Scientists shaken by alarming discovery inside collapsing bee colonies — here's what they found

The honey bee population continues to decline at an alarming rate, putting our access to food at risk.
Neonicotinoid pesticides negatively impact honey bee health, as the chemicals have been found to slow the insect's ability to forage pollen, according to a study from Environmental Science and Technology.
While the pesticide doesn't immediately increase bee mortality rates, the researchers stated that pollen foraging is crucial to brood development; thus, decreased foraging impacts colony health.
Meanwhile, the honey bee colonies continue to shrink, so any threat to colony health exacerbates this issue. In March, Washington State University researchers found that commercial honey bee colony losses in the U.S. could reach 60-70% in 2025.
Bees are one of our most important pollinators, meaning they fertilize our plants and crops. Without them, about 35% of global crop production is at risk, according to the World Economic Forum.
As crop yields become more unpredictable due to rising temperatures causing extreme weather, declining bee populations further impact our global food supply chain. These environmental stressors have led to scarce harvests, which can lead to high costs at the grocery store and decreased access to our favorite ingredients.
Beyond assisting the global agricultural industry, bees are critical to our diverse ecosystem because they help pollinate plants and flowers that beautify our communities.
We may not be able to stop declining bee populations overnight, but there are ways we can combat the issue at both a mass scale and an individual level.
The University of Georgia Bee Program has suggestions for food growers to protect pollinators, including tips for strategically timing the use of certain pesticides so that bees are less likely to be exposed to them or using less toxic pesticides.
In an article for the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Cal Orey, an author who has interviewed beekeepers about colony collapses, also pointed to the importance of supporting researchers working to protect our bees.
Individuals can also ensure that their yards and gardens are friendly to pollinators. This can be done by avoiding pesticides, growing flowering native plants, and providing hydration for bees, just to name a few examples.
Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste?
Grocery stores
Restaurants
Individuals
The government
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

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Associated Press

7 minutes ago

• Associated Press

AndaSeat Highlights Novis Series During 2025 Mid-Year Chair Access Initiative

AndaSeat Emphasizes Novis Series as Ergonomic Benchmark During 2025 Mid-Year Access Event SPOKANE, WA, UNITED STATES, June 23, 2025 / / -- Compact Ergonomics and Lumbar Responsiveness Define the Brand's Most Adaptive Line As AndaSeat initiates its 2025 Mid-Year Event from June 16 through June 30, the Novis Series emerges as a focal point within the brand's broader availability and configuration initiative. While the event spans the company's full seating portfolio, the emphasis on Novis reflects a growing demand for compact, adaptive ergonomic solutions tailored to constrained environments and evolving work-gaming hybrids. 'Novis has consistently drawn attention from users who need precision support in smaller or more fluid spaces,' said Lin Zhou, CEO of AndaSeat. 'Its modular structure and lumbar configuration model are our most concentrated ergonomic responses to current user behavior.' The Novis Series is AndaSeat's most compact performance chair, designed from the ground up to meet the needs of users working in shared apartments, mixed-use corners, or mobile studios. The chair features a slim-profile backrest, sculpted seatbase, and a highly responsive lumbar system that adjusts in real time to posture changes. It is equipped with a tension-based lumbar plate that flexes under dynamic seated pressure, encouraging continuous engagement of the spine's natural curvature. Real-Time Adaptation Through Structural Design At the core of Novis is AndaSeat's engineered response to static strain. Rather than rely on manual lumbar positioning or external cushions, the chair integrates a passive-flex lumbar module that compresses and decompresses according to user motion. This removes the reliance on pre-set lumbar controls and allows the backrest to provide