CABI Blogs: hand picked... and carefully sorted

Insecticide threat to aquatic biodiversity highlighted in new study

Insecticides can be beneficial to humans in many ways, such as providing crop protection from disease and defoliation and as a tool used in the reduction of mosquitoes and other insects that can transmit diseases such as malaria, to humans.  However, once they enter an aquatic system, the environmental costs can be very high.  Just how much of a threat these chemicals pose to aquatic biodiversity has been the focus of a recent study, highlighting regions most at risk.

Why walking in groups is good for you

Despite all the government campaigns, targets and media stories about the importance of regular exercise, a high proportion of the populations of Western countries still leads a very sedentary lifestyle. Cost and availability of facilities such as gyms and sports centres shouldn’t be a factor, given the benefit that can be obtained from simply walking briskly or running. If motivation is the issue, can exercising with other people help? New research suggests that risk of strokes, coronary heart disease, depression and other life-threatening conditions can be reduced through regular outdoor walking in groups. The findings reveal that people who regularly walk in groups have lower blood pressure, resting heart rate and total cholesterol.

Changing attitudes to wood

Wood has many different uses, including shelter, fuel and paper to write on, as well as having a key role in maintaining a healthy planet.  More recently however, the development of engineered wood for use in the construction of tall buildings has led to a new generation of ‘ply-scrapers’.  So is our attitude to wood changing? This was the subject of a discussion on The Forum of the BBC’s World Service yesterday morning (19 Jan 2015).  The panel consisted of architect Michael Green, timber researcher and civil engineer Dan Ridley-Ellis, geographer Reginald Cline-Cole and cellist Steven Isserlis. 

Is orphanage tourism fuelling child trafficking?

 

Of all the forms of ‘volunteer tourism’, orphanage visits or volunteering have raised the most concern. A number of charities have warned about the emotional harm that could be caused by a constant stream of volunteers who shower orphans with affection for a few hours or days, and then disappear for ever. Concerns have also been raised about risks of child abuse, or the potential setting up of fake ‘orphanages’ purely to take advantage of Westerners who want to visit or donate money. A report from Next Generation Nepal (NGN), released on 11 December 2014, finds that most of the children in orphanages in Nepal are not orphans at all. The charity advises against orphanage tourism, which is also the subject of a campaign by pressure group Tourism Concern.