell phone technology improved, and they became a status symbol, people spoke loudly on them so people around them would know they had a cell phone.

Now that cell phones have proliferated to the point where virtually everyone has one, people speak loudly on them merely so they can hear themselves above everybody else around them talking loudly on theirs.

[Maelstorm]

I think it is probably just a new virus. Things like that happen. There will be resistant colonies and bees will go on. My grandfather raised bees. Nothing like chewing on a piece of fresh honeycomb.

[uglybiker]

Didn't you know? global warming will cause the rise of new viruses and pathogens!

Global warming causes ev-erything!

Oh yeah. And the Bush/Cheney/Haliburton cabal.

[DCPatriot]

Nothing like chewing on a piece of fresh honeycomb.

Isn't it the same as honey?