uninterrupted micro-adjustment throughout the seated session. The seatbase, manufactured using cold-cure foam, retains its form while dispersing pressure laterally to reduce hip and tailbone fatigue. The combination of firm edges and a contoured center plane supports upright seating while allowing shift tolerance, accommodating both task-based focus and casual rest postures. Compact Format, Full Ergonomic Logic The Novis Series operates as a condensed ergonomic platform—incorporating the foundational engineering present in AndaSeat's flagship Kaiser chairs into a lighter, more space-conscious form. Its gas-lift cylinder accommodates height adjustments across a wide percentile range, and the tilt-rock mechanism offers passive recline without disconnecting lumbar contact. Users of Novis are typically situated in multi-use setups—where a workspace doubles as a gaming zone, or where ergonomic support is needed without overt hardware aesthetics. With minimal visual volume and a quiet structural profile, Novis integrates without dominating the spatial environment. The design has been especially popular in cohabited settings or in regions where real estate density prioritizes flexible furniture. June Window Increases User Accessibility The inclusion of the Novis Series in AndaSeat's Mid-Year Event is not incidental. According to Zhou, the chair's alignment with lifestyle shifts makes it especially relevant in seasonal evaluations of user demand. 'At mid-year, we see a recalibration of space in people's lives—whether from academic turnover, housing changes, or shifts in remote work schedules. Novis is our answer to that transitional moment.' AndaSeat reports that mid-year scheduling is also used as an internal feedback opportunity to monitor interest clusters, platform engagement, and regional shifts in ergonomic needs. With the Novis Series featured in this window, the company aims to gather user pattern data that will inform updates in both product form and distribution pacing. Beyond Occupancy: Designing for Movement Within Stillness One of the key distinctions in the Novis design logic is its emphasis on internal motion. Rather than prioritizing outward adjustment mechanisms—such as visibly complex arms or mechanical lumbar dials—the chair is built to move in tandem with the body's micro-shifts. This design principle responds to research indicating that static pressure, even in a well-padded environment, contributes to long-term musculoskeletal fatigue. By minimizing visual and tactile friction while maximizing response rate, the Novis Series demonstrates how low-profile chairs can still meet high-performance benchmarks. AndaSeat has used this framework to create future-forward designs that merge human ergonomics with restrained industrial styling. Toward a Scalable Ergonomic Future As more users adopt flexible work routines and shared space arrangements, the pressure on seating design continues to shift from spectacle to subtlety. AndaSeat views the Novis Series not simply as a product offering but as a modular base for future ergonomic adaptations. The June 2025 availability window represents a checkpoint in this evolution. AndaSeat confirms that Novis configurations during this window will retain full material consistency and performance certifications. The company has not introduced external cosmetic variants during this period, focusing instead on function-first accessibility. For users navigating compact environments, or for those reassessing their seating needs mid-year, Novis offers a consistent entry point into the larger AndaSeat design language—one grounded in user proximity, not product scale. For more information on Novis specifications, sizing, or its role in AndaSeat's 2025 product roadmap, users are encouraged to consult the official website or reach out to certified support representatives. About AndaSeat AndaSeat is a global provider of high-performance ergonomic seating, serving customers across home, professional, and entertainment environments. With origins in OEM automotive seating, the brand has developed a reputation for research-driven design, modular engineering, and long-term use validation. Key lines include the Kaiser Series, Novis Series, X-Air Series, and NRG Series—all structured to support both static and dynamic seating postures. To explore Novis Series availability during the 2025 Mid-Year Event, visit Caroline Chen AndaSeat +86 139 2232 2347 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Associated Press

