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Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba premier in western region again as a provincial byelection looms
GLENBORO – Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has held another press conference in a part of western Manitoba where a byelection is looming. Kinew and two cabinet ministers appeared in Glenboro to promote road and bridge work that is part of the province's long-term infrastructure plan. The community is in the Spruce Woods constituency, where a byelection must be called in the coming weeks to fill a seat vacated by Progressive Conservative Grant Jackson in March. Kinew and his NDP cabinet ministers have made a series of announcements in and around the constituency in recent weeks. Political science professor Kelly Saunders at Brandon University says a NDP win in the rural seat would be a huge symbolic win for the party, because rural seats in southwest Manitoba have been Tory strongholds. The NDP nominated their candidate for the byelection Thursday, and the Tories and Liberals did so earlier. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tory complaints miss the mark
Opinion For the past number of weeks, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has been criticized by the Progressive Conservatives and some in the media for delaying the byelection call in the Spruce Woods constituency. More recently, he has also been attacked for a series of spending commitments for initiatives in and around that riding. The complaints are unwarranted for several reasons, beginning with the fact that the premier is not breaching any elections law, rule or regulation by taking his time to set the date for the byelection. Under Manitoba's Elections Act, the contest must occur within six months of the seat becoming vacant. Former Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson resigned on March 24, which means the byelection must be held by Sept. 24. That's still more than two months away. Tim Smith / The Brandon Sun Premier Wab Kinew reacts while sparring with a reporter over the vacant Spruce Woods riding seat after an announcement at Brandon University's Brodie Science Centre. The law also requires that election campaigns must be no shorter than 28 days and no longer than 32 days. As such, Kinew must call the Spruce Woods byelection on or before Aug. 27. In other words, he still has several weeks before being obligated to drop the byelection writ. The six-month period may seem unreasonable — some might say opportunistic — but it exists for a reason. It takes time for political parties to recruit credible candidates to seek a nomination, for parties to hold nomination contests and meetings, to build campaign teams, raise funds and do all the door knocking that is required. Six months is a reasonable period of time to get all that done. Beyond that reality, the Tories are also holding Kinew to a different standard than they adhered to when they were in government. In 2022, former premier Heather Stefanson took 152 days to call a byelection in the Thompson riding, and took even longer — 162 days — to call a byelection in Winnipeg's Kirkfield Park riding. On the issue of pre-writ spending, the Tories argue that the government is abusing its authority. In the past three months, Kinew and/or members of his cabinet have made at least six appearances in and around the Spruce Woods riding (which includes the northern portion of Brandon), where they have announced or reannounced more than $330 million in provincial funding for various local initiatives. That includes $120 million in funding and financing for Assiniboine College, $189 million for road and bridge repairs in Westman and $3.3 million for renovations to Brandon University's aging science building. Last week, Kinew also announced that his government is doubling the number of students training to be doctors in Brandon from 10 to 20. The flurry of announcements has irked the Tories, but previous Manitoba PC governments were just as guilty of engaging in targeted spending sprees prior to byelections. That said, are the Tories seriously suggesting that the government should not be investing all that money in Westman on roads, bridges, health care and post-secondary education? It would be political suicide to articulate that precise argument to voters, and yet that is the implication of their grievance. Perhaps the greatest flaw in the Tories' complaints regarding the Kinew government's flurry of promises is the likelihood that all that spending won't change which party's candidate wins the Spruce Woods byelection. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Since its creation in 2011, the riding has always been represented by a Progressive Conservative MLA, who has always been elected by a huge margin. In the 2023 provincial election, Jackson received more than 61 per cent of the votes cast, and that was the lowest percentage for a Tory candidate since the riding came into existence. The NDP candidate received just 24 per cent. Given that history, does Kinew honestly think his NDP team can win what has consistently been one of the province's safest Tory seats? Pundits asked that same question in the context of Winnipeg's Tuxedo riding until the NDP won it in a byelection last year. With the recent rash of promises, the premier is attempting to buy himself a chance of repeating that achievement in Spruce Woods. The odds are seriously stacked against him, but he lacks for neither confidence nor optimism. At a minimum, he's made the Spruce Woods byelection much more interesting than expected — and the Tories are getting nervous. Deveryn Ross is a political commentator living in Brandon. deverynrossletters@ X: @deverynross
Sustainability Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'These Miracle Worms Turn Plastic Into Pure Profit,' Proclaims Leading Scientist as Waxworms Devour Trash, Poop Cash, and Offer Planetary Salvation
