Articles tagged with Food Resources
A study found that urban wood storks fared better than their natural counterparts during suboptimal conditions, exploiting urban resources to improve reproductive performance. They switched to anthropogenic food sources, including trash and amphibians, to supplement their diets.
Researchers developed a novel framework and model to analyze drivers of water theft and deterrents. The study found that social attitudes, institutions, and future supply uncertainty contribute to water theft, highlighting the need for stronger deterrents.
A new online resource has been proven to alleviate parents' anxiety and encourage healthy eating habits in young children. The Child Feeding Guide, developed by experts at Aston University and Loughborough University, helps mums change their approach to feeding and reduces self-reported anxiety by nearly 20%.
A new study suggests that prehistoric people relied on shellfish to sustain them as they migrated out of Africa, particularly during periods of drought. The availability of these marine mollusks allowed for continuous harvests without major ecological impacts.
A new study led by the University of Stirling will use satellite technology to monitor invasive aquatic weeds in neglected water bodies in India. The project aims to detect regrowth early and prevent damage to fisheries, drinking water sources, and agricultural irrigation.
The yellow-legged gull's annual lifecycle is adapted to human activities for food, with its eating pattern changing throughout the year. This opportunistic species can modify its habitat use to manage limitations, such as physiological restrictions and fluctuations in food availability.
Experts from Weill Cornell Medicine emphasize the importance of planning early for beds, equipment, and personnel, as well as utilizing remote communication platforms. The authors also highlight the need for daily communication among healthcare professionals to alleviate anxiety and ensure essential care.
A new analysis published in Mammal Review suggests natural selection drives size differences between males and females. The study proposes that males and females evolved to differ in size to exploit resources such as food.
A new model of animal energy budgets reveals that resource variation is a key mechanism driving evolutionary body size. By considering factors such as metabolism, reproduction costs, and offspring energy delivery, the model shows that larger bodies provide more room for energy storage, helping animals survive uncertain environments.
A new study found that people tend to prefer high-calorie foods when they sense a scarcity of time, as opposed to when time is shown moving upwards. Researchers discovered this pattern through experiments in which participants were asked to complete tasks while a timer counted down or up.
A team of 40 experts from industries, universities, and research institutes worldwide warn that the world's limited phosphate resources are being overexploited and wasted. Without sustainable management, phosphorus will eventually run out, threatening global food security.
Research using stable isotopes shows that some mammals thrive on agricultural products in modified landscapes, while others rely on forest resources. Habitat loss from agriculture may pose conservation challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable land-use practices.
A new study using miniaturized satellite-based tags revealed that desert bats must fly further and longer during dry periods to meet their nightly needs. This suggests their struggle in coping with harsher conditions, highlighting the importance of understanding animal responses to climate change.
The University of Tennessee has been awarded a grant to develop a more sustainable way to manage Nashville's organic wastes. The project aims to reduce methane emissions and create jobs in the local community by using anaerobic digestion technology.
Researchers have shown that people's general inability to ignore reward cues is not just a lack of control, but rather a limitation of their executive control processes. In an experiment, participants struggled to resist fast food and alcohol cues when under cognitive pressure or high memory load. The findings suggest strengthening exe...
A new study reveals that global fisheries are highly connected, with fish larvae drifting across ocean currents and impacting fisheries worldwide. The findings suggest that poorly managed fisheries or environmental disturbances in one area could have significant economic consequences on fisheries globally.
Researchers analyzed plant, animal, and human remains to reconstruct the diets of Portus Romae inhabitants. They found a shift from rich meat-based diets to more peasant-like diets after the Vandal sack in AD 455.
A new study challenges the idea that substituting fishmeal with plant ingredients is environmentally friendly, finding it may shift pressures to land-based food production systems. The research suggests a paradigm shift is needed in thinking around aquafeed ingredient sustainability.
The new commentary on the 'Warning to Humanity' paper emphasizes that societies in developing countries are more dependent on natural resources while being less responsible for the ecological crisis. The authors argue that excessive resource consumption and ecosystem-destructive practices in Western lifestyle are prioritized over addre...
