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PFAS exposure from high seafood diets may be underestimated

A Dartmouth-led study found that people in New England, particularly those who frequently consume seafood, face an increased risk of PFAS exposure. The researchers recommend setting safety standards to limit seafood consumption and highlight the need for more stringent public health guidelines.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalExposure and Health·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2024

UCF Rosen College study reveals economic impact of Florida’s red tide on tourism

A new UCF study found that the 2018 Florida red tide bloom caused $2.7 billion in losses to tourism-related businesses, with low concentrations having a significant economic impact. The research highlights the importance of risk management tools for individuals and businesses affected by harmful algae blooms.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 24, 2024

Online food shopping exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Can it catch on with bodegas?

The study found that bodega owners and customers face challenges such as high prices for fresh produce, lack of digital literacy, and mistrust of online ordering. Despite these obstacles, researchers believe that implementing online grocery shopping in bodegas can greatly benefit communities by increasing access to healthy food options.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeSurvey·DateDec 15, 2023

Ethical, environmental and political concerns about climate change affect reproductive choices

A systematic review found that climate change-related concerns are linked to less positive attitudes towards reproduction and a desire for fewer children or none at all. The study identified four key factors: uncertainty about the future of an unborn child, environmentalist views on overpopulation and overconsumption, meeting family su...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 9, 2023

Why an unusual global export industry keeps growing in a developing country

The Citrus Growers` Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has played a crucial role in the industry's success, driving growth through a resilient coalition of growers and independent resources mandated by the government. The CGA invests in research and development to stay ahead of changing market demands and fosters competitive rivalry ...

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalEuropean Journal of Development Research·TypeCase study·DateSep 27, 2023

Study examines struggles of Haitian migrants self-managing diabetes on Dominican Republic sugar cane fields

A new study from the University of Missouri found that poverty, low health literacy, cultural beliefs, lack of infrastructure, and political issues hinder diabetes self-management for Haitian migrants. The researchers suggest targeted interventions, such as community gardens and healthcare education through local priests.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalThe Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care·TypeSurvey·DateJul 26, 2023

Daughters breastfed longer, and women accumulated greater wealth in ancient California matriarchal society

In ancient California's San Francisco Bay Area, women played a crucial role in the economy, with mothers prioritizing their female offspring through extended breastfeeding. This practice may have led to female-biased wealth disparities, as older women were buried with greater wealth than men.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Biological Anthropology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023

Building models to predict interactions in plant microbiomes

Plant microbiomes have the potential to make agriculture more sustainable, but understanding their complex interactions is crucial. Researchers have developed models that use metabolic capabilities of bacteria to predict how these microbial communities compete or cooperate.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 6, 2023

Indirect effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict revealed: global food supply at risk

A recent study by the Complexity Science Hub reveals interdependencies in the global food supply chain, uncovering profound indirect effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on product availability worldwide. The study found that indirect effects often exceeded direct effects, with losses up to 85% in maize and 89% in edible oils.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 15, 2023

In-scent-ive to avoid danger

Research at Kyoto University found that spider mites avoid caterpillar traces due to a repellent effect, lasting days. This discovery may lead to the development of a safer and longer-lasting spider mite repellent derived from natural substances.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2023

Abundance of urban honeybees adversely impacts wild bee populations, according to new Concordia research

A new Concordia University study found that the rapid growth of urban honeybee-keeping is adversely affecting nearby wild bee populations. The researchers compared bee population data collected from sites around Montreal in 2013 and 2020, finding a decline in wild bee species richness associated with increasing honeybee abundance.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPeerJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 26, 2023

Counting the cost of sunshine: Finding a better metric to measure human ecological footprints

Researchers develop 'Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production' (HANNP) metric to accurately estimate human impacts on the earth's systems. This new approach starts at the source, measuring the total biomass produced through photosynthesis and comparing it to what humans have appropriated for their own use.

SourceS.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University·JournalEcological Indicators·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 17, 2023

Framework helps local planners prepare for climate pressures on food, energy & water systems

A new framework developed by a multidisciplinary team provides guidance to local and regional planners to anticipate and prepare for the impacts of climate change on critical civic resources. The C-FEWS framework evaluates options and makes decisions related to specific local conditions, focusing on the nexus of food, energy, and water.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2023

Complex learned social behavior discovered in bee’s ‘waggle dance’

Researchers at the University of California - San Diego found that honey bees use a 'waggle dance' to communicate the location of food sources, and that this behavior is improved by learning and culturally transmitted. The study demonstrates the importance of early social signal learning in non-human spatial referential communication.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2023

The ants go marching … methodically

Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Chicory, surrogate and roasted coffee provide new insights into mechanisms of taste perception

Researchers investigated how the order of eating affects bitter taste perception using chicory and coffee substitutes. They found that consuming chicory or coffee substitute after roasted coffee reduces bitterness, while consuming roasted coffee before chicory has no effect.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2023

What makes brown rice healthy? Decoding the chemistry of its nutritional wealth

Researchers at Okayama University have identified cycloartenyl ferulate as the main contributor to brown rice's health-promoting effects. The compound's antioxidant properties help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to benefits such as weight reduction and improved cholesterol levels.

SourceOkayama University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2023

What can we learn from the Impacts of rapid climate change on past societies?

A comprehensive new study led by Professor Gwen Robbins Schug at UNC Greensboro traces the impact of rapid climate change events on humans over the past 5,000 years. The study found that small, interconnected rural communities with diverse dietary sources were more resilient to environmental challenges.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 18, 2023

Global distributive justice and systemic transformations key to planetary stability, study finds

A new study finds that achieving access to minimum resources and services for all while safeguarding the Earth system requires redistribution and societal transformations. The research shows that the wealthiest individuals and societies must undergo transformative change to mitigate climate impacts, while the poor are not the primary c...

SourceFuture Earth·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2022