IN A NUTSHELL 🧪 Waxworms , the caterpillars of the greater wax moth, can rapidly degrade polyethylene plastic, a major environmental pollutant. , the caterpillars of the greater wax moth, can rapidly degrade polyethylene plastic, a major environmental pollutant. 🔍 Researchers at Brandon University discovered that waxworms metabolize plastic into body fat, akin to how humans store excess dietary fats. 🌱 The study suggests co-supplementing the waxworm diet with other nutrients to enhance their health and potential scalability for waste management. ♻️ Mass-rearing waxworms could contribute to a circular economy, reducing plastic waste while providing a sustainable food source for fish farming. In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified a potential ally in the fight against plastic pollution: waxworms. These tiny caterpillars have shown an incredible ability to consume polyethylene, one of the most ubiquitous types of plastic in the world. This revelation comes at a crucial time, as the global plastic waste crisis continues to grow. With over 100 million tons of polyethylene produced annually, finding effective ways to degrade this resilient material is paramount. Could these humble caterpillars be the key to a more sustainable world? The Science Behind Waxworm Digestion At the heart of this discovery is the work of Dr. Bryan Cassone and his team at Brandon University in Canada. Their research focused on the greater wax moth's caterpillars, known as waxworms, and their unique ability to break down plastic. Polyethylene, the most common plastic, is notoriously difficult to decompose, often persisting in the environment for hundreds of years. However, waxworms can consume this plastic and convert it into body fat in a matter of days. By examining the interaction between waxworms and their gut bacteria, Dr. Cassone's team has shed light on the biological processes involved in plastic degradation. The caterpillars metabolize the ingested plastic, transforming it into lipids stored as body fat. This process mirrors the way humans store excess dietary fats. Such insights offer a promising avenue for addressing plastic waste through biological means. Breakthrough air-powered tech claims to recycle 94% of plastic in just 4 hours using moisture Challenges of a Plastic Diet Despite their remarkable ability, waxworms face a significant challenge: survival on a purely plastic diet. While they can consume plastic, an exclusive diet of it proves deadly. Waxworms on such a diet experience rapid weight loss and do not survive beyond a few days. Recognizing this limitation, Dr. Cassone advocates for co-supplementation—the addition of other nutrients to the waxworm diet. This approach could enhance their health and longevity, allowing them to thrive and potentially be scaled up for mass use. The idea is to integrate waxworms into a circular economy, where they contribute to plastic degradation while being sustained by a balanced diet. Alternatively, researchers could aim to replicate the waxworms' plastic breakdown process in a lab setting, isolating the enzymes responsible for degradation and applying them industrially. Silent Killer in Your Home: This Common Plastic Chemical Linked to Staggering 356,000 Heart Disease Deaths in 2018, Study Reveals Potential Environmental and Economic Impact The implications of harnessing waxworms for plastic degradation are profound. If successfully scaled, these caterpillars could significantly reduce the environmental impact of polyethylene. Yet, the logistics are daunting. The sheer volume of plastic waste means that billions of caterpillars would be required to make a substantial dent. However, the benefits extend beyond waste reduction. Mass-rearing waxworms could generate considerable insect biomass, offering a nutritious food source for industries like fish farming. This dual benefit of waste reduction and resource creation could support sustainable practices across various sectors. Nevertheless, caution is necessary, as waxworms naturally feed on beeswax, posing a potential threat to bee populations if not managed carefully. 'From landfill to innovation': This German institute transforms mountains of single-use plastics into revolutionary 3D printing threads The Road Ahead As the research progresses, the scientific community is keenly observing the potential of these plastivore caterpillars. Various alternative methods, including plastic-eating fungi and bacteria, have been explored, but each presents unique challenges. The adaptability and scalability of these solutions remain significant hurdles. Excitingly, the findings from Dr. Cassone's team were presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference, sparking further interest and collaboration among experts. The question remains: Could these tiny caterpillars truly play a pivotal role in achieving a more sustainable future? As research continues, the world watches with anticipation, eager for solutions to one of our most pressing environmental challenges. Although the journey is fraught with obstacles, the potential rewards make it an endeavor worth pursuing. Will the integration of biological solutions like waxworms into waste management systems redefine our approach to plastic pollution? The answer may lie in the innovative fusion of nature and technology. This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (20)
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
2,000 ‘plastivore' caterpillars can gobble a stubborn plastic bag in 24 hours
