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...I did say could, because as yet it hasn't been proven!!!
Taken from that well known local newspaper known as the Southern Daily Echo:
POLLUTION from diesel fumes may be behind the collapse of honey bee colonies around the world, Hampshire scientists believe.
Researchers from the University of Southampton believe tiny particles emitted from diesel engines could be affecting bees' brains and damaging their in-built navigation skills, stopping worker bees finding their way back to their hives.
Ecologist professor Guy Poppy and neuroscientist Dr Tracey Newman think nanoparticles are one of a number of stress factors which could lead to a tipping point in bee health, which in turn could contribute to bee-colony collapse.
They will now take part in a three-year, £156,000 study to find out more.
Mr Poppy said: âDiesel road traffic is increasing in the UK and research from the US has shown that nanoparticles found in its fumes can be detrimental to the brains of animals when they are exposed to large doses.
âWe want to find out if bees are affected in the same way, and answer the question of why bees aren't finding their way back to the hive when they leave to find food.â
Quite how belching Satan's black wind (e.g. diesel) into the atmosphere is any more damaging than heavy industrial pollutants, radiation, cow flatulence or any other odeous effluent is beyond me, but if they prove to be right then alternative fuels can't come quick enough I guess.
Now there is a theory (e.g. again not proven fact) that if honey bees were to become extinct the lack of cross pollenation of flowers and plants would cause a significant reduction in readily available natural foodstuffs within as little as 4 years of bees extinction which would see a huge increase in the price of these foods, and resultant loss of life due to food shortages!!!
Another over-egged media hype story, only time will tell!!
Taken from that well known local newspaper known as the Southern Daily Echo:
POLLUTION from diesel fumes may be behind the collapse of honey bee colonies around the world, Hampshire scientists believe.
Researchers from the University of Southampton believe tiny particles emitted from diesel engines could be affecting bees' brains and damaging their in-built navigation skills, stopping worker bees finding their way back to their hives.
Ecologist professor Guy Poppy and neuroscientist Dr Tracey Newman think nanoparticles are one of a number of stress factors which could lead to a tipping point in bee health, which in turn could contribute to bee-colony collapse.
They will now take part in a three-year, £156,000 study to find out more.
Mr Poppy said: âDiesel road traffic is increasing in the UK and research from the US has shown that nanoparticles found in its fumes can be detrimental to the brains of animals when they are exposed to large doses.
âWe want to find out if bees are affected in the same way, and answer the question of why bees aren't finding their way back to the hive when they leave to find food.â
Quite how belching Satan's black wind (e.g. diesel) into the atmosphere is any more damaging than heavy industrial pollutants, radiation, cow flatulence or any other odeous effluent is beyond me, but if they prove to be right then alternative fuels can't come quick enough I guess.
Now there is a theory (e.g. again not proven fact) that if honey bees were to become extinct the lack of cross pollenation of flowers and plants would cause a significant reduction in readily available natural foodstuffs within as little as 4 years of bees extinction which would see a huge increase in the price of these foods, and resultant loss of life due to food shortages!!!
Another over-egged media hype story, only time will tell!!
