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.

  • GalacticGrapefruit@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 days ago

    I was always told that ‘dandelion’ is an Anglicization of the French name, “dents-de-léon” (Lion’s Teeth). But some English speakers spell it as “dandy lion” as in “A gentlemanly and well-dressed lion”, for its cheerful yellow ‘mane’.

    • atcorebcor@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      Ah so it’s more of a question about the origin of the word, and it seems you’re right about the lion’s teeth. People who say dandy lion probably misinterpreted the sound. But hey that’s how language evolves.