Fukushima's Radioactive Legacy: Studying Insect Cognition
2025-09-14
Scientists are investigating the impact of radiation on pollinating insects in the Fukushima exclusion zone. Using automated mazes, researchers are testing the learning and memory abilities of honeybees and giant hornets. Preliminary findings suggest a decline in cognitive function in insects from contaminated areas, correlating with the cesium-137 contamination gradient. While a direct causal link to radiation hasn't been definitively established, the uninhabited nature of the zone minimizes other contributing factors like pesticides, hinting at a potential detrimental effect of radiation on insect cognition and ecosystem health.
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