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US food insufficiency spiked by 25% after monthly Child Tax Credits expired

A new study found that the expiration of monthly Child Tax Credit payments led to a 25% increase in food insufficiency among US households with children. The loss of cash relief benefits disproportionately impacted Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant families, exacerbating racial and economic inequities.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateOct 21, 2022

EURISCO – a pillar for documenting and making available the world's crop diversity

EURISCO is an international aggregated database documenting over 2 million plant genetic resources across 6,737 genera and 45,175 species. The catalogue provides a central entry point for information on crop diversity, facilitating access to data on crop improvement programmes.

Gut microbiomes help bears with very different diets reach the same size

A recent study of Alaskan brown bears reveals that their gut microbiomes play a crucial role in supporting health and achieving comparable size despite eating vastly different diets. The research sheds light on the importance of diverse dietary niches for bears, which can help them extract nutrition from various food sources.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2022

Improving the estimation of microplastic concentrations in freshwater environments

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science develop a method to determine the number of samples required for accurate assessment of microplastic contamination in urban rivers. The study found that at high MP concentrations, two replicate samples are sufficient to measure MP concentrations accurately.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 10, 2022

A cat friendly approach to the inappetent feline patient

The new guidelines emphasize the importance of a 'cat-friendly' approach to care, reducing stress and creating positive associations through gentle handling, comfortable bedding, and calm interactions. Regular offering of food and careful feeding techniques are also crucial for managing inappetence and promoting recovery.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2022

Fishing for new source of proteoglycans, an important health food ingredient

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science discovered that bony fish head cartilage contains abundant proteoglycans, including aggrecan, with similar CS structures to salmon nasal cartilage. This finding reveals the potential of sturgeon as an alternative source of CSPGs for health food formulations.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2022

Meat consumption must fall by at least 75 percent

A new study by the University of Bonn recommends significantly reducing meat consumption to mitigate climate change and environmental damage. While mass vegetarianism is not a viable solution due to limited food availability in some regions, moderate meat consumption can be sustainable if implemented carefully.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAnnual Review of Resource Economics·DateApr 25, 2022

Better breeding tools for future-proofing potatoes

Researchers from around the world have developed new breeding tools to help potato breeders adapt their crops to a changing climate. The collaboration identified useful traits, such as local adaptability and climate flexibility, in wild varieties of potatoes, which can be used to cut down on the time and cost of developing new cultivars.

Researchers document prevalence of patients’ social risks and their desire for health system assistance

A new study found that 48% of patients with subsidized health care insurance reported one or more social risks, with housing instability being the most prevalent. Patients with social risks were twice as likely to report having poor health, despite being demographically similar to those without social risks.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 24, 2022

Tomatoes of equal quality with less irrigation water

Researchers at the University of Seville conducted a study on deficit irrigation for Sunchocola tomatoes, finding no significant changes in commercial quality but increased carotenoids and phenolic compounds. The results have significant nutritional importance and potential for global irrigation water savings.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalJournal of Food Composition and Analysis·DateMar 4, 2022

Nanocarrier spray: Better crops without genetic modification

Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.

SourceRIKEN·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 23, 2022

Climate drove 7,000 years of dietary changes in the Central Andes

A new study reveals that climate had a significant influence on diet in the Central Andes between 400 and 7,000 years ago. The researchers found that population size had little impact on dietary variation, except during the Late Horizon (~480-418 yBP), when diets became more similar due to the Inca Empire's centralized power.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 9, 2022

Environmentally sustainable diet linked to health benefits

A large population study from Lund University found that a sustainable diet is associated with lower risks of premature death. The EAT-Lancet diet, which emphasizes whole grains, vegetables, and pulses, was linked to a 25% lower risk of total mortality and specific causes like cardiovascular disease and cancer.

SourceLund University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateDec 9, 2021

Parent-teacher relationship vital to home schooling

A new study reveals the vital role primary school teachers play in supporting families during home schooling, particularly for middle-income families who struggle to balance work and childcare responsibilities. The research highlights the range of resources and services provided by teachers to help mitigate socio-economic disadvantages.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalEducational Review·TypeSurvey·DateDec 2, 2021

Plant-based alternative food consumption may have doubled in UK over ten years suggests first analysis of its kind

A new study suggests that UK plant-based alternative food consumption has nearly doubled over the past decade, with younger generations and women being more likely to adopt this diet. The research found that plant-based milks were the most popular among the UK population, followed by vegan sausages and vegetable burgers.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateNov 11, 2021

Scientific paper urges nutrition scientists to advocate for sustainable food systems

The scientific paper highlights challenges in global food systems, including climate change, production of unhealthy foods, and inadequate nutrition. The authors propose rebalancing agriculture research towards healthy crops, nutrient-rich foods, and nature-positive technologies to create a more sustainable future.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 17, 2021

Scientists from Pusan National University emphasize the health benefits of ginseng

Researchers from Pusan National University have compiled a comprehensive review of ginsenosides, the main component of ginseng, which can prevent inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. The study provides insights into how to improve ginsenoside production through chemical and enzymatic treatments, as well as microbial action.

SourcePusan National University·JournalCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 15, 2021

Study suggests environmental factors had a role in the evolution of human tolerance

A new study published in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory suggests that environmental pressures played a key role in the evolution of human tolerance. The research found that populations which shared resources were more likely to succeed and survive harsh environments, leading to long-term benefits for everyone involved.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Archaeological Method and Theory·DateFeb 3, 2021