- (Focus Area) Environment
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
In images, text, and analogies.
“Just like in a honey bee colony, it takes a team to win an award," he said, and graciously proceeded to thank all those who made it possible. Family, friends, students, postdoctoral fellows, colleagues, staff and more. Or, as he said "work performed by the cast of thousands deserve the distinguished research award."
Leal, former professor and chair of the Department of Entomology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology) joined the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty in 2013. He is first UC Davis faculty member to win Academic Senate's trifecta of coveted awards: Distinguished Teaching Award for Undergraduate Teaching (2020), Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award (2022) and now, the Faculty Distinguished Research Award.
A week before the seminar, Leal was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
“Dr. Leal is an internationally recognized entomologist and a world leader in his field for his groundbreaking and transformative research in insect olfaction and chemical ecology,” said UC Davis distinguished professor Bruce Hammock, who nominated Leal for the Faculty Distinguished Research Award.
Leal credits Hammock, a 25-year friend and colleague, as instrumental in “luring” him from his tenured position in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Japan, to the Department of Entomology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology) in 2000. A native of Brazil, Leal received his Ph.D. in applied biochemistry from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, with subsequent postdoctoral training in entomology and chemical ecology at the National Institute of Sericultural and Entomological Science and Cornell University, respectively.
In his letter of nomination, Hammock pointed out "I especially applaud him for elucidating the mode of action of the insect repellent DEET, developed in 1946 and known as ‘the gold standard of repellents.' Its mode of action remained an enigma for six decades until Walter's discovery. In researching the neurons in mosquito antennae sensitive to DEET, he isolated the first DEET-sensitive odorant receptor, paving the way for the development of better repellents.”
Leal's analogy of bees working together to succeed, just like what occurs in a successful lab, is spot on. The worker bees inside the hive perform specific duties: nurse maids, nannies, royal attendants, builders, architects, foragers, dancers, honey tenders, pollen packers, propolis or "glue" specialists, air conditioning and heating technicians, guards, and undertakers.
As an aside, Leal mentioned that one research project in his lab involved his daughter Helena, honey bees and her shampoo. “Helena always said the bees were bothering her and then when we collected the volatiles from her, we noticed that there was a contaminant, isoamyl acetate,” Leal told the crowd. “To make a long story short, isoamyl acetate is a chemical that elicits a very aggressive behavior. It's called a sting pheromone known from the early 1960s, and we figured out that that chemical was coming from a shampoo that she was using at that time--the so-called Aussie. So, she stopped using that shampoo and there was no problem with the bees anymore.”
Read more about his lecture here and watch his lecture at https://youtu.be/HkfhsYQE5bI.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Oh, there ain't no bugs on me
There ain't no bugs on me
There may be bugs on some of you mugs
But there ain't no bugs on me
You can hear it on YouTube.
UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, drew national news media coverage in 1991 when he declared that the medflies are "established" here, that the "recurring outbreaks" are not caused by tourists continually bringing infested fruit to California in their airline baggage.
Today Carey says that California's fruit fly invasion is in "crisis mode."
The professor will present a Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar on "California's Fruit Fly Invasion Crisis" at 4:10 p.m., Monday, June 3 in Room 122 of Briggs Hall. It also will be on Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/9 5882849672.
"After seven decades of near-continuous outbreaks in scores of California cities, tephritid fruit fly invasions (e.g., Mediterranean, oriental, peach, and Mexican fruit flies) are reaching critical mass, with many of the annual eradication programs morphing into below-the-radar, never-ending fruit fly control programs," Carey says in his abstract. "Permanent establishment of any one of these tropical species has the potential to shut down the multi-billion dollar domestic and foreign markets for hundreds of California fruit and vegetable crops."
"I will present an overview of the long-developing crisis, discuss lessons learned from analysis of fruit fly detection databases, and argue that, in order to have any chance at stemming this ever-rising tide, CDFA and the USDA urgently needs to switch from their historic, ad hoc eradication strategy to a new one that is evidence-based and far more scientific."
Carey served on the CDFA's Medfly Scientific Advisory Panel from 1987-1994, testified to the California Legislature "Committee of the Whole" in 1990 on the Medfly Crisis in California, and authored the paper "Establishment of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in California" (1991, Science 258, 457).
Carey is a fellow of four professional societies: the Entomological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Gerontological Society of America. He is former director (2003-13) of a 11-university consortium funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH/P01) on the evolutionary ecology of lifespan.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The katydid nymph did.
It did appear in May.
The UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) tells us that katydid nymphs appear in our gardens in April or May.
This little nymph was right on time, barely, as it surfaced in our Vacaville garden on May 28.
