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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

Study: Roundup Weed Killer Could Be Linked To Widespread Bee Deaths [npr.org]

The controversial herbicide Roundup has been accused of causing cancer [npr.org] in humans and now scientists in Texas argue that the world's most popular weed killer could be partly responsible for killing off bee populations around the world.

A new study [pnas.org] [open, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1803880115] [DX [doi.org]] by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin posit that glyphosate — the active ingredient in the herbicide — destroys specialized gut bacteria in bees, leaving them more susceptible to infection and death from harmful bacteria.

Researchers Nancy Moran, Erick Motta and Kasie Raymann suggest their findings are evidence that glyphosate might be contributing to colony collapse disorder [epa.gov], a phenomenon that has been wreaking havoc on honey bees and native bees for more than a decade.

Also at Science Magazine [sciencemag.org].

Related:

*SPOILER* (click to show) *SPOILER* (click to hide)

Landmark Study: Honeybee Queens Severely Affected by Neonicotinoid Pesticides [soylentnews.org]
Cancer Hazard vs. Risk - Glyphosate [soylentnews.org]
Glyphosate Linked to Liver Damage [soylentnews.org]
Extensive Study Concludes Neonicotinoid Pesticides Harm Bees [soylentnews.org]
Lithium Chloride May Help in Fixing Bee Colony Collapse Disorder [soylentnews.org]
European Regulator Finds That Neonicotinoid Pesticides Threaten Bees [soylentnews.org]
Monsanto Faces First US Trial Over Roundup Cancer Link [soylentnews.org]
Monsanto Ordered to Pay $289 Million in Glyphosate Cancer Trial [soylentnews.org]

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