There was significant spike in downloads and uploads per user, owing to the high volume of work and streaming content across India.

Bumblebees are negatively affected by the insecticide azadirachtin even at concentrations 50 times lower than the recommended levels used by farmers, recent laboratory experiments have revealed. No males hatched in laboratory colonies that were fed on recommended levels of the pesticide and, even at concentrations 50 times lower, the males that did hatch were deformed, and there were significantly fewer compared to an untreated colony.

Wild plants closely related to crops, or ‘crop wild relatives’, contain genes that could be useful for developing resilient crop varieties and are, therefore, important for food security. This global study quantified their conservation status and availability for breeding. The researchers found major gaps in gene-bank stocks, with over 70% of crop wild relative species identified as ‘high priority’ for conservation action. The researchers say systematic efforts are needed to protect crop wild relatives for future plant breeding, including both protection in gene banks and local conservation.

The prominent role of EU countries in the international trade of reptiles for pets, including many rare and illegally traded species, is highlighted in a recent study. The researchers call for better enforcement and tighter legislation to control the trade, which is a major threat to global biodiversity. In particular the researchers appeal for legislation to be passed for species protected in their native range countries, which can currently be freely traded in the EU if they are not subject to international trade conventions such as CITES.

Agri-environment schemes (AES) have been implemented throughout Europe to mitigate against the negative effects of agricultural intensification. Although these schemes have shown positive effects on the abundance and richness of certain species and taxa, the impact of AES on reproduction of target species at the local and landscape scale is poorly understood. This large-scale study looked for the effect of selected AE measures on bumblebee reproduction. Results indicate that bumblebee reproduction is significantly higher on sown flower patches when compared to conventional management. Although the increase is most pronounced at the plot scale, higher reproduction was found in landscapes surrounding larger sown plots (at least one hectare) compared to smaller sown plots.

Indexing is a popular topic I write about from time to time. Today I want to focus on what happens when there are duplicate indices.... read more >>

A recent report calls for an urgent, worldwide ban on the mining and use of asbestos. It argues that there is no safe use of asbestos that can prevent occupational and environmental exposure and urges all countries to use safer alternatives to asbestos in order to protect the health of their citizens.

Farmers could help to maintain populations of bees and other pollinators by sowing inexpensive seed mixes on their land, a new study suggests. Researchers surveyed pollinators visiting study plots in Berkshire, UK, and explored how sowing different seed mixes and using different management techniques affected the flowers produced and the pollinators visiting them.

Mercury contamination of some wild fish species in areas of the Czech Republic may put anglers’ health at risk, a new study suggests. The research showed that EU-wide and Czech national regulatory limits for mercury were exceeded in at least one analysed sample at 63% of the sites surveyed. However, contamination levels varied substantially between locations and species, the researchers say.

This study assessed the effects of herbicides on non-target plants in Denmark and Canada. The findings showed that some plants are more sensitive to herbicides in the reproductive stages of their life cycle and can experience delays in flowering and reduced seed production. The authors say future ecological assessments should consider reproductive outcomes.

Pesticide exposure can have negative impacts on many species and is a major threat to biodiversity. A new study is one of few to assess the risks specifically for European reptiles. The results suggest that at least one third of European reptile species are at high risk of exposure, with lizards showing the highest sensitivity to pesticides.

Environmental pollution is putting amphibians and reptiles at risk, yet these animals are not included in regulations regarding the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides. The extent to which other species already used in pesticide toxicity assessment (including fish, birds and mammals) can serve as effective surrogates is currently under debate. This study conducts a systematic review of the available literature. The results reveal a positive correlation between toxicity recorded on fish and aquatic amphibians, but indicate that birds and mammals are generally not good surrogates for reptiles and terrestrial amphibians. Moreover, some chemical-dependent trends were detected, with a number of insecticides found to be more toxic to amphibians or reptiles than to potential surrogates. These findings highlight an urgent need for further research to reduce uncertainties and contribute to future policymaking regarding the protection of amphibians and reptiles from potentially harmful pesticides.

Grey is having some charging troubles, Myke questions the benefit of courses, and they both talk about how they use the Apple Pencil.

Zillow will also be partnering with RE/MAX Executive, Century 21 Vanguard, Stephen Cooley Real Estate Group - Keller Williams and IDEAL Realty when Zillow Offers launches in Charlotte this year

SUFFOLK – The Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads District (VDOT) is suspending lane closures on Interstate 64 and Interstate 664...

SUFFOLK– The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is assessing travel needs and making preparations to assist motorists ahead of Hurricane...

SUFFOLK– As Hurricane Florence approaches the coast, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District continues to monitor...

SUFFOLK– As Tropical Storm Michael approaches, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District stands ready to respond to...

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This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺ Route 3 in Lancaster County has reopened to through traffic between Route 201 and Route 600 in the Lively area. The road...

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. – An additional evening of work is required this week for an ongoing pin replacement on the Robert O. Norris Bridge, and...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺  Route 202 (Hampton Hall Road) in Northumberland County reopened to through traffic today following an emergency repair...

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. – An additional evening of work is required this week for an ongoing pin replacement on the Robert O. Norris Bridge, and...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺  Long-term repair work is underway to rebuild state-maintained roads that sustained severe damage during Tropical Storm...

Hackers have been reported to be ‘Zoombombing’ private online video meetings with abusive messages and offensive video footage.

THE Runcorn & Widnes World is looking for a top-class digital-only reporter to help lead its online coverage.

South Chesterfield – After repairing and reopening approximately 200 roads in the region, Virginia Department of Transportation crews are shifting...

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have repaired and reopened over 200 roads and bridges that were affected by...

MANTUA – Glenbrook Road between Little River Turnpike (Route 236) and Denise Lane will be closed to through traffic from 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29 to 5...

FAIRFAX – Due to weather delays, the closure of Popes Head Road (Route 654) between Colchester Road (Route 612) and Fairfax County Parkway (Route...

LYNCHBURG – Motorists who use Odd Fellows Road from the US 29 Business Lynchburg Expressway to access the Main Post Office, Division of Motor Vehicles or other businesses/organizations in the immediate area will need to use alternate routes beginning Monday, October 8. The bridge on Odd Fellows Road over the railroad will be closed for approximately one year beginning that date for replacement.

LYNCHBURG – Remnants of the Hurricane Michael left portions of Virginia, including the ten-county VDOT Lynchburg District covered in water and debris. Numerous road closures are reported due to flooding or downed trees/power lines and repairs may be lengthy at some locations.

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This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.

This file is in PDF format, requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open.