Cell Phones To Blame For Deserted Bee Colonies?

A small study from Landau University in Germany suggests that the navigational capabilities of honeybees may be adversely affected by radiation from GSM cell phones. The findings could provide an answer to the mystery of disappearing bee colonies across the Western world.

The cell phone study, conducted by Landau’s Jochen Kuhn, was originally presented at a German Informatics and Cybernetics conference back in 2003. It focused on the effects of cell phone radiation on the neurological mechanisms that control learning and memory. Placing handsets near hives, Kuhn observed that GSM cell phone radiation in the frequency range 900 MHz – 1800 MHz caused the bees to avoid the hive. Kuhn speculates that the “waggle” dance that bees perform on the honeycomb to communicate with others could be influenced by the radiation.

Not all scientists agree that the dance is the primary means of communication between bees, but past studies have shown that it can fundamentally affect bee movement patterns. Kuhn suggests that the 200 – 300 cycles/second oscillations that dancing bees produce through honeycomb may be interrupted by a resonance effect caused by the telephone handsets.

First observed in the United States, the phenomenon of disappearing hive populations – known as colony collapse disorder – has now spread to Europe and Britain. The disorder causes bees to desert hives en masse, leaving only immature bees and queens. What happens to the errant bees is a mystery, but scientists speculate that they die while wandering far from their home hive. The disorder, now affecting two-thirds of American hives, is causing increasing alarm because of the critical role bees play in pollination.

Related:
Honeybees Hit The Road
Read Kuhn’s paper

Source: Landau University

, ,

Comments are closed.

Vintage Plexi Cell Phone Store Display Motorola LG ZTE Tracphone T-Mobile ATT picture

Vintage Plexi Cell Phone Store Display Motorola LG ZTE Tracphone T-Mobile ATT

$299.00



Decorative Dragon Statue Seated Celtic Figurine 1st Gen Cell Phone Holder 7.5 in picture

Decorative Dragon Statue Seated Celtic Figurine 1st Gen Cell Phone Holder 7.5 in

$31.71



Limoges France Cell Phone Trinket Box with Retractable Antenna Peint Main Rare picture

Limoges France Cell Phone Trinket Box with Retractable Antenna Peint Main Rare

$64.95



Sanrio Hello Kitty Vintage Purses, Wallets, Make Up Bags, Cell Phone Holders LOT picture

Sanrio Hello Kitty Vintage Purses, Wallets, Make Up Bags, Cell Phone Holders LOT

$125.00



Precious Moments YOU CAPTURE MY HEART 840063  Cell Phone Selfie Couple EUC picture

Precious Moments YOU CAPTURE MY HEART 840063 Cell Phone Selfie Couple EUC

$25.00



Effective Cell Phone Protection Stickers 5 pcs | Round Shungite Stickers for ... picture

Effective Cell Phone Protection Stickers 5 pcs | Round Shungite Stickers for ...

$23.99



Vintage Novelty Refillable Flip Cell Phone Lighter picture

Vintage Novelty Refillable Flip Cell Phone Lighter

$12.99



Naruto Shippuden Cell Phone Strap Figure Keychain Deidara US Seller picture

Naruto Shippuden Cell Phone Strap Figure Keychain Deidara US Seller

$6.49



10 x Shungite Mobile cell phone sticker ROUND 19 mm EMF protection POLISHED picture

10 x Shungite Mobile cell phone sticker ROUND 19 mm EMF protection POLISHED

$29.99



Rare Vintage Moomin Plush Mascot Figure Cell Phone Holder Limited 6 Inch picture

Rare Vintage Moomin Plush Mascot Figure Cell Phone Holder Limited 6 Inch

$150.33



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes