Researchers at North Carolina State University attempted to measure how much pet cats supplement their diets with wild prey using isotopic analysis. However, they found that cat food manufacturers regularly change ingredient composition within the same flavors, preventing accurate identification of a cat's diet.
New research shows that seagulls are more likely to peck at food that has been handled by humans. This suggests they use human actions when deciding what to eat. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, also found that gulls' preference for food is not just based on the sight of food.
Researchers argue that current disjointed approaches may harm strategies to reduce food emissions and safeguard food from climate impacts. A comprehensive approach is needed to track emissions beyond the farm gate and understand how different components work together.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that consumers may be wasting more than twice as much food as commonly believed, and that affluent consumers waste more food. The researchers used a human metabolism model to quantify the relationship between food waste and consumer affluence.
Increasing grocery store density in certain areas can drastically decrease food waste, with optimal balance found at moderate store numbers. Studies show that modest increases in store density lead to substantial reductions in waste and lower grocery expenses for households.
Researchers identify specific cortical area responsible for food addiction's loss of control over intake, linked to obesity and eating disorders. The study provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying addictive behavior in food, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
A survey of 1,923 NC State students found that nearly 10% experienced homelessness and over 14% struggled with food insecurity in the previous 30 days. The study highlights the need for institutions to address these challenges and provide support services for students facing housing and food insecurity.
A University of Georgia study evaluated environmental monitoring practices across the frozen food industry to identify effective methods for controlling Listeria monocytogenes. The research found that facilities were predominantly testing for Listeria spp., but there is a need for facilities to review their sampling strategy.
According to Penn State researchers, US households waste an estimated 31.9% of the food they acquire, with an aggregate value of $240 billion per year. This inefficiency has significant implications for health, food security, and climate change.
A new study suggests that rural communities in Vermont are already managing their food waste effectively through composting and feeding scraps to pets or livestock. While support for banning food waste is high, only a minority of residents are willing to pay for curbside compost pickup programs.
Adults with food insecurity are 10-37% more likely to die prematurely, on average 9 years earlier than their food-secure counterparts. Policies addressing food insecurity could reduce premature deaths.
The study identifies 5 distinct world regions with varying levels of food sovereignty, diet quality, food security, and environmental sustainability. It reveals significant regional disparities and agri-food debt imbalances between countries.
A $1.4 million grant is awarded to improve food security for Aboriginal communities in Central Australia and Torres Strait Islanders. The project focuses on promoting healthier diets through pricing strategies and community engagement.
A new research tool, FFLLoRA, was developed to assess individual production lot risks of Listeria monocytogenes in frozen foods. The tool incorporates factors like facility attributes, Lm prevalence and consumer handling to estimate listeriosis risks.
A Yale University analysis found that online grocery delivery systems cover 90% of food deserts, increasing access to nutritious food for low-income communities. The study suggests that online shopping can reduce obesity and improve health outcomes by providing essential nutrients and promoting better eating habits.
A new global map assesses the sustainability of food systems, considering factors beyond productivity and nutrition. The study identifies knowledge gaps and provides a standardized framework for measuring food system sustainability.
Researchers explore controlled environment agriculture as a means to address urban food systems, offering advantages such as year-round crop production and reduced energy consumption. The study highlights the potential for controlled environments to increase food security and support local economies.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems reveals that chronic hunger affects nearly half of rural households in sub-Saharan Africa. The survey found that 39% experience severely unreliable access to food and 49% have inadequate diet diversity, putting them at risk for micronutrient deficiencies.
The tourism industry is facing significant challenges due to food waste, with globally estimated 1.3 billion tons of food lost or wasted each year. Food waste in tourist households has been neglected despite growing numbers of tourists and diverse travel experiences.
A new study by NYU researchers found that children living within a half-block of fast-food outlets were 20% obese and 38% overweight. The farther away from unhealthy food sources, the lower obesity rates, with significant reductions at just one or two blocks distance.
