Category Archives: Science

Bees and frequencies

Hi, Everyone! Chief Lee Crowchild and I have been asked to present at the Calgary Science Centre for an upcoming Indigenous Science Night. Attendance will be up to about 1700 people and the event is just a few weeks away, … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Friends, Native Bees, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

World Apitherapy Day

Today is World Apitherapy Day. And it’s my birthday.  Coincidence? Maybe not. Apitherapy, which means using bee stuff for health, can include eating pollen, propolis, wax, royal jelly, bee larvae, and honey – or rubbing them on your face. But for … Continue reading

Posted in Apitherapy, History, People, Science, Stings | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

EO Wilson, 92, has left the lab

The entire Earth was Ed Wilson’s lab. When his death was announced on Monday, I knew that I wanted to write a few words words in his honour, but I also knew that this would be a difficult task. One … Continue reading

Posted in Bee Biology, Books, Culture, or lack thereof, Ecology, History, People, Science | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Blue and Green in the Flower Patch

Good scientists do their best to remove bias from their observations and experiments. Statistical methods such as blocking, double-blind trials, use of appropriate controls, and randomization are among their key tools. Results are suspect when hypotheses are designed after data … Continue reading

Posted in Ecology, Science | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Northern Spring

When will spring start? I’m in western Canada, near the Rockies. We have long, cold winters. Spring comes late. So, I’ve always kept honey bee hives wrapped late into the spring. That used to be a real chore 20 years … Continue reading

Posted in Climate, Ecology, History, Honey Plants, Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

World Therapy Day (and a couple of birthdays)

Today is World Apitherapy Day. And it’s my birthday.  Coincidence? Maybe. Apitherapy, which means using bee stuff for health, can include eating pollen, propolis, wax, royal jelly, bee larvae, and honey – or rubbing them on your face. But for … Continue reading

Posted in Apitherapy, Science, Stings | Tagged | 6 Comments

Propolis vs Covid

I think propolis is the most underrated product of the hive. Bee stings can be a wonderful therapy for autoimmune disorders while honey and pollen are wholesome foods with strong and vocal advocates. Meanwhile, I think that royal jelly is … Continue reading

Posted in Apitherapy, Hive Products, Science | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Covid: Do your bees have the cure?

Well, I hope you enjoyed your break away from my blog. I did. Sometimes its nice to hit that big fat reset button in the middle of the desk. I hit it when my head fell on my desk one … Continue reading

Posted in Apitherapy, Science, Stings, Strange, Odd Stuff | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Making honey talk

A biochemistry student at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, has been analyzing proteins in honey. Since proteins (for example, pollen grains, shown above) make up only about 0.1-0.5% (one to five parts per thousand) of the volume of a … Continue reading

Posted in Diseases and Pests, Honey, Science, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Interview at CJSW with Ian Perry

A couple of months ago, I was invited to chat about my research with Ian Perry, who runs a radio/podcast interview program (Keeping Green) at the University of Calgary’s CJSW. Ian is interviewing people who are studying ecology in western … Continue reading

Posted in Beekeeping, Ecology, Native Bees, Personal, Science | Tagged , | 6 Comments