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'Scent-training' honeybees could boost sunflower production
The scent training drove the bees to visit sunflowers more often and return more pollen to the hive.
Scientists teach bees to pollinate flowers using synthetic odour.

A new study has revealed that 'scent-training' honeybees could make them more efficient pollinators.

The research, published in the journal Current Biology, found that honeybees given food that smelt like sunflowers led to a significant boost in the production of sunflower crops.

Walter Farina of Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, said: "We show that it's possible to condition honeybees to a rewarded odour inside the colony, and this experience modifies the bees' odour-guided behaviours later.

"The most surprising and relevant result is that the foraging preferences for the target crop are so prolonged and intensive that it promoted significant increases in the crop yields."

The study built on previous research that found that honeybees could establish stable, long-term memory related to food scents inside the nest. The scientists were also aware that in-hive memories could influence the bees' decisions about which plants to visit later.

To raise bees with a memory to support later sunflower foraging, the team first developed a synthetic odour that the bees associated with the natural floral scent of sunflowers. They then applied this odour to food and gave it to the hives.

Researchers found that early experiences and memories of the scent of sunflower influenced the bees' later foraging preferences, as indicated by their waggle dances.

The scent training drove the bees to visit sunflowers more often and return more pollen to the hive. They add that this boost in sunflower visits also increased the sunflowers' seed production from 29 to 57 per cent.

Farina continued: "Through this procedure, it is possible to bias honeybee foraging activity and increase yields significantly. In other words, pollination services might be improved in pollinator-dependent crops by using simple mimic odours as part of a precision pollination strategy."

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.