Article Abstract:
Researchers at the Oklahoma State University and the University of Hertfordshire have discovered that bees like nothing better than getting drunk, and are now using the findings to see if they can develop drugs to help treat human alcoholism. The researchers discovered that given a choice between an 80% proof tipple and the strongest solution it is possible to make, the bees preferred the drink. The scientists were even able to get the bees to drink pure ethanol. Researchers believe that because bees have a complex social structure like humans, they might treat problem drinkers in the same way as humans do, and the findings suggest that offending bees are pushed aside when completely drunk. The researchers are now trying to wean the bees off the alcohol by giving them the drug Antabuse, which makes human alcoholics sick when taken. After they have been given the drug, and are offered the choice of drinks again, the bees opt for the soft drink.
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Article Abstract:
Studies have found that cattle and sheep are an important source of E.coli O157, a potentially deadly virus for humans. One test found that 44% of cattle herds in England have at least one animal that carries the strain. Another survey of abattoirs found 5% of cattle, 2% of sheep and 0.16% of pigs were carriers. A high proportion of infections come from contact with farm animals and contaminated mud or water. The findings were unveiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, the Food Standards Agency and the Department of Health. E.coli is particularly dangerous to vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
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Further research into CJD, the human form of mad cow disease or BSE, by St Mary's Hospital in London has revealed that people may develop the disease some 40 years after eating infected meat. The result of which could be that the epidemic could be even worse than previously predicted. It was previously thought that the genetic makeup of some individuals would protect them from the disease, however it is now thought that anyone could develop CJD. This means that as many as 2.5 times the number previously predicted could develop the condition over a longer period of time.
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