Western Forests at Risk (Some Normal, Some from Man’s Meddling & the ol’ unintended consequences rule)

Western Pine Bettle

“A variety of forces and influences has shaped forest ecosystems throughout the evolutionary history of trees and forests.  Native insects and pathogens, extreme weather events, and cyclic fires are part of normal ecosystem structure and function that includes weakening, death, regeneration, recycling, and replacement of trees and forests.  Forests are adapted to endemic levels of native insects and pathogens that periodically become epidemic and temporally cause greater effects that recede with time.  Periodic extremes of weather or long-term shifts in climate are also natural occurrences and forests adapt in a variety of ways.  Fire is also an essential component of forest ecosystems, and provides many beneficial effects when it occurs within normal cycles of frequency and severity….Exotic pathogens have greatly altered the composition, structure, and function of some forests.”     

http://www.thefemaleangle.com/ provided the impetus for a little research.

Mosquito Repellent Developments at the University of florida (First Gatorade, next Mosquitoade?)

Mosquito Repellents research at the Universityof Florida has resulted in a product now being tested on US troops. The experimental product is said to be more powerful than DEET and to provide multi-month protection. The new product (guess it is not a product just yet…let’s call it substance) is derived from pepper and a half dozen other potent elements that show promise for long lasting protection. The substance is a few years away from public release if deemed safe and successful. The value of this goes far beyond avoiding irritating bites given the diseases spread from mosquito’s.    

The University of  Florida’s, Dr. Robert Cade was the creator of Gatorade. Seems the U of F are adept at researching solutions for tropical nemesis.