Disappearing insects, social media psychology, and sushi sickness

Thursday, 25 May 2017 - 8:30am to 9:00am
Windscreen wasp seen from inside a car (Photo by Leogirly4life, via Flickr)

Could declining insect populations be the reason windscreens don't seem to be as bug-splattered as they used to be? Two recent publications in Sciencean article in 2014 and another in 2017suggest that's the case. This may also relate to the decline in House sparrow populations overseas—see work by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology.

(If you're interested in local bird numbers, you could take part in a survey like those run by the Friends of Merri Creek—see their website www.friendsofmerricreek.org.au).

How about social media, is that good or bad for your mental health? Well, according to psychologist Peggy Kern from the University of Melbourne, it depends.

Alright then, should you be worried about nematode worms in your sushi? Not as much as you should worry about bacteria such as Salmonella and Bacillus cereus!

Claire, Chris & Stu
Thursday 8:30am to 9:00am
Entertaining news and discussion about research that has impact on society and providing a wide range of science and technology news. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.

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Chris Lassig, Stuart Burns and Claire Farrugia and others.

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