The nymph, a leafeater, is usually so camouflaged in the vegetation that we don't see it--unless it's hanging out on a California golden poppy blossom or a neon pink rock purslane. The adult katydid can be an economic pest when it feeds on such crops as mandarins.
Frankly, it can look quite comical as it "walks the walk," its long threadlike antennae probing the way as it descends a stem in the early evening.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
"It's really serious," says UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey, a noted authority on the invasion of tropical fruit flies.
Professor Carey will discuss his findings at a UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology seminar at 4:10 p.m., Monday, June 3 in Room 122 of Briggs Hall. His seminar, titled "California's Fruit Fly Invasion Crisis," also will be on Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/9 5882849672.
"After seven decades of near-continuous outbreaks in scores of California cities, tephritid fruit fly invasions (e.g., Mediterranean, oriental, peach, and Mexican fruit flies) are reaching critical mass, with many of the annual eradication programs morphing into below-the-radar, never-ending fruit fly control programs," Carey says in his abstract. "Permanent establishment of any one of these tropical species has the potential to shut down the multi-billion dollar domestic and foreign markets for hundreds of California fruit and vegetable crops."
"I will present an overview of the long-developing crisis, discuss lessons learned from analysis of fruit fly detection databases, and argue that, in order to have any chance at stemming this ever-rising tide, CDFA (California Department of Entomology and Nematology) and the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) urgently need to switch from their historic, ad-hoc eradication strategy to a new one that is evidence-based and far more scientific."
Carey served on the CDFA's Medfly Scientific Advisory Panel from 1987-1994, testified to the California Legislature "Committee of the Whole" in 1990 on the Medfly Crisis in California, and authored the paper "Establishment of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in California" (1991, Science 258, 457).
Carey is a senior scholar in the Center for the Economics and Demography of Aging at UC Berkeley and former vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. He focuses his research on insect biodemography, mortality dynamics, and insect invasion biology. He joined the Department of Entomology in 1980.
Fellow of Four Professional Societies. Carey is a fellow of four professional societies: the Entomological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Gerontological Society of America. He is former director (2003-13) of a 11-university consortium funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIH/P01) on the evolutionary ecology of lifespan.
He co-authored the book Biodemography: An Introduction to Concepts and Methods (Carey, J. R. and D. Roach. 2020; Princeton University Press) and authored three previous books, Demography for Biologists (Oxford University Press 1993), Longevity (Princeton University Press, 2003), and Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians and Reptiles (Odense, 2000). He has written more than 250 journal articles and book chapters. For any technical issues with Zoom, contact seminar coordinator Brian Johnson, associate professor, at brnjohnson@ucdavis.edu.
Resources:
- The 30?Year Debate on a Multi?Billion?Dollar Threat: Tephritid Fruit Fly Establishment in California, June 8, 2017, American Entomologist
- Behind the Scenes in the California Fruit Fly Invasion, Aug. 6, 2013, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology
- From a Trickle to a Flood: The Large-Scale Cryptic Invasion of California by Tropical Fruit Flies, October 2013, Proceedings of the Royal Society B
- Establishment of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly in California, 1991, Science
- Author: Jill Santos
Future Design Gives New Graduates Hope
Spring usually brings an abundance of colorful blossoms and excitement for high school and college graduates everywhere. In the past, graduates celebrated their hard-earned achievements, ready to carve their own paths in the world, while parents reluctantly released them into an uncertain future. A study released by The Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2023 reported that Gen Z'ers (ages ranging from 12 to 27) have the highest self-reported mental health concerns compared to previous generations[i]. The source of this distress? Future anxiety.
Today, communities worldwide grapple with daily struggles, feeling left behind in a rapidly changing world. To address this in his home country of Japan, Dr. Tatsuyoshi Saijo, a professor of economics at the Research Institute for Future Design at Kochi University of Technology, aims to inspire the present generation to care more about the future[ii]. This passion ignited after meeting indigenous communities in America, who have long embraced the principle of “seven generations.” Tatsuyoshi published a study in 2015 showing that when considering only present needs, people favored policies that lean toward instant gratification. However, when focusing on the future, study participants put more emphasis on progressive policies, such as advancing healthcare investments or raising utility rates to accommodate for an aging infrastructure. This approach is now being replicated worldwide.
