Climate stress can give bumblebees asymmetrical wings, study finds

Climate stress can give bumblebees asymmetrical wings, study finds

Bumblebees have become increasingly stressed by changes in climate over the past century, researchers examining museum specimens have found. Bees develop asymmetrical wings when they experience stress during development, and by examining a series of preserved specimens and their dates, the scientists found bees showed higher levels of wing asymmetry in hotter and wetter years. […]

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US plan to genetically alter crops via insects feared to be biological war plan

US plan to genetically alter crops via insects feared to be biological war plan

Government-backed researchers in America are aiming to use virus-carrying insects to genetically engineer crops – raising fears the technology could be used for biological weapons. A new article in the journal Science explores the shadowy program funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa). The program aims to disperse infectious, genetically modified viruses […]

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UK’s rare spring butterflies make a late show

UK’s rare spring butterflies make a late show

The UK’s spring butterflies are being welcomed by enthusiasts, but weeks later than they usually arrive. The second-coldest March on record contributed to the delayed emergence of many rare species, according to the charity Butterfly Conservation. “First sightings” recorded by the public showed the insects typically appeared a fortnight later than normal. One rare species […]

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