17 minutes ago

• Associated Press

Crash dummies used in car safety tests are still modeled after men despite higher risks for women

Maria Weston Kuhn had one lingering question about the car crash that forced her to have emergency surgery during a vacation in Ireland: Why did she and her mother sustain serious injuries while her father and brother, who sat in the front, emerge unscathed? 'It was a head-on crash and they were closest to the point of contact,' said Kuhn, now 25, who missed a semester of college to recover from the 2019 collision that caused her seat belt to slide off her hips and rupture her intestines by pinning them against her spine. 'That was an early clue that something else was going on.' When Kuhn returned home to Maine, she found an article her grandma had clipped from Consumer Reports and left on her bed. Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a frontal crash, she learned, yet the dummy used in vehicle tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dates back to the 1970s and is still modeled almost entirely off the body of a man. A survivor becomes an activist Kuhn, who is starting law school at New York University this fall, took action and founded the nonprofit Drive US Forward. Its aim was to raise public awareness and eventually encourage members of Congress to sign onto a bill that would require NHTSA to incorporate a more advanced female dummy into its testing. The agency has the final word on whether cars get pulled from the market, and the kind of dummy used in its safety tests could impact which ones receive coveted five-star ratings. 'It seems like we have an easy solution here where we can have crash test dummies that reflect an average woman as well as a man,' Sen. Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican who has introduced the legislation the past two sessions, told The Associated Press. Senators from both parties have signed onto Fischer's 'She Drives Act,' and the transportation secretaries from the past two presidential administrations have expressed support for updating the rules. But for various reasons, the push for new safety requirements has been moving at a sluggish pace. That's particularly true in the U.S., where much of the research is happening and where around 40,000 people are killed each year in car crashes. Evolution of a crash test dummy The crash test dummy currently used in NHTSA five-star testing is called the Hybrid III, which was developed in 1978 and modeled after a 5-foot-9, 171-pound man (the average size in the 1970s but about 29 pounds lighter than today's average). What's known as the female dummy is essentially a much smaller version of the male model with a rubber jacket to represent breasts. It's routinely tested in the passenger seat or the back seat but seldom in the driver's seat, even though the majority of licensed drivers are women. 'What they didn't do is design a crash test dummy that has all the sensors in the areas where a woman would be injured differently than a man,' said Christopher O'Connor, president and CEO of the Farmington Hills, Michigan-based Humanetics Group, which has spent more than a decade developing and refining one. A female dummy from Humanetics equipped with all of the available sensors costs around $1 million, about twice the cost of the Hybrid used now. But, O'Connor says, the more expensive dummy far more accurately reflects the anatomical differences between the sexes — including in the shape of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs, which one NHTSA study found account for about 80% more injuries by women in a car crash compared to men. Such physical dummies will always be needed for vehicle safety tests, and to verify the accuracy of virtual tests, O'Connor said. Europe incorporated the more advanced male dummy developed by Humanetics' engineers, the THOR 50M (based on a 50th percentile man), into its testing procedures soon after Kuhn's 2019 crash in Ireland. Several other countries, including China and Japan, have adopted it as well. But that model and the female version the company uses for comparison, the THOR 5F (based on a 5th percentile woman), have been met with skepticism from some American automakers who argue the more sophisticated devices may exaggerate injury risks and undercut the value of some safety features such as seat belts and airbags. A debate over whether more sensors mean more safety Bridget Walchesky, 19, had to be flown to a hospital, where she required eight surgeries over a month, after a 2022 crash near her home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, that killed her friend, who was driving. While acknowledging the seat belt likely saved her life, Walchesky said some of the injuries — including her broken collarbone — were the result of it pinning her too tightly, which she views as something better safety testing focused on women could improve. 'Seat belts aren't really built for bodies on females,' Walchesky said. 'Some of my injuries, the way the force hit me, they were probably worsened.' The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade group, said in a statement to the AP that the better way to ensure safety — which it called its top priority — is through upgrades to the existing Hybrid dummy rather than mandating a new one. 'This can happen on a faster timeline and lead to quicker safety improvements than requiring NHTSA to adopt unproven crash test dummy technology,' the alliance said. Humanetics' THOR dummies received high marks in the vehicle safety agency's early tests. Using cadavers from actual crashes to compare the results, NHTSA found they outperformed the existing Hybrid in predicting almost all injuries — including to the head, neck, shoulders, abdomen and legs. A separate review by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research arm funded by auto insurers, was far more critical of the dummy's ability to predict chest injuries in a frontal crash. Despite the vast expansion in the number of sensors, the insurance institute's testing found, the male THOR dummy was less accurate than the current Hybrid dummies, which also had limitations. 'More isn't necessarily better,' said Jessica Jermakian, senior vice president for vehicle research at IIHS. 'You also have to be confident that the data is telling you the right things about how a real person would fare in that crash.' The slow pace of changing the rules NHTSA's budget plan commits to developing the female THOR 5F version with the ultimate goal of incorporating it into the testing. But there could be a long wait considering the THOR's male version adopted by other countries is still awaiting final approval in the U.S. A 2023 report by the Government Accountability Office, which conducts research for Congress, cited numerous 'missed milestones' in NHTSA's development of various crash dummy enhancements — including in the THOR models. Kuhn acknowledges being frustrated by the slow process of trying to change the regulations. She says she understands why there's reluctance from auto companies if they fear being forced to make widespread design changes with more consideration for women's safety. 'Fortunately, they have very skilled engineers and they'll figure it out,' she said.

