In the grand cosmological scheme, insects although being relatively small and occasionally quite annoying, it is highly unlikely that the human species could survive without them. In marked contrast, the Anthropocene (the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment) may be characterized as placing a much larger focus in the form of conservation efforts and public attention on big, charismatic mammals and birds, such as tigers, pandas, and penguins. Nevertheless, the bulk of animal life, whether measured by biomass, numerical abundance, or numbers of species, consists of invertebrates such as insects. According to a paper appearing in the October 7, 2019 issue of the journal Current Biology, recent studies from Germany and Puerto Rico suggest that insects may be in a state of catastrophic population collapse. German data describe a 76% decline in biomass over 26 years, while the Puerto Rican study estimates a decline of between 75% and 98% over 35 years. Corroborative evidence suggests that such declines are not isolated. Causes are much debated, but almost certainly include habitat loss, chronic exposure to pesticides, and climate change. The consequences are clear. Insects are integral to every terrestrial food web, being food for numerous birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and performing vital roles such as pollination, pest control, and nutrient recycling. Also, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems will collapse without insects.
Occasionally, this ASAHP newsletter has served as a vehicle for demonstrating how humans stand to benefit from research involving other species. An article published on October 22, 2019 in the journal eLIFE discusses, for example, how ants, despite their behavioral simplicity, have managed the tour de force of avoiding the formation of traffic jams at high density. At the macroscopic level, ant traffic is best described by a two-phase flow function. At low densities there is a clear linear relationship between ant density and the flow, while at large density, the flow remains constant and no congestion occurs. From a microscopic perspective, the individual tracking of ants under varying densities revealed that ants adjust their speed and avoid time consuming interactions at large densities. The results point to strategies by which ant colonies solve the main challenge of transportation by self-regulating their behavior. Humans and ants are among the few species that engage in two-way traffic. Maintaining a smooth and efficient traffic flow while avoiding collisions is challenging for humans while ants seem to be masters of traffic management. They efficiently can move back and forth between their nests and food without overtaking or passing each other, forming a steady stream of traffic. Studying ant traffic management has been a source of inspiration for scientists working with large groups of interacting particles in many fields, including molecular biology, statistical physics, and telecommunications. It also has relevance for managing human traffic, particularly as scientists and engineers develop autonomous vehicles that might be programmed to work together cooperatively as ants.
More Articles from November 2019 TRENDS
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPERATIVE CHALLENGES
Indicates why technological developments warrant closer scrutiny from the standpoint of attempting to prevent unwanted negative consequences and disruptive impacts. Read More
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Phyllis King’s two-year term as ASAHP’s President became effective on October 18, 2019. She offers her thoughts on what she would like to see occur during that time period. Read More
MASS MEDIA FOCUS ON CAPITOL HILL
While the mass media devote considerable attention to efforts to impeach President Trump, reauthorizing both the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and funding for historically black colleges and other minority-serving institutions provide examples of other initiatives deserving of increased focus. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Discusses proposed health reform legislation by candidates running for the presidency, hospital compare data on quality, and a new hospital price disclosure rule. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Summarizes federal rules involving student assistance, recognition of accrediting agencies, and state agency procedures. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
Adolescents’ Engagement With Unhealthy Food And Beverage Brands On Social Media
Emergency Department Visits For Sport And Recreational Activities
3D Bioprinting Of A Vascularized And Perfusable Skin Graft Using Human Keratinocytes
Jointly Optimized Microscope Hardware For Accurate Image Classification Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
Dialogue About The Workforce For Population Health Improvement
Economic Consequences Of Millennial Health
Driving Toward Age-Friendly Care For The Future Read More
WHY AN INSECT APOCALYPSE MATTERS
Mentions the enormous influence that insects have on all other plant and animal species, and how the application of ants’ traffic management skills can benefit humans. Read More
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AND RACIAL CANCER DISPARITIES
Refers to how mortgage discrimination is associated with larger black‐to‐white cancer mortality disparities resulting from a tendency to reduce black home ownership and increase the likelihood of renting, which has a negative effect on the accumulation of home equity that limits resources available to offset the financial burden of cancer. Read More