Biologist Nick Bos tells Wikinews about ‘self-medicating’ ants

Tuesday, September 1, 2015 Nick Bos, of the University of Helsinki, studies “the amazing adaptations social insects have evolved in order to fight the extreme parasite pressure they experience”. In a recently-accepted Evolution paper Bos and colleagues describe ants appearing to self-medicate. I have no doubt that as time goes on, there will be more and more cases documented The team used Formica fusca, an ant species that can form thousand-strong colonies. This common blackContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

Caterpillars force temporary closure of Wisconsin state park

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 A park in the U.S. state of Wisconsin has been closed, due to being over-run by gypsy moth caterpillars. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the unprecedented move yesterday, with officials saying they would temporarily close Rocky Arbor State Park near Wisconsin Dells due to an infestation of gypsy moth larvae. The larvae are present at the park in such large numbers that, according to a report by theContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

American disc jockey “DJ AM” dies at 36 of suspected drug overdose

Saturday, August 29, 2009 The American celebrity disc jockey Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein has been found dead in his apartment in Manhattan, New York. The cause of death is suspected to be a drug overdose. Goldstein was found dead by paramedics at 5:20 pm. Drug paraphernalia was found at his apartment, but the star had claimed to be clean for years after an addiction to crack cocaine. Goldstein was a disc jockey at some ofContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

G8 Summit debates Middle-east crisis, WTO trade talks

Monday, July 17, 2006 The leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) nations met over the weekend in St. Petersburg in Russia for the 32nd G8 Summit, held under Russia’s presidency, to discuss the ongoing Israel-Lebanon crisis, the stalled world trade talks and other issues. They also met with other world leaders, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and World Trade Organisation chief Pascal Lamy. Contents 1 Israel-Lebanon crisis 1.1 G8 Statement on the crisisContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

US unemployment rate reaches 9.8%

Friday, October 2, 2009 Companies in the United States are shedding more jobs, pushing the country’s unemployment rate to a 26-year high of 9.8%. The US Labor Department said on Friday that employers cut 263,000 jobs in September, with companies in the service industries — including banks, restaurants and retailers — hit especially hard. This is the 21st consecutive month of job losses in the country. The United States has now lost 7.2 million jobsContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

John Constable painting location mystery solved after 195 years

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 The mystery of the location of a viewpoint used by English painter John Constable has been solved, after nearly 200 years. The Stour Valley and Dedham Church was painted in Suffolk, England, between 1814 and 1815, but changes to the landscape meant that the spot he chose was not known, despite the best efforts of historians and art experts. Now the puzzle has been answered. Martin Atkinson, who works for theContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev win UK Strictly Come Dancing

Monday, December 20, 2010 British actress Kara Tointon and her Russian dance partner Artem Chigvintsev have become the winners of the latest series of the BBC Television programme Strictly Come Dancing. The pair won the dancing show on Saturday, leaving British television presenter Matt Baker and his Kazakhstani dance partner Aliona Vilani in second place. It’s just the most special thing that I’ve ever achieved. Bookmakers had considered this dancing duo to be the mostContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

California’s SB 1 Bill Originators’ and Supporters Turn Against Bill

Sunday, September 4, 2005 Changes to California’s SB 1 Bill have forced many of the bill’s strongest supporters, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to oppose it. Governor Schwarzenegger is now expected to veto the bill. The bill sought to provide incentives for businesses and individuals to install rooftop solar panels, in a manner similar to existing programs in Washington and Oregon. Under pressure from the electrician’s union, the bill was amended to require that installation beContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized

Historic gym the site of Benet Academy, Illinois victory over Oswego

Monday, January 18, 2010 Benet Academy Redwings 40 34 Oswego Panthers The Benet Academy Redwings boys basketball team defeated the Oswego High School Panthers 40–34 Saturday night at Benet’s historic Alumni Gym.  Located at Lisle, Illinois, United States, the gymnasium is home to Benet’s winning streak of 102 consecutive home games. The statewide record lasted from November 26, 1975 until January 24, 1987, when Naperville North High School defeated the Redwings 47–46. Benet also achievedContinue reading

CategoriesUncategorized