Researchers found that reducing food intake in old mice has little to no beneficial effect on health and lifespan. Implementing reduced food intake early in life and sustaining it until the end of their lives is crucial for improving health in old age.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) addresses the right to food by providing targeted assistance to low-income households and expanding automatically in response to changes in need. SNAP achieves a right to food through its entitlement program, access to food nationwide, and respect for participants' dignity and autonomy.
Researchers aim to address sustainable food systems for a growing population by developing an optimal food system from an economic and resource-use perspective. The study will examine the role of trade in making resource use more efficient and providing safe and nutritious food.
A new study of over 10,000 Canadian households reveals a strong correlation between food insecurity and nonadherence to prescription drugs. Food insecure households are more likely to experience cost-related nonadherence, which can exacerbate health issues associated with food insecurity.
A new study by Silent Spring Institute found that people who eat more meals at home have lower levels of PFAS in their bodies. Consuming fast food and eating out frequently are associated with higher exposures to these chemicals.
A study by Northwestern University found that sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to choose high-energy dense foods due to an imbalance in brain regions receiving food signals. The researchers suggest that paying attention to our nose's influence on food choices may help alleviate unhealthy snacking habits.
A recent study by UCSF researchers found that young adults with food insecurity are more likely to develop disorders associated with obesity and obstructive airway diseases like asthma. Chronic stress from food insecurity can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance and increased risk of mental health issues.
A new University of Otago study found that people have varying levels of knowledge about food energy and portion sizes. Inaccurate judgements about these factors can result in overeating and subsequent weight issues. To combat this, the researchers suggest providing more explicit and salient energy labels on food packages.
Drexel Food Lab developed a new whole grain-rich, lower-sodium hoagie roll that passed sensory tests, reducing sodium by 70mg. The partnership with Amoroso's Baking Company resulted in the production of 1.68 million rolls per year, saving schools over 1,294 pounds of salt annually.
Food insecurity has serious consequences for health and wellbeing, including inadequate intake of key nutrients, depression, and poor physical and mental health. Experts propose strategies such as improving weekend access to nutritious foods during summer months and understanding the psychosocial effects of food insecurity on college s...
Researchers at UTHealth developed a two-year study focusing on north Pasadena, Texas, where food insecurity is high. The program provided food prescriptions for healthy food and nutrition education, resulting in 71.1% of participants redeeming their prescriptions and 94% reporting healthier eating habits.
In a recent study, male Trinidad Guppies were found to reach more novel food patches when in the presence of females. In contrast, female foraging was independent of male presence. The researchers suggest that life in a group can be advantageous, allowing individuals to share information and find food more easily.
A new University of Maryland School of Medicine study examines the impact of food insecurity among children from birth to age four, finding a steady rise in obesity rates as they grow. Despite food insecurity, toddlers are more likely to experience poor overall health and developmental problems.
A new study by researchers at Boston University and American University confirms the negative impact of food insecurity on child health, highlighting its unique and pervasive effects. The study suggests an urgent need for policies to address this issue, with potential solutions including increased federal SNAP benefits.
A survey of 16,475 households found that raw pet food was a contaminant in only three households, with most common pathogens being Campylobacteria and Salmonella. Most households did not report any infections, with 99.6% reporting no pathogen transmission from raw food.
New research suggests that global food waste due to overeating has a significant impact on the environment. The study estimates that excess bodyweight corresponds to roughly 140 billion tonnes of food waste globally, with growing meat consumption leading to higher land and water usage.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method for analyzing gas chromatographic data using deep learning, allowing for faster and more accurate results. This technology has the potential to improve food quality control, detect food fraud, and enhance patient care by analyzing blood samples.
A retrospective cohort study in Australia found that areas with a higher number of fast food restaurants have more heart attacks. The study also found a strong association between the density of fast food outlets and the incidence of heart attack, with each additional outlet linked to four additional heart attacks per 100,000 people.
A recent study found that nearly half of university and two-year college students in the US experience food insecurity, leading to academic struggles, mental health issues, and reduced career opportunities. Food insecure students often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms or go without meals, exacerbating the problem.
A new training program aims to help children with food allergies stay safe. The Food Allergy Superheroes Training (FAST) Program will teach 6-8 year olds basic skills to react responsibly to food allergies. The program's goal is to increase adherence to food allergy safety guidelines and reduce hospital visits among low-income families.
