Who’s to blame for contaminated shellfish? Researchers follow the fecal matter to find out

For the shellfish industry, high fecal counts detected in areas where shellfish such as oysters are harvested can mean long — and costly — closures. The fecal matter is associated with human-borne viruses, like norovirus, but the tests that are typically used to measure the fecal matter don’t distinguish between different types of animals, including … Read more

Foul-smelling ginkgo seeds wreak havoc after city plants female tree in error

When the borough of Saint-Léonard planted a ginkgo tree on Dino Delisi’s lawn, he liked the distinctive, fan-shaped leaves and its bright yellow colour in the fall. But his early admiration for the tree is long gone. About five years ago, he noticed what looked like gumball-sized fruit growing on the branches and each season, … Read more