Articles tagged with Food Security
Climate change is expected to reduce agriculture productivity by up to 50% in Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to food security. Climate-smart agriculture has become crucial for the region's adaptation strategy, focusing on innovations to adapt agriculture to wild swings in climate extremes.
A recent study in Brazil found that severe food insecurity is associated with increased symptoms of sexually transmitted infection and decreased condom use among women. The authors argue that addressing food insecurity could have beneficial implications for HIV prevention by reducing risk avoidance behaviors.
The US Pharmacopeial Convention's new database highlights olive oil, milk, and honey as top adulterated ingredients. Food fraud, a collective term for substitution or misrepresentation of food products for economic gain, poses significant risks to consumers.
African scientists are being enabled to partner on new research programs focusing on animal and crop health, with the goal of improving productivity under challenges like diseases and abiotic stresses. The BecA-ILRI Hub has set up a capacity building fund called the Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund (ABCF) for African scientists.
The new 'Geo-Wiki' web tool utilizes Google Earth and crowdsourced data to enhance the accuracy of global land use and forest cover information. By leveraging a network of volunteers, Geo-Wiki aims to produce more accurate hybrid land cover maps than existing individual products.
The new approach allows for reliable sensing with compact devices, opening up potential applications in national security, food processing, breath analyzers, industrial monitoring, and more. Researchers have improved the performance of microsensors using tiny vibrating microcantilevers to detect chemical and biological agents.
Research on Trichoderma highlights its use as biocontrol agents to reduce chemical pesticide use, improving food security. The fungus also forms symbiotic associations with plants, altering gene expression to increase plant growth and productivity.
A team of MSU researchers is working on a project to link climate change to coping strategies and impacts on food production, security, and incomes for farm families in Zambia and Kenya. The study will provide new information on how climate change affects farming households and their responses.
Climate change threatens global food security, but new studies suggest that genetic traits in seeds and crop wild relatives can help. Developing heat-tolerant potato varieties could reduce climate-related damage by up to 65% of the world's potato crop.
Researchers are working with major UK retailers to reduce bacterial infections in chickens and lower food poisoning cases. The study focuses on improving chicken welfare to combat Campylobacter infection, a leading cause of food poisoning.
Researchers aim to enhance knowledge of barriers and opportunities for improving food security and economic viability through local and regional food system development. A thriving local food system provides ample opportunity to improve human health, reconnect people with the land, and attract new farmers.
Modern humans arriving from Africa swarmed the region with over ten times the population of Neanderthals, leading to their sudden disappearance. The incoming group's superior hunting technologies, social contacts, and complex behavioural patterns allowed them to outcompete Neanderthals for resources.
Access to fresh and healthy foods is crucial for long-term food security, according to Michelle Kaiser. Increasing local food production can reduce economic and environmental impacts of transporting food, enabling people to avoid processed, unhealthy foods.
Climate change increases plant vulnerability to infectious disease, threatening crop yield and food security. Exploiting crop diversity is crucial for improving resilience to pathogens and stresses.
A four-year USDA-funded grant will improve agricultural productivity and nutrition in Mozambique through a trilateral cooperation between the US, Brazil, and MSU. The initiative aims to create economic opportunities for low-income farmers by training them on technology and marketing fresh produce.
Researchers found that about a third of wild-collected Dictyamoeba are 'farmers' who store bacteria as food and thrive in environments where others struggle to find sustenance. The study's findings suggest potential insights into the development of new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.
The USDA has awarded $5.5 million to a research program aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of childhood hunger in the United States. The program will explore policy solutions to alleviate food insecurity among low-income families.
A Canadian study found that 22% of families with a child diagnosed with diabetes were food insecure, leading to poorer diabetes control and higher hospitalization rates. The researchers call for improved financial support and increased awareness among healthcare professionals to address this issue.
A new study found that food-insecure adults with diabetes have higher body mass indexes and greater financial constraints on food choices. However, after receiving nutrition education via telemedicine, both groups reported improved diet adherence and similar lab values associated with diabetes care.
