Obesity/diabetes epidemic: rise of the obesogens
Common Dreams - 6/29/2011.By Brian Moench – A growing body of evidence in animals and humans suggests that many man-made chemicals contaminating our environment mimic some of the body’s own hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Researchers have called these chemicals endocrine disruptors because they wreak havoc with endocrine organs like the thyroid, pancreas, testes and ovaries that depend on hormones to develop and function properly. But a new, more relevant term for these chemicals has emerged. They are now also called obesogens. |
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Rain-boosted fungus keeping caterpillars down in Maine
Portland Press Herald - 6/29/2011.By Colleen Stewart – May showers bring June flowers, mosquitoes, and – this year at least – the collapse of the noxious browntail moth caterpillar population in several Maine communities. Rainy weather last month fueled the growth of a naturally occurring fungus, Entomophaga aulicae, that virtually wiped out the caterpillars in Brunswick, Bath, Topsham and Bowdoinham, according to Charlene Donahue, Maine Forest Service Forest entomologist. |
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Maine beekeeper: local ordinance stings
Portland Press Herald - 6/29/2011. By Trevor Maxwell – In 2008, as Phil Gaven was getting deeply involved in beekeeping, South Portland became one of just a few communities in Maine to pass an ordinance governing it. The decision by the City Council was prompted by a dispute between a beekeeper and his neighbors in the Cash Corner area. |
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Burning corn, money
Bangor Daily News - 6/29/2011.Editorial – Republican lawmakers have made a lot of noise about cutting government spending recently, so ending a $5 billion annual subsidy for an alternative fuel program that is pushing up food prices and puts more money into the hands of oil companies should have been an easy thing to eliminate. After several votes, the Senate got it right and voted to end the subsidy. |
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