A new study explores the potential of caterpillars to degrade polyethylene plastic, the most common type of plastic globally. A team at Brandon University in Canada, headed by Dr. Bryan Cassone, researched waxworms, the caterpillars of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). Surprisingly, just 2,000 waxworms can break down an entire polyethylene bag in as little as 24 hours. That's a dramatic difference from the hundreds of years it usually takes. 'Around 2,000 waxworms can break down an entire polyethylene bag in as little as 24 hours, although we believe that co-supplementation with feeding stimulants like sugars can reduce the number of worms considerably,' said Cassone, a Professor of Insect Pest and Vector Biology in the Department of Biology at the university. Polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic globally, with over 100 million tonnes manufactured annually for a vast array of products, from grocery bags to various forms of packaging. However, it poses a major environmental challenge due to its chemical toughness and resistance to decomposition. Full degradation of this material can stretch over decades or even hundreds of years. In 2017, a discovery revealed that these little creatures can eat polyethylene. New research shows that 'plastivore caterpillars' can break down plastics in just days, converting them into body fat. Dr. Cassone's team, using diverse scientific methods, studied the interaction between waxworms and their gut bacteria to understand plastic degradation. The research shows that waxworms metabolize ingested plastics into lipids stored as body fat. 'This is similar to us eating steak – if we consume too much saturated and unsaturated fat, it becomes stored in adipose tissue as lipid reserves, rather than being used as energy,' explained Cassone. Apart from the biological processes involved, the team assessed the health impact of an all-plastic diet on the worms. So here's a catch. While waxworms easily munch on plastic, an all-plastic diet is a death sentence. The plastivore caterpillars don't survive over a few days and even experience mass loss. However, Cassone is optimistic. He believes they can create a "co-supplementation" – basically, adding other food – that not only restores their health but makes them thrive. This research points to two exciting possibilities for tackling plastic pollution. 'Firstly, we could mass rear waxworms on a co-supplemented polyethylene diet as part of a circular economy,' he said. Alternatively, researchers could work on replicating the plastic breakdown process in a lab setting, without the need for the animals themselves. This means identifying the exact biological mechanisms and enzymes responsible and then potentially using them in industrial processes without the worms themselves. And there's a bonus! Large-scale waxworm farming is expected to produce a huge amount of insect biomass. Preliminary data suggests this could be a highly nutritious food source for commercial fish farming. Even if waxworms could effectively degrade plastic, dealing with the 100 million tonnes of polyethylene produced annually would require billions of caterpillars eating continuously. A critical, often overlooked issue with mass-rearing waxworms is their natural diet: they feed on beeswax, posing a significant threat to bee colonies worldwide. It could be devastated by an explosion in wax moth populations. Lots of past studies have explored the potential of plastic-eating fungi and bacteria for bioremediation, but a major hurdle remains: their adaptation and efficient deployment at scale. Therefore, the question remains: Could these tiny "plastivore" caterpillars be a key player in a cleaner, more sustainable future? The findings were presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, on July 8, 2025.
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Fat From Trash: Scientists Discover Caterpillars That Can Turn Plastic Into Body Fat
A new study found that some caterpillars, specifically the larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), can degrade plastics like polyethylene (PE) and store them internally as body fat. The study was conducted by a team at Brandon University in Canada. Dr Bryan Cassone, who is a Professor of Insect Pest and Vector Biology in the Department of Biology at the university, headed the study which found that just 2,000 waxworms can break down an entire polyethylene bag in as little as 24 hours. As per the findings, presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, on July 8, scientists believe that understanding the biological mechanisms behind this process could lead to innovative solutions for plastic waste management. "Around 2,000 waxworms can break down an entire polyethylene bag in as little as 24 hours, although we believe that co-supplementation with feeding stimulants like sugars can reduce the number of worms considerably," said Cassone in a release. Polyethylene poses a major environmental challenge due to its chemical composition. Reports have mentioned that over 100 million tonnes are manufactured annually for products that we use almost every day. Its degradation can take up to hundreds of years. The research reveals that waxworms metabolise the plastics down into lipids and store them as body fat. "This is similar to us eating steak - if we consume too much saturated and unsaturated fat, it becomes stored in adipose tissue as lipid reserves, rather than being used as energy," says Dr Cassone. Meanwhile, the study highlights the potential of using insects for plastic degradation, offering a promising solution to the growing plastic pollution problem. However, an only-plastic diet is harmful to the caterpillars' health, leading to significant weight loss and reduced lifespan. The discovery opens up new avenues for research in plastic degradation and bioremediation. Apart from caterpillars, mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), superworms (Zophobas morio) and cockroaches (Blattodea) have shown promise in plastic degradation.