A new report highlights the need for increased investment in diverse water storage options to reduce uncertainty and improve production of rainfed farming. The study argues against overreliance on single solutions like big dams, proposing an integrated approach that combines large- and small-scale storage options.
The American Dietetic Association calls for systemic action to achieve food and nutrition security for all in the US. Interventions include increased funding for food assistance programs, nutrition education, and innovative economic support initiatives.
A recent study found that hungry children are more likely to experience poor health, with repeated episodes of hunger being particularly toxic. The association holds even after adjusting for other factors such as low income and lack of home ownership, highlighting the need for policy interventions to address food insecurity.
The AWARD Fellowship program recognizes and supports top African female scientists conducting critical food security research. Since its inception in 2008, the fellowships have empowered over 1,600 women scientists to strengthen their research and leadership skills.
A new study found that a simple 2-question survey can effectively identify families with hungry children, allowing for early interventions and preventing serious health consequences. The study analyzed data from over 30,000 families nationwide and found that only two questions could accurately identify most families affected by hunger.
Researchers found that while municipal employees and public health officials believed walkable neighborhoods could promote healthy lifestyles, developers were skeptical about individual responsibility. The study also revealed a surprising lack of concern for access to affordable healthy food options in neighborhood design.
A recent University of Missouri study found that food insecurity and hunger among children persist even in households with food stamps and other forms of assistance. Informal food supports through churches and food pantries are related to improved child food security.
A recent study by the University of Illinois found that food insecurity is associated with a higher body mass index, greater weight gain during pregnancy, and a higher risk for gestational diabetes. Pregnant women who experienced food insecurity were more likely to develop health complications.
A new study highlights the high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women living in food-insecure households. Women from these households were more likely to experience severe pregravid obesity and greater gestational weight gain, which can lead to pregnancy complications.
A new study published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health found that Inuit preschoolers in Nunavut are heavier but just as tall as their US counterparts. The study, which surveyed 26% of three to five year olds in 16 Nunavut communities, shows a remarkable change from previous work on Inuit infants.
Researchers from the University of Idaho are exploring biotechnology and synthetic biology to address the world's growing population needs. The goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and adequate food supplies using technological interventions in agriculture.
A study of 388 Inuit children aged 3-5 years found that 70% lived in households with insufficient food, contributing to high rates of obesity and overweight. The researchers emphasize the need for strengthened support systems for Inuit families with young children.
A study of 8,500 low-income children ages 1-5 found an association between household food insecurity and overweight prevalence. Food-insecure households were more prevalent among girls under 2 years old, but not boys; however, among girls aged 2-5, those from food-insecure households had a 47% higher odds of being overweight.
A Pew poll shows that 90% of Iowa voters believe the government should have stronger food protections. The survey also found that half of respondents had lost confidence in the safety of US food due to high-profile outbreaks, and more than half of seniors shared this sentiment.
Research by the International Rice Research Institute has led to early rice harvests, reducing famine in northwest Bangladesh. The new methods allow farmers to plant rice earlier and use shorter-duration varieties, improving food security and reducing monga.
Representative Hinchey recognized for his strong support of a national research portfolio that invests in all sciences. He has been a long-time champion for the agricultural and biological sciences, recognizing their key role in addressing society's challenges.
A new study by University of Illinois business professor Yunchuan Liu finds that in-store marketing has surged in the last decade, offering retailers a pricing edge over traditional media. The study suggests that in-store advertising will become increasingly important for impulse purchases and brand awareness campaigns.
Climate change may lead to severe food shortages affecting half the world's population by 2100, as tropical regions experience reduced crop yields and increased water stress. The research highlights the need for adaptation and mitigation strategies to address these impacts.
A recent study by JAMA Network found that households with adult smokers have lower rates of daily healthy food access compared to non-smoking households. This association is particularly concerning in low-income families, where food insecurity rates are already high.
A study found that households experiencing energy insecurity are more likely to face food insecurity, leading to negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and developmental risks in infants and toddlers. Researchers also emphasized the need for healthcare providers to consider household energy security when making treatment decisions.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that mothers' stress levels contribute to their children's likelihood of being overweight, even in food-secure households. The study analyzed data from over 800 children and found that young children were most affected by household stress.
