Forensic science is always interesting to students. The mystery and puzzle solving are hard to resist. Here’s a real case you can use to get students thinking scientifically while integrating knowledge of insect life cycles—a timely topic for spring. The NYtimes.com reports how the unsolved cause of death of a woman in Las Vegas was […]
Archive for the 'Insects' Category
How Does Bird Diversity Affect the Incidence of West Nile Virus in Humans?
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 9:16 pm
Written by: Mary LeFever
Now here’s a relationship not many middle school students would stop to consider: bird species diversity and West Nile virus incidence. A press release dated October 6, 2008, indicates researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have collected evidence that shows an inverse relationship between bird species diversity and West Nile virus. Thus, urban […]
Posted in Topics: Biodiversity, Birds, Ecology, Insects
After 50 Years, Scientists Still Not Sure How DEET Works
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 1:48 pm
Written by: Kimberly Lightle
DEET (short for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the most widely used insect repellent in the world for a very good reason – it works really, really well! Just a quick spray on exposed skin keeps mosquitoes, flies, fleas, chiggers, and ticks away. Developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and patented by the U.S. Army […]
Posted in Topics: Health, Insects, Life Science, Methods of Science, Nature of Science, Science
Crop Failures and Food Riots
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 4:58 pm
Written by: Mary LeFever
Many news outlets reported earlier this week that recent rice crop failures could have been avoided. An infestation of the brown plant hopper is the cause for the crop failure. The science knowledge and biotechnology needed to breed resistant rice plants have been in existence for several years. However, funds were not available to mass […]
Posted in Topics: Agriculture, Biodiversity, Food Supplies, Insects, Life Science, Science
Posted in Topics: Forensics, Insects, Life Science, Methods of Science, Science
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