In 2015, then President Barack Obama, speaking at the first session of Conference of the Parties (COP21), said, “we (referring to Millennial and Gen Z) are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and are the last generation to do something about it.”[iii]
A Green Career Revolution
From private corporations to community-based organizations, leaders are fundamentally reassessing and redesigning the way we live, work, consume, and interact with the environment. What is different now is that more people are acknowledging the realities of climate change and its impacts on ecosystems, societies, and economies. This gives the next generation an advantage to envision and implement alternative pathways that prioritize sustainability, resilience, and equity. Innovative adaptations to traditional technologies are advancing faster than ever and many of them offer
- Heat Pumps – ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs) are gaining traction in the energy sector. UCANR (UC Agriculture and Natural Resources) researchers from as early as 1985 have examined better systems to heat or cool buildings by exchanging the air though underground pumps filled with a water-based solution though devices called Heat-Pumps[iv]. While there are some environmental drawbacks, as there are with many of the human-centric energy solutions, they are more efficient than traditional heating and cooling methods, they do not rely on fossil fuels, they can reduce utility bills, and save space. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry could be a great career opportunity for some. The industry currently employs about 1.5 million people in the U.S. and is expected to grow 6 percent by 2026. The 2023 median starting pay, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is about $57,000 per year[v]. If you like working with your hands and want to spend more time outdoors, the HVAC industry is a solid green career.
- Recent reports have raised many risks associated with gas stoves used for cooking indoors. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that one hour of cooking on a gas stove results in up to 3,000 parts per billion (ppb) of carbon monoxide[vi]. Another study from Stanford University found that methane leaks from gas stoves, (on or off) can emit the equivalent of half a million commuting cars [vii]. As technology improves and costs stabilize, more households will see the value in switching to heat induction stoves. Rebates available through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (link to more information) can make the price tag more palatable. California offers residential energy rebates in addition to subsidized training for contractors. Some handy individuals may be able to install an induction stove, but many people will prefer to use a qualified company to install it. Licensed electricians can start out early around $60,000 a year and this sector also expects to grow 6 percent by 2032[viii].
- The American Climate Corps (in California, Climate Action Corps) is a great place to start if someone wants to work in a green career but is uncertain which path to take. Corps, like the California Conservation Corps, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and VISTA, etc. give young adults real-world experience who want to make a positive difference in the world and at the end of the service period are eligible to receive a stipend that can help them pay for college. This program helps fight the impacts of climate change at a community level while giving young adults the skills to gain leverage in the clean energy and climate resilience workforce. Sustainable UC (University of California) Davis hosts a Green Workplace Program, assisting UC employees to lower their operational environmental footprints, further indicating that our workplaces are transforming.
Opportunities abound to safeguard public lands and waterways, environmental monitoring, address urban heat and housing concerns, improve forest management practices, expand the adoption of solar energy systems, and contribute to the restoration of coastal and watershed resources. For instance, the demand for environmental engineers is on the rise, with salaries reaching up to $100,000 annually[x]. Solar jobs grew 3.5% in the last few years as installation has nearly doubled. A skilled solar installer can earn as much as $54,000 annually[xi].
As careers and economies undergo significant transformation, it is essential to recognize this evolution as both necessary and inevitable, driven by the pressing urgency of the present moment. Viewing this shift as an opportunity rather than a limitation is the crucial first step forward. Reinventing a future that includes all voices reassures young adults that they will not be left behind.
[i] https://www.aecf.org/blog/generation-z-and-mental-health
[ii]https://www.pbs.org/video/beyond-the-now-ft4j2u/ and https://www.vox.com/23870374/tatsuyoshi-saijo-economist-research-institute-for-future-design-future-perfect-50-2023
[iii] https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/11/30/remarks-president-obama-first-session-cop21#:~:text=But%20only%20if%20we%20rise,can%20do%20something%20about%20it.%E2%80%9D
[iv] chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://calag.ucanr.edu/download_pdf.cfm?article=ca.v039n05p5 and https://energy.ucdavis.edu/fighting-climate-change-with-heat-pumps/
[v] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
[vi] https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2013/07/23/kitchens-can-produce-hazardous-levels-of-indoor-pollutants/
[vii] https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/05/people-with-gas-and-propane-stoves-breathe-more-unhealthy-nitrogen-dioxide#:~:text=Stanford%20researchers%20estimate%20that%20methane,to%20respiratory%20disease%2Dtriggering%20pollutants.
[viii] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#:~:text=3%25-,Employment%20of%20electricians%20is%20projected%20to%20grow%206%20percent%20from,on%20average%2C%20over%20the%20decade.
[ix] https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/senate_aging_farmers_report.pdf
[x] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/environmental-engineers.htm
[xi] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm
[SK1]Is this true? Source?
[SK2]Please cite the LBNL instead of the popular article if possible
[SK3]Let's cite this like you have the others
[SK4]Also, how many stoves? All of them?