Scientists have developed a breakthrough “superfood” for honeybees by engineering yeast to produce the essential nutrients normally found in pollen. In controlled trials, colonies fed this specially designed diet produced up to 15 times more young, showing a dramatic boost in reproduction and overall health. As climate change and modern agriculture reduce the availability of natural pollen, this innovation could offer a practical way to support struggling bee populations.

Using CRISPR-Cas9, scientists engineered a yeast to produce the nutrient feed. Farmers could have it in two years.

  • Resonosity@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    3·
    14 hours ago

    When people talk about saving the bees, the discussion almost never turns to native pollinators, including native bees.

    Thanks for contributing that.

    • boonhet@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      1·
      6 hours ago

      Really? Because any time I see a post about bees, there’s someone saying that honeybees are an invasive species.

      • Resonosity@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        1·
        5 hours ago

        Maybe on Lemmy, but we represent a minority in social media. You’ll tend to see more counter popular opinions on Lemmy for that reason.

        Either way, saving the bees should be about saving native bees where industrial has destroyed native habitat.