Articles tagged with Food Resources
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.
A new computational model measures disparities between biomedical research resources and disease burden, identifying unmet medical needs. The Research Opportunity Index (ROI) provides a data-driven framework to assess resource investment and allocate funds efficiently.
The UK is the worst offender in European avoidable food waste, with nearly 80% of all food waste being avoidable. The study found that vegetables, fruit and cereals contribute most to lost resources, while meat production uses more resources in the first place.
Research found that neighborhoods with more physical activity resources and healthy food options have a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes. Individuals with lower income, education, or physical activity levels were more likely to develop the condition.
A study by Michigan State University and international partners reveals that 20 renewable resources, such as corn and soy, have reached peak production rates between 1988 and 2008. The researchers warn that relying on substitution to solve shortages may not be effective when multiple resources are running out.
Research on tool use by primates suggests that ecological opportunity, rather than necessity, is the main driver behind their use of tools. The study found that tool use was not influenced by food scarcity, but rather by calorie-rich and hard-to-reach resources.
A study of chimpanzee aggression over five decades found that killings are not a result of human activities, but rather an adaptive tactic to eliminate rivals. The research provides strong support for the view that killing is an evolved behavior, increasing access to resources and improving survival rates.
Some bees in Brazil use loud signals to deter competitors, a counterintuitive strategy that's successful in warding off rivals. This study reveals how eavesdropping can influence the evolution of animal communication signals.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that male black widow spiders overwhelmingly choose well-fed, unmated females as mates. The preference is driven by pheromones released by females indicating their nutritional status.
A University of Illinois study found that mothers participating in a vocational training program gained a network of peers, leading to increased bargaining strength and improved children's consumption of rice and dairy. The program empowered women, allowing them to exert more say over household resources.
Experts estimate that hydrologic separation and electric barriers can prevent up to 95-100% and 85-95% of Asian carp introductions, respectively. Physical separation is found to be the most effective method, with a high probability of preventing introduction into Lake Michigan.
Researchers found that about 25% of mature female tiger sharks migrate from remote atolls to the main Hawaiian Islands between September and October, potentially to give birth. This study provides insight into tiger shark migration patterns and their potential link to attacks in Hawaii.
The University of Tennessee is working with local community partners to improve disaster preparedness and community wellness in Clay County, Kentucky. The project aims to address health and disaster readiness needs through a comprehensive assessment and implementation of solutions.
A recent report by USDA Forest Service reveals a doubling of houses in dispersed rural settings and development on nonfederal resource lands over the past 30 years. The analysis showed that most new development was close to existing areas, with increases in housing similar across eastern and western Washington.
A University of Cincinnati graduate student archaeologist has discovered that the ancient Puebloans relied on a variety of food sources, including purslane, pinyon nut, and juniper berries, in addition to maize. The findings suggest that the Puebloans' subsistence strategies were more complex and sustainable than previously thought.
The University of Nottingham has been awarded £2.9m to develop low-carbon fuel and address global challenges through synthetic biology. Researchers aim to convert carbon monoxide into useful chemicals and fuels without competing with food resources.
A two-year study published in PLOS ONE found that the largest oil spill on open water, combined with cold freshwater from snowmelt, led to historically high dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of young dolphins (perinatal strandings) washed ashore along the Mississippi-Alabama coast.
The Iberian wolf's distribution in Galicia is primarily driven by landscape characteristics offering refuge from humans. Landscape attributes account for 48% of animal safety, while human presence and food availability contribute to a lesser extent.
The No-Mix Vacuum Toilet system uses vacuum suction technology to separate liquid and solid wastes, reducing flushing water needs by up to 90%. The system can also produce bio-gas for energy generation and fertilizers for agricultural use.
A new mathematical model predicts that creatures will help each other differently depending on resource scarcity, with defense and food-focused behaviors favored during times of scarcity and care for young during abundance. The study's results suggest that the benefits of altruism vary across different behaviors.
Researchers found that chimpanzees switched to two legs in high-competition situations to carry more resources. This adaptation may have led to natural selection and the origin of human bipedalism.
Research at the American Heart Association's 2012 Scientific Sessions found that living in neighborhoods with favorable features, such as parks and healthy food options, is associated with better cardiovascular health. Participants with ideal health were more likely to be under age 55, male, and highly educated.
New research shows bumblebees can learn where to find best food resources from both fellow bees and rival honeybees, challenging the idea that social learning is unique to same-species interactions.
A study by Penn State researchers found that medical center-based farmers markets contribute to greater wellness in surrounding communities while adding public health value. The markets provide a sustainable supply of healthy foods, enable community wellness partnerships, and empower local economies.
The UNC Center for Diabetes Translation Research to Reduce Health Disparities aims to reduce diabetes-related disparities among poor and underserved populations. The center will leverage existing resources at NC TraCS Institute and partner with several universities and health departments to foster translational research.
The ASPB Education Foundation has awarded $105,700 to four recipients to enhance the public's understanding of plant science. The grants support projects such as the Plants iView initiative, which aims to communicate plant science to a general audience, and the development of educational resources for K-12 education.