The article presents science-based guidelines for creating a bee-friendly landscape, highlighting the importance of native plants and diverse flower forms. Key findings include non-native plants extending the flowering season and pest-free plants attracting beneficial bees.
A team of researchers at Princeton University has constructed a public library to help understand the role of genes in photosynthesis. The library consists of thousands of mutant strains of single-celled algae, which were used to identify 303 genes associated with photosynthesis, including 21 newly discovered genes.
Researchers used quantitative spatial modeling to explore the relationship between ahu construction locations and subsistence resources on Rapa Nui. The study found that ahu locations are consistently linked to proximity to freshwater sources, suggesting a critical role for water availability in ancient island society.
Researchers found that elephants prefer locations with better past forage conditions over current availability, especially during the dry season. They also showed a preference for walking along roads to conserve energy and access food sources.
A University of Bonn study suggests that bioplastics may not be as environmentally friendly as thought, as increased production could lead to land use changes and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that even with a tax on conventional plastics, the benefits are temporary and offset by negative economic effects.
The study estimates that by 2030, global fecal biomass could contain significant amounts of recoverable materials such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Animal waste from livestock outweighs human waste in many countries, posing a threat to public health.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that chimpanzees tend to make prosocial choices faster than selfish ones. In tasks assessing cooperation and self-control, chimpanzees were more likely to pick the option benefiting others if they made a quick decision.
A study of fruit flies found that females with better access to resources invest more energy into maintaining their bodies, allowing them to continue reproducing longer. In contrast, males prioritize short-term mating success over long-term survival.
A study published in Neuropsychologia suggests that human brains are innately attracted to sedentary behaviors and must work harder to avoid them. The research found that participants were faster at moving towards active images but required more brain resources to move away from inactive images.
The Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) has launched an online knowledge bank with resources for educators on the health impacts of climate change. The platform features links to publicly available online courses, curricular guidance, and information on upcoming events.
Scientists discovered that bees' quality of life is highest in gardens and biodiverse forests, while lowest in plantations. The decline of biodiversity is linked to bee extinction due to the lack of sufficient food and resources.
Pitt researchers create a network model to analyze the interconnectivity of US food, energy, and water resources. The study aims to identify 'virtual' resources consumed in production but not intended for direct use, and provide solutions to minimize environmental impact.
Research found inbred beetles made bad decisions in response to environmental changes, leading to reduced offspring survival and increased risk of extinction. The study suggests impaired thinking ability may contribute to this poor decision-making.
The EXIOBASE 3 database provides new clarity on the links between international trade, consumption, and environmental impact. Researchers found some level of decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact, but efficiency was reduced for material use increasing at a faster rate than GDP.
Researchers found that early ocean organisms grew tall to disperse their offspring and colonize their surroundings. The study suggests that reproduction was the main reason life on Earth got big during the Ediacaran period.
A study found that human footprint reduces mammalian movement by two to three times, with no geographic or size-based exceptions. This affects ecosystem functions like nutrient transport and food web interactions, highlighting the need for further research on critical thresholds in human land use.
Research by Jaehoon Lee suggests that lower class individuals are more likely to assume food will be less delicious due to poor service, while higher class people do not typically make this assumption. This holistic view of life creates a 'carryover effect', leading to negative judgments about other aspects of the consumer experience.
The three-year project will focus on the intersections between food production, energy use, and water use in Southern California and Southern Texas. Researchers aim to develop modeling systems that integrate these sectors for better decision-making, sharing them with industry stakeholders and policy specialists.
Researchers found that migratory female butterflies make distinct physiological changes to invest in flight over reproduction during migration. They remain reproductively inactive and carry a lighter abdomen to optimize energy use. This strategy allows them to breed at the end of the migration, producing large numbers of eggs.
Researchers argue that traditional Western theories on creativity are not applicable in resource-scarce environments. Instead, 'jugaad' – a Hindi word for 'hack' – allows people to find low-cost solutions through constructive thinking and experiential learning.
Researchers discover wild sheep bones in Black Desert excavation site, revealing a previously unknown population of the species in eastern Jordan. The finding suggests that the region was capable of supporting a variety of resources, including wild sheep, during the Late Pleistocene.