Researchers found that children from food-insecure households are two-thirds more likely to experience developmental risks compared to those from food-secure households. The study suggests providing nutritional interventions to young children and their families can decrease the need for later interventions.
The New York Academy of Medicine has released a report and tools to help households, workplaces, schools, and governments anticipate and address problems in emergencies. The report identifies critical gaps in current plans, including unaddressed sheltering-in-place issues and inadequate safety measures.
A NASA researcher has created a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help humanitarian aid organizations and decision makers predict how much food will be available and its cost, taking climate variables into account.
A NASA researcher has developed a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help government and humanitarian aid officials plan and respond to drought-induced food price increases, reducing the risk of famine.
A study found that wild bees improve honeybee effectiveness in pollinating flowers and generating seeds, especially on farms with abundant natural habitats. This phenomenon contributes significantly to the sunflower industry, adding around $10 million in value annually.
Research finds that Latino immigrant families in North Carolina face extreme hunger rates, with some areas experiencing hunger more severe than Appalachia. The study found that 35.6% to 41.8% of respondents experienced food insecurity, compared to the national average.
A K-State geography professor is researching how land use and land cover changes affect human health and food security. He uses remote sensing technology to monitor the spread of infectious diseases, such as hantavirus, and identify ecological context factors contributing to disease emergence.
A study by Ohio University researcher David Holben found that food-insecure Appalachians have a higher risk of obesity and diabetes compared to their food-secure counterparts. The research also highlighted the importance of nutrition education and managing food supply in addressing these health issues.
A study found that women in low-income food-insecure households are 50% more likely to be obese and gain at least 10 pounds in a year compared to those in fully secure households. Researchers propose modifying food assistance programs and nutrition education to address this issue.
Researchers found that home availability of healthy foods has a limited impact on adolescents' eating habits, especially compared to restaurants. The American Dietetic Association emphasizes the need for improved food preparation skills and awareness of accessible healthy options in various settings.
The Abuja Declaration endorses a five-point strategy to support capture fisheries, develop aquaculture, improve fish market chains, increase benefits from fish trade, and provide decision makers with information. African fish and fishery products have an annual export value of $2.7 billion.
Malnutrition and obesity increasingly co-exist worldwide due to dietary changes and decreased physical activity. Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are on the rise in low-income groups, exacerbated by food insecurity and under-nutrition.
Researchers found that ants use their two claws to interlock with waxy surfaces, enabling them to run efficiently. In contrast, glass rods require the presence of both claws and adhesive pads for ants to maintain traction.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that more than 85% of African Americans will use food stamps, compared to 37% of white Americans. Food stamp use is also linked to lower education levels, with 64% of adults with less than 12 years of education using them.
Researchers found that a caterpillar's adaptation to a specific fruit's chemical composition allows it to survive without triggering the plant's defense mechanism, providing a stable food supply. This unique dietary preference also shields the caterpillar from parasites, enabling it to thrive in an otherwise hostile environment.
A $300,000 study will examine the demand and availability of veterinarians in food supply-related disciplines. The research aims to address student recruitment, retention, and training to serve society.
Fortifying food supply with folic acid can markedly lower the risk of neural tube defects in offspring, such as spina bifida. The long-term safety of folic acid has been debated, but fortification is considered a better way to reach most women worldwide.
The University of Minnesota has been awarded a $10M grant to lead a national effort in food bio-security. The grant aims to enhance the nation's capabilities to anticipate and prevent deliberate contamination of the food supply, which could have devastating effects on human health and the economy.
A study by Ohio State University found that despite new regulations, only half of recalled meat and poultry products are actually recovered from the market. The number of recalls has increased due to more sensitive tests, but their success rate remains low. Small plants have shown a better recovery rate than large ones.
The new Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2385 contains pure spinach with certified concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants. Spinach is rich in beta-carotene and lutein, essential for healthy vision and eye health.