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A virus that can cause disease in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) has now been identified in otherwise apparently healthy northern snakeheads (Channa argus) taken from two Potomac River tributaries in Virginia, the U.S. Geological Survey announced today. This is the first time that the pathogen, known as largemouth bass virus, has been reported in northern snakeheads. The virus has been found in bass, sunfish, and other fish species, but largemouth bass are the only species known to develop disease from it. While the significance of this finding is not yet known, the study's lead author, USGS research biologist Luke Iwanowicz, said it raises the possibility that snakeheads could be reservoirs of this virus and capable of transmitting it to bass populations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The habitat of the two species overlaps, which may favor transmission of the virus. Little is known about pathogens in northern snakeheads that inhabit U.S. waters. This study, done in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is a preliminary survey of introduced pathogens from northern snakeheads living in Virginia waters. Snakeheads are an invasive, predatory fish species found in the Maryland and Virginia parts of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, in Florida, North Carolina and New England.

In Europe, the growth of counterfeit plant protection products is worrying. The ECPA estimates that 5 percent to 7 percent of annual turnover is affected by counterfeiting and illegal trade. At the time of the report, in U.S. dollars, this is about $260 million - $370 million of the European pesticide business across Europe. In some regional hot spots, 25 percent or more of the market is estimated to be counterfeit. These estimates are based on statistics, market dynamics, percentage of customs seizures and case-by-case country studies. And the problem is growing. In China and India, illegal pesticides are deemed to make up about 30 percent and 20 percent of these markets, respectively. The rapid growth of chemical manufacturing capabilities in these countries has made this possible. Pesticide imports from China into the European Union are growing eight times faster than average worldwide pesticide imports into the EU. This is a concern in light of the fact that 86 percent of counterfeited goods seized in 2006 came from China.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a known neurotoxicant. Emerging evidence indicates it may have adverse effects on the neurologic and other body systems at common low levels of exposure. Impacts of MeHg exposure could vary by individual susceptibility or be confounded by beneficial nutrients in fish containing MeHg. Despite its global relevance, synthesis of the available literature on low-level MeHg exposure has been limited. We undertook a synthesis of the current knowledge on the human health effects of low-level MeHg exposure to provide a basis for future research efforts, risk assessment, and exposure remediation policies worldwide. We reviewed the published literature for original human epidemiologic research articles that reported a direct biomarker of mercury exposure. To focus on high-quality studies and those specifically on low mercury exposure, we excluded case series, as well as studies of populations with unusually high fish consumption (e.g., the Seychelles), marine mammal consumption (e.g., the Faroe Islands, circumpolar, and other indigenous populations), or consumption of highly contaminated fish (e.g., gold-mining regions in the Amazon). Recent evidence raises the possibility of effects of low-level MeHg exposure on fetal growth among susceptible subgroups and on infant growth in the first 2 years of life. Low-level effects of MeHg on neurologic outcomes may differ by age, sex, and timing of exposure. No clear pattern has been observed for cardio-vascular disease (CVD) risk across populations or for specific CVD end points. For the few studies evaluating immunologic effects associated with MeHg, results have been inconsistent. Studies targeted at identifying potential mechanisms of low-level MeHg effects and characterizing individual susceptibility, sexual dimorphism, and non-linearity in dose response would help guide future prevention, policy, and regulatory efforts surrounding MeHg exposure.

Research is urgently needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of nano-pesticides to human and environmental health. Melanie Kah and Thilo Hofmann from the Department of Environmental Geosciences of the University of Vienna recently performed an extensive analysis of this emerging field of research. The results were published June 6th in the internationally recognised journal "Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology". The study presents the current scientific state of art on nano-pesticides and identifies direction priorities for future research.

Pesticides associated to genetically modified foods (PAGMF), are engineered to tolerate herbicides such as
glyphosate (GLYP) and gluphosinate (GLUF) or insecticides such as the bacterial toxin bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between maternal and fetal exposure, and to determine exposure levels of GLYP and its metabolite aminomethylphosphoric acid (AMPA), GLUF and its metabolite 3-methylphosphinicopropionic acid (3-MPPA) and Cry1Ab protein (a Bt toxin) in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Blood of thirty pregnant women (PW) and thirty-nine nonpregnant women (NPW) were studied. Serum GLYP and GLUF were detected in NPW and not detected in PW. Serum 3-MPPA and CryAb1 toxin were detected in PW, their fetuses and NPW.This is the first study to reveal the presence of circulating PAGMF in women with and without pregnancy.

