Neonicotinoid pesticides affect honeybees’ ability to groom and rid themselves of deadly mites, a University of Guelph study has revealed. The research comes as Health Canada places new limits on the use of three key neonicotinoids while it decides whether to impose a full phase-out of the chemicals. Neonics are the most commonly used insecticides
Neonics leave bees vulnerable to mites, study shows
The pesticides are shown to affect bees’ ability to groom themselves
Back from South America for the summer
Warblers fly from Churchill to the Carolinas, then non-stop over the ocean for 2-1/2 days
University of Guelph biologists have tracked an annual migration of up to 20,000 kilometres made by the 12-gram blackpoll warbler, one of the fastest declining songbirds in North America. The bird’s trek between its breeding grounds in the central and western boreal forest of North America and its winter home in the Amazon Basin is
Researchers reveal link between hunger and mood
Studies show not eating properly really can have an effect on your mood
It seems “hangry” isn’t just a made-up term. University of Guelph researchers have revealed that the sudden drop in glucose we experience when we are hungry can impact our mood. “We found evidence that a change in glucose level can have a lasting effect on mood,” said Prof. Francesco Leri, department of psychology. “I was
Researchers zero in on Dutch elm disease genes
Study compares resistance and susceptibility of trees and may provide helpful info for cloning tolerant ones
A new study by University of Guelph biologists has brought researchers closer to the goal of restoring American elms resistant to Dutch elm disease (DED) in cities and forests across Canada and the United States. The paper published in Nature Scientific Reports offers a closer look at specific genes that allow elms to resist the most destructive shade
Bee foraging chronically impaired by pesticide exposure
Another study sheds light on why neonicotinoids and bees don’t mix
A RFID study co-authored by a University of Guelph scientist that involved fitting bumblebees with tiny radio frequency tags shows long-term exposure to a neonicotinoid pesticide hampers bees’ ability to forage for pollen. The research by Nigel Raine, a professor in Guelph’s School of Environmental Sciences, and Richard Gill of Imperial College London was published
Lack of biodiversity leaves ecosystems vulnerable
A study of long-standing pasture grasslands on southern Vancouver Island showed more diverse plots resisted woody plant invasions
You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s collapsed.” That’s how University of Guelph integrative biologists might recast a line from an iconic folk tune for their new research paper warning about the perils of ecosystem breakdown. Their research, published Feb. 5 as the cover story in Nature, suggests farmers and resource managers should notOAC and OVC honour Temple Grandin
The animal scientist was awarded an honorary doctorate Temple Grandin, the renowned animal scientist, bestselling author and consultant to the livestock industry on animal welfare and behaviour, received an honorary doctorate of science at the winter convocation for the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) February 22. “As founding colleges of
Ont. researchers document family of intersex horses
Koko the horse appeared to be a typical mare but when she began acting overly aggressive and trying to mount her female counterparts, her owner became suspicious. After a barrage of tests at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, researchers discovered that Koko was in fact a male horse that appeared female. According to
Potato famine (variety) reaches Ontario
The infamous spud that sparked the mid-1800s Irish potato famine is growing this summer in a potato patch run by the University of Guelph. The variety, called “Lumper,” was among about 120 trial potato varieties shown Aug. 12 at U of G’s Elora Research Station as part of this year’s potato research field day. Called
Good Gainer, Easy Calver, Low Eye White…
Cows are known for their big, beautiful dark eyes. But University of Guelph researchers have discovered it’s actually the whites of their eyes that are important when it comes to determining their temperament. Their study, published in the recent issue of the Journal of Animal Science, found that the higher the proportion of visible white
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
