A powerful, paralysing venom produced by scorpions to develop a safe and ecologically sound pesticide that immobilises animal prey on the spot has been made use of by researchers.
Prof. Michael Gurevitz, Department of Plant Sciences, Tel Aviv University, based his research on the venom constituents of the Israeli yellow scorpion, known to be among the world's most poisonous scorpions.
Premature Birth Linked With Increased Use of Pesticides
The growing premature birth rate in the United States appears to be strongly associated with increased use of pesticides and nitrates, according to study.
The growing premature birth rate in the United States appears to be strongly associated with increased use of pesticides and nitrates, according to study.
Gurevitz investigated how they act against insects and mammals and found that some neurotoxins in the scorpion are highly active against some insects such as leaf-eating moths, locusts, flies and beetles but have no effect on beneficial insects like honeybees or on mammals like humans.
He added: "Why not harness potent natural compounds that venomous animals developed during millions of years of evolution? I am developing the science so we can learn how to use them, and to learn how to produce agents to mimic their effect yet maintain specificity to certain kinds of insects."
Hundreds of Children Exposed to Pesticide in US
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of schoolchildren in California and other agricultural states in the US have been exposed to farm chemicals linked to sickness, brain damage and birth defects.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of schoolchildren in California and other agricultural states in the US have been exposed to farm chemicals linked to sickness, brain damage and birth defects.
Source-ANI
TRI
School Children In Californian Valley Exposed To Pesticides
School children in San Joaquin Valley in California, US are periodically exposed to pesticides while at stops or on school buses.
School children in San Joaquin Valley in California, US are periodically exposed to pesticides while at stops or on school buses.
Pesticides Could be Decimating Bees in UK
The bee population the world over is nose-diving for sometime now. In Britain the problem could be traced partly to widespread use of nenicotinoids.
The bee population the world over is nose-diving for sometime now. In Britain the problem could be traced partly to widespread use of nenicotinoids.
