Scientists of the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service headed by geneticist Jay Evans found that the presence of abnormal ribosomal RNA (rRNA) fragments in the guts of honey bees may be the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This disease caused the decline of the honey bee population last year.

Using genome-wide microarray, the scientists found a large amount of abnormal rRNA fragments which indicate that the affected honey bees had reduced ability to synthesize new proteins. According to entomologist Mary Berenbaum, if the bees' ribosomes are compromised, then they can't overcome exposure to pesticides, viral, fungal, bacterial infections or inadequate nutrition because the ribosome is central to the survival of any organism. 

Although the study did not establish a direct cause-and-effect link between the abnormal rRNA and CCD, colony surveillance by assays of rRNA and other markers expressed by bees could provide the earliest indication of CCD found so far. 

For details, see the report at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090824.2.htm