Topic: Animal Diseases

Mad cow: Latest episode raises questions about cattle feed

The riskiest parts of rendered cows aren’t supposed to be fed back to other cows. But they are fed to chickens, whose waste can be fed back to cattle in what one critic calls ‘cow cannibalism.’

Mad Cow just one food safety risk

Experts say bacterial contamination like E. Coli poses a much greater threat of food-borne illness.

Mad cow: US 'confident' beef is safe, food-safety experts aren't sure

This week's incident of 'mad cow' disease presents no threat to human health, USDA officials say. But it does put a spotlight on beef safety practices, including how many cattle are inspected.

Mad cow disease: Big deal abroad. US? Not so much. (+video)

Mad cow disease has hit the US only four times since regulators took steps to control it 15 years ago. Although the latest announcement of mad cow disease may alarm American consumers, the biggest reaction may come from nations that decide to ban US beef.  

Is corn syrup killing the honeybees? (+video)

A trio of recent studies faults a common family of corn pesticides for disorienting honeybees, potentially leading to colony collapse disorder. The German chemical company Bayer, which manufactures the pesticides, disagrees.  

The Beekeeper's Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America

Our bees are dying in apocalyptic numbers. What does it mean to us?

Knut the celebrity polar bear drowned say experts

Knut, the polar bear, died in front of hundreds at the Berlin Zoo two weeks ago, but the cause of his death was unknown. Experts now say he drowned after falling into a pool.

Spotted knapweed control efforts worry beekeepers

Spotted knapweed: It's not clear why Michigan beekeepers are so worried about knapweed control when those in other states haven't been as much. Some in the industry speculated Michigan beekeepers may rely on knapweed more for nectar and pollen than those in other states.

R&D spending: Here are the Top 10 firms

Apple, Google, and 3M may top Bloomberg’s list of the world’s most innovative companies, but they’re not the biggest research and development spenders – not even part of the Top 20. Out of 1,000 publicly traded companies with the highest R&D spending in 2009, here are the Top 10, according to a survey by management-consulting firm Booz & Co.:

Obama fails to seal trade deal with South Korea

A potential free trade deal between the United States and South Korea stumbled Thursday over disputes on American beef and automobile exports to Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Honey bees collapse caused by combination of virus and fungus, study reports

Honey bees are being done in by a pair of pathogens – a virus and a fungus – a new study has found.

Plum Island, a former germ warfare testing site, gets rare look by environmentalists

Plum Island held an open house of sorts for environmental leaders Wednesday as the federal government proceeds with plans to relocate its 50-year-old animal disease research laboratory to Kansas and sell the 840-acre pork chop-shaped island off the eastern tip of New York's Long Island.

Taiwan curbs US beef imports in latest Asia trade frictions

Health concerns and angry protests have prompted partial bans on US beef imports in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea – most recently by Taipei on Tuesday. The recurring dispute has strained relations.

Decline in honeybees highlights importance of wild pollinators

City bees are all the buzz

Beekeeping gains in the concrete jungle, despite some concerns.

Saving the honeybees

The latest on colony collapse disorder of honeybees.

A $65,000 garden for bees

The maker of Häagen-Dazs supports research into saving honeybees.

House panel probes honeybee disappearances

A Congressional agriculture subcommittee is looking into colony collapse disorder, a mysterious phenomenon that is decimating beehive populations.

Huge meat recall prods further reforms

From fast-food chains to Congress, moves are afoot to reduce animal suffering and ensure food safety