The UNEP report highlights the need to decouple economic growth from resource consumption to achieve a sustainable future. Experts warn that current trends could lead to unprecedented levels of resource consumption by 2050, posing an existential risk to the planet.
A new study by ecologists at Rice University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, challenges standard assumptions about biodiversity loss on ecosystems. The research suggests that changing dietary needs within species have important implications for ecosystem health, making natural ecosystems less stable than previously tho...
A new study from Stanford psychologists suggests that a person's mindset and personal beliefs about willpower determine how long and well they'll be able to work on a tough mental exercise. Contrary to the long-held theory that willpower is a limited resource, researchers found that those who believed in willpower as something not easi...
Researchers found that sharks in deep waters of El Cachucho feed on small crustaceans and fish, adapting to changing ocean depths. Understanding their diet helps predict changes in trophic networks and monitor species populations.
A new tool has been developed to analyze and manage a wide range of ecological services in agricultural ecosystems. Ecosystems that maximize agriculture tend to have fewer hidden ecosystem services, such as water purification and climate moderation, compared to more diverse landscapes.
Ape teeth are shaped to handle scarce food resources during stressful times. The study found that gorillas have broader back teeth for chewing leaves and orangutans have thicker enamel for cracking seeds. Conservation efforts must also protect fallback foods sources, such as forest areas where fruits grow.
A study published in Psychological Science shows that when distributing resources, people's ideas of fairness change depending on the item's value. Intrinsic values like food or vacation days are seen as fair to distribute equally, while market-based attitudes dominate for monetary rewards.
A decade-long effort by international partners has resulted in the collection and freezing of thousands of seeds from nearly 25,000 native plant species. The Millennium Seed Bank project aims to conserve an additional 15% of world's plant species by 2020.
A new UK-based study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that meal replacements aided substantial weight loss among obese patients, with Medically Supervised participants losing an average of 43.4 pounds over 19 weeks.
A new study suggests that having an imperfect body may come with benefits for some women, as hormones redistribute fat from the hips to the waist. This redistribution is associated with increased strength and competitiveness, but not necessarily lower fertility or chronic disease rates.
Phycologists and algal biotechnologists in China are addressing pressing issues in algae research, including resource exhaustion and environmental impact. The country's largest seaweed cultivation industry has become a crucial driver of innovation and growth in the field.
The Monte Verde site in southern Chile provides conclusive evidence of the earliest known human settlement in the Americas, dating back to 14,220 years ago. The discovery supports the theory that early migrants followed the Pacific Coast and confirms the peopling of the Americas was a slower process than previously thought.
Researchers found that individual sea otters specialize in particular prey types when food is limited, while populations with abundant resources share similar diets. This specialization can help understand disease mortality and inform wildlife management.
Researchers have discovered that chimpanzees in a savanna environment use bark and stick tools to exploit underground food resources, challenging the notion that this behavior is uniquely human. This finding supports the idea that chimpanzees can serve as models for understanding early human behaviors and adaptations.
Researchers found that thinking about larger resource accounts makes consumption seem cheaper, leading to increased spending. This 'accessible account effect' applies to food, time, and other everyday purchases.
Research found dogs that bit kids had distinctive patterns of behavior, but not specific breeds. The main causes of aggression were guarding resources and territory, with anxiety being a common factor in 3/4 cases.
Primates use cognitive abilities to select food sources based on resource quality and social group needs. The study found that white-faced saki monkeys traveled four times further than predicted distances to choose fruit-rich sites, prioritizing the group's dominance and competition.
A new study examines the ecological impacts of commercial cockle dredging on intertidal ecosystems and finds that exploitation leads to a decline in a seabird species by 80%. The research reveals that even the birds' adaptable digestive system cannot save them from starvation due to degraded food conditions.
Researchers urge governments to implement stricter controls on the live reef fish trade, a growing threat to coral reefs. The trade has devastating effects on the ecosystem, including the depletion of coral reef stocks and the spread of destructive harvesting methods.
Rapid climate changes during the Pleistocene Holocene transition led to the extinction of mega fauna and forced humans to adapt constantly. The environment became more stable in the Holocene, but with less variety.
A new study by Janis Dickinson found that accumulated wealth encourages delayed dispersal in Western bluebirds, leading to close-knit family relationships. By manipulating the mistletoe resource, Dickinson demonstrated that reducing wealth causes sons to leave their parents' territory.
A new pocket guide for nurses, 'Helping Smokers Quit', aims to enlist the aid of the country's 2.2 million practicing nurses in helping people give up smoking. The guide provides information and tools for nurses to become smoking cessation advocates.
A Penn State researcher found that few churches have adopted IT tools, leaving them out of funding opportunities. Churches can provide digital literacy to bridge the digital divide and support urban areas.
A partnership between Cardiff University and the city council aims to determine the Welsh capital's ecological footprint, providing valuable data for planners to link economic growth and environmental protection. The study will help reduce the city's footprint in areas such as transport, energy, waste, and resource use.
Child development experts may benefit from economists' tools to analyze the effect of resources on key outcomes like schooling, illness, and death. Economists can help broaden perspective on issues like day care by incorporating family resources and preferences into their models.