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

More than half of Utahns favor legalizing recreational marijuana: Poll

A majority of Utahns favor legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults in the state, according to a new poll. The survey conducted in May for the Deseret News and Hinckley Institute of Politics found 53% — 30% strongly and 23% somewhat — support legalization, while 43% oppose it. In addition, the poll shows 77% support Utah's current medicinal marijuana law, which has been in place since 2018. HarrisX conducted the online poll of 805 registered Utah voters May 16-21. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Utahns' opinions of recreational marijuana have shifted the past few years. A 2016 poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates showed only 22% favored legalizing marijuana for recreational use, while 77% opposed making it legal. An April 2023 Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll found 40% believe marijuana should be legal for both recreational and medical use, while 51% say it should be medical only. The survey also showed nearly 4 in 10 Utahns were concerned medical cannabis could lead to legal recreational use, while about 6 in 10 did not share that concern. There's currently no campaign to legalize marijuana for recreational use, and Utah legislative leaders say they would oppose such an effort. In 2014, the Utah Legislature passed what's known as Charlee's law allowing the use of cannabidiol, or CBD, to treat epileptic seizures. Four years later, voters narrowly approved a ballot initiative extending the use of cannabis for other health conditions amid opposition from the Utah Medical Association, Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Episcopal Diocese, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and law enforcement. State lawmakers rewrote the law and passed a negotiated bill soon after the public vote. As of May, Utah had 15 medical cannabis pharmacies statewide, including several that make home deliveries. Cumulative sales since the first pharmacy opened in 2020 are approaching $600 million, according to the Utah Department of Health and Humans Services' Center for Medical Cannabis. Just over 101,200 residents have active medical cannabis cards, the vast majority issued to treat persistent pain, with PTSD and cancer a distant second and third, respectively. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams expressed opposition to Utah expanding beyond medicinal use. 'Utah already has a responsible, well-balanced and effective program that ensures individuals with chronic pain or serious illnesses have access while maintaining strong safeguards to prevent misuse. States that have expanded legalization beyond medical use have seen serious social consequences, including increased homelessness and criminal activity. I oppose further expansion because our focus should remain on what truly benefits our state and the well-being of all Utahns,' the Layton Republican said in a statement to the Deseret News. Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, also opposes recreational marijuana. 'Our current approach ensures Utahns have access to relief while maintaining important safeguards for public health and safety. I remain firmly opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana. It's encouraging to see that a strong majority of Utahns – 77% – agree that our focus should remain on providing benefit to those who need it most," he said in a statement to the Deseret News. While the Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll showing a majority of Utahns favor legalized recreational marijuana use might be surprising, it aligns with another recent survey. The results mirror a survey Noble Predictive Insights did for the medical marijuana advocacy group Keep Utah Medical in March. That poll found 52% of Utahns would support a ballot initiative legalizing recreational cannabis in the state, while 38% would not. Alex Iorg, co-founder of the medical cannabis company WholesomeCo as well as co-founder of Keep Utah Medical, commissioned that survey to see where Utahns stood on the recreational issue. 'I guess we're not surprised by those results. That's what we both have found,' he said of the Noble and Deseret News/Hinckley Institute polls. 'But we're seeing this incremental increase of support and I think it's part of this challenge to get medical access. Our hope is that we can improve access to medical cannabis so that we can avoid a recreational ballot initiative." A survey Noble did for the group last October found 50% of Utahns say cannabis should be legal for adults for therapeutic, medical and recreational purposes. Iorg said there's a 'whole herd' of issues that come with recreational marijuana. Medical programs and patients in other states are often 'vilified,' he said, causing people to call for recreational ballot initiatives. In Utah, 'that's a long way off from being successful even at 53%. What we prefer is having a medical program that's supported and focused on medical.' Noble offered this analysis of its poll results: 'YES wins the left and the middle and divides the right. In a red state like Utah, that's enough to get to a solid — though not overwhelming — margin of victory. 'Over the last decade, major political victories came from a populist-traditionalist coalition: The GOP's wings would coalesce, form a majority together, and govern. If legalization were to win, the coalition would be built from left to right — a progressive minority joining with the center and Republican moderates. This is possible — but it requires careful execution.' Currently, 24 states, two U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., legalized marijuana for adult recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thirty-nine states allow the medical use of cannabis. The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll shows much stronger support for legalization among self-identified Democrats and independents than among self-identified Republicans. Nearly three-fourths of Democrats and nearly two-thirds of independents expressed support compared to 43% of Republicans. Broken down by political ideology, 86% of liberals favored legalization, followed by 59% of moderates and 38% of conservatives, according to the poll. Among age groups, 18- to 34-year-olds, showed the highest support at 65%, while those over 65 showed the least at 36%. Support for recreational marijuana legalization exceeds 50% in all four of the Utah congressional districts. It approached 60% in the state's most populous counties, except for Davis and Utah counties at 45% and 43%, respectively. Self-identified members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the poll were decidedly against legalization, with 31% in favor and 66% opposed. Among all self-identified Christians, 43% favor legalization, while 53% oppose it. Men showed stronger support than women, 56% to 50%. Utahns, regardless of political persuasion, overwhelmingly support the state's medical marijuana law — 73% of self-identified Republicans and 80% of self-identified Democrats. Independents came in at 81%, according to the Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll. The survey also found 69% support for the medical marijuana law among Latter-day Saints and 73% among all Christians. 'It's no longer unacceptable to try cannabis for medical purposes. A lot of people know someone that has benefitted from it directly. There's a lot of exposure to the benefits,' Iorg said. Medical cannabis works and saves lives, he said, adding it's less harmful than prescription opioids. It doesn't solve all the world's problems, he said, but it does help a lot of people, especially those looking for relief. People over 65 showed stronger support for medical marijuana than younger people, but all age groups were above 70%. Support across Utah's congressional districts and most populous counties was also high, the poll shows. Baby boomers are the largest users of cannabis, Iorg said. 'Now, health and wellness is their No. 1 priority and cannabis has shown to be a great tool, especially for pain and sleep.'