Researchers at Penn State have received a grant to develop the first new taxonomy for species of the genus Fusarium in 30 years, aiming to improve identification and classification of the genus. The project will produce a comprehensive monograph with digital connectivity and access to DNA sequence data.
A comprehensive global effort is needed to address the growing burden of hearing loss, with half a billion people affected worldwide. The proposal emphasizes increased access to screenings, treatments, and preventive measures, as well as low-cost interventions using smartphones and telemedicine.
Researchers found that developing a pipeline to improve school leadership has been affordable for six urban districts, spending 0.4% of their budgets on the initiative. The main expense was district staff salaries, with per-pupil costs totaling $42.
New research suggests that bird and bumblebee species nesting late in the year are suffering more from habitat destruction. The study found that larger birds and bumblebees are worst affected due to competition over scarce nest sites.
Brown-headed cowbirds prefer larger host nests with smaller-than-average eggs to increase their offspring's chances of survival. Researchers found that female cowbirds adjust the allocation of resources in their eggs based on perceived environmental conditions, but not host species or size variations.
A team of researchers observed an American badger burying a 50-pound calf carcass over five days, marking the first known instance of such behavior. The finding suggests that badgers may play a significant role in sequestering large carcasses, benefiting cattle ranchers by reducing disease vectors and attracting larger predators.
Researchers propose that infant-directed song, lullabies and play songs for babies and toddlers, may have deep evolutionary roots as a way for parents to signal their children's needs while freeing up time for other tasks. The theory suggests that this type of music developed as an 'arms race' between parents and infants over attention.
A new study published in Physical Review E presents an optimal search strategy for foragers to maximize resource efficiency. The model suggests that searching a current foraging ground for a time equal to the time it would take to set up and move to a new territory is the most effective approach.
Researchers tracked three migratory bird species and found they adjust their routes to match future changes in food availability. By 2080, climate change may make it challenging for birds to find sufficient resources, posing a threat to their survival.
Researchers can now analyze biological signaling pathways with unprecedented accuracy thanks to OmniPath, combining 27 public databases on signalling interactions. The tool provides a comprehensive and unified collection of literature-curated signalling pathways based on an analysis of 41,000 scientific papers.
The program, launched in 2012, has generated over 506,000 customized prescriptions for an estimated 200,000 or more patients. More than 83% of participants reported the personalized referrals were 'very useful.'
Chicks are less honest when begging for food in family groups with conflict, research by University of Oxford scientists found. Analysis of over 100 studies across 60 bird species showed that chicks exaggerate their need for food if parents are likely to breed again in the future.
A new study found that stable hunter-gatherer camps are more likely to exhibit reciprocity in food-sharing, whereas unstable camps rely on demand sharing. This association suggests that cooperation between non-kin individuals may be linked to group stability and repeated interactions.
Research shows that spending time in nature promotes health and well-being among rural, low-income mothers and their families. Despite living in areas with abundant natural spaces, these mothers often lack access to safe and accessible outdoor recreation resources due to financial constraints and geographical barriers.
A recent study identifies a genetic locus, HMGA2, linked to beak size adaptation in Darwin's finches. The research supports the concept of ecological character displacement, where species diverge in traits when competing for resources.
A Stanford University simulation model analyzes how modern interventions affect the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous inhabitants. The study reveals that agro-industrial land development and loss of traditional taboos lead to biodiversity decline and ecosystem collapse.
Food pantry clients make choices based on factors such as limited resources and unintentional design. Simple adjustments like raising healthier products' profiles and making them easy to access can nudge clients towards healthier options.
Researchers used tagged penguins and an autonomous underwater vehicle to study competition between Adélie and gentoo penguins for the same food resources. The study found that gentoo penguins shifted behavior to deeper depths when competing with Adélie penguins, suggesting a strategy to limit competition.
Researchers found that pantry food safety procedures were often informal, with 75% lacking proper storage and handling information. However, most pantries limited cross-contamination and provided adequate handwashing facilities.
Scientists have discovered a potential ecological route to control plant disease by harnessing the power of soil microbial communities. The study found that increasing competition between resident bacteria and invading pathogens can constrain the spread of bacterial wilt, reducing its devastating impact on global food production.