Are honeybees killing wild bees?

I'm sure you've heard that our pollinators are in trouble. Whether it's birds, bees, or butterflies, the development and destruction of natural habitat is causing big problems. Honeybees have hogged a lot of the attention, partly because of the mysterious cause(s) of colony collapse disorder, but also because of the importance of honeybees to industrialized food production. However, a recent review published in the International Journal for Parasitology highlights the harm that managed bees can inflict on our native bee populations, especially when they carry disease.

Drop the Vitamins and Eat a Fish

It’s the beginning of a new year, and many of us are still optimistically clinging to our New Year's resolutions. But beware…. If any part of your resolution includes taking daily vitamin and mineral supplements, scientists now think that you may be doing more harm than good.

Photo credit: The IHC Group

A New Marsupial Frog Discovered in Peru

An article was released this week describing a new species of frog from high-elevation grasslands in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The newly discovered species is a member of the genus Gastrotheca, a group also known as the marsupial frogs.

Picture: Hemiphractus fasciatus by Amphibian Rescue & Conservation Project

Backyard Foraging: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Not only are the fruits of the dogwood edible, but they also contain a variety of beneficial antioxidants and anthocyanins. Berries from dogwood trees may also be useful for treating a variety of ailments, including tumors.

Photo credit: Henry Hartley

Top 10 Natural Firework Displays!

Mount Shinmoedake, Photo credit: Reuters

Happy fourth of July! In light of today's holiday, I thought it might be fitting to celebrate a few of mother Earth's natural light shows. Ranging from bioluminescent waters to incredible lightning displays, there's quite a lot to take in. How many have you seen?