Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that the weed killer is contributing to the death of honey bees.(Photo: Alex Wild, University of Texas at Austin)

According to a new study, the weed killer could harm honeybee populations around the world.

Glyphosate leaves bees more susceptible to infection and death, according to a study published Monday in the journal by researchers at the University of Texas in Austin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Glyphosate, a herbicide, is the controversial active ingredient in popular herbicides such as Roundup.

Bees that had been in contact with the glyphosate herbicide in the study had lower levels of healthy intestinal bacteria that help digest food and prevent disease and were more likely to die out. Pathogens. About half of the healthy bees survived the introduced pathogen, Serratia marcescens. Only one-tenth of the bees affected by glyphosate survived.

"We need better guidelines for the use of glyphosate, especially with regard to bee exposure." Our study shows that this is not true. "

More: Bees are in trouble. Here's how you can help

Motto said that the weed killer is not the only one responsible for a decline in bee populations, but is a sufficient factor for that "people should worry", especially because that glyphosate is widely used.

The effects on human health of glyphosate have been widely debated. The World Health Organization has determined that glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic to humans," but Monsanto (the company responsible for the weed killer Roundup) says it is not a probable carcinogen.

More: Oatmeal, breakfast foods contain dangerous amounts of weed killers linked to cancer, according to the report

In August, Monsanto was sentenced to pay $ 289 million to a school guard who had terminal cancer after using Roundup. This is one of hundreds of lawsuits that claim that Roundup causes cancer.

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