Neonicotinoids aren't just used in agriculture -- unbeknownst to consumers, many “bee friendly” garden plants sold at home garden centers have been pre-treated with these bee killing pesticides which can contaminate their gardens and keep harming bees and other pollinators for months to years. A new, first-of-its-kind pilot study by Friends of the Earth-US and Pesticide Research Institute has found 54% of common garden plants purchased at top retailers including Lowes and Home Depot contained neonicotinoid pesticides, which studies show can harm or kill bees and other pollinators, with no warning to consumers.

GE plants and animals are created using horizontal gene transfer (also called horizontal inheritance), as contrasted with vertical gene transfer, which is the mechanism in natural reproduction. Vertical gene transfer, or vertical inheritance, is the transmission of genes from the parent generation to offspring via sexual or asexual reproduction, i.e., breeding a male and female from one species. By contrast, horizontal gene transfer involves injecting a gene from one species into a completely different species, which yields unexpected and often unpredictable results. Proponents of GM crops assume they can apply the principles of vertical inheritance to horizontal inheritance, but according to Dr. David Suzuki, an award-winning geneticist, this assumption is flawed in just about every possible way and is “just lousy science.” Genes don’t function in a vacuum — they act in the context of the entire genome. Whole sets of genes are turned on and off in order to arrive at a particular organism, and the entire orchestration is an activated genome. It’s a dangerous mistake to assume a gene’s traits are expressed properly, regardless of where they’re inserted. The safety of genetically modified food is based only on a hypothesis, and this hypothesis is already being proven wrong.

Among the various insecticides tested on the grubs of lady bird beetle, Cryptolaemus montruzeiri, buprofezein, azadirachtin and dichlorvas were found to be the safest causing minimum per cent mortality of 33.33, 34.44 and 48.89 per cent respectively. However, highest mortalities of grubs were recorded in imidacloprid, carbaryl and acetamiprid recording 96.67, 92.22, 91.11 per cent mortality of grubs respectively. Buprofezin 25 EC @ 0.01% and azadirachtin 0.03% EC were found safe for adults recording 10.00 and 13.33 per cent mortality, respectively while highest adult mortality was recorded in carbaryl (97.38%) followed by acetamiprid (93.33%) and imidacloprid (92.22%).

Over recent decades, numerous species of bats have been declining, but the causes are not well understood. One of the causes often mentioned is that of environmental toxicants. Feeding on insects makes insectivorous bats more likely to be exposed to insecticides. We sent nine bats (5 Indiana myotis, Myotis sodalis, and 4 northern myotis, Myotis septentrionalis) through U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&W) sources to be tested for toxicants. Three of these proved to have organophosphate (OP) insecticide residues: chlorpyrifos (0.18 ug/g), diazinon (0.034 ug/g), and methyl parathion (0.015 ug/g). Chlorpyrifos was also detected in all six dead Indiana myotis found during the USF&W Service biennial mid-winter hibernacula surveys in Ray's and Wyandotte Caves, both important Indiana myotis hibernacula. Chlorpyrifos or dichlorvos (another OP) was found in Indiana myotis guano from all four caves sampled (Wyandotte, Coon, Grotto and Ray's). These data are particularly surprising since OP insecticides are thought to have little bioaccumulation in living tissues or in food chains. Their presence in a tissue sample is indicative of exposure shortly before death. Even though exposure to low doses might not be the primary cause of mortality, such exposure could impair echolocation, coordination and response time which, in turn, could lead to significant injuries and death of bats in the field. Presence of OPs in bat guano from caves may suggest insecticide application near these hibernacula and constitutes clear evidence of oral exposure through persistence of toxicants in water or through the food chain.

In eastern Nebraska, we typically see just one species of hummingbird, the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). Hummingbirds feed on nectar from flowers and tree sap, and on small insects and spiders. While many people attract hummingbirds with feeders, it is better to draw them by planting flowers rich in nectar, which provide better nutrition. Flowers also draw spiders and aphids that hummingbirds use as a protein source. Feeders may be useful in supplementing other sources of nectar and insects (and, of course, to get them closer to your window). Or, better yet, put container pots of pentas, nasturtium or fuschia near the house to attract the hummingbirds and provide a source of natural nectar as well as insects. Because hummingbirds eat gnats and aphids, try to avoid pesticide use where they might be feeding. Another reason to limit pesticides is the potential harm to butterflies. Insecticides kill butterflies as well as other beneficial insects.