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Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'They're Melting Living Flesh in Hours': Scientists Horrified as Swarm of Flesh-Eating Flies Begins Rapid Takeover of U.S.
IN A NUTSHELL 🐜 New World screwworm resurgence threatens livestock and human health in North and Central America. resurgence threatens livestock and human health in North and Central America. 🌡️ Possible causes include higher temperatures and flies adapting their behavior to avoid sterile males. and flies adapting their behavior to avoid sterile males. 🚜 Eradication efforts focus on sterile insect technique and enhanced surveillance with international cooperation. and enhanced surveillance with international cooperation. 🌍 Climate change complicates eradication plans, underscoring the need for innovative control strategies. The resurgence of the New World screwworm in North and Central America has sparked significant concern among experts and the cattle industry alike. This flesh-eating parasitic fly, which was previously eradicated from these regions, is making an alarming comeback. The fly poses a severe threat not only to the cattle industry but also to a wide range of hosts, including humans and their pets. As the New World screwworm continues to spread northward, understanding the biology behind its infestation and the measures required to combat it becomes crucial. The Return of the Screwworm: A Complex Threat The return of the New World screwworm to North and Central America is a multifaceted issue. This parasitic fly, known scientifically as Cochliomyia hominivorax , was successfully eradicated from the United States and Mexico between the 1960s and 1990s through the strategic use of the sterile insect technique (SIT). This method involved releasing billions of sterile male flies, effectively halting reproduction and leading to the fly's eradication. However, since 2022, there has been a resurgence of the screwworm in several Central American countries, with cases exploding in Panama in 2023 and reaching Mexico by November 2024. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this resurgence, including the possibility of screwworms hitchhiking with cattle movements and higher temperatures enhancing fly development and survival. Another alarming concern is that female screwworms might be adapting their behavior to avoid mating with sterile males, undermining the effectiveness of SIT. The potential impact on the cattle industry is profound, with millions of cattle at risk, particularly in regions like Texas and Florida. Additionally, humans are not immune, with at least eight cases of human infestation reported in Mexico since April. Not China, Not Egypt: This Colossal European Megastructure Is the Largest Man-Made Wonder Visible From Space The Biology and Impact of Screwworm Infestation Understanding the biology of the New World screwworm is crucial in addressing the current threat. The female screwworm is attracted to the odor of any wound, where she lays her eggs. Once hatched, the larvae, or maggots, feed aggressively on living tissue, causing immense suffering and, if untreated, death to their host. This behavior poses a significant threat to livestock, wildlife, and even humans. During the 1960s, cattle farmers in Texas treated around one million cases of screwworm infestation annually, highlighting the potential economic impact if the fly is not controlled. Ecologically, flies play important roles such as pollination and the decomposition of organic matter. However, the New World screwworm has evolved to feed on living tissue, leading to devastating effects. The economic ramifications are considerable, as the previous eradication campaign reportedly cost $750 million, but it also allowed for significant increases in cattle production. The current spread of this fly necessitates urgent measures to prevent history from repeating itself. These Creeping Vineyard Robots Use Insect-Like Legs to Annihilate Weeds With Ruthless Precision and Rock-Bottom Costs Strategies for Eradication and Control Efforts to counter the spread of the New World screwworm are underway, with the US and Central American governments working together to enhance surveillance and eradication measures. Sterile insect releases remain a cornerstone of these efforts, with a facility in Panama producing over 100 million sterile flies per week. This initiative is jointly funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Panama's Ministry of Agriculture Development. However, the scale of the current infestation may require several times this number of sterile flies. To meet this demand, the USDA is investing $21 million to equip a fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico, to produce an additional 60 million to 100 million sterile screwworms per week. Moreover, integrated control measures, including anti-parasitic veterinary medicines, are critical in repelling flies and treating infestations. Surveillance with trained personnel is essential, although challenging, as an entire generation of veterinarians and farmers lack experience with screwworm infestations. 'Gene-Edited Pigs Cleared for Dinner': FDA Greenlights CRISPR Pork for American Tables After Safety Review The Role of Climate and Future Challenges Climate change adds another layer of complexity to the eradication efforts. Historically, cool weather contributed to the successful eradication of the New World screwworm. However, with global warming, such favorable conditions may not be available, impacting current eradication plans. Researchers are working to understand how these changes will affect the fly's behavior and the effectiveness of ongoing control strategies. As the screwworm continues to pose a threat, it is crucial to adapt and enhance eradication efforts to prevent its spread further north. The situation underscores the need for continued research and collaboration among countries to protect both livestock and human populations. How can we leverage modern technology and international cooperation to develop more effective strategies against such persistent biological threats? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Science
- Bloomberg
Wildfire Smoke Brings a Forgotten Danger to the Arctic: Black Carbon
In 2023, the Canada wildfires that incinerated more than 17 million hectares (42 million acres) of boreal forest were so hot they melted the paint on approaching fire trucks and smoldered underground all winter. That heat created vast columns of rising air, carrying dust, volatile organic compounds, and huge quantities of a simple particle with the potential to exacerbate climate change: black carbon. Commonly known as soot, black carbon is a type of pollution formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels or biomass such as trees. It's a risk to human health, having been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It's also a potent short-term warming agent. Black carbon absorbs copious heat from the sun and, when it coats a layer of ice or snow, reduces its ability to reflect solar energy back into space.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Major microplastics finding raises fertility fears
Scientists have detected microplastic particles in human semen and female reproductive fluids for the first time. The new study, presented at ESHRE, found microplastics in nearly 70 percent of female follicular fluid samples and 55 percent of male semen samples. Common microplastic polymers, including PTFE, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate, were identified in these reproductive fluids. This discovery raises concerns about potential risks to human health and fertility, building on previous research linking microplastics to inflammation, DNA damage, and hormone disruption. While direct impacts on fertility require further study, experts suggest reducing exposure by using glass containers and limiting water consumption from plastic bottles.
Wall Street Journal
01-07-2025
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
New EPA Leader Shakes Up Agency With a ‘Drill Baby Drill' Mandate
The Environmental Protection Agency's core mission has been fairly straightforward since it was founded 55 years ago: protect human health and the environment. Not anymore.
The Independent
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scientists aim to build full synthetic human chromosome with £10m
A controversial project to create the building blocks of human life, specifically synthetic human DNA, has commenced with an initial £10m grant from the Wellcome Trust. Scientists aim to build a full synthetic human chromosome within five to ten years, with the potential to transform understanding of human health and develop treatments for incurable diseases. The project, led by Professor Jason Chin, will allow researchers to create parts of DNA to study how genes regulate bodies, with all work confined to test tubes and petri dishes. Critics, including Professor Bill Earnshaw, fear the research could lead to enhanced humans or biological weapons, despite assurances that no synthetic life will be created. A dedicated social science project, led by Professor Joy Zhang, will run concurrently to gather public and expert views on the technology and address potential concerns.
