Now that a possible cause of the widespread bee deaths has been found, maybe we could start getting them to produce more honey. Not for eating (although it tastes great), but for medicinal purposes. According to ABC News, researchers have found that spreading honey on a diabetic ulcer could prevent the need to amputate an infected foot.

"If we can prove that honey promotes healing in diabetic ulcers, we can offer new hopes for many patients, not to mention the cost benefit, and the issue of bacterial resistance," said Jennifer Eddy, a professor at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health. "The possibilities are tremendous."

A controlled trial to further study and promote the use of honey therapy for diabetics has already been launched. The therapy involves putting "a thick layer of honey onto the wound after dead skin and bacteria have been removed." According to Eddy, the honey kills bacteria due to its acidity and avoids the complication of bacterial resistance found with standard antibiotics.

Honey therapy is already being used in New Zealand for the treatment of bed sores. It is also being used as an alternative form of medicine in Europe. Dr. Eddy hopes to publish the results of her trial by 2008 or 2009.