A new study published in PLOS ONE examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and multiple food environments. The research found that a greater number of fast-food restaurants near commute routes is associated with higher BMI.
A UTA study reveals that urban sprawl increases the likelihood of a neighborhood becoming a food desert, which is defined as an area with limited access to healthy food options. More compact neighborhoods are likely to support a greater number of grocery stores and have healthier food options.
The OUtMATCH study will test the ability of omalizumab to increase tolerance to peanut and other food allergens in children and adults. The trial aims to enroll 225 participants with a history of multiple food allergies, assessing whether biweekly or monthly injections of omalizumab can prevent allergic reactions.
Scientists at TUM and Leibniz-Institute developed a new methodology for simultaneous analysis of odorants and tastants using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. This approach enables fast and precise food analysis, which is crucial for manufacturers to guarantee consistent sensory quality.
A Northwestern University study found that 80% of Americans' calorie consumption comes from store-bought foods, highlighting the need for healthier options. The food supply plays a central role in obesity and cardiovascular disease development.
Small changes to food production and consumption, such as reducing waste and altering diets, could reduce the land required to feed the planet by at least 21%. Altering diets in developed nations is found to have the greatest potential to reduce the impact of food production. Changes to food systems are needed to provide nutritional fo...
A new study suggests that local food initiatives can improve psychological well-being by fostering connection to nature, satisfying basic needs, and promoting better diets. Participants in local food projects scored higher on standardised measures of well-being than non-participants.
Researchers found that food activates the vagus nerve to stimulate hunger neurons, while alcohol suppresses their activity directly through the bloodstream. This divergence in neural pathways helps explain why food and alcohol have distinct effects on behavior and motivation.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln's National Centre for Food Manufacturing have developed new methods to dehydrate fruit and vegetables, producing flours that can be used in bakery and snack products. This technology extends shelf life and reduces food waste.
Cornell University has received a $1.8 million grant from the USDA to develop active packaging materials that reduce preservatives in foods, minimizing food waste. Researchers will also explore cold processes for producing nutritious juices and beverages with reduced energy consumption.
A collaborative study by Connecticut researchers shows that food insecurity is linked to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes in Latinos. The study found that households with food-insecure individuals had higher levels of inflammation, stress hormones, and insulin resistance compared to those who were food secure.
A study by Boston Children's Hospital scientists reveals that the absence of certain beneficial bacteria in the human gut makes children susceptible to food allergies. Transplanting these bacteria into mice with food allergies prevents the disease and even reverses it, suggesting a new approach to treatments.
Researchers have identified specific bacterial species in the human infant gut that protect against food allergies. Administering these microbes as a therapeutic can prevent food allergies from happening and even reverse existing ones in mice, offering a new approach to treating this common condition.
Food insecurity affects 11% of young adults and is linked to a higher prevalence of migraine. The study suggests that clinicians screen for food insecurity among people with migraine, as it may exacerbate symptoms.
The study found that countries with a variety of crops experience less severe food shortages, with declines in total yield exceeding 25% less common. Researchers encourage nations to evaluate their crop diversity and consider strategies like new drought-tolerant varieties and intercropping to enhance food supply stability.
A Finnish study finds that food neophobia, a fear of new foods, is associated with poorer dietary quality and increased risk of chronic diseases. Food neophobia was linked to lower intakes of fibre, protein, and monounsaturated fatty acids, and higher intakes of saturated fat and salt.
A new Iowa State University study reveals that combining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) improves food security by at least 2 percentage points.
A study of nearly 800,000 NYC schoolchildren found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian students live closer to unhealthy food outlets than White students. The researchers used precise home and school address data to calculate distance to each student's closest food outlet.
A study published at the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition's annual meeting found a significant correlation between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in junk food and food allergy in children. Researchers observed higher levels of AGEs in children with food allergies compared to those with ...
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed affordable and biodegradable sensors that can detect spoilage gases in meat and fish products, reducing food waste and plastic pollution. The sensors, called PEGS, can be read on smartphones and are cheaper to produce than existing sensors.